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Help choosing a phone

E

edbulmer

Newbie
I know this has probably been asked many times but I am new to the android realm and would really appreciate some help. Up to now I have only used a cell phone. Now I would like to go further.
I would like to get into apps and want a phone that has good reception and has a big screen and good battery life.
Also I live in Canada six months and the US six months so I need one I can use in both Countries on different plans (month to month). Will I be able to do this on one phone? Is there any type I need to watch out for and would I need two sim cards? I'm thinking that this would mean it has to be unlocked as well is that right?
If so what are the best choices for the money. And is 4gm worth the price over the 3gm?

I've heard great things about the samsung phones but also heard bad things about the battery life.
I like apple but the screens are too small and I think they are overpriced.
 
Welcome to the forums! :)

I think you want to go with an unlocked phone, two sims and use AT&T in the US and Rogers in Canada. That _should_ give you your greatest interoperability. (US phones are typically locked to a carrier, so swapping sims won't work on another network.)

Many consider the Galaxy Nexus to be the top line phone in Android right now - you can buy an unlocked GSM version from Amazon or Nigri in Arizona.

I'll let others chime in to discuss your various needs and maybe help with other models that may be right for you.
 
If you want to go a one phone route the motorola photon from sprint is a pretty good global phone.

The sprint data speeds are going to be lower than verizon or at&t though
 
I also agree that the photon is a great phone. Some of my friends have been switching from the photon to the galaxy s2 but I'm not sure that was the wisest decision :(
 
I checked out the sprint sites and I don't see the photon phone. I do see the 4s one though. Is that a good one? I like the voice activated data idea. That is way too cool.
 
Sprint is the last carrier where unlimited means unlimited. On the rest, unlimited means read the fine print, as soon as you use a lot of data, we will slow down your connection until you can't stand it and switch to a tiered plan.

The iPhone 4s is by most accounts pretty cool, and the Siri voice application is popular. Android has had voice activated functions for a long time, but Siri is king of the hill for features today. I've used voice control frequently on various Androids. Warning though, regardless of Android or iPhone, voice recognition is not a 100% deal like they make it sound, and when it screws up, the results range from frustrating to hilarious. There are whole websites devoted to famous voice screw ups. On either system, it is a convenient feature though, like I say, I have used it myself.

Try to Google for "sprint photon" and go to the shop.sprint... link, you'll have to give your zip code to see the details. That should get you there.

Talk to a Sprint rep, by phone or online, to get the plan and use details for the Photon to see if it is right for you. Obviously, we think it might be, but you'll have to let us know. :)
 
Not sure on Sprint but Verizon world phones they will unlock the Sim port for you after 90 days or so. That said, they have no 4G worldphones and only a couple of worthwhile 3G ones like the Incredible2 and Droid3. Otherwise the iPhone 4S with the tiny screen.

My dad has a Tmobile Galaxy S. Service is spotty and slow in Los Angeles.
 
The only problem I have with sprint is the want 80 bucks a month for the phone plus 20 cents a minute for calls. I think these guys are raking it in a little too much for my taste.
Anyone know of a phone carrier where you can get month to month without the hefty long distance fees.
 
The 80 / month includes unlimited mobile to mobile talking and 450 minutes to landlines.

To go month by month, I think you have to go back to original strategy of an unlocked GSM phone.
 
I would still have to pay .20 per minute for long distance charges which is outrageous and a crime. I currently pay .04 cents per minute. So which gsm
phone is the best unlocked or course?
 
Sorry about the bum steer. My wife's phone is on an $80 unlimited without that long distance restriction, I guess that they changed it. Again, sorry about that.

Good news, you have lots of choices, bad news is that you have lots of choices.

Do you have some preferences or uses that can help zero in on a good phone for you?

Example, do you have a screen size preference? Size?
 
Get the Galaxy Nexus or the Galaxy S II imo.

Both have there advantages, theres not much else out there worth considering unless you really prefer the styling if another product.

Also worth a mension is the Razr Maxx, overall specs are not the best but the battery life extremely good.

Can't help you with contracts as I'm from the UK and avoid them anyway. :p
 
I use google voice for international calling. Integrates right in to the phone. Even on my wifes iphone it works pretty well. From the usa .02 to germany .06 to Mexico etc. Some carriers offer canada as part of the usa plan.

Btw the razr maxx is not a gsm phone. It has a gsm compatible chip but inactivated. It is cdma and lte only.
 
That's what I was wondering-with all the internet technology can't we make phone calls long distance from a cell phone going through the internet, without paying long distance charges? I use google gmail phone service on my laptop all the time.
So now I'm going back to my orignal post-

I need a phone with a big screen-nice and bright
Good battery life (I love the Samsung reviews but I've heard they have battery problems
Good antenna for internet and phone call reception
(voice activation would be nice but not manditory)
unlocked so I can go with any carrier-I'm in the US 6 months and Canada 6 months.
built in gps
best bang for the buck
(I'm going on a long trip up the intercoastal waterway this spring. And need a good one.
 
Looks like Verizon has a US-Canada plan. I can get a Droid Razr for $199 or a Samsun Nexus to $299+($25 for extended life battery) or the HTC Rezound for $79. Which do you think is the best deal? And I need this sooner than later as I am leaving on an extended trip in two weeks tims.

I am not going to be a great user. Juet for phone, some app fun and some internet, no games or video.
 
I doubt, in two weeks. Your better off just getting the Samsung galaxy s2. I've heard a lot of good things about that phone so, I would just go with that instead but, it really depends on what you want in a phone.
 
The razor has better hardware better exchange email integration. I'm taking back my wife iphone tonight in getting her a razor. The samsung would be much better if you want to romn it.
 
Too bad I missed out on the Razr special. But there is the Droid Bionic for 29 bucks that I think I will go for. It seems to have everything I want. The only other option I see from Verizon is the Razr for 99 bucks. Any comments on that one
 
edbulmer said:
Too bad I missed out on the Razr special. But there is the Droid Bionic for 29 bucks that I think I will go for. It seems to have everything I want. The only other option I see from Verizon is the Razr for 99 bucks. Any comments on that one
Click to expand...

The Bionic is CDMA only, so I don't think it will work in Canada. Like Early said, no LTE phones are GSM compatible. If you're going for your first smartphone and want to use Verizon in the US, the Incredible 2 and Droid3 are you're only choices.
 
CDMA is available in Canada by a couple of carriers (Telus and Sask) and Verizon Roams on them.

I have a Bionic and it is a pretty good phone. I got my wife the Razr last night and it is nicer. If you are not the type to swap batteries, get that. Both will have intermittant data issues as Verizon's LTE is buggy.
 
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