Cell phone geeks - help pick me a phone

[jrthebassguy]

I've finally hit that point in life where I can finally afford a cool phone/plan, and as luck would have it my T-Mobile contract just expired. I've actually never had any issues with T-Mobile, but with the contract out my options are much greater now. Of course, I'm a bit worried about their potential buy-out though and what that may mean for any phone I buy through them in the near future.


Here's basically what I'm looking for:

-Likely needs the Android OS. I'm not opposed to Apple's OS, but my next point may kill the Apple idea.
-NEEDS tactile buttons. I don't mind a touchscreen, but I hate typing on a touch screen. So I assume I would need something that can slide open, or already has tactile keys on the bottom.
-4G capability
-Can act as a Wifi hotspot (well...it would be nice, but not needed, necessarily)

That's basically it I guess. I must admit my geekness does not extent to the cell phone world.

Thoughts?

[Jerose]

Supposedly AT&T is releasing their version of the Samsung Galaxy S2 later this month with a tactile slide-out keyboard. The Galaxy S phones are supposed to be absolute top of the line, already running Android Gingerbread.



MaximumTech | Images Of AT&T Samsung Galaxy S2 Leak

[Raven2k360]

I second the S2 -- rumor has it, pretty much every carrier will have "their own" version of it, but that thing is a BEAST! As far as getting a phone/plan through T-Mobile, if/when the merger finishes, you'll be able to use that fine on AT&T without having to worry about unlocking it. Another phone to consider is the LG Optimus 2X, also known as the T-Mobile G2X; a buddy of mine has that phone and loves it. Personally, I'd hold out for the Samsung though. *shrug*

[WackoStu]

Whatever you do, if your rates are lower then anything TMO has now, lock in your grandfathered plan for two more years BEFORE the merger comes through. Then, if they try and raise your rates unter ATTmobile, you have a contract out at no ETF fee.

[MJ5150]

Some pics of that new Galaxy show a slide out keyboard, some don't.

-Mike

[XtreO]

Buy the one Jerose suggests. The dual core ensures you got all the power you'll ever need the next years, and if you pick one with a slide out keyboard like the one he suggested, you're golden. If you want it a tad cheaper, I'd buy the HTC Desire HD, being, imo, the best phone available without dual core. Then again you'd not want that for the lack of a proper keyboard, but I'll use it for the sake of comparison.

The battery life of the S2 is supposed to be amazing, featuring a 1600 mAh or stronger battery (?) and improved battery conserving technology. While the Desire HD does well when seen in light of its rather lackluster battery, I'd say the S2 will outperform it by a long-shot in just about every way. It will probably be well in line with the most sturdy highend smartphones despite the dual core, which I presume will draw more juice.

As for screen size, a four inch is a minimum I think. If you buy a 4.4 inch you'll never go back. More chance of destroying your screen, but buy a film and don't toss your phone around and it's ok. One of those protective cases to fit snug around your phone is smart as well, though it takes some attention away from the sleek design.

The S2 has to my knowledge 4g capability (I guess there are some versions of it that doesn't) and can serve as an access point (byebye mobile broadband).

[Raven2k360]

Let me put into perspective how badass the S2 is -- with it's stock clock freq, it's only slightly lower in benchmark rating than an Optimus 2x that was overclocked to 1.5GHz....just sayin'. *shrug*

[MJ5150]

If VZW roils out the S2 with a slide out keyboard, I'm all in.

-Mike

[L-A]

If you want a phone that does 4G and acts as a wi-fi hotspot, I'd buy the one with the biggest battery, because you're going to need some serious power to use these features regularly.

[skwee]

enjoying my droid incredible. very stable phone.