For some time now my cell phone has been acting pretty poorly and it is time for a new one.
This fall I was going to buy an Ipad or a surface and then the x-mas hit and everyone under the sun came out with something.
So now with the bad cell phone I am looking to get a smart phone.
Hear is the deal, I have had cataract surgery in one eye and I need something a tad bigger to read. My daughter has a samsung Galaxy notepad ( i think that is what it is called) and I like it. Bigger screen than the iphone but it is kind of a lug to carry around though.
I was wondering if anyone had one of those and can give me some advice about smart phones.
I know I need a protective case, that is the first option but more info.............
I guess it is time to step into the 21 century ::)
My ex had the Galaxy S3. One froze all the time so they gave her another. New one froze also. I've heard the S4 is awesome tho. Bigger screen than the iPhone.
It's the Galaxy Note that your daughter has, currently the 3. This is what some call a phablet, bigger than a phone but smaller than a tablet. It is big to lug around but definitely a bigger screen. I tell everyone when I finally got the internet on my phone, I realized I couldn't SEE the internet on my phone. I have the galaxy s3 which is one of the biggest screens on a regular type phone but the Note has 5.7" screen compared to the galaxy s4 which is 5". Get a belt holster type deal for the note and I think it would work for you but they are definitely big.
My problem is not the screen size - you can zoom in and out. It's the small keyboard buttons and my fat fingers
Quote from: Kjohnson on January 14, 2014, 11:00:18 AM
My problem is not the screen size - you can zoom in and out. It's the small keyboard buttons and my fat fingers
You can go back to the old palm pilot days and use a stylus
I got the info on the phones and it seems their is 2 kinds of those phatlets that seem to be the name now.
One has a 5.3 inch screen (I believe my daughter has that one and another with a 5.7 inch screen. Price is close but man o man I dont know if I am ready for all that.
What happened to the day of just plain and simple calling someone and I thought I was a cool cat when I started texting.
Quote from: littleguy301 on January 14, 2014, 11:07:50 AM
I got the info on the phones and it seems their is 2 kinds of those phatlets that seem to be the name now.
One has a 5.3 inch screen (I believe my daughter has that one and another with a 5.7 inch screen. Price is close but man o man I dont know if I am ready for all that.
What happened to the day of just plain and simple calling someone and I thought I was a cool cat when I started texting.
I still have the old flip phone, call & text. I have a laptop and so many places have wifi I don't need the smartphone.
I have S4 very good size screen, only had it for about 6 weeks but very good to me so far. My friend has the note, big screen if you need it. I have an otterbox commuter case, might be the best case unless you are really hard on your phone then get an otterbox defender, makes the phone a lot thicker but could probably drop it off a skyscraper and it would be fine... they also make cases for the Note.
I can get a smart phone cheaper than a dumb phone! Man talk about a deal there.
I like the idea of a small lap top but I wouldnt feel right trying to stuff that into a sweatshirt pocket ;D
My son has the S4 and loves it - especially the large screen.. He's pretty hard on his phones and it has held up really well - I think he got an otterbox for it also. Says its better than his Iphone.
My son went from the Samsung s4 to an iphone. When we went in found out hos old phone had a recall and they will send us a new one. Didn't take the insurance. If he breaks the iphone he will have to use the Samsung until the contract is up.
ps check your s4 may have a recall
I have had 3 phones in the past 16 years. I am pretty easy on phones but there is always the chance and if I do get a smart phone I am sure this dumb guy will drop it.
Those ottobox covers look to be bullet proof. But the also make that samsung about triple the size. I may need to get a man purse to haul that around. No more wedging in the pocket I guess.
Now with work phone, my old company had my name programed in as "phone killer" When we got bought out the new company couldnt figure that on out. Then when they did they made sure I was only to get 1 phone and I would be charged for anything else. It became a battle of wills, I work in the mud, dust, rain, cold, snow, heat and worse yet in live sewers so when my phone started to fail I just wouldnt answer it or try to call until they gave in and got me a new one ;D
A larger phone with a belt case will make your waist look smaller :) sorry I couldn't resist and I resemble that!!
LG I love my Otterbox cover. I'd recommend them all day long.
Quote from: howavi on January 15, 2014, 09:44:56 PM
A larger phone with a belt case will make your waist look smaller :) sorry I couldn't resist and I resemble that!!
I was talking about that with my daughter, the whole belt thing. She says that is going to be pretty uncool because it is so large. No big deal in the winter but in the summer with shorts she said I wouldnt look good. So as I type she is looking for one of those because I want to look uncool ;D
The iphone has a nice cover also but I dont know if it would work with the note.
Making my waist look small,,,,,I almost took that as an insult but coming from a person under the Mendzo line, it doesnt hurt that much ;D
I am not under, was down to 11 over that mystical line but am probably now 20+ over.
I've had about six 'cell' phones.. going back to about 1997 (ish?) ....
Those small pocket size ones.. (had one)
Then a couple flip phones... (accidently place in clothes washer... only took :15 seconds to ruin it)
Then, due to my evidently 'hard use' I got the Quantico ... supposedly the toughest. I ruined that one. Limped along with it damaged (accidently 'cooked' it on a coffee cup warmer... don't ask...) as keys were sluggish, speaker was fuzzy.. dropped calls.
When that contract was up I couldn't wait to get the Samsung Galaxy III. It was immediately evident that it dropped a TON of calls (like 22 in three days) ... so US Cellular sent me a replacement ... same issue... US Cellular sent me a THIRD one. Same issues. Finally they told me I was out of luck and they just said 'good luck' ... in order to get phone calls on a phone, I had to purchase another phone (smart phone) and bought a used Motorola Electrify M (that cost me $275.00 plus tax and a cover). The Electrify is ok, but smaller than the Galaxy III... not as advanced. The charging port is touchy and will only work with specifically Motorola chargers... aggravating.
Both fit in my pocket.
I now use the Galaxy as/like a small tablet. Gets wi-fi everywhere and much better/larger display than Electrify.
DID YOU KNOW: The cell phone companies can actually tell the difference between whether you 'hung up' (ended yourself) a call or whether it was a 'drop' ... They could tell me how many drops I had in any period of time or day.
I have about 4 months before I can get something else... I am not enjoying the Electrify at all. Also drops some calls, doesn't ring for some calls and has some other glitches.
Maybe the Galaxy IV ? I like the larger screen/displays. If I am paying for data, I want to be able to see it.
Tom, when you get a chance, pop the back off the back of that S3 and let me what you see after the SCH-R530. I am with US Cellular, I was having the same issue with the dropped calls. Turns out there was a firmware upgrade on the phones that required me getting a replacement, much better with the firmware upgrade. They only told me this after numerous calls to customer service complaining about dropped calls. It's possible you could have gotten all the replacements before they were doing the firmware upgrade. Mine has
"MODEL : SCHR530 B 16GB R", it's been a while now but I think the B after the SCH-R530 was the key, the original had nothing
Thanks for the reply.
Mine reads:
MODEL : SCHR530 B 16GB-B
The first two models did not have the B.
At the time they told me that was the key, and having the capital B would be the answer. It was not
AFter all my research and looking at them I decided that the note 2 for the price was the best deal. The problem is, it sounds like the note 2 has been replaced by the note 3 and that is much better. At this time I have 2 choices, spend the huge money for the note 3 or try to find the note 2 for 99.99 at some store but they are selling out fast.
With the insurance, I get a free hook up to data because I have a dumb phone, cover and tax it will still be over the 3 hundred mark that is if I can find the 99.99 note 2.
now off to find one tomorrow and at least I can rub it in my daughters face that I got one cheaper, not better but cheaper than she paid ;D
LG,
I would be Leary with taking a model that is outdated that much. The current models are outdated by the time they come out and buying an edition that has been out for an extensive time gives very little support, updates, etc. I'm not all that familiar with the Note 2 just a general comment.
You can still get the note 2 in the stores. They have only been out for a year now. When they come out with a new product online the discontinue selling the one they replaced but they can still get that one new in the store.
This phone thing is very confusing to say the least. Like I said before, what ever happened to the dumb phones?
Just picked up the note 3. My daughter has the note 2 and she is bummed dear old dad 1 upped her.
Man that has alot of things on it.
The otterbox is on the way, I will need it!
Up until 3 in the morning with that darn phone. Actually made some posts with it.
Man that thing is fun but I have to remember I have a family ;)
My laptop is all the digital distraction I need. I'll keep my dumb phone, thanks.
I miss my old US Cell flip phone. Went through the wash three times; dried out in rice, and always worked. This slide blows goats. Bride switched to Verizon and I can barely get reception even near their tower. Hate it. I'll be back with US in another year and 3 months. If you go country, I wouldn't go Verizon. So, I now use my land line a lot more. Gonna call my mom in 1/2 hour; on my land line. Verizon=muy mal. Customer support basically says "tuffshmitsky." $800 to get out of our contract, or live with crap. They'll get another year and a few months of slavery; but the way they do business sucks nuts. I just want US Cell and a Motorola flipper. No texting, no data, just "hey, Maggie, whatchaya doin' right now?"
Apparently, they have outsourced customer service to Russia. ;D No wonder you are having a problem!
I have great luck in the country with verizon. I will admit that being near the twin cities works well for me!
Quote from: imwi on January 16, 2014, 02:24:40 PM
Tom, when you get a chance, pop the back off the back of that S3 and let me what you see after the SCH-R530. I am with US Cellular, I was having the same issue with the dropped calls. Turns out there was a firmware upgrade on the phones that required me getting a replacement, much better with the firmware upgrade. They only told me this after numerous calls to customer service complaining about dropped calls. It's possible you could have gotten all the replacements before they were doing the firmware upgrade. Mine has
"MODEL : SCHR530 B 16GB R", it's been a while now but I think the B after the SCH-R530 was the key, the original had nothing
Quote from: TomM on January 16, 2014, 10:37:55 PM
Thanks for the reply.
Mine reads:
MODEL : SCHR530 B 16GB-B
The first two models did not have the B.
At the time they told me that was the key, and having the capital B would be the answer. It was not
Well, I didn't hear back from you.
Now my Motorola Electrify M is being less than agreeable. People call (about 2 out of 20 calls) and the phone does not ring and no missed call appears. IF they leave a message I will get a 'ding' ring that there is a voicemail.
I am considering switching to Verizon since their map appears (well, then again it is THEIR map!) cover more space than any other.
Not sure what in tarnation to do any more. Just very frustrating.
Sorry Tom. I didn't respond back since that was all the help I could provide, my issues went away when I got a phone with the firmware upgrade. Sounds like you've never had good luck with US Cell, I would recommend switching. Talk to some friends and see who they like for coverage. Does this mainly happen at home? I know my girlfriend had t-mobile and her phone was very unreliable in my house, just sort of a dead spot for them.
Quote from: littleguy301 on February 09, 2014, 04:38:12 PM
I have great luck in the country with verizon. I will admit that being near the twin cities works well for me!
Where we camp, there is NO cell service. The township finally allowed a short tower to be added across the lake this summer (a few miles into the trees, so it's not visible). I appreciate that they are adamant about keeping the area as natural as possible, but I really hope that I can finally have phone service up there, without having to drive 14 miles.
Quote from: imwi on February 09, 2014, 05:25:53 PM
Sorry Tom. I didn't respond back since that was all the help I could provide, my issues went away when I got a phone with the firmware upgrade. Sounds like you've never had good luck with US Cell, I would recommend switching. Talk to some friends and see who they like for coverage. Does this mainly happen at home? I know my girlfriend had t-mobile and her phone was very unreliable in my house, just sort of a dead spot for them.
No worries... I didn't mean to seem upset. I actually have really been happy with US Cellular. It has just been since the GS3 came along. In fact maybe I should really go back in and make sure the GS3 is 'deactivated' correctly. It started when the 'kid' who activated the GS3 set it up incorrectly and all my gmail contacts were grouped with my phone contacts which has been a hassle and continued when I moved to the Motorola Electrify.
Maybe some of the current issues are caused by the GS3 being 'on' and still not being totally factory reset. ?
I'd rather not switch to some other provider since there is always risk and a hassle in doing that if the new company is worse. That is what happened when I went 'back' to ATT for a short time. Lost my good plan etc... Then ATT was terrible for my locations and had to go back to US Cellular. (someone had insisted I get ATT ... well, she is no longer around .. ha)
One thing that "may" help, at least it's worth a shot, force the phone to use 3g instead of 4g, it could be trying to use the 4g which is better when you can get 4g but in my opinion a stronger signal on 3g is better than a weak signal on 4g.
This may vary depending on which android version, phone, etc but your looking for the "mobile networks" setting, on my current phone you get there by going to
settings
more networks
mobile networks
network mode
here you should see LTE/CDMA & CDMA, select CDMA if it's not selected
PM me if you have issues, I'll send you my number and can try to walk you through it
Hey! Thanks. :)