The Unofficial Speak Out Wireless Canada Consumer Page - Topic: Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

SOdoug on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Wed, 22 Sep 2010 08:08:29 -0700

Thanks bridonca, much appreciated. Will scour around for an e71. Any thoughts on the versions-- e71 vs e71-2/NAM-- or are the e71-2 phones generally the only ones found in North America (eg, Newegg) anyway?

bridonca on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 11:01:10 -0700

Other than getting a data plan activated, do not involve customer service. They cannot support 3rd party phones. Other than help from this forum, you are on your own! 🙂

An unlocked or locked rogers phone is idea for speak out, because the data settings are already configured.

With other compatible gsm phones, the voice works, but you need to configure the APN settings to get the data. It is not hard to do, it just has to be done.

SOdoug on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Mon, 20 Sep 2010 06:25:17 -0700

Got it. Good advice, thank you.

If I buy an unlocked Nokia e-series and move the SO sim I'm using now into the new phone, what is the procedure-- do I have to call in again to customer service, or will it automatically load in the SO settings, or will I have to load some settings in manually?

bridonca on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 11:27:47 -0700

I like the gps, with google maps, and speakout data, it is pretty handy. the default Nokia app does ok turn by turn gps. I could not tell you if it is worth it, but I like it. I would not pay $400 for it, but they are dumping them on kijiji for $150 or so to upgrade to android toys, so shop around. If you get rogers e71, you do not even have to unlock it. stay away from the telus e71 unless you factor in $40 for a hardware unlock.

The 3.2 megapixel camera on the e71 is not that great. I cannot see how the 2.1 megapixel on the e63 could be worse. they do the job, but do not expect much. I do like that you can upload pics to flickr from speakout data. slow, but handy. I think the gps and camera are the only difference between the e63 and e71

SOdoug on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Sun, 19 Sep 2010 05:20:59 -0700

Thanks, good lead. Guess the big difference between the e71 and e63 is GPS. Do you use it much-- ie, is it worth the extra cost?

bridonca on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 22:43:58 -0700

I am partial to my Nokia e71. You can get it pretty cheap on kijiji. Newegg sells a Nokia e63 for about $160.

SOdoug on Good basic smartphone for voice, email, search?

Sat, 18 Sep 2010 16:46:25 -0700

I'd like a phone that's easy on the eyes (good sized screen) for talking, gmail and occasional search. iPhone would likely be overkill and too much $ but my Nokia is way too weenie. Is there a good mid-priced smart-ish phone, new or used, anybody can recommend?