Getting a smartphone (VZW) opinions?

[KLAB]

I calculated the longterm effect based on the extra $$$ per month for a smart phone and my current monthly income and I can finally say that I can afford a smartphone plan with Verizon; (almost $100 per month!!!). Anyways, working at school, the carwash, and probably Advanced Auto full time in summer and detailing jobs will make this affordable.. So I'm sticking with Verizon, mainly because of service availability and I am typically in the Lakes Region and Mountains of NH, Vermont and traveling so having good service is needed.

I really just want any smaller sized decent smartphone with Android system. I've always had a keyboard'ed phone but with the new Swype texting I think the keyboard might not be necessary in terms of texting, however I also would like to use the phone to post up on here, talk in shoutbox, and send and respond to important emails so I'm thinking not having a keyboard might be a good idea to optimize those features.

As far as phones choices go, as I said I'm looking for something fairly compact. I don't want a huge bulky phone such as the Droid X which is essentially a mini netbook lol. If I decide I WANT a keyboard I'm leaning to the Droid2, if I don't want a keyboard I'm thinking about the Droid Incredible, all touchscreen simplicity. I DID like the LG Ally for a while but its about the same price as the Droid2 and Incredible because of the discount AND I've had bad experiences with every LG phone I've had and I just have an impression that they're a cheap phone company, low quality so I've factored out that phone. I need something that can take mile abuse. I take care of my phone but I don't live a lifestyle where my phone is always safe and secure and clean. If you are reading all this post "bananas" at the end of your post. So essentially out of all the phones at the Verizon store I liked the Droid 2 and the Incredible, its just down to weather I want a keyboard or not, which I'm leaning towards having it like I said to post online.

I like the iPhone because i could have an Ipod and phone combines, there is many an occurance where I'm like wow I dont want to have both things in my pocket today so I leave one of them in my car or at home... BUT the battery life is rumored to suck and the apps are costly as opposed to the androids.

If you read this thanks and hopefully it helps you out with your own phone choices. I guess its a random unnecessarily long post about phones but I like comparing things and maybe it got carried away a little but I feel like this is a good contribution to the forum topic wise. This MAY convert from a voting for KLaBz new phone thread into an official smartphone comparison/discussion thread. I give permission. Thanks for reading feel free to post opinions and any info you find interesting.

[frankzlt1]

they all suck and every fn provider is out to stick it to you. i personally hate verizon customer no service they are the worst. but they all love you when your getting a new phone its when you have a problem with it is when they really get you. all in all kev watch out for anyone of the providers, and make sure what ever dumb phone you get when it gets fd up and you need it serviced they will hit you hard just make sure you are covered to fix the phone.

[KLAB]

Yeah, I know all about verizons tricks. But sad truth is they're all the same. Customer service sucks with them and I always get random bs fees but you just gotta have the phone ready and an hr to set aside to talk to someone and have a bitch fast and they reverse it lol.

[bottledbird68]

Honestly, I know you said you want to stick with Verizon but, we dumped them. As far as customer service, phone reception, and random bs charges, we went with AT&T and couldn't be happier. No stupid extra fees like Verizon, the bill is almost always the same and easy to understand, and customer service is actually useful. Anyhow, enough of that and on to the original point...

Out of all those I'm an iPhone fan. Between the two of us we've had all the versions and currently both have iPhone 4's. I love it. I honestly almost never use my laptop anymore. I'm always just on my phone. Works great as an iPod, and, if you have a Bluetooth capable car radio, you can stream Bluetooth music so no wires
Battery life isn't horrible for what you get, it really all depends on what you're doing with it. Basically, I'm on it a good portion o the day, I plug it in overnight, and whenever I'm in the car. Not inconvenient to me and covers what I do.
As for app cost there's tons and tons of free apps. I think I may have actually paid for two or three and never more than $.99, and I have up near 100 apps.
I don't have, nor have I had, any of the other phones you mentioned, but, from my experiences with friends and coworkers (and trust me, all the girls at work love having the latest greatest phone lol) it seems that at least 3/4 of the people who had/have droids regretted it and either want, or already have, switched to an iPhone.
Just my .02



Oh, and bananas

[Bayer-Z28]

IMO, AT&T cust service is better than VZW, but VZW has MUCH better coverage. I've seen and been through 46 states with both companies. Verizon customer service is the absolute WORST, but AT&T coverage is very inconsistent and I've gotten more dropped calls with AT&T in a EIGHT MONTHS than I EVER have with VZW in five years. AT&T: I get 3G in my living room, but not in the kitchen? Don't make no damn sense, but with VZW I only found about three places in the COUNTRY where I didn't have service. I've got an iPhone 3Gs now. I like it, but AT&T coverage sucks.

I'm going back to VZW to get a DroidX. It's just a better platform and if I want to develop apps (TRYING) the Apple/AT&T is a monopoly. You have to have a Mac, you have to subscribe to be an Apple developer ($90/yr) and if you decide to SELL an app, Apple takes 20% of your profits. Not to mention a platform that is just harder to work with and harder to crack (APPL).. But the apps and developer market is starting to catch up for the Droids as the apple platform was out first and long before.

And the DroidX is supposed to outperform the eyeFoenfour anyway..

[Suicidal racing]

Damn 100$ a month..that's nuts i share a line an we both have smart phones with unlimited data,text an pic messaging .split 700mins( i only use about 100 per month..i text) have insurrance on both phones an pay. 150$ a month..

I have the droid x an fucking love it..besides it changing my words with the auto correct shit every now an again..other phone on the line is the incredible..its harass but i liked the x over it..im posting with mine right now..def is a trick phone..an I've only had it lil over a month..so i aint even tapped into what she can really do yet..def love the fact that i know when i get a emial instintly..


When i first got it i was worried about the size but honestly once in my pocket its not bad at all..half the time i dont know its there ..i dont where skinny jeans though lol..beat thing to do is go to Verizon an play with all the phones..i like my shit over the iphone also..plus if i break it i only pay 50$ to get a new one vs 200$..as for Verizon customer service you def can't talk to them over the phone..u got to go to the main store forsure to get shit done

[Bayer-Z28]

^ I avoid going into a Verizhole store at all costs. After waiting in line for an hour and five people ask you is you've checked in yet. I wanted to strangle almost every fuking person in the VZW store out west. I had a broad ask me what I needed today, wrote my name down, then pointed me to a keyosk where I did the same thing AGAIN... THen someone else asked me five minutes later!! OMFG!! I went in looking for a BB charger in vegas and waited 45 minutes!!! OMFG! I cock blocked a couple dumbasses at the counter when they were just standing there oggling the hottie on the bench. :

"I just need a damn charger."

"Wait in line sir, I'm with a customer."

"Well, it looks to me that you have been free for a couple minutes while you and your buddy there stare at that girl on the bench (I pointed and she looks)"

"Just wait in line sir."

I wanted to rip a couple displays down and throw it at that fukin puke punk! I was fukin PISSED! Fukin stormed out and my buddy was pissed too and we made PLENTY of noise leaving there in his 98 Z28. Right in the rissy/prudesville section of Vegas (Summerlin.) Some guy walking in "Slow down!!" Both of us at the same time "FUK YOU!!" :lol: BwwwAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHH!!

[Motaboata]

hey, I use to work for verizon, well I technically still do just on military leave... if u wanna discuss phones let me know. ill give u completely unbiased phone info. wont matter i wont get credit for it or make money just info on phones to help u make the best choice

[DavidS]

I have the Droid2 with Verizon and like it. It is expensive though. I used to have a cell with T-mobile and that was horrible for coverage.

[smokinss]

My wife and both got droid 2 at the same time for a killer deal. Oh iam posting this from my droid. There service is awsome and the phone is as fast as my computer. Oh and we pay 130 a month for 2 droids and share 700min and have unlimited internet.