QWERTY Cell phones.

brekk · 08-30-2007, 03:04 PM

OK so my w600i died on me last week.

Was eligible for a free upgrade and got a refurbed Blackberry 8700c through AT&T for 20$. (its not really refurbed, just old stock with cingular logo, etc.) Its ok for calls, and great for txting, but overall not very useful for me.

Ive got 30 days to return it and I'm looking at exchanging it for a Blackberry Pearl refurb, (80$) or Samsung Blackjack refurb. (90$)

In just about every way i prefer the Pearl, better media controls, better UI, etc. EXCEPT it uses 2 letters per key rather than a true QWERTY keyboard like the Blackjack. Both use microSD card slots.

Anyone have any experience with either phone, or the "1/2 QWERTY" style keyboard on a phone?

kedwyn · 08-30-2007, 03:30 PM

If it doesn't have a touch screen I avoid it.

brekk · 08-30-2007, 03:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kedwyn

If it doesn't have a touch screen I avoid it.

i don't need touch.

i wasn't even considering a QWERTY as a replacement when my phone, died, but at under 100$ with recommitment I might as well get one since I do txt a lot.

Suineg · 08-30-2007, 06:33 PM

I like my Cingular 8525 a lot.

Tyen · 08-30-2007, 06:46 PM

I love my Blackberry Curve. I have aim, irc, gmail, and streaming audio setup on it. I never get disconnected from aim and irc unless I'm downloading alot of applications from the browser. Even then it's pretty rare.

Lord Thanos · 08-30-2007, 06:50 PM

I have a Blackberry Pearl (T-Mobile), before that I had the 8700C (Cingular)

I love the pearl, it's small, better features than the 8700C, the "pearl" makes navigating so much better

As for the 1/2 qwerty keyboard, it takes some getting used to, but you'll get used to it pretty quickly and learn to love it, the SureType feature is nice, you don't have to double tap a key unless you change the settings, it kind of knows what word you are trying to type because of it's build in word database, there are some instances where you have to correct it as you type, for example

Typing "SEE" will come up as "ARE" since both words have the same keystrokes in common, you can select the word SEE from the autocomplete list as you finish typing

It will also add custom words by pushing in the Pearl as you finish typing a word not in the database, I text message my girlfriend in Spanish and the phone keeps all these custom words saved, I can type 20 lines of text in Spanish and I don't even have to correct it anymore

The camera is nice, but no big deal, I hardly ever use it, I don't use the media player either as I don't have a memory card on my Pearl

EDIT: The Pearl 2 is around the corner, but reading your post it seems like you're not looking to buy a new phone

Tyen · 08-30-2007, 06:52 PM

2 gig micro SD cards are only $30 at radio shack. I suggest you get one, I bought mine yesterday.

Lord Thanos · 08-30-2007, 06:58 PM

Oh that's a pretty good deal!

Ortega · 08-30-2007, 07:02 PM

If you renew your two year contract you can order a Curve through Amazon.com for 75$ (normally 400$).

Amazon.com: BlackBerry 8300 Curve Silver Phone (AT&T): Cell Phones & Service

Zeste · 08-30-2007, 07:33 PM

is the Nokia E70 a good candidate? I am up for a new contract and phone next month and I want a good smartphone, mainly to do email and maintain a calendar and work documents.

Flood950 · 08-30-2007, 08:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Suineg

I like my Cingular 8525 a lot.

I have a 3125. Its a very compact Smartphone. Its almost the size of the RAZR but it uses the Windows Mobile stuff. Definitely not made for someone use to a full keypad type of deal though.

brekk · 08-30-2007, 08:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Tyen

2 gig micro SD cards are only $30 at radio shack. I suggest you get one, I bought mine yesterday.

2gb micro SD card with the miniSD and normal SD converters for 20$ on amazon. Got it for my R4DS

And yeah the pearl 2.0 sounds snazzy but im only jumping on the deal because the refurbed ones are so cheap. Its awesome cuz theyre not really refurbed, theyre the remaining stock of phones with the cingular logos on em, instead of AT&T.

Lenas · 09-02-2007, 02:01 PM

I just got my phone stolen (sony w810i) and replaced it with a Blackjack. I have to say that I am really impressed with it so far. The first reason that I got a Blackjack over the Pearl was because for whatever reason, Cingular doesn't offer insurance on the Pearl. Second reason was the full QWERTY instead of the double letter per button deal. The phone is wide and sits really comfortably in my somewhat large hands.

Also, the call quality is great. Speaker is very clear. Originally I thought that I would like the Pearl interface more, but it's turning out to be the opposite case. All in all I'm happy with my purchase. I suggest getting a Blackjack, trying it out and if you don't like it trade before 30 days for your Blackberry.

The only real bad point is battery life. It will last you probably a day unless you make a couple changes (for example, turning off the 3G network if you arent using it). If you end up getting one and want some pointers, there are some good info resources out there like Samsung BlackJack Users :: Index etc.

brekk · 09-02-2007, 02:22 PM

I was leaning towards the blackjack partially because of the 3G and the full QWERTY, but I really like that the pearl can play straight .avi's off an SD card without needing to convert them.

I had a w600i, but i honestly didn't use it that much for music. (partially because it sucks dealing with only 256mb of storage) I just really wanna be able to drag and drop episodes of shows and be able to watch em on my phone without much headache.

Dexz · 09-02-2007, 04:23 PM

The only complaints I've heard about the blackjack are defunct batteries that wont charge after a few months, after all its a clone of the Q.

08-30-2007, 03:30 PM	#2 (permalink)
kedwyn Registered User Join Date: Jul 2006 Posts: 785	If it doesn't have a touch screen I avoid it. __________________ Welcome to SOE's Station pass, AKA MMO mediocrity or worst.

08-30-2007, 06:46 PM	#5 (permalink)
Tyen FoH Thriller Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 1,866 +40 Internets	I love my Blackberry Curve. I have aim, irc, gmail, and streaming audio setup on it. I never get disconnected from aim and irc unless I'm downloading alot of applications from the browser. Even then it's pretty rare. __________________ A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker. Last edited by Tyen : 08-30-2007 at 06:53 PM.

08-30-2007, 06:50 PM	#6 (permalink)
Lord Thanos Paisa y bien picado pa que vea! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: West New York, NJ Posts: 776 -2 Internets	I have a Blackberry Pearl (T-Mobile), before that I had the 8700C (Cingular) I love the pearl, it's small, better features than the 8700C, the "pearl" makes navigating so much better As for the 1/2 qwerty keyboard, it takes some getting used to, but you'll get used to it pretty quickly and learn to love it, the SureType feature is nice, you don't have to double tap a key unless you change the settings, it kind of knows what word you are trying to type because of it's build in word database, there are some instances where you have to correct it as you type, for example Typing "SEE" will come up as "ARE" since both words have the same keystrokes in common, you can select the word SEE from the autocomplete list as you finish typing It will also add custom words by pushing in the Pearl as you finish typing a word not in the database, I text message my girlfriend in Spanish and the phone keeps all these custom words saved, I can type 20 lines of text in Spanish and I don't even have to correct it anymore The camera is nice, but no big deal, I hardly ever use it, I don't use the media player either as I don't have a memory card on my Pearl EDIT: The Pearl 2 is around the corner, but reading your post it seems like you're not looking to buy a new phone Attached Images __________________ Last edited by Lord Thanos : 08-30-2007 at 06:59 PM.

08-30-2007, 06:52 PM	#7 (permalink)
Tyen FoH Thriller Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: Cambridge, MA Posts: 1,866 +40 Internets	2 gig micro SD cards are only $30 at radio shack. I suggest you get one, I bought mine yesterday. __________________ A dog is not considered a good dog because he is a good barker. A man is not considered a good man because he is a good talker.

08-30-2007, 06:58 PM	#8 (permalink)
Lord Thanos Paisa y bien picado pa que vea! Join Date: Feb 2002 Location: West New York, NJ Posts: 776 -2 Internets	Oh that's a pretty good deal! __________________

08-30-2007, 06:33 PM	#4 (permalink)
Suineg Registered User Join Date: Sep 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,809 -8 Internets	I like my Cingular 8525 a lot.

08-30-2007, 07:02 PM	#9 (permalink)
Ortega Registered User Join Date: Feb 2006 Posts: 158 -2 Internets	If you renew your two year contract you can order a Curve through Amazon.com for 75$ (normally 400$). Amazon.com: BlackBerry 8300 Curve Silver Phone (AT&T): Cell Phones & Service

08-30-2007, 07:33 PM	#10 (permalink)
Zeste Ben's Secret Assassins - HIPPITY HOP RABBIT Join Date: Feb 2005 Posts: 2,942 +32 Internets	is the Nokia E70 a good candidate? I am up for a new contract and phone next month and I want a good smartphone, mainly to do email and maintain a calendar and work documents. __________________ Locke: Where do you get electricity? Ben: We have two big hamsters running around in this giant wheel in our secret underground lair. Locke: Yeah, that's funny.

09-02-2007, 02:01 PM	#13 (permalink)
Lenas Usually only fucks with female pilots, 'cause they got the illest cockpits Join Date: Mar 2002 Location: San Diego, CA Posts: 1,219 -18 Internets	I just got my phone stolen (sony w810i) and replaced it with a Blackjack. I have to say that I am really impressed with it so far. The first reason that I got a Blackjack over the Pearl was because for whatever reason, Cingular doesn't offer insurance on the Pearl. Second reason was the full QWERTY instead of the double letter per button deal. The phone is wide and sits really comfortably in my somewhat large hands. Also, the call quality is great. Speaker is very clear. Originally I thought that I would like the Pearl interface more, but it's turning out to be the opposite case. All in all I'm happy with my purchase. I suggest getting a Blackjack, trying it out and if you don't like it trade before 30 days for your Blackberry. The only real bad point is battery life. It will last you probably a day unless you make a couple changes (for example, turning off the 3G network if you arent using it). If you end up getting one and want some pointers, there are some good info resources out there like Samsung BlackJack Users :: Index etc. __________________ 360 / PSN - LenasUchiha Last edited by Lenas : 09-02-2007 at 02:03 PM.

09-02-2007, 04:23 PM	#15 (permalink)
Dexz Waiting for the day Potam gets perma banned Join Date: Apr 2003 Posts: 450 -1 Internets	The only complaints I've heard about the blackjack are defunct batteries that wont charge after a few months, after all its a clone of the Q.

Thread Tools	Search this Thread
Show Printable Version Email this Page	Search this Thread: Advanced Search
Display Modes	Rate This Thread
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode	Rate This Thread: