I'm thinking of buying a mobile and I've narrowed it down to these 4 phones:

http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=92 Price: EUR200/$290
http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=87 Price: EUR135/$195
http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=132 Price: EUR175/$253
http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=145 Price: EUR170/$245

I'm not looking for anything special other than messaging and phoning, although I'd welcome the use of applications downloaded from the internet (from my computer) and games, as well as a camera.

I won't be using internet unless there's free wi-fi, but it's not really important.

So...what would you suggest? And if there's any other phone you think is better feel free to mention it, although I'd have to check that this particular shop has it in stock (it's the only shop I know which accepts my smart card)

I've got EUR185/$268 left in my smart card, so that's basically free money waiting to be spent on either books or mobiles...easy choice.

Thank you!

Out of those I would probably go with Nokia C3, even though I'm not fond of all those tiny keys. I prefer an old classic phone keypad like the http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=9&products_id=166.

I have a new C3-01 myself (same as C3, but with only number keybad and touch screen). I am very pleased with it, calls, messages and internet (via 3g network) all work without a hitch, it has pretty nice extra functions and applications and has a pretty good audio quality too. In both calling and music playing. Though i have not really used music and video playing due to not having a memory card for it, it's inbuilt memory is pitiful (~20MB). Battery lasting isn't bad either, though it does seem that it thinks the battery is full too soon, leaving charge longer makes it last longer too.

Those all look like they'd drive me nuts. Small keypad, as Freddo said. That seems to be the trend with phones and it's really annoying.

I bought the absolute cheapest, most basic phone I could find and I love it. It handles being thrown about very well.

cant speak for any of those listed in the op as ive not had the chance to play with them, but ive had the droidX for several months now, and i can safely say that it is pretty much indestructable (which is saying somthing for me as ive managed to destroy 3 cheap sturdy flip phones over a single year), ive dropped this thing screen down on pavement, have accedentally thrown it across the room, spilled stuff on it, even managed to drop it off a cliff into a bush while hiking.

as for the functionality, if you root this phone (which is insanely easy to do with the auto rood droid x program), it can basically do anything, if you know how to write apps for it you can get it to make you a friggin sandwich.

only complaint i have is that the massive screen drains the battery fairly quickly, as well up untill the newer update that was pushed, the os would crash once or twice a day, have not noticed any problems in the past few weeks though.

That Droid X looks really cool Paladin, but unfortunately I haven't found a store here which sells it.

As for the C5, I don't like the look of the keyboard. It's too big (at least in the picture).

I also prefer a keypad over a touchscreen (the touchscreens of the HTC phones I've tried are horrendous!), but it needn't be big.

The Samsung B5310 looks cool too...argh so many phones!

And although the HTC touch screen isn't good IMO, it's got an Android OS..

ah yeah that could be a problem, as for touchscreens, this one ( i think) is actual glass, and i friggin love it, i usually cant stand touchscreens but this one is supprisingly responsive. as well any phone with the android os is a plus in my book.

How much does your Droid X cost? Just out of curiosity, it looks so cool!



Are you able to download new applications from your computer and then put them on your phone? Can it function as an mp3 player with headphones?

err about 300 bucks before a 100$ rebate from verizon

Just a bit out of my budget, but I can't buy it anyway there are no sellers of Droid X in Malta apparently.

Don't get any of those. Get an Android phone. I bought a Samsung Galaxy Gia recently and all I can think about right now is why the hell didn't I get an Android phone sooner? :banghead:

The Samsung Galaxy Mini is in your price range I think. A friend of mine bought it a month ago and he loves it.

sorry I don't really know anything about phones other than Samsung phones because I used to sell them.

Is it any of these?

http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=250
http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=210

The only galaxy phones on that website. The other galaxy phone is 400EUR!!!

I like Android too, so I'd prefer an Android phone. But I can't seem to find one on that website which would be useful to me. I'll be using my phone for these reasons:

Texting - Calling - Listening to music - games - other functions which look cool and can be downloaded

In order of importance.

gotcha

I'll try to find a proper Android phone on that website you linked (you want to buy it from that website right?)

Yeah I want to use this website because essentially up to EUR185 the mobile would be free for me.

Thanks.

Yes and yes. It uses the http://www.ovi.com/services/ service that has applications, both free and not free, and it has pretty good MP3 managing options too. You can connect it to a PC either with a USB cable or Bluetooth.

But as i said, it requires a memory card due to it's inbuilt memory being very small. In my understanding it can take any micro SDHC memory card, upto 64GB.

Cheers!

I've asked this question on another forum, so now I'm compiling data (doing side by side comparisons of information, lol) between a couple of phones. Now to wait for Exo's suggestion and we'll see what I'll get.

I'm planning on buying the phone on Saturday.

In the meantime....suggestions ahoy!

The HTC Desire or Incredible S are both pretty skookum phones... http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=advanced_search_result&search_in_description=1&keyword=htc&x=0&y=0

The Desire is 400EUR, and the Incredible S is "call for price", which I assume means it costs a lot, lol.

Also, I would consider buying either:

http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=10&products_id=246
http://directvisionmalta.org/newshop/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=34&products_id=217

But I fear their touchpad...although the samsung has both.

go htc, i have an htc and i will not go to any other phone company

I'm a bit concerned that I won't like the UI. I'll try and find some video reviews to change my mind.

You can always change the UI (assuming you are talking about an Android phone)

Yeah I am.

The thing I'm noticing is that it's a bit slow, at least on the video review.

First thing to do to an Android phone after you get it is root it, remove the crapware, and slap on a custom rom. Greatly improves speed and battery life for most phones.

http://techtreats.com/2011/05/how-to-root-htc-wildfire-and-install-android-2-3-gingerbread/

http://theunlockr.com/2010/09/20/how-to-root-the-htc-wildfire-unrevoked-method/

I'm not sure what rooting is, but I'll take your word for it because you know your tech stuff.

In layman' s terms, what does it do? Does it void the warranty? Is it safe?

And I'll also assume then that the battery life is not good? My moto lasts for 3-4 days.