XT Smartphone recommendations?

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tones81

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#41626 20-Sep-2009 18:43

Hey guys and gals,

My name is Tony, from Hamilton NZ

I've been around Geekzone for a while now but finally decided to register and start posting.

I'm considering purchasing a new Smartphone of some description. Now, this isn't an urgent thing so I'm able to wait for phones in development to come out. I'd like some recommendations about phones on the market at the moment and phones soon to be released.

I've currently got an Okta (HTC) Touch (Telecom CDMA) and a Nokia 6120c (Telecom XT). At this stage any phone I would get would have to work on Telecom XT (UMTS 850), not really looking to change networks.

I was relatively happy with my Touch although there were some features that could have made it better – Wi-Fi, QWERTY keyboard, camera flash and WM was hit & miss sometimes but I've not had a lot of experience with other OS for PDAs so don't really know any different. I've been using my Nokia more, as it's on XT which my primary plan is attached to. My Touch is now used as a backup/web browser.

As far as features go that I'm looking for:

Touch screen & Wi-Fi are must haves.

A QWERTY keyboard would be nice, I would consider going without, however if it has a keyboard it must slide out.

Accelerometer could be fun.

A decent web browsing experience would be important (either in-built or if it's a WM device I'd probably download Opera).

Easy to type SMS & emailing would be appreciated.

The ability to open/edit Word documents is important.

Price is not a huge issue, although I would like to know what I'd be paying. I've been looking over a few different models that are currently out or soon to be released (some may or may not work on XT so correct me if I've picked one that won't work). The ones that have piqued my interest so far are:

Palm Pre (unsure if this is going to be released on UMTS 850?)

iPhone 3GS

Nokia N900 (this doesn't appear to be coming out on UMTS 850 or am I wrong?)
HTC Touch Pro2 (again unsure of UMTS 850 compatibility)

Any thoughts on these phones, will they be usable on XT? Pros & cons? Any other recommendations?

rp1790

738 posts

Ultimate Geek

Lifetime subscriber

#257243 20-Sep-2009 20:34

iPhone has everything you're looking for there (except physical keyboard). Works beautifully on XT, fast and great coverage. Just LUV mine.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79280 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

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Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#257562 22-Sep-2009 13:42

The problem is that currently the Palm Pre is for CDMA only, so won't work on XT. There are rumours of a very soon to be released 3G version, but I also heard that Palm is pulling out of New Zealand so I don't expect to see the Palm Pre here unless parallel imported.

tones81

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#257683 22-Sep-2009 23:25

Parallel importing could be an option. I'd heard that rumor, I do quite like the look of the Pre. Ironic that some are toting the Pre as an "iPhone killer" and yet it's been released only as CDMA at present... I think I'd prefer that over the iPhone from the look of them both. IF it comes as WCDMA, that is.

Any other ideas for phones that fit the bill I haven't listed?

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#257684 22-Sep-2009 23:29

HTC Touch Pro 2 is coming to Telecom XT i believe next month.

Have you heard anything of that nature freitasm?

- Telstra HTC Touch Pro2 - Energy ROM WM6.5.5 20 Oct/Cyanogen Mod Froyo 2.2 - R.I.P
- AT&T Galaxy S Captivate 16GB on XT (now with brother)
- Samsung Galaxy S2 on XT- Runs ICS 4.0.3 Resurrection Remix 9.2
- Business Hours - Work In The Electricity Industry, After Hours - DJ/Turntablist - Will Scratch Vinyl For Free'
- What's next??? S3?

phatbloke

91 posts

Master Geek

#257933 23-Sep-2009 21:17

Well it looks like you have just found me my new phone when it comes. Have been waiting to throw my old Treo 700 in the bin and will do just that when (or if) the Touch Pro 2 comes to Telecom. Want the phone to be a telecom release as work will pay for it that way :)

BigRed

20 posts

Geek

#258021 24-Sep-2009 10:41

Yeah, I'm in the same boat - work pays for the phone so need it to be through Telecom etc - but I've been holding off getting an upgrade until something decent comes along.

I heard last week that the HTC Touch Pro 2 was coming and knew my holding out had been worth it. The manager I talked to didn't know exactly what the cost would be - but thought around the $1500 mark, and I wouldn't be surprised if it came in a little more than that as well.

Can't wait though - just hope my work will go for it!

Pure conjecture, but I would imagine that the release date of the phone could well be timed with the release of Windows Mobile 6.5, which I think is October 6th?

Damager

2125 posts

Uber Geek

#258148 24-Sep-2009 18:50

Sounds like Telecom has finally listened to those asking for HTC Touch Pro 2. I'm not a fan of any of the current XT handsets, and i definitely need a slide out keyboard!

Lenovo

Shop now for Lenovo laptops and other devices (affiliate link).

Mehrts

1063 posts

Uber Geek

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#258149 24-Sep-2009 19:03

I have a Nokia N85 dual slider, bought from the main Telecom store here in Timaru.

I must say that I am very pleased with it with regards to features, ease of use and performance.

If you have previously owned Nokia handsets, then this phone is a pleasant step upwards with S60. With the menu features being in logical places.

The call quality experienced is very clear, but can be on the quiet side.

The keypad is a little small, especially for those with larger digits.

5 Megapixel camera takes stunning photos - with a decent macro function too!

So I definitely recommend this handset if you are looking for something that works great with the XT network.

Canterbury

177 posts

Master Geek

#258159 24-Sep-2009 19:38

There are going to be HEAPS of new phone releases over the months leading up to Xmas (35 WinMo 6.5 phones alone)... thanks to how pathetic we are looked after here in NZ/Aus with highend we may see 20% of them directly.

askelon

877 posts

Ultimate Geek

ID Verified

#258163 24-Sep-2009 19:59

I got myself a Treo Pro.. As a replacement for a Treo 700WX.. With a few tweaks its turned into a damned nice little phone.. I use wifi all the time on it for browsing / emails (nothings that important I need to bother with any push email).. Got Tom Tom on it for when Im out and about.. Doesnt have the stupid lag at everything the 700wx's had - esp when installing stuff onto the memory card!

Havent used Opera on it yet - Im using skyfire as my browser - it seems to work pretty well..

tones81

6 posts

Wannabe Geek

#258350 25-Sep-2009 14:55

That Touch Pro 2 does look pretty good, too. Would be good if it does come out for XT as an official handset. As far as the current high end PDA types go, most are a disappointing.

Ooo look at this article though...

If the specs there are accurate it should work on XT.

[Edit] corrected link