I've got a phone and it makes calls. Yup. That's all I know. I had one of those Blackberry things for work and I constantly was on it. I couldn't get away from work since it had email & web access on it. Made my life miserable. Now I just use my basic cell that I got for free for signing up for service. No web (I've got a computer for that). No camera (I've got a digital for that).

My husband just got this phone by Samsung, and seems to be addicted to it. I'm not so crazy about it...it isn't a great phone, and for some reason the actual phone part gets shut off easily (which I think is crazy for a cell phone). He loves the email part, but I think the novelty of that will wear off soon once his work finds out he is never without his new toy. We have Verizon, and are on a trial month for the internet...we'll see what the bill is after our month...I bet we don't keep that!

http://www.amazon.com/Samsung-i760-Black-Verizon-Wireless/dp/B000YA6EMY/ref=sr_1_80?ie=UTF8&s=wireless&qid=1196953595&sr=1-80

I've got an iPhone, my wife ended up getting one. The monthly service charge is...I dunno, I've always done contracts, because the way i use it, a GoPhone deal would never work for me.

The unlimited internet is of far more use to me on the iPhone, but then, not having a crippled browser ala Pocket IE makes a HUGE difference. The email's handy, but I have it set for manual checks. Nice battery savings there. (as it turns out, EDGE wastes more battery than WiFI)

Being on Twitter...unlimted text messaging...well worth the extra $20 a month

My biggest complaint is that I need the phone and ringer to be much louder, but, I freely admit to having some messed up ears, (thank you B-1B Bomber), so I'm not a great indicator there. The Bluetooth functionality is jacked, you can only use it with headsets, no wireless synching. So that sucks.

I've had Palms, and Windows Mobile phones, and honestly, this is the best of the bunch. Another thing I like about it? I can get software updates WITHOUT hoping my carrier decides to allow me to get a bugfix or two. Sometimes Apple's control freak issues come in handy.

All in all, it's been a solid performer for me.

I've got an iPhone, my wife ended up getting one. The monthly service charge is...I dunno, I've always done contracts, because the way i use it, a GoPhone deal would never work for me.

The unlimited internet is of far more use to me on the iPhone, but then, not having a crippled browser ala Pocket IE makes a HUGE difference. The email's handy, but I have it set for manual checks. Nice battery savings there. (as it turns out, EDGE wastes more battery than WiFI)

Being on Twitter...unlimted text messaging...well worth the extra $20 a month

My biggest complaint is that I need the phone and ringer to be much louder, but, I freely admit to having some messed up ears, (thank you B-1B Bomber), so I'm not a great indicator there. The Bluetooth functionality is jacked, you can only use it with headsets, no wireless synching. So that sucks.

I've had Palms, and Windows Mobile phones, and honestly, this is the best of the bunch. Another thing I like about it? I can get software updates WITHOUT hoping my carrier decides to allow me to get a bugfix or two. Sometimes Apple's control freak issues come in handy.

All in all, it's been a solid performer for me.

I have a Motorola Que, on Verizon, and I am finding that I use it much more than I ever thought I would. I have to confess that I was very snarky about smartphone users, saying repeatedly that I felt these were people who were pretending to be much more important than they actually were. Those words, I'm happy to report, tasted very good when washed down with a nice Cab Sauvignon. Yummy! In fact, they were good enough that I am probably going to drink the Crackberry Koolaid after the first of the year. Oh, I like my Q, but the iffy voice dial/lack of ringtones is annoying. I mean, if I'm spending all that moola, it needs to do everything! It needs to be a frackin' Roomba too, for pete's sake! Anyway, that's my two cents, add it to your diet Coke fund!

Our family has Sprint and we all carry the Katana phones. We love them b/c they r slim and slip easily into pockets. They r camera phones and u can get text and email....although we don't have all of that.

I shopped and reviewed for months b4 deciding also. I'm that way too. Sprint rep gave us the best deal by far and the family plan is wonderful.

Merry Xmas!

I bought the AT&T 8525 from Cingular and I love it. I have the unlimited data plan, since I use the PDA to access work emails. The keyboard is wider than a Blackberry, which was the main reason I went with this phone. It's much easier to use for typing emails and texts.

I have a Motorola Razor, and I love it. It's thin, so I can fit in my pocket easily. It can feel a little weird at first, because it's thin, but you get used to it. I think the new version is narrower, but more solid.

got a Treo 680 in April -- after my beloved Razr up and died.

Love the Treo - got this particular version b/c of Palm software, which integrates with my Macbook.

Wish I could afford an iPhone, but can't. and it would be silly to ditch my new phone for another new phone right now. And I'm sure I can only write off one phone a year on my taxes.

I am with AT&T and my bill runs $130 per month.

I hear where you are coming from. I either buy on impulse or research till the end of time.
The two year contract seems like a life sentence when you're not sure if you love the phone.
I have a Motorola Krzr. It works for me because I can sync my address book with my Mac so I have all my phone numbers on the go - most important to me.
Still love the iPhone, though.

We're with ATT on a family plan, too. However, except for our daughter, who (fortunately) is still managing fine with the 200-message text plan, we really only use our phones to make calls. Kind of Stone Age, I know. Just bought our son a new phone. He wanted something pretty basic, and I got him the LGCE110. It's a camera phone and nice & slim, since he always keeps it in his pocket. It has Internet capabilities, but he hasn't/won't use them. About the only media charges I ever get are for the occasional ringtone download, and those are mine, not his.

My one bit of advice is to order the phone online. They offer much better deals and a wider selection than they have online. We got the LG for free after a rebate with a 2 year contract.

Oops, I meant that online has more options and better deals than in the stores!

THe iPhone rocks my world. I got mine Sunday, and I already can't live without it. The monthly charge wasn't much different than what I was already paying, plus you get unlimited email and Internet.

Coolest thing ever. Worth every penny.

I have a Sync - the red one- and I love it. I really don't NEED to check email and all of that on it, but I can. If I NEEDED it, than the phone wouldn't be quite so lovely. It has a really basic (for the MP3) but cool touch screen on it's face, which honestly confused me at first. My husband has The LG trax, and he adores his. He doesn't go online at all, so I can't say if it's good for that. My daughter (11yo) just got, like last weekend, the LG CU515, in plum;-) She really likes it, ALOT, she has unlimited text but ABSOLUTELY NO INTERNET. I've had the older version of the razor, Not the one that's like $200 w/a 2yr contract, and I hated it. You can get a lot more features by going with any other phone for the same price, and sometimes cheaper. Sometimes you can get cheaper online deals with AT & T. Then you can just take your phone into the AT &T store and have them set it up for you. I haven't needed to do that yet though. Hope that helps!

I know shopping online may be easier but that is what takes away from the local economy. You won't receive customer service when you buy online. Then you will be in a store asking how to work your phone.

As a long time AT&T (cingular, bellsouth also) customer you cannot get help when buying online. I've been there done that. I'm on a first name basis with one of the store owners on Northshore.

I currently have the Blackberry Pearl. It is fabulous! I'm considering the 8925. They say it can do more than the iphone. I wouldn't get the iphone right now because they are coming out with a new one in 2008.

Well, I guess my first suggetions didn't work out, so back to the drawing board.

But 1. For goodness sake, if you are planning on using this primarily as a phone... don't waste your time with the iPhone. It is pretty, cute, has nice looking toys, and is a lousy quality phone

Yes, you do eventually get used to those bricks by your head, but I am one of those dorky asshats with a Bluetooth headset. (p.s. some of them are actually quite small now, and don't even have that dumb blue flashing light any longer.)

You could also go the tethered route and get a headset that is on a wire to avoid the Tooth of Blue.

More phone suggestions in your inbox (shortly)

I have the Palm Treo, holds a charge forever. Good for texting, pretty good all around.

We have a Sprint family plan. Just went to unlimited text due to a 14 year old girl. (It was ugly, so I won't include details) Our plan expires next August and I am already looking at a smarphone. Dying for one, in fact. I,too, am guilty of making fun of people who think they NEED a smartphone, so i guess I'll eat those words later. A cab Suav, you say, washes it down good?

Um, last year I "upgraded" to a phone that does text messages. So yeah, I'm absolutely no help.

You are speaking astrange language to me.

I only speak in 1-land-line-with-a-cord ese.

www.phonescoop.com was very helpful to me in picking out my new device. I always love reading reviews by actual users. Does it echo? Are the buttons too funky?

I have blackberrry equivalant from Sprint PCS. I love it. The best thing I like about it is the calendar. Everything I need to know about my schedule is in the palm of my hand. I always know my schedule which is great. Then, I get emails on my phone which is nice if I want to read them I can but most of the time I wait until I can get to my computer to answer emails. I am not a texter so I will not type a reply out on my phone.

We have Sanyo Katana camera phones. They don't do a ton of stuff other than text, play a few songs, make and receive phone calls, and take crappyish photos. But they're sturdy, great for kids, and the have the best reception ever. EVER.

The January 2008 issue of Consumer Reports is about cell phones. And I quote: - top carriers - best phones - contract traps to avoid. Also - iPhone vs Palm vs BlackBerry. Plus! 5 ways to cut your bill.

I have a Samsung Sync. I like it just fine. It doesn't do all the fancy things that a Blackberry does (I thought about getting a Blackberry Pearl too, but it was just too expensive), but it's cute and it works and stuff.

Gosh, my husband and I have Virgin Mobile and we barely use it, only when we're out somewhere and the kids have a question. It costs us $15/3 months (only $5/month!). I don't think I'd ever use another plan. It works perfectly for us. My 14 year old daughter is on my mother-in-laws' Verizon plan. She has the razor and unlimited in and 50 out messages for $43. She loves the plan, but hates that she's stuck with the phone for 2 years. I think it's too expensive. I'm thinking of getting my 11 year old Net 10 service, 150 minutes for $15/month.

I know what you mean about researching something to death. I do the same thing! I especially can relate to being on the brink of a decision and then being put off by one bad review.

I'm on my husband's unlimited plan through his job, so I can't help you with how much data I pull down. As for the phone, I use a Treo 700p that I've had for almost two years. I don't have a business need for it, but I like having a keyboard for text messaging. I also prefer keeping my calendar and address book in a digital device because I keep losing the paper versions.

I know that having a small device is supposed to be preferable, but I like something with a bit of heft to it. Many of these new phones are so lightweight that I know I would lose one of them because I can't feel it in my pocket!

If all you do is call and text message, then don't bother with smart phone. Get a Razr, which is what i have, it is slim and easy to use. I played around with my cousin's Iphone, I hated it. The keypad is so tiny, I was constantly pressing the wrong letters. Even my niece's tiny fingers were making mistakes. I could care less what other features Iphone has, I need a decent keypad to do text messaging.

I just got an LnV which has a standard keyboard with it on a Verizon plan. It has a 2gig camera and is easy to text with.
With that said, I'm about 500 years behind everyone else. The selling point for me was the keyboard.

I'm pretty fickle with my phones - I bounce around with a Treo 650 or 680, Razr or my current favorite, the Samsung Blackjack. Great battery life (includes a extra spare battery) with Bluetooth Stereo. Being on AT&T with the removable SIM card and rollover minutes is a big plus until I pass out from seeing the family plan bill of 2100 minutes, data plan and unlimited texting. I'm trying to go retro with just the phone features only. Speaking of retro, you must try the http://www.thinkgeek.com/gadgets/cellphone/8928/?cpg=froogle retro Bluetooth Handset. Works like a charm, especially in public!

Hey there BusyMom... this phone ain't dainty but I have singlehandedly switched 2 people onto Verizon because of it. It's the Casio Gz'One. Why is it good? You can huck it against a wall and it doesn't flinch. You can drop it in the toilet, and still make a call (your call if you want to wash it off first, because it can be washed). In fact, you can (and I have) use it in the shower. I was showing it to some friends the other day and dropped it onto the steps in someone's pool. After I retrieved it, my son took it and made a move to huck it into the middle of the pool. I stopped him in time. He said "I thought it was waterproof!" I said "It is. But you aren't. And I ain't getting it."