Advice Wanted...Please?

[shadowkat]

You helped a great deal on the humidifier problem...so wondering if you can help with the smartphones?

I need to upgrade to a smartphone. Feel like the last person on the planet with an old cell phone. Which can't text. Been trying to do this for about a month now. But each time I walk into T-Mobile or any store for that matter, I'm overwhelmed with options.

No idea which one to pick.

My needs are very simple:

1.texting, (probably will do this more than make actual phone calls - people text don't call now.)
2.phone calls,
3. apps for airlines
4. Personal GPS - navigational aid (tells where closest subways are and how to get around)
5. internet access. Don't need it for music (have ipod touch for that). Won't use it to read - already struggling with small print as it is. Probably will use for Facebook. Not for livejournal. And do not envision watching tv or movies on a tiny screen.

I currently have a T-Mobile Nokia Classic flip-phone that is over three years old. Last one I got was in 2008. So no longer on contract. But changing services could be dicey or difficult. Might be easier to stick with T-Mobile even if their in-store service is horrible.

Can you help? Please see poll below of all the types of phones that I know of:

[Poll #1878263]

Comments

[londonkds.livejournal.com]

Can't talk about the others but my Samsung Galaxy is fine.

[beer-good-foamy.livejournal.com]

Yeah, I've been using Android phones for a few years now and I'm very happy with my Samsung.

[ann1962]

I've got a Virgin Mobile LG Optimus Elite. $35 a month for unlimited texting and internet, 300 minutes phone. There are other plans too, but this minimal one works for me. So far the apps are fine. Just tried the GOS right now for the first time, and it looks fine.

[green-maia.livejournal.com]

I have an android phone, a Motorola Droid, and I like it. But as soon as my contract is up in April I am going to downgrade to a "dumb" phone. Yes, there are things about a smartphone that are nice and useful, but for me, at least, it really, really isn't worth the extra money.

I didn't get a cell phone at all until 2004, and then I got a simple Samsung that didn't do anything but make and receive calls and send and receive text messages - it didn't even have a camera. It was cheap, simple, reliable, and the charge lasted for days. I loved it. In 2011 I dropped it in a stairwell and Verizon told me repair was impossible, and then offered me a free "upgrade" to a smartphone, and I bought the sales pitch...and have regretted it ever since. I have to charge it every single night (and if I'd lost power in the hurricane I would have been in trouble - the battery goes so fast). I don't use most of the "smart" features. It's really not worth the extra money.

So...I would recommend thinking twice before you assume that you must have a smartphone.

[embers-log.livejournal.com]

I had to go w/the 'no clue' option because I don't have any kind of cell phone (smart or otherwise) at all. I am VERY interested to read the comments here because I do think I may have to get one some day (my friends are always annoyed with me). I just don't like to be that available....

I always thought that the choice for a smart phone was between an iPhone and a Blackberry, but you don't even list the latter... are they no longer a thing? Stephen Fry wrote quite a bit on the topic a few years ago (this is one article, but really he wrote a whole series of articles): http://www.stephenfry.com/2009/06/19/iphone-therefore-i-am-stephen-reviews-apples-iphone-3gs/
personally I find it difficult to even read these articles without glazing over (it is funny: I adore computers, and I want an iPad, but just the thought of a cellphone weirds me out).

[http://users.livejournal.com/mad_brilliant_/]

I use Virgin Mobile (they use the Sprint network) also. No contract, $35 a month. My phone is a HTC EVO, and I'm very pleased with it. I'm using it to make this comment. :)

So many phones so little time.

[bitcheesquared.livejournal.com]

Hey... I live in Australia so i can't help with the provider...
But I can recommend the Iphone, everyone in my family has a version of it, even my 89 year old mother. It is super simple to use and the text set up on it is the best I've found with any mobile... And I've had every brand since I got my first over 25 years ago.
Seriously a monkey could operate one and the camera and ipod with it are idiot proof and make life so much easier.
Anyway hope this helped.
Cheers :D

[owenthurman.livejournal.com]

I carry an iPhone4 and a Samsung Galaxy Nexus. They're both great and will do everything you want. The latest ones, iPhone5 and Samsung Galaxy S III, are even better.

The iPhone system is a bit easier to use and get used to while the Android system that Samsung uses is more flexible. The time will come someday when you want the device to do something different and that will be the time when it's easier to get the Samsung to cooperate. Until then, the iPhone would have saved you a lot of small troubles.

So either one is a good choice.

Apple recently released a new maps program that treats people who get around without a car with some contempt, removing street-level navigation features in favor of more driving directions. They've promised to improve it but that might make a difference to you. It certainly reminded me that the Americans think of me as a second class citizen for being an urbanite.

[bitcheesquared.livejournal.com]

Wow a $100 seems high... I my son and daughter both have the iphone 4 the first one, through virgin, here in OZ, it cost's me 39.90 a month for 500gig data and $300 bucks worth of calls plus handset.
Shop around ask about the older version of the Iphones, they are cheaper and the companies are competitive. Other than that I used to always have Samsung's'
Hope that helped.