A new cellphone advises...

[alexzabr]

First of all must to apologize ahead since similar issue may have been discussed here, but I would rather look for more specific info bearing my particular case:
I'm on the market for a new cellphone to be birthday persent for my Dad. So far he is used an ancient Nokia (about 5-7 years old) - a huge and heavy thing (but quite reliable - looks like went through several wars but still works fine).
As you may noticed I'm not in US, I'm in Israel so it must comply our local networks which are mainly GSM. In summary it must be at least dual-band: 900/1800 or even better 900/1800/1900 MHz (so he would put his SIM card of the network and is done).
Slider models look appealing, but apparently are quite expensive. Would be great to figure something good under 80-90$ (brand new with all regular accessories).
Can be either Nokia, Motorola, probably Ericson or Samsung or other known brands.
Can have built-in camera, thought definitely not must...nothing fancy is required, just a good, reliable and convenient phone.

I'm open to suggestions...(will be bought either on US or Far East markets).

Thanks in advance, Alex

[snessiram]

I have a Nokia 3120 (no I don't understand a word of what's on the site). I previously used a nokia 3310 and I would describe the 3120 as the same build quality, same usability, lighter, smaller, better battery lifetime (8-9 days on 1 charge) and with a color screen. I dropped it a few times and still works and looks fine. I think it's a simple decent cell phone wich you can get without paying for crappy cams and without the risk of breaking something.

ps: its a tri-band.

[smugiri]

I can help a little with NOKIA as I have done lots of research on those for a business that I had exporting used phones. For less than $90 new, you are limited to the 6100 or the 6200. Both are decent phones with good specs that you can buy for about $50 new on eBay. No cameras though.

Be very careful when you shop for North American model phones to use in the Middle East/Asia/Africa or Europe. There are many North American GSM phones that are advertised as tri-band that may not work on your GSM network. This is because some countries use GSM 900 while North Americans brand GSM 850/1800/1900 phones as tri band which they quite correctly are. Tri-band phones to the rest of the world are GSM 900/1800/1900. THere are not many carriers with GSM 850 networks (I think that the UK (and Belgium?)) are among the exceptions to this rule) so tri-band phones from the US that do not have GSM 900 are to a large extent useless to the rest of the world outside the Americas.

To be safe from having to read specs to see if a phone will work, you must get a World phone that will be quad band e.g. The Motorola Razr (not NOKIA, I know!), the N73 (which costs way more than $90 ). There are older world phones but I do not know the model numbers. For this very reason, I would avoid the 3100/3120 suggested as it is GSM 850/1800/1900.

Any NOKIA phone with a number of the form series XXYX where Y is not 0 will probably not be a world phone/not GSM 900/1800/1900

Do not be tempted to buy the versions of the 6100/6200 with a camera (different model numbers maybe 6220 or 6201) as they are not GSM 900. I found this out the hard way.

You can find a list of all NOKIA phones here and work through the list to find out which are GSM 900/1800/1900 ('true' tri-band) or GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (quad band/world phone).


It seems that Israel is mainly GSM 900

[alexzabr]

Yes, thank you guys.
I was told that I need dual (900/1800) or tri-band (900/1800/1900) models which is what you also mentioned.
As about learning the specs - I'm fine with that, my engineering background will unlikely let me down here... , so I will know to distinguish between 850 and 900 MHz - can be money-saver to avoid sticking with world models only.
Also, I was advised to look for unlocked models. What does that mean exactly ? Unlocked from what ?

BTW, I'm not limited to Nokia only, all other reliable brands will count.

Thanks, Alex

[smugiri]

Yes, thank you guys.
I was told that I need dual (900/1800) or tri-band (900/1800/1900) models which is what you also mentioned.
As about learning the specs - I'm fine with that, my engineering background will unlikely let me down here... , so I will know to distinguish between 850 and 900 MHz - can be money-saver to avoid sticking with world models only.
Also, I was advised to look for unlocked models. What does that mean exactly ? Unlocked from what ?

BTW, I'm not limited to Nokia only, all other reliable brands will count.

Thanks, Alex

.
Another very important point, NOKIA phone specs for the same model for European and North American markets ARE DIFFERENT so do not do your research on European sites then buy in North America as you WILL NOT get what you researched.

For example
North American 6230 - note that it is GSM 850/1800/1900

European 6230 - note that it is GSM 900/1800/1900.

[smugiri]

Yes, thank you guys.
I was told that I need dual (900/1800) or tri-band (900/1800/1900) models which is what you also mentioned.
As about learning the specs - I'm fine with that, my engineering background will unlikely let me down here... , so I will know to distinguish between 850 and 900 MHz - can be money-saver to avoid sticking with world models only.
Also, I was advised to look for unlocked models. What does that mean exactly ? Unlocked from what ?

BTW, I'm not limited to Nokia only, all other reliable brands will count.

Thanks, Alex

Cell phone companies in the US (and around the world) subsidize the cost of a phone by giving it to you and recovering its cost over the life of a contract that you must sign with them. To prevent you using the phone without this contract, they "lock" the phone which is a way of preventing you from using the phone with another cell service provider aside from them. When you finish you contract, they send you a code to allow you to unlock it and use it with other providers.

This is not a big problem as it is easy to unlock a locked phone, there is software on the web that will let you unlock any NOKIA generation 3 phone and there are sellers on ebay who will sell you an unlock code for your phone for about $4.

Be careful when unlocking though as you only get 5 tries before the phone is locked permanently to the network it is on.

[alexzabr]

Aga, understood.
This is similar to what is usually happen in our country also. The providers (we have 3 major cell providers and 2 smaller) sell what is called "package deals" - you get the phone and sign the contract with them (usually 36 months-long) and they recover the cost over the signed period. In fact, the customer happens to pay four, five or even six times the actual price of the device over these 3 years (a real robbery) which is why even non-really technically-inclined people turning to worldwide purchase of the phones to save the costs and then just pop their SIM card ...

Still, wouldn't like to be stuck with Nokia choices only, other brands are also welcome ...

[pphilipko]

Well, I just came back from Hong Kong, and not surprisingly, I brought back a brand new phone...you might want to consider this.

O2 XDA Atom Exec
http://www.seeo2.com/product/XdaAtomExe ... Product.vm

It's somewhat expensive, but worth the money. I bought it for $5380 HKD..you can buy it from an online retailer, e.g. Expansys for a slightly more expensive price.

Otherwise, XDA Stealth might be suitable for your Dad if he really needs the number pad...

The final option I would recommend is the Dopod 838 Pro, a 3G phone. It should be able to handle the test of time well...

HTH.

[alexzabr]

Thanks for your look on the issue, but unfortunately it isn't exactly inline with my approach. As I mentioned, I need a simple, straight-froward in use device that can be handy for not really yong man. Just a plain yet robust cell. phone without unnecessary functionality and priced under 80$ (well, perhaps can expand a little to 100$ or even 110$). No any computer-savvy gadgets, just a slider or flap-type model with convenient keyboard (reasonably large keys) and menus, good, easy-to-read screen, reasonable memory and other cellular-related functionality, reliable in operation, reasonable stand-by time and so that compatable accessories to be available on the market (such as hands-free for car driving with charger).

[underclocker]

Two options;

1) used BlackBerry 7100g (or 7100t or 7100r). It's quad-band, Bluetooth and has a very big bright screen. My father in law uses one and likes the large screen. You do not need a BlackBerry acount to enjoy it. SMS messages are very legible, too.

This phone is light and durable. I've used mine for 2 years and dropped it numerous times. No issues at all.

http://www.blackberry.com/ap/products/b ... 100g.shtml

2) new Motorola L2. Quad band, Bluetooth, etc. Very nice slim phone with bright screen.

http://www.motorola.com/motoinfo/produc ... jectId=138

Either would have to be unlocked, but this is possible with both. My unlocked 7100g accepts SIMs from anywhere - and works.

[pphilipko]

In that case, buy a unlocked, refurbished Motorola T720...I have this as my spare, and it still receives reception in areas where no one else does.

[bigtiger]

I have a same experience with nokia phone. I bought a Nokia 3200 from asia which is a triband, but it does not work in US.

Anyway, I would strongly suggest the Motorola V60 - the GSM version.
This is a very solid phone. It is around $40 from eBay. Very reliable. Good signal. The battery is compatible with Motorola V300, 400, 600, etc. Actually most motorola phones of that shape will fit.

My brother is doing cellphone business (not in US and he cannot help you), he suggested me not to buy any Samsung cellphone. They are really bad on batteries.

He suggests nokia but nokia is not very popular in US.

By the way, avoid motorola V300, 400, 600. They are pieces of junk. Do not ask why. Just trust me.

[pphilipko]

I have a same experience with nokia phone. I bought a Nokia 3200 from asia which is a triband, but it does not work in US.

Anyway, I would strongly suggest the Motorola V60 - the GSM version.
This is a very solid phone. It is around $40 from eBay. Very reliable. Good signal. The battery is compatible with Motorola V300, 400, 600, etc. Actually most motorola phones of that shape will fit.

My brother is doing cellphone business (not in US and he cannot help you), he suggested me not to buy any Samsung cellphone. They are really bad on batteries.

He suggests nokia but nokia is not very popular in US.

By the way, avoid motorola V300, 400, 600. They are pieces of junk. Do not ask why. Just trust me.

My phone a couple of years ago was also a V60, and it worked fine until I...err...misplaced it in the washing machine. However, my carrier was willing to exchange a newer V60i for a nominal fee. The problem with this phone is the antenna, it works great when new, but when the (extraordinarily long, btw) antenna gets banged around, it gets worse and worse reception until it can't even connect to the network. Just a small warning in case you wanted to purchase one of these.

[alexzabr]

Ok, thanks.
Since this is going to be my Dad's birthday present, must be only brand new, factory sealed.
So far several options come to mind (among mentioned here) that fit the budget:
Motorola L2, T720 (albeit this on get quite mixed user reviews..), so far leaning towards L2.
What about Nokia, Ericsson ? Which models can be recommended out of these ?

[tomh009]

(...) The problem with this phone is the antenna, it works great when new, but when the (extraordinarily long, btw) antenna gets banged around, it gets worse and worse reception until it can't even connect to the network. Just a small warning in case you wanted to purchase one of these.

External antennas are really dumb IMHO, and I'm disappointed how many modern phones still have them -- Motorola and Treo are particularly big offenders. They stick out, get in the way and break.

Nokia and SonyEricsson have lots of good models with internal antennas. Take a look on their web sites, and then check out the prices on eBay.

Or a Blackberry 8100 (Pearl) -- it's nice and compact, internal antenna, quad-band, camera, MP3 player -- and it's great for email and text messages. But I suspect that the price may be outside your range ...

[alexzabr]

Well, I was seriously considering Motorola L2, but recently have changed my mind towards several possible Nokia, Samsung or Erocsson models such as Nokia 6101, 6103; Ericsson J300I and Samsung X200 or E630. The most desired contended so far is the latter mentioned: Samsung E630 - looks great, not overloaded with crappy features, slider (which is tempting) and gets great reviews. If I'll be able to figure one brand new unlocked for under about 120$ - I would go for it...