Getting my first cell phone ever...

[themadmakmess]

So I am planning to get my first cell phone ever in the next few weeks (probably as early as this weekend). It is very likely that I will look towards Rogers since most of my friends are Rogers subscribers. Does anyone have any recommendations as to the type/brand/model of phone I should get? Also, any good plans I should consider. I know that I won't be qualified for those corporate plans and stuff. I just want a realistic plan and a good phone that can last me for about 2 years. I will see if I am going to stay away from signing 3-year contracts. Are there any items/features that I should have for sure (i.e. items that are considered a necessity)? I thank you in advance for providing your cell phone recommendations.

[coriolis]

If you're a student, Rogers has a nice My5+5 plan going.

For $25 + 6.95 access + $0.50 911 fee, so about $37 with tax, you get a 100 weekday minutes, 1000 weekend(9pm-7am weekdays), 10 numbers with unlimited talk/text and 500~ overcharge minutes for 3 years. This doesn't include a phone though, check Rogers' site for the phone selection.

You could also go to a Rogers store and check out the plans, just don't get it on the spot and compare :p


Goodluck.

[aimfox]

any sony phones are nice. maybe the sony ericsson that is advertising rite now :)

[elty]

I don't know why I never have good experience with SE phone. I like Nokia, they are rather dull compare to SE, but very functional and last for a long time.

But if you are a student, you may as well go with the more trendy one...

[Gee]

I don't like the Sony phones either. My first one was the 610.

But I hated the menus. I guess I am use to the Nokias.

So I recommend you go with Nokia. Besides, Sony puts too much proprietary crap on their phones. Like the Memory stick. DRM with the MP3 ring tones etc.

[Asad_A203]

I don't like the Sony phones either. My first one was the 610.

But I hated the menus. I guess I am use to the Nokias.

So I recommend you go with Nokia. Besides, Sony puts too much proprietary crap on their phones. Like the Memory stick. DRM with the MP3 ring tones etc.

Believe that is only with the non-Walkman line up. I like SE; especially since the w810i is a pretty good phone for being offered free in some areas. The k790 also has a 3.2 MP, but i would stay away from 580; no flash. Wait for the 8XX.

[Kranberry]

If you're a student, Rogers has a nice My5+5 plan going.

For $25 + 6.95 access + $0.50 911 fee, so about $37 with tax, you get a 100 weekday minutes, 1000 weekend(9pm-7am weekdays), 10 numbers with unlimited talk/text and 500~ overcharge minutes for 3 years. This doesn't include a phone though, check Rogers' site for the phone selection.

You could also go to a Rogers store and check out the plans, just don't get it on the spot and compare :p


Goodluck.

If your a student, try www.studentphones.com. They have a good deal for Fido. Unlimited evenings, unlimited weekends, 150 anytime minutes, $50 off all phones. But it is a 3 year plan though.

[Menace]

I used to be a Nokia fanboy big time. I then switched to Motorola and now SE W810i, it didn't take much to adjust from Nokia to SE. I don't know if the newer SE phones have better menu than the old 610. My next phone would be another SE. My company cell phone is a Nokia slide phone and I don't like it at all.

[themadmakmess]

Unfortunately I have just graduated this past June, so I won't be eligible for any of student plans and so forth. I am finally getting a cell phone before I am getting fed up having to wait at home to see if employers are calling after submitting those job applications. I won't be home much starting next week. I am thinking of getting one of the Sony Ericsson phones (deciding between w810i and w580i - been reading some bad things about the latter).

What about phone plans with Rogers? Which one should I go for? I live in the Toronto area.

The list of options I am considering includes:

1. $25 - Mega Time: (9PM-7AM) 1000 Eve & Wknd & 100+50 Wkday Minutes + Unlimited Network Calling

2. $30 - Mega Time: (9PM-7AM) Unltd. Eve & Wknd & 150+50 Wkday Minutes + Unlimited Network Calling

3. $25 - Mega Incoming: (9PM-7AM) 1000 Eve & Wknd & 50+50 Wkday Minutes & Unlimited Incoming Minutes

4. $30 - Mega Incoming: (9PM-7AM) Unltd. Eve & Wknd & 100+50 Wkday Minutes + Unlimited Incoming Minutes

5. $25 - MY5 (local): (9PM-7AM) 1000 Eve & Wknd & 50+50 Wkday Minutes & MY5 (Unlimited Local Calling and text)

6. $30 - MY5 (local): (9PM-7AM) Unltd. Eve & Wknd & 100+100 Wkday Minutes + Unlimited Network Calling & MY5 (Unlimited Local calling and text)

Options #3, 4, 5, 6 are only available on 3 year subscription only.

The problem is that I don't exactly know how often I will be using the phone. I am certain that I will use the phone most often during the weekends and on certain evenings. Can anyone help me with which one I should choose.

I am pretty hesistant on signing 3-year contracts but then some of the options look quite good, particularly the $30 MY5 plan...

[themadmakmess]

Oh, has anyone heard anything good about Fido? Don't they operate under Rogers?

[MrWizard]

If you're going to go with Rogers, get the Sony Ericsson w810. It's a great phone at a good price, and still on the memory promo to get I believe 4 gigs of memory. So you get yourself a cell phone, a half decent camera, and an mp3 player all in one.

[Gee]

You can still get student plans. They don't even ask for student numbers.

[themadmakmess]

If you're going to go with Rogers, get the Sony Ericsson w810. It's a great phone at a good price, and still on the memory promo to get I believe 4 gigs of memory. So you get yourself a cell phone, a half decent camera, and an mp3 player all in one.

But you only get those 4 gigs of memory if you sign with them for 3 years. I am only thinking of signing it for a year or two. I think...

[Menace]

You can pick up the phone for around $200 new from BST of Hofo. 3 years is such a long time unless you can get a good corp. plan.


But you only get those 4 gigs of memory if you sign with them for 3 years. I am only thinking of signing it for a year or two. I think...

[haveblue]

I don't like the Sony phones either. My first one was the 610.

But I hated the menus. I guess I am use to the Nokias.

So I recommend you go with Nokia. Besides, Sony puts too much proprietary crap on their phones. Like the Memory stick. DRM with the MP3 ring tones etc.

The DRM on the MP3 ringtones is only enforced by Rogers. Removing the Rogers branding from my W810i removed the DRM lock for ringtones. Nothing wrong with Nokia though, other than that Rogers only seems to offer their ugliest models. Or Motorola either for that matter.

[andrew2good4u]

The DRM on the MP3 ringtones is only enforced by Rogers. Removing the Rogers branding from my W810i removed the DRM lock for ringtones. Nothing wrong with Nokia though, other than that Rogers only seems to offer their ugliest models. Or Motorola either for that matter.

or you could just easily convert ringtones into WAV files and not worry about anything

[haveblue]

I think I remember trying that and it not working. However, Sony offers a (free) little program that with put DRM on any MP3, then you can transfer that DRM'd file to the phone and it'll work fine.

Download here (http://developer.sonyericsson.com/site/global/docstools/misc/p_misc.jsp)

[Fraser River Rat]

Pay as you go is the way to cellphone salvation. If you top up $20/month, you can get evening/weekend rates at 1 ct./minute or $1/day. I think this rate is also available on the $100/365 day plan.
http://www.shoprogers.com/store/wireless/services/payasyougo/pricing.asp?shopperID=LBJLGRNDTC3Q9HQEJT9840T11K4X 14T9

Check out this Rogerswireless site for new phone plans.
http://www.rwireless.ca/deals/prov_On_Pq.php