Which new cellphone should I buy?

JJanssen · 06-08-2009, 06:43 AM

My contract with my mobile phone provider is up, so it's time to either get a cheaper subscription, or get a massive discount on a new cellphone. I'm looking at several new cellphones, with ebook reading in mind. First, though, my device history:

Sony Clie SJ-22/30, PalmOS 4.1 color 2" 320x320
Nokia 3650 (more or less simultaneously with previous), S60v1, 2" 176x208
T-Mobile MDA Pro (HTC Universal), WM5, 3.7" 640x480 (VGA portrait)
Nokia N95, S60v3, 2.6" 240x320 (QVGA portrait)

The Nokia 3650 had so few pixels and screen size that I didn't use it as my only reader, as the better/larger screen on the Clie outweighed the inconvenience of dual devices (just). The latter two have, in succession, been my only device.

On all 4 devices, I used the respective versions of Mobipocket, in combination with DRM-free Mobipocket files. Assume that file formats are probably not an issue for me. Getting a good app that works well, however, is, and my default choice of "buy whatever mobipocket runs on" appears to be failing.

I'm looking at several options, recently released or upcoming, for my new phone:

Nokia 5800 S60v5, 3.2" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait)
Nokia N97, S60v5, 3.5" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait)

HTC Touch Diamond2, WM6.1, 3.2" 800x480 (WVGA portrait)
HTC Touch Pro2, WM6.1, 3.6" 800x480 (WVGA portrait)

iPhone 3G, iPhone OS 2, 3.5" 480x320 (HVGA portrait)
iPhone III, iPhone OS 3(?), unknown

The iPhone(s) would have to be a distant possibility given their cost, but I'm willing to be convinced.

So the issues facing me are that only the WM mobiles have the option of Mobipocket. On iPhone or S60v5, I would have to find a new reader application. I'm told that on the iPhone there are several -- are they as good as mobipocket at providing me (after some configuration) a screen without margins, white on black, and no visible control elements, nothing but the text?

How about S60v5? Anything good on that platform?

Which platforms and/or devices have I neglected to consider?

HarryT · 06-08-2009, 09:16 AM

A Windows Smartphone will certainly give you the widest choice in terms of reading application. I have an "HTC Touch" phone myself, and the Mobi Reader on it works pretty well.

desertgrandma · 06-08-2009, 09:49 AM

JJanson, welcome to MobileRead.

Lots of books here for download, formatted by our own members, and lots of friendly advice as well, as you are sure to find out.

Enjoy the forums and don't hesitate to join in.

jj2me · 06-08-2009, 12:03 PM

I don't have any of the phones you're considering, or ever used Stanza, but came across this Stanza supported formats chart.

Ahh, we've come so far in a couple of years. Back then, the first things we looked for in a cellphone were reception and call quality. Now, it's extra doodads.

Didn't you just love reading on the Sony SJs? I loved the rocker switch for paging, but often wished it allowed lowering brightness (on the SJ20, don't know about SJ22/30).

kevindorsey · 06-08-2009, 05:35 PM

You need to get whatever phone you like, but consider buying an all you can use Sim-card for 40 bucks to go with it. I think thats the wave of the future.

Catire · 06-09-2009, 11:02 AM

If it help the 8gb Iphone 3g is now 100 dollars , Apple announced a faster version of their phone with 16gb and 32gb at 200 300 dollars respectively.

ilovejedd · 06-09-2009, 12:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Catire

If it help the 8gb Iphone 3g is now 100 dollars , Apple announced a faster version of their phone with 16gb and 32gb at 200 300 dollars respectively.

True, but don't forget the cost of service. The lowest plan will cost you $70/mo ($39.99 voice + $30 iPhone data plan) before taxes and that's with a 2-year contract.

Despite the cost, the combination of DynDNS+Calibre+Stanza has worked extremely well for me, so far.

Jack Tingle · 06-09-2009, 01:13 PM

If you plan to read a lot, I'd go with the biggest screen, the Touch Pro 2. My Dell X51 (3.5") is a little nicer to read on than my Samsung SCH-i760 (2.8"). (I probably wouldn't go with the Apple, but I dislike Apple's way of doing things. That's a purely taste-driven choice.)

Enjoy,
Jack Tingle

HansTWN · 06-09-2009, 11:15 PM

wait for the Toshiba G01, with a 4.1" screen. 9.9mm thick only. Still very pocketable. And 1 GB processor. Due out right about now. WM 6.1 or 6.5. Touch Pro 2 is very nice, but this is the next generation with Snapdragon. The Touch Pro is overpriced. More like this to come out from Acer, HTC, etc in Q4. HD video capable.

06-08-2009, 06:43 AM	#1
JJanssen Member Posts: 16 Karma: 24 Join Date: Jun 2009 Device: Kindle Paperwhite 1	Which new cellphone should I buy? My contract with my mobile phone provider is up, so it's time to either get a cheaper subscription, or get a massive discount on a new cellphone. I'm looking at several new cellphones, with ebook reading in mind. First, though, my device history: Sony Clie SJ-22/30, PalmOS 4.1 color 2" 320x320 Nokia 3650 (more or less simultaneously with previous), S60v1, 2" 176x208 T-Mobile MDA Pro (HTC Universal), WM5, 3.7" 640x480 (VGA portrait) Nokia N95, S60v3, 2.6" 240x320 (QVGA portrait) The Nokia 3650 had so few pixels and screen size that I didn't use it as my only reader, as the better/larger screen on the Clie outweighed the inconvenience of dual devices (just). The latter two have, in succession, been my only device. On all 4 devices, I used the respective versions of Mobipocket, in combination with DRM-free Mobipocket files. Assume that file formats are probably not an issue for me. Getting a good app that works well, however, is, and my default choice of "buy whatever mobipocket runs on" appears to be failing. I'm looking at several options, recently released or upcoming, for my new phone: Nokia 5800 S60v5, 3.2" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait) Nokia N97, S60v5, 3.5" 640x360 ("nHD" portrait) HTC Touch Diamond2, WM6.1, 3.2" 800x480 (WVGA portrait) HTC Touch Pro2, WM6.1, 3.6" 800x480 (WVGA portrait) iPhone 3G, iPhone OS 2, 3.5" 480x320 (HVGA portrait) iPhone III, iPhone OS 3(?), unknown The iPhone(s) would have to be a distant possibility given their cost, but I'm willing to be convinced. So the issues facing me are that only the WM mobiles have the option of Mobipocket. On iPhone or S60v5, I would have to find a new reader application. I'm told that on the iPhone there are several -- are they as good as mobipocket at providing me (after some configuration) a screen without margins, white on black, and no visible control elements, nothing but the text? How about S60v5? Anything good on that platform? Which platforms and/or devices have I neglected to consider?

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06-08-2009, 09:16 AM	#2
HarryT eBook Enthusiast Posts: 85,544 Karma: 93383043 Join Date: Nov 2006 Location: UK Device: Kindle Oasis 2, iPad Pro 10.5", iPhone 6	A Windows Smartphone will certainly give you the widest choice in terms of reading application. I have an "HTC Touch" phone myself, and the Mobi Reader on it works pretty well.

06-08-2009, 09:49 AM	#3
desertgrandma Enjoying the show.... Posts: 14,270 Karma: 10462841 Join Date: Jun 2008 Location: Arizona Device: A K1, Kindle Paperwhite, an Ipod, IPad2, Iphone, an Ipad Mini & macAir	JJanson, welcome to MobileRead. Lots of books here for download, formatted by our own members, and lots of friendly advice as well, as you are sure to find out. Enjoy the forums and don't hesitate to join in.

06-08-2009, 12:03 PM	#4
jj2me Guru Posts: 820 Karma: 8820388 Join Date: Dec 2008 Device: Sony PRS-505, -350; Kindle 3 3G, DX, PW 2; various tablets	I don't have any of the phones you're considering, or ever used Stanza, but came across this Stanza supported formats chart. Ahh, we've come so far in a couple of years. Back then, the first things we looked for in a cellphone were reception and call quality. Now, it's extra doodads. Didn't you just love reading on the Sony SJs? I loved the rocker switch for paging, but often wished it allowed lowering brightness (on the SJ20, don't know about SJ22/30).

06-08-2009, 05:35 PM	#5
kevindorsey Evangelist Posts: 488 Karma: 258 Join Date: Mar 2009 Device: kindle	You need to get whatever phone you like, but consider buying an all you can use Sim-card for 40 bucks to go with it. I think thats the wave of the future.

06-09-2009, 11:02 AM	#6
Catire Lord of the Universe Posts: 670 Karma: 737849 Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: Maturin , Venezuela Device: Sony Reader PRS-505 / PSP	If it help the 8gb Iphone 3g is now 100 dollars , Apple announced a faster version of their phone with 16gb and 32gb at 200 300 dollars respectively.

06-09-2009, 01:13 PM	#8
Jack Tingle Punctuation Fetishist Posts: 557 Karma: 1070000 Join Date: Nov 2008 Location: The Bluest Commonwealth In East America Device: Kindle PW, Nexus 7 (2013), Galaxy S5 phone, Galaxy Tab 4 8.0	If you plan to read a lot, I'd go with the biggest screen, the Touch Pro 2. My Dell X51 (3.5") is a little nicer to read on than my Samsung SCH-i760 (2.8"). (I probably wouldn't go with the Apple, but I dislike Apple's way of doing things. That's a purely taste-driven choice.) Enjoy, Jack Tingle

06-09-2009, 11:15 PM	#9
HansTWN Wizard Posts: 4,538 Karma: 264065402 Join Date: Jun 2009 Location: Taiwan Device: HP Touchpad, Sony Duo 13, Lumia 920, Kobo Aura HD	wait for the Toshiba G01, with a 4.1" screen. 9.9mm thick only. Still very pocketable. And 1 GB processor. Due out right about now. WM 6.1 or 6.5. Touch Pro 2 is very nice, but this is the next generation with Snapdragon. The Touch Pro is overpriced. More like this to come out from Acer, HTC, etc in Q4. HD video capable.

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