Help me choose a new cell phone

My contract with Cingular is up and so is my hubby's (he's on a 2nd family talk line with me). We're ok with Cingular so I don't really feel the need to switch providers. What I can't do is figure out what type of phone to get that would benefit me the most. I am leaning towards a pda/organizer type phone because my current pda is kind of broken and old. But I don't want a large bulky item as my phone, either. Help me narrow it down! Here's what I need/don't need

[bde0b828762]Need[/bde0b828762]
- Organizational features. More than just creating 'notes', I'd like to use mobile office or the equivalent on palm os. However most phones I see only have the [bde0b828762]viewing[/bde0b828762] of office docs - you can't create or edit new ones. I think editing word and excel docs on the go will be pretty important to me
- Record voice notes. Handy in my line of work
- Ability to use external data storage. We have sd and xd cards available and I'd like to have as much memory as possible
- Good syncing ability. Active sync or equivalent program where I can just hook up and transfer programs, new docs, ring tones, etc.
- Customizable mp3 ring tones
- Good call quality. I need to be able to hear my calls at a loud volume if necessary, and clearly. So far my experience in this area with Cingular has been very good.

[bde0b828762]Prefer[/bde0b828762]
- A flip phone. It's what I'm used to and what I like
- A qwerty keyboard. I think this would be pretty handy but not sure if I could get all the features I want and this as well
- Good battery life
- A good deal, price wise! Hopefully free with a contract extension
- Ability to connect to wifi without getting a cingular media plan? Don't really know if this is possible but it would be cool to check my pop3 gmail without paying cingular by the kilobyte. If not I'll survive

[bde0b828762]Do Not Want[/bde0b828762]
- A big, fat, bulky phone that would make a huge bulge in my pocket or take up space in my purse
- OMG the mediaz are awesome! I don't care about streaming video and downloading clips, etc. I text message, and use mp3 ringtones. That's it. Might take an occasional camera pic if I need to.

[bde0b828762]So far I've been looking at [/bde0b828762]
- Blackjack - Nice and thin with qwerty board! Not a flip phone, call quality is so so. Can only view office docs.
- Palm Treo 680 - I could get it for free! Qwerty keyboard, can edit office docs! Has all the features I want, really. But call quality is so-so, battery life is poor, and it's very bulky!
- HTC Star Trek 3125 - Looks very cool, and is a flip phone! Battery life is good. Call quality is ok. It does use windows mobile but can only view office files

eng101 Any user opinions and help would be greatly appreciated!

just because your 2 year contract is up does not mean you need to renew it. If you wish to keep your existing plan you will be billed on a month to month basis.

I had my contract expire about 2 months ago and was gonna dive in on a new blackjack or blackberry pearl but decided not too since there should be better phones(iphone and other new models) out this summer.

just be patient and whenever you decide too jump in make sure you are satsfied wityh the phone and wont feel upset in 2 months because a newer phone has been released.

I figure with iphone coming out this summer should be very interesting and revolutionary for the cell market. I cant wait...actually I can

[quotedf6364cef1="good2speed"]just because your 2 year contract is up does not mean you need to renew it. If you wish to keep your existing plan you will be billed on a month to month basis.

I had my contract expire about 2 months ago and was gonna dive in on a new blackjack or blackberry pearl but decided not too since there should be better phones(iphone and other new models) out this summer.

just be patient and whenever you decide too jump in make sure you are satsfied wityh the phone and wont feel upset in 2 months because a newer phone has been released.

I figure with iphone coming out this summer should be very interesting and revolutionary for the cell market. I cant wait...actually I can[/quotedf6364cef1]

Yes I know that but I really need a new phone. My semi-good one just broke and I'm on some crappy old backup piece of junk that I can't stand. It's not a question of if I should do it, just what. The iPhone would be cool but I don't want to wait for it nor front the money for it.

[quotebbd1e93b94="Godrockdj"]

Yes I know that but I really need a new phone. My semi-good one just broke and I'm on some crappy old backup piece of junk that I can't stand. It's not a question of if I should do it, just what. The iPhone would be cool but I don't want to wait for it nor front the money for it.[/quotebbd1e93b94]

you should see my bakup. My razr got crushed and im on a old school motorlola. It so crappy and I love it. I really dont care as I just need a cell phone that functions everything else is a luxury. Ill get state of the art once they figure out what consumer needs actually are

Id suggest to just wait out the market and get user inputs on all models.

If I was desperate to get a phone imm. then Id prollyu go with the blackjack. Hope that helps.

Do not get a Razr, I have one and the battery is shot after 1 year. And I'm in a two year contract and they wanna charge me like 80 bucks for a new battery, fuck that.

Yeah, I didn't mention the RAZR at all because I'm not even looking at it. I guess I was kind of looking for people's opinions who own/use those phones mentioned above or similar ones, or people who know of a good phone not mentioned that has the features I'm looking for.

the battery life on my treo 700w is great. I dont know how it is on 680

[quoted97c0f8de1="O4F-Manofice"]Do not get a Razr, I have one and the battery is shot after 1 year. And I'm in a two year contract and they wanna charge me like 80 bucks for a new battery, fuck that.[/quoted97c0f8de1]

This is what happen to mine, they didnt offer insurance due to fraud back a few years ago when i got it, and 2 days after that bam...

http//i15.photobucket.com/albums/a381/gmario/DSC00079.jpg[" alt=""/imgd97c0f8de1] x

look at the blackberry pearl. its small and nice. i have a feeling that i am going to pick one up in the next couple of months. that is, unless they have some ridiculous deals on the iphone. there is no way that i am going to pay 600 for that thing.

Nokia 6133, though it doesn't have that word and excel crap. Other than that, it's an awesome phone.

> http//www.nokiausa.com/phones/6133

[quote84828d8889="O4F-Manofice"]Do not get a Razr, I have one and the battery is shot after 1 year. And I'm in a two year contract and they wanna charge me like 80 bucks for a new battery, fuck that.[/quote84828d8889]
why don't u just get one on ebay? It cost like $5 shipped.



I'm loving my treo 750. I could get 2 days of battery life with normal usage.

FYI I myslef am not looking to buy the iphone. I just expect it to be in high demand and as a result other companies will follow with similar products with even greater technological innovation. I think the cell phone market is due for a revolution. Im waiting it out until i find the exact model I want

Treo 700p and I'd die without it...