Mobile Phone Suggestions??

**101RRS** · 8th April 2012, 04:38 PM

My old Nokia 6120 has always been a piece of crap and it is time to replace it.

I do not need a smart phone as I have no data usage (and do not want any) and my current phone plan is pay for phone calls only and I intend to keep it that way.

I carry my phone with me all the time (top pocket) and it does get knocked around a bit - I have busted a few screens in the past.

So my basic requirements are:

Must be robust,
Must have a Qty type keypad,
Have a very good camera - minimum 5mp and hopefully a good lens.
Be value for money.
Not too large.
GPS that works outside of mobile range - ie has its own maps onboard not being used via data download.

Looked at the following:

HTC Wildfire S - main issue is the slow operation of functions
HTC Desire S - is OK but nothing special
IPhone 4 - too expensive
Samsung Galaxy S2 - a bit pricey for my use and far more capable than I need but has a good camera and generally ticks the boxes.

With a good case to protect it I am leaning towards the Samsung even though it is far more than I wanted to pay but I would appreciate thoughts on other options that I may have missed.

Thanks

Garry

**goingbush** · 8th April 2012, 04:57 PM

Just curious,

you say you don't want a smartphone, but you need GPS and a qty keyboard and all the phones in your list are smartphones.

If you just want a good Robust phone you need to narrow your search to 'Robust" or "Tradies" phones.

My ZTE / Telstra Tough 2 is very rugged but only has a 3mp camera, Ive dropped it dozens of times & is unmarked. Tho Its a PITA to send texts with, so I'll be getting the Telstra Active Touch next as its the only smart phone I can find that is Blue Tick & has an external antenna port.

My wife has a LG Optimus P690 , Telstra Blue Tick and it is way better than expected , has been dropped a few times too. Only issue is the battery does not last like our previous non smart phones.

**101RRS** · 8th April 2012, 05:20 PM

Originally Posted by goingbush

you say you don't want a smartphone, but you need GPS and a qty keyboard and all the phones in your list are smartphones.

As I said I don't need a smart phone as such (one that can surf the web and download etc) but my research so far has only shown that smart phones have what I am after.

Happy to look at other options - hence the post.

PS - Just had a look at the T28 - on a quick overview seems to tick the boxes - I will investigate further.

Thanks

Garry

**scarry** · 8th April 2012, 06:36 PM

For the last few yrs i have used the Samsung B2700,ithink the new model is B2710.Dunno if it does what you want,but are very good.Dropped them a lot,never had a problem.I actually wear the keys out ,never had the phone actually fail.
They do occasionally lock up & then restart themselves,but this happens rarely,never a real issue. It may have something to do with the hands free Parrot i have them paired to.

Compared with the Nokia tradesman phones we had before,the Samsung is light yrs ahead.
We buy them outright,around $200,the new model may be a little cheaper.

**Ranga** · 8th April 2012, 09:45 PM

What about a Motorola Defy? Getting cheaper now, and pretty rugged.

**goingbush** · 8th April 2012, 10:15 PM

Originally Posted by garrycol

As I said I don't need a smart phone as such (one that can surf the web and download etc) but my research so far has only shown that smart phones have what I am after.

Happy to look at other options - hence the post.

PS - Just had a look at the T28 - on a quick overview seems to tick the boxes - I will investigate further.

Thanks

Garry

I was like you & resisting the need for a smartphone

If you want to use the GPS / Maps function you will need to get a browsing plan, they don't have to be expensive, I have the $10.00 for 3Gb monthly postpaid , because the phone downloads google maps data as you go, I could be wrong but I don't think they store the maps in the sense of a proper GPS.

but since it looks like you will be getting a smart phone you should think about a data plan because if you don't the data use is mega expensive, I think 3Gb will be heaps for my use which includes occasional hotspot tether so I can use my Laptop whilst on the road.

**Ranga** · 8th April 2012, 10:24 PM

You don't need a data plan, there's software that store the maps on the phone.

I use Sygic for on-road and Oziexplorer or Android for off-road.

Sent from the dodgy keyboard on my phone via Tapatalk

**33chinacars** · 8th April 2012, 10:51 PM

Currently I'm testing a Sonim XP3300 Force phone. Only GSM not 3G at the moment. They hope to release a 3G phone mid year. Super tough tradie phone. Has GPS but haven't used it. And only 2 mp camera. Not cheap but I would still recomend it not that I know anything. Still worth a look.

Welcome to Sonim Technologies - Maker of the World's Toughest Phones

Gary

**101RRS** · 8th April 2012, 10:52 PM

Originally Posted by goingbush

If you want to use the GPS / Maps function you will need to get a browsing plan, they don't have to be expensive, I have the $10.00 for 3Gb monthly postpaid , because the phone downloads google maps data as you go, I could be wrong but I don't think they store the maps in the sense of a proper GPS.

Thanks - but that type of gps is no use to me as I may want to use the gps function outside of mobile range - plus the plan I use and want to stay on has no data component at all - cannot even use it if I wanted.

My current nokia has inbuilt maps - just not the GPS - if I want to use it as a GPS I have a small solar powered blue tooth GPS receiver that will talk to the phone - not the most convenient.

i do not need download plans etc - that is what my laptop is for.

Cheers

Garry

mikehzz · 9th April 2012, 08:12 AM

All the phones will work as a gps out of mobile range. Its the gps program you choose to run on the phone that may or may not download maps. Pick a program that allows you to save the maps on the phone, there are quite a few. You download the program from whatever app store is available for the phone. Google maps comes standard on most phones these days but won't allow you to store its maps on the phone. Therefore don't start the program. For android use Ozi or Androzic. They both allow you to store the maps on phone and both will work on any phone with android o/s.

Moving to something like an S2, get ready to charge it every few days at least. The new phones barely last the day out if you use their features and receive a lot of calls. GPS chews power more than most other apps. Cheers.

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