need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

I've got an N900 and I love it, but now I need something for someone much less geeky. :) Suggestions welcome!

It should be either Symbian or Android.

I really want it to have either a Google Talk or a Skype client built in / easily available.

I really want it to have a good GPS/mapping solution, especially one that works without 'net access.

I really want it to support 3G on T-mobile in the US, just like the N900.

I'd like to spend about $200, new or used.

Talk to me!

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Nexus one but i think you are a bit short on cash

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Maybe you should go with a tried and tested (and much loved by many i hear) N95/N96. It's within your budget and I think it does most of the stuff you want (i'm not sure about the 3G). I considered them before I settled on the N900.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Yeah, I know Nexus One will do that. But that's not starting at the low end! :)

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

samsung monte is a nice little phone with a good feature set, cant remember what o.s it runs though

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

HTC Incredible if you are a Verizon user. My girlfriend got one and she loves it.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

No, no VZW please. Has to be GSM, either T-Mo or AT&T.

That Samsung Monte is a neat little device. Is there an app store for it?

The E63 would be great, but doesn't have GPS. The E71 seems like a nice option too.

@techngro On Amazon, N95 and N96 models are pretty pricey... How do you find them around $200? Used?

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

I have an E63. It's pretty reliable. the only knock is the GPS

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Just sold my n96 will all original packacing and accessories and a few extras for $265 on ebay. Maybe you can find soem closer to $200?

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

yes there is an app store for the monte

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

nokiausa.com doesn't offer the N96 for sale any more, but it does offer the E71 and 5800 (those are probably my two top candidates right now).

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Save up for N8?

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

HTC Touch Pro ... its basically an N900 (has most features) by HTC released few years back.
You can grab a used one for around $200, then install custom ROMs on it.
From what I know, xda-devs have already perfected the Android ROMs for you, but there are WinMo6x ROMs available too if your into it.

The noticeable differences are:
- a smaller screen with less pixels (640x480)
- a slower processor
- graphics chip without 3D driver (unless you run a custom ROM from xda-devs which have this fixed for some PSX emulator fun)

Then it has some differences which matter less:
- a decent camera but not as good as the N900
- no internal memory which doesn't matter since it has SD support
- no infrared (which doesn't really matter)
- no FM transmitter (which doesn't really matter)

The similarities are:
- form factor (ie slide QWERTY keyboard)
- a front camera for video conference
- LED flash for back camera
- resistive touchscreen
- 3G and QuadGSM
- aGPS on both
- TV out
- Gsensor/accelorometre
- RAM (288MB HTC vs 256MB N900 ... 756MB virtual RAM does not add to performance)


So when it comes down to it, the Touch Pro is an underpaid device.
Go grab a bargain!

PS: I don't want to get your hopes up but this device is powerful enough for Mer/Maemo/MeeGo but there is no attention to it.

Your other option would be the Motorola Droid which is better than the N900 in screen (size and resolution), capacitative touch and slightly more compact ... but it isn't in your budget!

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Oh I found them on craigslist for between 200 and 250. But you can usually negotiate decent prices on CL. I got my N900 for only 400 on CL as well.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

By the way I wasn't kidding about its potential.

For GPS you can buy or download GPS software for WinMo platform, there's many. You can easily obtain pirate copies but I'd have to advise against it. "Route 66" is a freeware (afaik) and its better than Google Maps (iPhone) but not as full-featured like the big brand names (TomTom etc.). You can also load Android into the device (if you dont want to use WinMo) and use its Google Maps software from that.

After loading XDAndroid 2.0 ROM by xda-devs you can access the Apps and emulators for Android.
Just make sure to save your original OS, flash to a LITE WinMo that automatically loads Android for you by Haret.
Haret loads other OS's (eg Android) and totally kills all WinMo running tasks, so that Android OS is running natively and not emulated. Its not as convenient as dual-booting or full install into the NAND (ie the phone) but it is far better than an emulation.
Also make sure the copy of Android includes a "custom made" 3D graphics driver which couple dev's built from scratch (since QLCM drivers are licensed)

All emulators should work and at full speed (otherwise at decent speed) without overclocking, with sound and no frameskip ....except DOSBOX, N64, Dreamcast and upwards (which is too slow/just unplayable).

So once optimized these ports give you a vast repertoire of titles; which is reflective of N900's possibilities -less N64 emulation.

If you don't like Android or don't wanna mess with the flash NAND you can use emulators built for WinMo.

Like here is the PSX emulator and SNES emulator for WinMo.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

I must chime in. The n95, n96, e63 or basically apparently the phones that have been mentioned do not have 3g for tmoile. You have to look for *** 1700/2100. Not there? No T-Mobile 3g. You best bet is to look for the behold 2 or try and buy a used Hd2. Most phones from Nokia do nit have T-Mobile 3g. Buyer beware.

P.S. Typed from Nexus One

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Can't you get a free HTC Desire/Nexus One if you're signing up to a new contract?

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Nexus One isn't free with a new contract. It is cheaper but not free

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

The Nexus One is not free. It is $180 for new customers. $280 for current members. Google.com/phone

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

I thought they'd reformed in the states to be more like Europe (free phone, with minimum contract lock in period, e.g. 18 months)?

Well anyway, $180 plus whatever a month sucks a bit! Oh well.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

A used HTC Touch Pro with Android sounds like a killer setup, and it's cheap...

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Nope. $180 plus 24 month contract. Worse than Europe and we get shittier phones.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Thank you, everyone, for your suggestions. I now understand my requirements a bit better.

- I don't need Skype in particular, but I do need a voice chat application I can use over WiFi. Google Talk with voice chat would do, or any other easy-to-use alternative. Maybe SIP? Fring? The point here is to use WiFi for audio calls to avoid an expensive data plan while travelling.

- Still need GPS + maps.

- T-mobile 3G is important, and that rules out just about everything from Nokia except for the 5230 Nuron, but the lack of WiFi rules out that one. Grr.

- The Nexus One and Samsung Behold 2 are great phones, but pretty expensive.

- I'm willing to bend on the OS.

Is there a Tmo G1 in my future?

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

There is some mod to get Android 2.1 on the G1. i think

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

the awesome phone with neat spec. and great price i say , HTC Magic !
yea its old , but cant say its not awesome !

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

N82,fabulous phone,incredible camera,still miss mine :(

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Sorry for little off-top, but I've noticed you showing up wide range of phones here regarding to your requirements and highlighted that needs to be something below N900, less geeky and... still no iBoys here :)

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Nokia Nuron on the T-Mobile network?

http://www.nokiausa.com/find-product...specifications

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

I was looking for a cheap phone with android 2.1 myself and i found the Samsung I5700 Galaxy for around 200 euro. Maybe it's worth a look.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Samsung Wave
http://wave.samsungmobile.com/

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

N8 is pretty nice, but while it's cheap to start with it will take some time before it's in that price range.

Samsung Galaxy is not bad at all.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Touch screen devices are not for eveyone and somewhat time consuming to get used to. I recommend the Nokia N95. Unfortunately it works with ATT 3G and have to settle for 2.5G on TMobile. I ve owned this phone for 3+ yrs and find it extremely versatil and full or features. They go for around $150-$200. The best thing I like about it is that it always works, always. No bugs, no freezing, hang up or flaws. Menus open extremely fast, speaker sound is estremely loaud and clear for phone op as well as media. Using Skyfire you can open all and any web page and still get the flash files. I own the N900 but for everyday use I still use my N95. Dont get the N95 8Gb due to limited memory. The N95 has Sd slot and with 16gig ro 32 gig it ll be more than enough. It also has Word, Power point and Excel viewer and Adobe built-in. Software selection is also good for this device. I use my N95 with joiku as WiFi modem and get decent speed on my Laptop. Good Luck

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Just ordered Nokia E72 as a second phone.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

x10 mini or x10 mini pro. Hopefully released in a few weeks.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Sorry but I think the OP was looking for an phone alternative to the N900 within a $200 budget. It requires internal GPS and a 3G antenna.
Although the N95 meets the requirements, I don't think it is the worthy alternative. Because it is a (dumb)phone with many features rather than just smartphone.
I have one atm, and I can tell you after using a smartphone you notice how slow it is, Apps take forever to open. The GPS is very weak/slow even at hot spots. The screen is much smaller (bad for video/app contents) and has no touch-input. It has a slow and featureless web browser that lacks flash, so the 3G factor degrades. As a standard phone its great, just the many features it has, it cannot complete them properly.
I recommend firstly the Motorola Droid, then the SE Xperia X2, then the Touch Pro 2, then the Touch Pro, then the Xperia X1.
If you buy any of these, as an N900 alternative you would be quite pleased.
There are other alternatives as good or better than these, but they arrive in another form (candy bar, Blackberry) factors.
In my books key(thumb)boards, and its addition to the smartphone experience, are not to be underestimated. Especially ones that don't take screen real estate, are large and tuck away underneath the screen (ie slide) like the N900, unlike Blackberry's.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

Thank you all for the suggestions. For those keeping track:

- Samsung I5700 Galaxy is not 3G on T-mobile
- Samsung Wave is not available in the US, it seems, and is pretty expensive
- Nokia 5230 Nuron doesn't have WiFI

At this point I'm probably going for an HTC Magic or a G1.

Re: need non-n900 phone suggestions
 

You can't go wrong with the G1 (HTC Dream).
Get the new Cyanogen MOD = Android 2.1 Eclaire final OS.

The only thing the G1 does poorly is memory.
Not enough RAM and ROM makes the gaming/video/performance experience bad ... but at least the user interface is still snappy.

Expect full speed with sound for GBA, SNES, Sega Genesis, Commodore64 and Atari emulation.
Don't expect PSX, N64, Dreamcast ... etc