Looking for the best possible reception.

Don't necessarily go with the number of signal bars that you have on your phone, as the indicator really can't tell you how clear the call will actually be when it you hit send. I've tried two Samsung devices and two LG devices - and the LG phones have always had the superior call clarity in the end.

I've been VERY impressed with this LG 8350 that I recently picked up from VZW after a nightmare affair with the SCH-u540. I don't usually get too angry about a wireless phone, but after returning the phone twice, getting a new battery from them, and running into the same problems with each device, I was ready to pull my hair out.

 

I had a similar experience with my Samsung SCH A930 last year... Then I won a Motorola Q last year and I have had no problems with reception. I just got a Pearl and the reception is slightly less than the Q but I haven't had any more dropped calls than normal. I got my mom and aunt Motorola W385 and they are pleased with the signal. Mom had the V325 before that and signal was great... I say that LG and Motorola usually have phones with good signal reception.

 

I am glad you like your 8350 I am waiting for mine to get here.

 

I am partial to Motorolas for having the best reception. While the discontinued E815 was arguably one of the best phones Verizon ever issued for reception the Motorola V9M I used for a while was as good if not better.

 

the v9m is a great phone for reception, i would defenitely go for that. i would think it's most comparable present-day to the e815, which alot of people held onto for years because of its reception

 

It took some getting used to the buttons - I became used to the flatter style on the u540 and had to re-adapt [rather quickly, though] to the more defined layout on the 8350. My thumbs tend to hit the dedicated speaker phone button when I'm trying to hit the clear button, though. I'm not quite 100% at dial by feel because of that.

I've managed to get ringers on my phone without BitPim; relying on transferring songs to my phone via BT into the 'My Sounds' directory and sending picture messages to myself with the files enclosed. It takes a little longer than a more direct method like BitPim, but I don't have to worry about editing the file system and taking a week old phone back in for a replacement because I bricked the phone by accidentally deleting something in the file system.