"Best" Cell Phone?

[Vagabound]

Stephen said, “There are days when a tuna can and string seems like the right choice to me!”  Amen, brother.  If the constantly changing phones and features don’t do it, once I start contemplating the total insanity of calling plans, I’m ready for smoke signals or monk-like solitude and silence.

To jimindenver:  If a person goes into a store (sounds like the beginning of a “three guys go into a bar” joke) … to buy a phone with that feature, do stores ads and phone salespeople also refer to it as “carrier aggregation” or some other buzzword?

To Optimistic Paranoid:  Generally speaking, I understand the concept of mil spec.  However, when buying, how do you know for sure if a phone actually meets that standard? Is there something like an "Intel Inside" label on it?

 

[jimindenver]

It is called LTE advanced.

 

[Every Road Leads Home]

I've always bought my phones on craigslist instead of through the carrier, then I'm not locked into their contract and it's a lot cheaper. The most i've paid is $150 for a smart phone and they have all been in like new condition. Currently have a Samsung galaxy but I don't love it, prior to that I had an HTC Evo for close to 5 years and loved it. I think my love for the Evo is why I don't like my Galaxy. Soon as I see a decent Evo for sale I'll scoop it up and switch. Tried an Iphone once and didn't like it, tried an Ipad and didn't like it and own a Ipod that I don't like. So my apple days are over, I don't get the appeal personally.

Never got into Tablets either, tried a few times but prefer my 13" laptop and phone, to do everything I need.

 

[Vagabound]

I've always bought my phones on craigslist instead of through the carrier, then I'm not locked into their contract and it's a lot cheaper.  

...

Tried an Iphone once and didn't like it, tried an Ipad and didn't like it and own a Ipod that I don't like.  So my apple days are over, I don't get the appeal personally.  

Good idea about Craigslist.  Never really thought of it as a place to get a phone before.  Hmm.

iStuff:  Funny you should say that.  In a ancient career life, I did some PC-based software design, programming, and training.  Was always important to me that any software I created work as intuitively as possible.  When iPads first came out, I was excited.  Finally got around to an Apple store.  Wanted to see what real intuitive was like.  Picked one up.  Played with it a bit.  In my opinion, not intuitive at all.  Actually frustrating.  Though I was primed for the opposite reaction, it really put me off of them.

 

[Happy Camper]

One quick note.

For those that want a solid 911 only phone, you can buy any used mil spec verizon flip or old candy bar type phone with a good battery. They will all call 911 even without service. You can then use whatever other phone you might want for your regular use.

 

[jimindenver]

very good point.

 

[rvpopeye]

Galaxy Note 7 .....NOT

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

To me, a cell phone is primarily a safety device.  I spent the extra money to buy a mil-spec phone because when you need to dial 911, you really need to get 911, and a I figured a mil-spec tough phone was the most likely one be working after falls and such.

That's why I carry a personal emergency beacon.  I spent a week in a canyon in Utah this spring that had absolutely no cell signal (even with a directional antenna 15' up and a 50 dB booster).  With the PEB I was able to text with my family, telling them where I was staying, and that I was OK.  If needed, I could talk directly with SAR anywhere I can see the sky.

 -- Spiff

 

[Happy Camper]

So you used a special device that needed to see the open sky to phone home? Hmm, "spaceman"...

Was there a kid with a flying bike involved?

 

[Spaceman Spiff]

Actually there is a flying bike in my past.  Unfortunately, no ET, no full moon, no soft landing involved.  After hitting the top tube, I never tried that jump again  :blush:

 -- Spiff

 

[Vagabound]

Actually there is a flying bike in my past.  Unfortunately, no ET, no full moon, no soft landing involved.  After hitting the top tube, I never tried that jump again  :blush:

 -- Spiff

Must be childhood clones.  In my case, after flying off the ramp, landing very hard, and surprisingly surviving, I discovered that I'd snapped the top tube in half.  That felt like an accomplishment.  Stupid, but oddly satisfying.