Help - Which of these 4 Cell Phones would you choose...buying 1 tomorrow

[dfchelbay]

So, I'm buying one of these cell phones for a family member and cannot make up my mind which one to purchase. It's a birthday gift and I am having a hard time trying to chooses which one he would want. So, I though I'd ask you all which one you would choose or not choose and why or why not. The person I'm buying for has always had a cell phone but never used any of the functions or features, like the camera, internet, texting, etc...not even the address book. He just dials the phone number and presses send. He has recently realized in the last couple weeks that he needs to have a phone that will allow him to check emails while traveling for work, which he does alot. He's always just checked email on his laptop from airports and hotel rooms. A few days ago he told me that he was so embarrassed when a group of people on a business outing were taking pictures, and asked him to take a picture of them and he didn't know how to and closed out the camera on her phone and she had to show him how to take a picture with a cell phone. He also said that a lot of people said they would "send him a text" about meeting times and locations...he doesn't text. He finally said to me, "I need to get a smart phone". He now wants internet access on a phone, and to possibly do some texting. We are all on the same Family Plan for our cell phones, and out of contract time limit, so there is no penalty. Actually, this phone, and its unlimited data use is WAY cheaper than what we pay now.

These are the four phones I am choosing from:

http://www.virginmobileusa.com/cell-phone-plans/beyond-talk-plans.jsp

I think they all would work for him. I like the LG Rumor, but then I saw the LG Rumor Touch, which has a touch screen and 3G, and the Blackberry is fabulous. So, what would you all choose and why. What features are important when choosing your cell phone. Keep in mind, he needs reading glasses for close up. So, if you do too, I'd like to hear what is hard/easy for you on your phones. Can you read your phone screens alright? Any input and suggestions are appreciated.

Thanks all.

 

[Mustangdi]

If you want a good smart phone a HTC is the way to go. I
had a Blackberry for a few hours and took it back. I had a
hard time with the keyboard. I have the HTC Hero on
Sprint with unlimited plan for 69.99 a month. Touch screen
with 3G. Love it, great for the internet. Good luck

 

[Mustangdi]

I forgot to mention that I also wear glasses, hard to see close up.

He will have to wear glasses to see the screen. You can make the
print larger on some screens. On your phone screen you
can touch the picture of who you want to call.

 

[crazelion]

I would go with the LG Rumor Touch for him because the big screen.

 

[Melynny]

also make sure you get a phone that allows him to sync his calendar. I know that is not a function that you did not mention, but after you start using that, you can't live without it. I have Palm Pre and it 's a great phone, it just takes more to sync my calendar and my work will not let me check my work email on my personal devices, ( make sure it's ok for them too). I easily check my personal email accounts.

 

[glitzybabes]

I'm also buy a cell phone tomorrow and I will buying the rumor touch LG for my dd who is turning 12. she asked for a touch screen phone that also slides up and this is the cheapest that I have found with the cheapest plan (25.00).

If you do get the Touch rumor, Radio Shack has them on sale this week for $129.99 , the cheapest I have found.
Also online is a $10.00 off a $40.00 purchase, coupon pops up when you go to the site. You can print it out, it is good in the stores. I'm not sure if it can be used with buying a phone but I was going to try. coupon does not say that you can't.

 

[dfchelbay]

I'm also buy a cell phone tomorrow and I will buying the rumor touch LG for my dd who is turning 12. she asked for a touch screen phone that also slides up and this is the cheapest that I have found with the cheapest plan (25.00).

If you do get the Touch rumor, Radio Shack has them on sale this week for $129.99 , the cheapest I have found.
Also online is a $10.00 off a $40.00 purchase, coupon pops up when you go to the site. You can print it out, it is good in the stores. I'm not sure if it can be used with buying a phone but I was going to try. coupon does not say that you can't.

Thanks for the information about the sale at Radio Shack. I've looked at the weekly ad on the website and I don't see the LG Touch listed anywhere in the flier? Where exactly did you see the $129.99 price? Can I get the price in the store or online only? Also, I didn't get the online pop up coupon for $10 off a $40 purchase either.

 

[dfchelbay]

also make sure you get a phone that allows him to sync his calendar. I know that is not a function that you did not mention, but after you start using that, you can't live without it. I have Palm Pre and it 's a great phone, it just takes more to sync my calendar and my work will not let me check my work email on my personal devices, ( make sure it's ok for them too). I easily check my personal email accounts.

Checking work email was one of the things he said he wanted to do with the phone. He said last week that he, and several other people from work were at a restaurant for lunch (out of town) and they were checking their emails with their phone right at the table. He told me that he wanted to check his email too, but he would have had to take out his laptop, boot it up, and sit at the table in a restaurant to do it. Since I know one of these people was his boss, and one was a co-worker, and they were checking work email, I know it will acceptable for him to do so too.

 

[glitzybabes]

Thanks for the information about the sale at Radio Shack. I've looked at the weekly ad on the website and I don't see the LG Touch listed anywhere in the flier? Where exactly did you see the $129.99 price? Can I get the price in the store or online only? Also, I didn't get the online pop up coupon for $10 off a $40 purchase either.

It was in my local ad. I looked online under a Miami zip code and I did not see it in your ad at all but it does come up online
http://www.radioshack.com/product/index.jsp?productId=4272950
I could not get the coupon code to go online for the extra 10.00 off but here is a link to get the coupon
http://view.ed4.net/v/WUDODZ/GDQ54/...E=A?sid=cc-00hc-0317-440300-00-00-0000-100410

 

[goofy's_gurl]

virgin mobile phones wont be lasting long. i had a lg rumor not the touch and it lasted me about two months then it wouldnt turn on.. It took them over a month with me asking them to get mine replaced to finally recieve one.