Looking for a new cellular phone.

[Dave21]

Hey guys, I hope this is the right section.

I'm looking for a new phone, preferably a smart phone. I'm looking at the new sony X1 (looks pretty sleek). I'm also looking at the iphone and the n95 as well. Hopefully some of you guys have some experience with these phones and can boast about them so I can make a better decision. Choosing a phone is so hard. Or another recommendation would be nice.

Also, I was wondering for the blackberry, on top of the monthly wireless charges, is there an additional monthly fee for using the bb? Thanks!

[EzyStvy]

Which phone service/company are you signed up with?

[Dave21]

Originally Posted by EzyStvy Which phone service/company are you signed up with?

Rogers, so I need a gsm phone with a sim card.

[gods_son_is_me]

If you're using a SIM card, you have to be with T-Mobile or AT&T. FIRST you wanna make sure you have the funds for a smart phone, they cost anywhere from $200 to $1000. Also, make sure you are gonna utilize it. Most, if not all, smart phones have many, many features, and if you're not going to be using them, then you're waisting money. Also, determine if you're getting an unlocked phone or a locked phone. Locked phones can't be used on other networks than the one it's written form. So beware. I have a Sidekick 3. Simple interface, stylish, but it's a power hog. Battery drains in 3 hours of continuous use, or last 12 hours. I also have an iPhone (really my fience's), which is worse. That battery last 10 hours, and only has 2.5 hours of talk time.

When using smart phones that have intenet, IMing, e-mail POPs, and regular cell phone abilities, expect to pay double of everyone else. The sidekick is the most efficient, as it is only $20 for unlimited data (net, text, IM, emai) and the lowest plan is 29.99. But with the iPhone, it's 49.99 for data (which IS limited) and lowest minute plan is 39.99. Most Blackberry company's give you a plan JUST for data with a seperate minute plan. So with a 19.99 data plan, you'll only have like 200 texts, 25 MB of internet, and always unlimited email POPS (which sucks). You'll at least pay... 49.99 for a decent data plan which still won't be unlimited. But then again, it depends on your usage.

The n95, all I know is that it expensive. Very capabile.

[glc]

If you're using a SIM card, you have to be with T-Mobile or AT&T.

This may be true in the US, but the OP is in Canada. Any plans you are talking about are not applicable.

[thefultonhow]

I've heard cell phone plans are even more ridiculously expensive in Canada than they are in the US.

There is a US$30 per month fee for Blackberry service in the US. I'm not sure how much it is in Canada. Expect to pay a lot for data, too (and if you are going to use it more than very rarely, you'll want an unlimited data plan -- I am on track to use 1 GB this billing cycle).

As for phones, I really like the simplicity of my new Motorola Q9c (I believe the GSM version is called the Q9h). It's also pretty cheap comparatively. The only problem is that many PocketPC apps don't work on it because it runs the Smartphone version of Windows Mobile. The Nokia N95 is a nice phone. I find the iPhone keyboard impossible to type on, but I have large thumbs. The Sony is similar to many HTC products, so if you are looking for a Windows Mobile phone, you might want to take a look at those.

[Dave21]

Is it true that the windows mobile on phones are really slow? Especially when playing media files?

[thefultonhow]

I haven't tried playing media files. Battery life is not that great, though -- I have to recharge every day.

[pctime1]

I think you can get an iphone, they are good and right now apple is offering a $200 price cut down on it.

[Dave21]

I've decided to go ahead and get the new n95 8gb phone.

It's a gsm phone, and my provider will be rogers/at&t. I'm just wondering if I'll get charged for using the GPS service, emails, and web browsing? Any one have any clue?

[thefultonhow]

You will need a data plan if you don't want to get charged.