Next best phone to the iphone, but I have to have tmobile/virgin

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Level 1

6 points

Next best phone to the iphone, but I have to have tmobile/virgin

Hi All

I'm in a real dilema, I really want an iphone but my O2 (orange/vodaphone) coverage is poor - the best network in my area is by far the Virgin/tmobile

I use apple mail, ical etc and really want something I can link to my imac/macbook. I love the Apps advert on the TV, but would I really use any of them????

So could you please give me a frank view of what I should go with....

I was thinking the google g1, but then i've heard its rubbish with apple sync etc, the Nokia E63 becuase it cheap on Virgin, The Nokia 5800 or pay through the nose and go Blackberry

the features I want is to be able to have what is on my mac, on my phone, access my emails (pop accounts) and googlemail a/c, my ical entries. Would like to be able to access facebook. perhaps place scrabble from time to time. GPS (googlemaps, is that anygood)

Virgin offer unlimited internet on the phone for 30p, but this is then under £9 a month

I call mostly virgin customers and occasionally O2

appreciate your frank views on this please

macbook, Imac 20", Mac OS X (10.5.7)

Posted on May 19, 2009 7:56 AM

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Answer 1

May 19, 2009 8:26 AM in response to baydreaner

I can only comment on the following Sony Ericsson phones from Virgin:

• Sony Ericsson W910
• Sony Ericsson C902
• Sony Ericsson W595
• Sony Ericsson K770

All of the above phones can:

• sync Contacts, Calendars and Tasks using iSync
• send & receive POP3 and IMAP email (using built-in email client)
• send & receive GoogleMail (via downloadable free GMail app)
• access the web including Facebook (via downloadable free browser Opera Mini)
• play Scrabble (via a purchasable downloadable game)

They don't have GPS, but can use GoogleMaps (again free download) using Cell Tower locations (not as accurate as true GPS).

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Answer 2

baydreaner Author

Level 1

6 points

May 19, 2009 1:30 PM in response to Julian Wright

thank you for your comments

I've not had much dealing with the sony phones before....so will check them out

need a touch screen, unless its the blackberry route

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Answer 3

May 19, 2009 1:47 PM in response to baydreaner

need a touch screen, unless its the blackberry route

Ah... you didn't say that in your first post. The Nokia E63 you mentioned isn't touchscreen.

That severely limits your choice. Only the Samsung Tocco, LG Cookie, Nokia 5800 have touchscreen, and only the Nokia is iSync compatible.

So, you have a choice of exactly ONE phone. Hope that helps!

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Answer 4

baydreaner Author

Level 1

6 points

May 20, 2009 4:40 AM in response to Julian Wright

it doesnt have to be touchscreen, but my preference is for a touch screen...really want a phone that is as close to the iphone as possible

If only the O2 network was half decent in this area, I would go with that

Thanks again

pc, anyone know of any downsides to the Nokia 5800 compared to the iphone, ideas on what can and cant be actioned with each.

would be good to perhaps be able to read PDF's, perhaps have an office suite....

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Answer 5

May 20, 2009 4:54 AM in response to baydreaner

really want a phone that is as close to the iphone as possible

Well, if you're familiar with and like the way the iPhone touchscreen interface works, it's likely you'll be disappointed by anything else, since nothing yet comes close.

Many phones have some better technical specifications than the current iPhone, but non better it in terms of the user experience or Mac compatibility.

You can read the specs of both and compare them here:

http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia5800xpressmusic-2537.php
http://www.gsmarena.com/appleiphone3g-2424.php

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Answer 6

baydreaner Author

Level 1

6 points

May 20, 2009 5:01 AM in response to Julian Wright

thanks your comments and links are helpful. if not altogether expected

I suppose it will be a case of hoping for good reception on the iphone or taking a lesser phone. Ive had windows mobile MDA's and the Orange M500 & M600 in the past, which worked okay, but never really had the great interaction, seems I will be still in those times

Thanks again

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