Cell phones

[edg]

So I'm thinking about buying a cell phone. Unless someone can come up with an overwhelming reason not to, I will probably go with Cingular as a provider, as they're the only provider in the US (to my knowledge) who allow unused minutes to be kept across months.

What I'm not sure on is the phone. I have three solid criteria:

It must not be a flat-body phone (in other words, it needs to be a flip-top or have a sliding panel that reveals the keypad), unless the power button is not easily accessible.

It must not cost me, when all is said and done, more than $300.

It must be heavy-duty enough to withstand being kept in my pocket.

Features, like games, text messaging, cameras, and the like, are completely optional; they're nice (except for the games - playing games on a cell phone = ugh) but I don't require them. What I do need is a device that will let me get in touch with people, and that will let people get in touch with me, when I don't have a land line handy.

So. Anybody have recommendations? What should I look for? What should I avoid?

Comments

[telerib.livejournal.com]

I find that I don't come close to using all the minutes on my bottom-of-the-line Verizon plan. The rollover with Cingular is nice, but if you don't use the phone a lot, you may not really need it.

I don't know about other providers, but I know that Verizon lets you call other Verizon cell phones for free - even during the day, IIRC. No minutes charged. My sister and dad - two of the three people I usually call on the thing - also have Verizon cells. So it made sense for me to get one, too.

My phone (which I'm happy to show you) I believe meets all your criteria, and costs $20. My plan is ostensibly $40/mo., but taxes and fees bring it up to $50 in reality. But if you don't have a happy little Verizon calling circle, I see no compelling reason for you to go Verizon.