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Simple smart feature phone

AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
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I am looking into maybe changing things up for my phone. I currently have an iphone 4 on a month to month contract and intend to keep this contract.

I am looking for a phone (probably android) that has the following
  • Great battery life (preferably days worth) like the pre smartphone days.
  • small form factor
  • wifi
  • contact / calendar syncing ability with gmail
  • qwerty keyboard
  • up to date software
  • reasonably priced out of contract.
  • standard charging cable

other nice features I would like but do not need
  • GPS
  • Mp3 player functionality
  • camera with flash

I've been looking on phone arena and phone rocket and have not found much.

Also I'm not sure where I could buy such a phone most of the carriers in my area are selling the popular smartphones like the GS3, Note, HTC One and iPhone.

Any tips would be greatly appreciated.
 
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AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
T5BRICK said:
Nexus 4?

*edit* Nevermind, you are looking for a QWERTY keyboard...Blackberry?
Click to expand...

Nexus 4 is a great choice with the exception of the keyboard. Blackberry is a good qwerty option however seeing as the Q10 is about 650$ out of contract that is limiting.

I like the candy bar form factor with slide out keyboard over the blackberry look.

I have been looking at the Samsung intensity III among others.
 
Hastings101

Hastings101

macrumors 68020
Jun 22, 2010
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Honestly... something like an older Blackberry OS 7 device would be perfect for you lol. You'll not see days of battery life on an Android device at a reasonable price and physical QWERTY keyboards are very rare. That's just my experiences though, you might get lucky and find something.

As for buying it, I'd suggest Amazon. They have awesome customer service and a large selection.
 
AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
Hastings101 said:
Honestly... something like an older Blackberry OS 7 device would be perfect for you lol. You'll not see days of battery life on an Android device at a reasonable price and physical QWERTY keyboards are very rare. That's just my experiences though, you might get lucky and find something.

As for buying it, I'd suggest Amazon. They have awesome customer service and a large selection.
Click to expand...

Amazon is probably the best place to buy. Unfortunately most BB's are 200+$ I could get an iPhone for that price which I already own.

Anyone know of a feature phone that has what I am looking for?
 
AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
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Thanks for all the great advice.

viskon said:
How about the Nokia Asha line?

Check out the Nokia Asha 303.
Click to expand...
The Asha line at least the phones I looked at didn't seem to include wifi. also are these running android or some symbian OS?

Jessica Lares said:
The smaller Xperia phones are all in the $150-$200 range. Anything lower, and you're talking lowend. Current lowend devices all come with Gingerbread. Stable Gingerbread that is.
Click to expand...
Any specific model in mind?

----------

I've tweaked the order of the features I'd like from my OP to indicate priority.

AppleDApp said:
I am looking for a phone (probably android) that has the following
  • Great battery life (preferably days worth) like the pre smartphone days.
  • small form factor
  • wifi
  • contact / calendar syncing ability with gmail
  • qwerty keyboard
  • up to date software
  • reasonably priced out of contract.
  • standard charging cable
other nice features I would like but do not need
  • GPS
  • Mp3 player functionality
  • camera with flash
Click to expand...

I've found a few phones that are of interest. I'd like some feedback on these please.

Of the list the txt pro is the form factor I prefer.
 
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AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
I have found two other phones that seem to fit the bill.

The Sharp FX STX2 and the Sharp FX Plus

I am leaning towards the FX plus because it is the newer phone of the two.

Any feedback on either device? Also can I root these and add a custom rom?

Thanks in advance.
 
Hastings101

Hastings101

macrumors 68020
Jun 22, 2010
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AppleDApp said:
I have found two other phones that seem to fit the bill.

The Sharp FX STX2 and the Sharp FX Plus

I am leaning towards the FX plus because it is the newer phone of the two.

Any feedback on either device? Also can I root these and add a custom rom?

Thanks in advance.
Click to expand...

Out of all the phones you listed the Sharp FX Plus or the Motorola Droid Pro are what I'd suggest you take a look at.

Sharp phones: The Sharp FX Plus at least has Android on it if you'd rather have a smartphone. Never had experience with any Sharp phones but looking at the specs I'm guessing you'll have to get used to some lag. Outside of that I don't see anything wrong with it and, in my opinion, it's much better than most of the other phone you listed. Battery life is going to be a little painful on both of them (The other Sharp looks like some kind of "smart" feature phone :().

The Droid Pro seems to be better in regards to battery and performance.

I'm not 100% sure on the rooting/custom roms but I saw some Sharp FX Plus rooting guides on XDA... just no device forum. So it's anyone's guess as to what you'll find if you look hard. The Droid Pro DOES have a forum on XDA so there's a good chance something's available.
 
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E

Explicitic

macrumors 6502
Oct 26, 2012
455
11
Undecided
I'm just going to assume whatever carrier you are with supports AT&T/GSM phones...

How about the Samsung Captivate Glide?
-Screen is only 4 inches
-QWERTY Keyboard
-Runs Android (got all those software features you listed)
-8MP Camera w/ Flash
-If you're willing to flash ROMs, the development community for it seems fairly active - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1490 (Android 4.2.2 ROMs like CM10, PAC available)
-A brand new in box Captivate Glide can be had on eBay for ~$150.

35033579_BUTTONS_610x458.JPG

35033579_BK_610x458.jpg
 
adder7712

adder7712

macrumors 68000
Mar 9, 2009
1,923
1
Canada
Why not the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini pro?
Link.
It has a 3 in screen coupled with a QWERTY keyboard. I believe it's upgradable to ICS from GB.
 
AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
TacticalDesire said:
Pretty much every low end device I have seen come out this year has had at least 4.0.
Click to expand...

care to name a few that include a qwerty keyboard?

Hastings101 said:
Out of all the phones you listed the Sharp FX Plus or the Motorola Droid Pro are what I'd suggest you take a look at.

Sharp phones: The Sharp FX Plus at least has Android on it if you'd rather have a smartphone. Never had experience with any Sharp phones but looking at the specs I'm guessing you'll have to get used to some lag. Outside of that I don't see anything wrong with it and, in my opinion, it's much better than most of the other phone you listed. Battery life is going to be a little painful on both of them (The other Sharp looks like some kind of "smart" feature phone :().

The Droid Pro seems to be better in regards to battery and performance.

I'm not 100% sure on the rooting/custom roms but I saw some Sharp FX Plus rooting guides on XDA... just no device forum. So it's anyone's guess as to what you'll find if you look hard. The Droid Pro DOES have a forum on XDA so there's a good chance something's available.
Click to expand...

I intend to use it as a smart feature phone. I really just don't to have to reenter my calendar events and contacts on the new device. I'll look into both devices. I'm leaning towards the Sharp FX purely for it's form factor.

Explicitic said:
I'm just going to assume whatever carrier you are with supports AT&T/GSM phones...

How about the Samsung Captivate Glide?
-Screen is only 4 inches
-QWERTY Keyboard
-Runs Android (got all those software features you listed)
-8MP Camera w/ Flash
-If you're willing to flash ROMs, the development community for it seems fairly active - http://forum.xda-developers.com/forumdisplay.php?f=1490 (Android 4.2.2 ROMs like CM10, PAC available)
-A brand new in box Captivate Glide can be had on eBay for ~$150.

Image
Image
Click to expand...

The Captivate glide is a serious contender thank you. I'll look into it more. I need to find it on amazon or some other website. I don't reaaly want to use ebay.

I also like the Sony Xperia mini but not exactly a fan of the older software.
 
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AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
So I've narrowed it down to three phones that could replace my iPhone 4

  • Samsung captivate glide
  • Sony Xperia mini Pro
  • Sharp FX Plus

The captivate wins it for me. for it's combination of better hardware, screen size and upgradability.

I did not see any mention of the captivate using a SIM card.

update: I went to the store to see what was available, it would appear that no phone has battery life for days anymore (according to the sales rep)
 
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AppleDApp

AppleDApp

macrumors 68020
Original poster
Jun 21, 2011
2,413
45
Just went to order one of these phones on Amazon, All the prices have skyrocketed. :confused:
 
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