What Reliable Text Cell Phone

[greg]

would You recommend buying to text back and forth to your Mahal in RP. I Live in California. What are good cell phone name brands that would work? Model numbers? Service to use? Thanks, greg

[BubbaGump]

... in response to What Reliable Text Cell Phone, posted by greg on Dec 31, 2002

I wandered over from the Russian board to see if things were as quiet over here.  I have read that Nokia phones are easier to use than Motorola for messaging but read the latest reviews to find out.  Kyocera phones (designed by Qualcomm) should have some good capabilities.  Look for phrases like T9 or smarttap.  It's a predictive text program that makes it a little easier to type messages by anticipating what your next letter would usually be.  Read up on the service providers for your area.  I have Sprint PCS and they have pretty good coverage but they went up on their rates.  You may have to find out from neighbors if they have cell phones and if they get good coverage in your area.  

http://www.howardchui.com/nuke/
http://home.cnet.com/wireless/0-1923401.html

[greg]

... in response to What Reliable Text Cell Phone, posted by greg on Dec 31, 2002

What reliable cell phone would you recommend text to text from California to Philippines? I will only use the cell phone for texting. Thanks, greg

[febtember]

... in response to What Reliable Text Cell Phone, posted by greg on Dec 31, 2002

Nokia that's the best cellphone.Ask your fiancee or wife what's the newest model now.

[greg]

... in response to Re: What Reliable Text Cell Phone, posted by febtember on Dec 31, 2002

I need to know what text to text cell phone works best using in California to call the Philippines. My Mahal doesn't know what cell phone works in Amnerica to text RP. Oh, your Hubby's name is also Greg??? My Son's name is gregory, follow my name. greg

[JoeBravo]

... in response to Re: Re: What Reliable Text Cell Phone, posted by greg on Dec 31, 2002

Cingular is your only option out there in California.
Because they use the same cellular system as the one
used in the Philippines which is called GSM. Any of the
phones that they sell can send/recieve text messages
to and from RP. Gotta consider though that texting from
Philippines to US would cost  your lady 15 pesos if
she's using Smart or 10 Pesos if she's using Globe. It
can get expensive for her after a while but if money
doesn't matter then that's cool.

Nokia phones have proven to be the most user friendly
of all. Current models available (from low end to high
end) are Nokia 5190, 3390 and 8290.

[greg]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: What Reliable Text Cell Phon..., posted by JoeBravo on Jan 1, 2002

Thanks for your response on Mag. My Mahal wants me to buy a cell phone with text to text. I'm unfamilar with cell phones becuz I have never owned one. I guess texting to texting is more cost friendly than her calling me directly. I will go ahead and check these models out, she's using Smart plan. Are they selling these Nokia models here in the States? Which model is more reliable? Thank you, greg

[JoeBravo]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: What Reliable Text Cell ..., posted by greg on Jan 1, 2002

First make sure that Cingular is being offered in your
city.

Well, as a beginner I would suggest you start out with
the low end phone which is the Nokia 5190 (should be
around $30-50). Nowadays this phone should be
practically being given away when signing up for new
service since it is an old model. It's pretty basic but it's
got what you need for text messaging. If Cingular
doesn't offer the 5190 anymore then 3390 is the step
up. Got a few enchancements from the 5190 like
pictures messaging and tone composer. 3390 should
cost less than $100. These phones are for the USA
only and will not work overseas. The Cingular stores
you would visit should have them. Once again, I'm
suggesting Nokia phones because they are much
easier to learn and quite user friendly.

As far as the rate plan goes, take the lowest rate plan in
your area. I think the lowest plan with Cingular is
around $20/month with 50 local minutes included. Text
messaging is separate charge. Cingular has a couple
of ways for charging text messaging: "Pay as you use"
charges you 10 cents for each text that you send AND
recieved. This is fine if you're not gonna use text
messaging that much. But since you plan to text mostly
then subscribe to one of their text messaging plan. $3
gives you 100 texts, $5 gives you 250 texts, and $10
gives you 500 texts. Any extra messages over yout text
plan is 10 cents. Start out with the lowest text
messaging plan then watch how much you use. If you
text more than the plan you choose then move it up. By the way,
Cingular has a differnt name for text messaging which is "interactive
Messaging".

Once you do get your cellphone and service and you
need help, just post here. I'll be glad to help you out.

[greg]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Re: Re: What Reliable Text C..., posted by JoeBravo on Jan 1, 2002

I will check this out at the Cingular Store. Thanks again, greg