Grrr... I don't want a smart phone

[kwillia]

I am going to upgrade my phone today and I don't want a smart phone... It seems a lot of reviews are misconstrued because they are written by people who want more technology than their not-smart phone will give.... grrrr.

I guess I will have to go into verizonwiress "blind" and wing it....

 

[garyt27]

You might be able to get a semi-smart phone, one where it has capability, but data is not required. Pantech Hotshot is one.

 

[kwillia]

You might be able to get a semi-smart phone, one where it has capability, but data is not required. Pantech Hotshot is one.

I see a few different brand choices, but I'm finding it hard to figure out which one would suit me. I like a physical keyboard vs. touch, battery life is important as I need to be "available" 24/7 so a phone that dies before the end of the night would suck. I am in my 40s so I need a screen that I can read without having to squint... I don't believe I can trust a salesperson to tell me the truth so I always try to figure out what would work best based on reviews and I'm having a hard time doing that...

 

[b23hqb]

Just got my first smart phone a few weeks ago, when my wife updated hers (her company pays for around $100 per month of the bill). Have a Pantech Flex, with the minimum data package (which is more than I will probably ever need.

I use a cell phone for a phone, but it is nice to be able to check e-mail and such.

 

[aps45819]

If you don't want a smart phone with internet and just want to call and text why not consider a Tracfone?
I got a LG 800 on Amazon for $30, comes with triple minutes and the last time I paid for minutes was $30 (got me 360 minutes) in early November.
They piggy back off the other carriers so you get good coverage.

Battery lasts for days, no monthly bill and here's one with a physical keyboard
Amazon.com: Samsung S390G Prepaid Phone With Triple Minutes (Tracfone): Cell Phones & Accessories

 

[kwillia]

If you don't want a smart phone with internet and just want to call and text why not consider a Tracfone?
I got a LG 800 on Amazon for $30, comes with triple minutes and the last time I paid for minutes was $30 (got me 360 minutes) in early November.
They piggy back off the other carriers so you get good coverage.

Battery lasts for days, no monthly bill and here's one with a physical keyboard
Amazon.com: Samsung S390G Prepaid Phone With Triple Minutes (Tracfone): Cell Phones & Accessories

Because I have two children as riders on my phone plan.

 

[NextJen]

I purchased my first 'smart' phone several months ago. I got the Samsung Stratosphere (against the advice of my daughter who insisted that I get an I phone). I like being able to slide it open and use the keyboard as opposed to having to use the touch screen.

However, I have had issues with not receiving and sending text messages at times. Not sure if it is the phone or the Verizon service. I can check my account and see where it says I received a text message, but it never showed up on my phone.

Other than that, I guess it's an ok phone. Any other technical issues are probably just from my lack of knowledge of how to use all the features.

 

[kwillia]

I purchased my first 'smart' phone several months ago. I got the Samsung Stratosphere (against the advice of my daughter who insisted that I get an I phone). I like being able to slide it open and use the keyboard as opposed to having to use the touch screen.

However, I have had issues with not receiving and sending text messages at times. Not sure if it is the phone or the Verizon service. I can check my account and see where it says I received a text message, but it never showed up on my phone.

Other than that, I guess it's an ok phone. Any other technical issues are probably just from my lack of knowledge of how to use all the features.

See... it is something like that I am afraid of... I need to trust that I am getting my calls and my text messages because I provide a form of production support for an IT system.

 

[Dupontster]

I know.. I like my old dumb arse phone.. Don't need a smart one. Really don't need or want the luxuries of email and such. Don't need the extras on my bill eitherc Calling verizon today to try to get the bil down. $175.00 a month is getting old. All we do is a little texting, land line, and DSL. 16 page phone bill is rediculous.

 

[kwillia]

Does anybody know if there is a benefit with hitting the Verizon kiosk in BJs vs the verizon store...

 

[Tilted]

I see a few different brand choices, but I'm finding it hard to figure out which one would suit me. I like a physical keyboard vs. touch, battery life is important as I need to be "available" 24/7 so a phone that dies before the end of the night would suck. I am in my 40s so I need a screen that I can read without having to squint... I don't believe I can trust a salesperson to tell me the truth so I always try to figure out what would work best based on reviews and I'm having a hard time doing that...

That's probably the correct approach to take. The carriers / authorized sellers (e.g. Best Buy, Staples) have their own interests and those interests don't necessarily align with your own, so their salespeople will sometimes try to steer you to what they'd prefer to sell (for a number of reasons) rather than what you might be happiest with.

When it comes to feature phones versus smartphones, they'd definitely rather put you in the latter. The carriers place so much importance on ARPU (Average Revenue per User) now, and ARPU is obviously much greater with smartphone users. You'll find (or probably already have found) that the selection of feature phones has shrunk significantly. They're doing what they can to make them a less attractive choice.

 

[kwillia]

When it comes to feature phones versus smartphones, they'd definitely rather put you in the latter. The carriers place so much importance on ARPU (Average Revenue per User) now, and ARPU is obviously much greater with smartphone users. You'll find (or probably already have found) that the selection of feature phones has shrunk significantly. They're doing what they can to make them a less attractive choice.

Exactly what I am seeing. I also think it is bullcrap that just because after 3 years+ I am finally upgrading that I am being forced to pay for a minimum of $30 a month data plan whether I use it or not and also a $30 "upgrade fee". I really do hate verizon.

 

[Tilted]

I purchased my first 'smart' phone several months ago. I got the Samsung Stratosphere (against the advice of my daughter who insisted that I get an I phone). I like being able to slide it open and use the keyboard as opposed to having to use the touch screen.

However, I have had issues with not receiving and sending text messages at times. Not sure if it is the phone or the Verizon service. I can check my account and see where it says I received a text message, but it never showed up on my phone.

Other than that, I guess it's an ok phone. Any other technical issues are probably just from my lack of knowledge of how to use all the features.

I have a family member who just bought their first smartphone. They debated between the Stratosphere and iPhone for a while because the Stratosphere was the only reasonably-sized smartphone they found with a physical keyboard. They do a lot of texting and I was worried that they wouldn't like not having a physical keyboard. They eventually decided on the iPhone and seem to have taken well to the touch keyboard.

 

[Tilted]

Exactly what I am seeing. I also think it is bullcrap that just because after 3 years+ I am finally upgrading that I am being forced to pay for a minimum of $30 a month data plan whether I use it or not and also a $30 "upgrade fee". I really do hate verizon.

Try to talk them out of the upgrade fee, you may or may not be successful. I'd talk to the salesperson in the Verizon store about it, not someone over the phone.

EDIT: They'd really like to get you into a new 2-year contract, so that's sometimes leverage enough to get them to waive the upgrade fee.

 

[kwillia]

I have a family member who just bought their first smartphone. They debated between the Stratosphere and iPhone for a while because the Stratosphere was the only reasonably-sized smartphone they found with a physical keyboard. They do a lot of texting and I was worried that they wouldn't like not having a physical keyboard. They eventually decided on the iPhone and seem to have taken well to the touch keyboard.

A smart phone upgrade comes with a forced $40 service plan. I just don't believe I will ever use a smart phone for what it is capable of... heck, upgrading to a not-smartphone that I can use to check emails is a way big step over my current cellphone useage. I currently only ever use my cell to talk and to text. The ONLY reason I am upgrading at all is because the phone is old and though I can hear others fine, they say I often "break up" and they can't follow what I'm saying.

 

[kwillia]

Try to talk them out of the upgrade fee, you may or may not be successful. I'd talk to the salesperson in the Verizon store about it, not someone over the phone.

EDIT: They'd really like to get you into a new 2-year contract, so that's sometimes leverage enough to get them to waive the upgrade fee.

I will try that... doesn't hurt to try. I already feel sorry for the person who has to deal with me because I will be stating very loud and clearly that I am not happy about being forced into a minimum $30 data usage service plan.

 

[NextJen]

I have a family member who just bought their first smartphone. They debated between the Stratosphere and iPhone for a while because the Stratosphere was the only reasonably-sized smartphone they found with a physical keyboard. They do a lot of texting and I was worried that they wouldn't like not having a physical keyboard. They eventually decided on the iPhone and seem to have taken well to the touch keyboard.

I should have went with the iPhone, that way my daughter could have helped me with any technical questions I have. Oh well, live and learn. I guess when I upgrade in another 5 years or so, I can always get an iPhone 12 (or whatever model they are on then)

 

[Tilted]

A smart phone upgrade comes with a forced $40 service plan. I just don't believe I will ever use a smart phone for what it is capable of... heck, upgrading to a not-smartphone that I can use to check emails is a way big step over my current cellphone useage. I currently only ever use my cell to talk and to text. The ONLY reason I am upgrading at all is because the phone is old and though I can hear others fine, they say I often "break up" and they can't follow what I'm saying.

Do you know anyone that has a decent unused feature phone they might be willing to loan you - maybe someone that recently upgraded to a smartphone? You could activate it on your line (you can do that online, you don't even need to bother Verizon about it) and that would allow you to hold out on a smartphone for a while longer. You wouldn't be renewing the contract and, if you do it yourself, there shouldn't be any charge.

But, yeah, the way the data plans are set up now they really favor multiple users on the same account. A single smartphone line on an account can be kinda pricey by comparison.

 

[desertrat]

Does anybody know if there is a benefit with hitting the Verizon kiosk in BJs vs the verizon store...

Probably less wait. Verizon store is pretty busy.

 

[Tilted]

I should have went with the iPhone, that way my daughter could have helped me with any technical questions I have. Oh well, live and learn. I guess when I upgrade in another 5 years or so, I can always get an iPhone 12 (or whatever model they are on then)

I didn't mean to suggest that the iPhone would have been a better choice for you. The reality is that people are different and have subjective reasons for liking particular phones. I was just a bit surprised at how quickly this particular person was comfortable with (and even seemed to prefer) a touch keyboard, I was concerned they wouldn't take to it so encouraged them to be sure before committing to a phone without a physical keyboard. Sometimes you just don't know whether you'll like something until you've had a chance to use it for a while.