Need global smartphone rec

[captainslow]

Hello all -

I have a favor to ask. I have not been keeping up with smartphone technology (I've been using a decrepit BlackBerry for the past several years) so this is probably a very basic question.

I know some of you go abroad often so I'm looking for your experienced insight. So I need a smartphone that has the following attributes:

- Can be used overseas, including Japan and S. Korea.
- 3G
- WiFi (and able to go into WiFi only mode).
- Good battery life.
- Good call quality.
- Either has a navigation system or can easily add one.
- Not be awkward to use! This BB is terrible. I'm using it now and it takes me like 20 mins to type a 3 sentence paragraph, and to scroll down most webpages using the trackball. So, must allow me to type quickly and view webpages easily.
- Have a large, clear screen.
- At least 10 gigs of space.
- Must be reliable.

Now of course I know about the iphone 4, but I'd rather not spend $200 on a phone that I'll probably either break or get tired of in 2 years. I have AT&T and it looks to me that their Android iPhone 4 equivalent is the Samsung Captivate/Galaxy ($150 for existing customers). I'd prefer to spend closer to $100, but if you think it's an outstanding phone, I'll consider it.

Your thoughts are greatly appreciated!

[complacent]

got a few questions:

does the phone need to be unlocked? do you plan on using local sim cards in korea and japan? global roaming on any carrier is $texas.

what is your primary email account? (gmail, yahoo, *shudder* hotmail, etc?)

how "tech-y" do you feel? are you okay with diving through many different settings menus to customize your phone? or do you want a simpler experience?

how important is viewing flash content on your phone?

are you interested on staying with at&t, or are you willing to move to another carrier?

[captainslow]

Hi thanks for getting back to me, Colin. To answer your questions:

It looks like unlocked phones - bc from my knowledge, they're not associated with a carrier - cost the "sticker price" - I.e. the Captivate unlocked is $340 vs. $150 with ATT. I'd prefer to keep the cost down if possible.

I understand that ATT charges bank for int'l roaming. However, hopefully with WiFi, I'd be able to use Skype and pretty much just rely on texts and emails instead of calling (I hate talking on the phone anyway).

I hear that ATT's coverage across the globe is wider than any other provider, so in an emergency, I'd be able to use roaming (limited circumstances). And to do so, esp in Japan, I read that the phone has to operate in the UTMS 2100 mhz frequency, which I've noticed seems to be a rare capability among the phones offered state-side.

I use Gmail. I also would like to be able to access Outlook.

I'm comfortable with going into settings and making changes, etc.

Flash would be nice. Not a deal-breaker, but so many sites have flash that it's annoying not to have it.

And as much as I whine about them, I'd rather stick with ATT bc service is improving for me and because of the wide coverage.

Hope this is helpful. Thanks again!

[complacent]

while i strongly think that a vanilla android device provides the best overall "google experience" i'm not sure if i could recommend one on at&t. i personally think that all android overlays (htc's sense, moto's motoblur, sammy's touchwiz, etc) all detract from the user experience. on the low end, it becomes irritating to use. on the high end, it makes the device difficult to use.

the captivate has already been left behind as far as updates are concerned. both by samsung and the modding communities. i couldn't recommend a device running an android version less than 2.2. it seriously impacts the user experience. android is NOT a mature operating system yet. it is full of bugs, inconsistencies and missing features. ask my wife about it, she'll be more than happy to tell you her opinion on the matter.

but the google integration is very nice.

i would personally wait until the motorola atrix is released (soon-ish) and has had time to be reviewed. i think it is probably the only android phone worth considering on at&t right now... and it's not even out yet!

there are a ton of new devices coming out in the next few months (including a real potential contender from hp - the pre3) that are far better than the current offerings.

bottom line, if you need a phone tomorrow, i'd say get an iphone 4. no question. if you can wait, please do. hp, motorola, htc, samsung and apple will be releasing new devices this summer.

[captainslow]

When you say a "vanilla android device," which phones are you referring to? I'm really new to all of this so I haven't the slightest
Can you get one without the overlays you mentioned?

Could you upgrade the 2.1 version OS to 2.2? Can you do that with phones? I feel like my tech-challenged dad - this is all new to me.

I am still considering the iPhone 4. I need a new phone by April. Maybe iPhone 5 will be out by then, or the Motorola.

But it sounds like you're implying that other providers have better phones. What would you recommend on Verizon instead? I'm not hopelessly wedded to AT&T.

Thanks again for your advice!

[RFBurn]

from painful experience Verizon world phones are better than AT&T. So if you go to the link below:

http://www.verizonwireless.com/b2c/stor ... tegoryId=1

you will find all the Verizon smart phones that are global. There should be ten phones that are available; if the link doesn't work toggle the global ready sort filter off and back on. There is a mix of droid and Blackberry; from your note about typing on a BB you could look at the BB storm that is a total touch screen. All of them I think would meet you needs for capabilities and the best part you are not tied to AT&T's sh#t network!

[captainslow]

Thanks for the tip! I'm checking these phones out as I type...

[complacent]

another thing to consider is t-mobile.

if their coverage in the usa is good enough for you, it's another great alternative.

they also have the best android phones. (nexus s specifically)

[RFBurn]

Holy F#$k complacent that is an uncanny likeness!!!!!!

[complacent]

Holy F#$k complacent that is an uncanny likeness!!!!!!

Lol, i was shooting for realism.

[Mr Kleen]

Start wearing the Gunnars all the time.