Hi, Which current batch of verizon phones have strong reception or signal strength or whatever it's called? Looking for nothing fancy, but needs to be able to work in rural areas. Have been told by reps that I need something w/ an external antenna, but those are nearly impossible to find. And I don't know if the 1 or 2 that are available are any good. So looking for any advice folks have. Also, can someone explain how the plans work as far as smartphone/pda vs. blackberry? I think I read that one type of device requires a data plan w/ voice, & the other does not? If I did end up w/ a smartphone, for instance, I might use the data features very little, & would refer a pay-as-you-go option instead of paying for features I might not be able to use in my area. Thanks! -b
My personal favorite for a "basic" phone is the Motorola W-385. It does not have an external antenna, but I have had very good luck with customers using that phone. It is a nice flip phone with a camera and bluetooth capabilities. If you can still find one, the w-315 is a good simple phone. Also by Motorola, it is a non-camera phone, but does have an external antenna. Both of these should be available as "free" phones, with contract. The LG-8350 is also a phone I've had good success with. It is a bit more advanced with media features, like MP3 compatablity, available. Reception is good and has gotten pretty good reviews. As far as "smartphones" go....you can add data features to just about any phone these days. It is kinda expensive to use on a pay per use basis $2/MB of data. This can include both downloading and just browsing and is hard to keep track of, unlike minutes. A Blackberry requires a specific data package from RIM (the company that makes Blackberry) that runs an extra $40 a month. There is a smaller package available now for $25, but it limits your downloads and charges if you go over. Hope you find someting helpful here.
I agree... the phone picks up signal well... slightly better than my Motorola Q and V325, and I thought these were signal hogs! The screen and fonts could be larger but my folks arent complaining about. The camera is lens is covered, unlike the V325. Call quality is good! Data use on non-smartphones are billed at $2/MB, but unlimited packages are available for $15/line on basic and select plans and included on premium plans.... $2/MB is cheaper than the $0.01 to $0.03/KB pay per use rates the other companies charge. Verizon revamped the Blackberry plans: $30 for unlimited data for web and email (i am assuming this is for the BIS service) and $45 for the BES service. as Tyler stated, the plans are required if you buy a Blackberry.The nonBlackberry plans are $25 for 10MB with $0.015/KB for overage... $45 gets you 5GB of data. Also, Pay per use is $0.015/KB ... data blocks are available for the nonBlackberries. I currently use the Motorola Q (original) and the phone is too buggy for me; perhaps the Q9M has some of the kinks worked out of it. The Q phone picks up signal quite well .... the speaker is loud and clear... calls are crystal as well. Maybe I'll try my luck with the Blackberry Pearl.
Regarding internal vs. external antennae, I prefer internal. The external, extendable antenna were primarily for analog service, which is largely gone now. A good phone will work with or without an external antenna. I love Moto's design with the internal antenna on the bottom on the phone (à la the RAZR, Q, W385, etc)... no touching the top interfering with the signal. You'll be just fine with the internal antenna phone. Generally, service will be great or horrible nomatter what phone type you use. I have to recommend Motorolas and LG's for reception... I tried Samsung and had a bad run with their A930... so I am leery of their brand at the moment.
Thanks everyone for your help. I'll give these phones a look over. Tried the Razr about a year ago & had terrible service w/ it. So the advise about the other phones is really helpful. -b
Motorolas and Samsungs tend to have good, strong reception and clear calls. In my experience, LGs have been nothing but trouble for me!
Wirelessly posted (Samsung SCH-u540: SCH-U540/1.0 NetFront/3.0.22.2.5 (GUI) MMP/2.0) I have both the Motorola Q and the BlackBerry Pearl - neither of which I use any more - and I must say the Pearl is a great device if a small smartphone is what you are looking for. The phone part is very nice. I use a Samsung phone now and have had good experiences with them.
I love my Sammy SCH-U540 for a basic media phone. [It plays mp3's, has a basic 1.3 mega pixel camera] I've outgrown my phone but I've got quite a bit left on the contract. In the meantime I was debating finding a phone on eBay or Craig's List, but sellers I've contacted have been a bit sketchy. I just advise everyone that tries this phone to just be mindful that the device has been known to be buggy - the series as a whole while individual handsets can be fantastic.
my lg 5200 was a good signal phone....but i love my env....not as great of signal (still good though) but its really a good phone....
i used to have the the moto E-815, now i have had an ENV for about a year. love the ENV, as far as signal goes. nothing will beat my E-815, my ENV is awsome though, still get great signal strength. I dont live that far away from the verizon site, so as far as testing the signal on the limits i guess you could say, not really sure. great phone though!
