Newbie Choices - AV8600, Nokia 3586i or 3595, Mot T720G

[Theswits]

Hi Folks,
Need some expert advice. I have two competing providers looking to sell me a phone plan. Provider A is offering either a Nokia 3586i for free or an Audivox 8600 for $50. Provider B is offering a Nokia 3595 for free or a Motorola T720G for $80 (all with the "plan" of course). Provider B has been trashing the AudioVox, saying out of the 4 phones I'm considering, the AudioVox is inferior. Comments from others? Will the flip phones hold up as well as the non-flip Nokias? Also, looking at the Nokia, some of the number buttons "share" a button (press top or bottom for a 2 or 5 for instance). Do those perform well?

Provider B also says that Provider A's phones are "older" generation.

Thanks for your help.

[silverado]

Both 8600 and T720 have problems. Go with a Nokia, not sure which though.. As many have advised me, provider is more important than handset so choose wisely.

[NYCDru]

Originally posted by: Theswits
Hi Folks,
Need some expert advice. I have two competing providers looking to sell me a phone plan. Provider A is offering either a Nokia 3586i for free or an Audivox 8600 for $50. Provider B is offering a Nokia 3595 for free or a Motorola T720G for $80 (all with the "plan" of course). Provider B has been trashing the AudioVox, saying out of the 4 phones I'm considering, the AudioVox is inferior. Comments from others? Will the flip phones hold up as well as the non-flip Nokias? Also, looking at the Nokia, some of the number buttons "share" a button (press top or bottom for a 2 or 5 for instance). Do those perform well?

Provider B also says that Provider A's phones are "older" generation.

Thanks for your help.

First, and MOST IMPORTANT QUESTION.

Which provider gives you better coverage were you need it, A or B?

Answer this question first. Cause it doesn't mater how cool/cheap the phone is, if the provider sux yyou are NOT going to be happy.

[stockscalper]

The T720 has to be the worst phone ever made. The 8600 may have some minor problems as all phones do, but they're nothing compared to the myriad of problems the T720 and T730 series of phones have. Motorola just needs to shoot these models and put them out of their misery and start over from scratch.

A couple of other suggestions for small color phones you might want to inquire about are the LG 4400 and the Samsung A530. Both of these are popular with folks who work for cell phone providers, which should tell you something. My wife has had the 4400 for almost a year and it is excellent. Very long battery life and great signal strength - both much better than my crappy Audiovox 9500.