Travel Technology - Time to get a 3G phone - which one should I get?

Now that my phone finally gave it up, it's time to get something new:
Here is what I am looking for:

-3G
-need to be able to run a SSH client on it and possibly other software later on (so probably Windows mobile)
- needs to be as small as possible - so no full-scale PDAs
- preferably (but not a must have), should work in Europe as well (so GSM)


I have T-mobile right now, but considering that nobody seem to knows when they will get 3G, I am willing to switch to AT&T.

Would love to get the iPhone, but the data connection speeds are just painfully slow :( on it.


Any suggestions?

Do you want 3G to work in Europe, or just the phone?

WM and Symbian phones would fill your criteria, but the choice of phones with a full range of 3G frequencies is limited.

Rumor has it to expect a 3G iPhone in the near future, if you can wait a bit.

In terms of functionality and price, I'm more than happy with my Nokia N95-2 (the 8GB version) particularly as a traveller to many strange places, having the free GPS and maps built-in.

Works on all worldwide GSM and 3G (and 3.5G) networks, wifi built-in.

And there's at least one SSH client out there:
http://s2putty.sourceforge.net/

If you like phones with a keypad for text-messaging, this is the one. The price is good too.

In terms of functionality and price, I'm more than happy with my Nokia N95-2 (the 8GB version) particularly as a traveller to many strange places, having the free GPS and maps built-in.

Works on all worldwide GSM and 3G (and 3.5G) networks, wifi built-in.


I thought the N95-2 only had 2100MHz WCDMA...?

An update of the Nokia E65 form factor could be good.

For a 3G non-QWERTY smartphone it is slim and well built ;) but could improve its wifi browsing experience.

I'd jump at an (on?) iPhone 3G like everyone else. :)

An update of the Nokia E65 form factor could be good.

For a 3G non-QWERTY smartphone it is slim and well built ;) but could improve its wifi browsing experience.

I'd jump at an (on?) iPhone 3G like everyone else. :)

Mrs typical just got an E51, and it's absolutely superb. I have severe phone envy. She did prefer the form factor of the E65, but the E51 is streets ahead for user experience.

I thought the N95-2 only had 2100MHz WCDMA...?

I'm not sure on specifics, but I know for sure in my office on the Saudi border I get 3G showing up, while in my flat closer to town a little 3.5G pops up in the top right-hand corner.

I'm not sure on specifics, but I know for sure in my office on the Saudi border I get 3G showing up, while in my flat closer to town a little 3.5G pops up in the top right-hand corner.

I get 3.5G here in Riyadh :)

Nevertheless, I don't think there's an N95 that works on 3G in both the US and RoW.

Just the phone.
3G only needs to work in the US - and if it works outside the country as well, that's a plus, but certainly not a requirement.
I looked at N95, but it doesn't seem to support 3G speeds in the United States, at least based on the reviews I've seen so far.

Do you want 3G to work in Europe, or just the phone?

WM and Symbian phones would fill your criteria, but the choice of phones with a full range of 3G frequencies is limited.

Just the phone.
3G only needs to work in the US - and if it works outside the country as well, that's a plus, but certainly not a requirement.
I looked at N95, but it doesn't seem to support 3G speeds in the United States, at least based on the reviews I've seen so far.

There is a North American version of the original N95, supporting WCDMA / HSDPA at 850 / 1900 MHz. It's known as the N95-3.

As yet there's no North American version of the N95 8Gb, though it is apparently on its way.

There is a North American version of the original N95, supporting WCDMA / HSDPA at 850 / 1900 MHz. It's known as the N95-3.

As yet there's no North American version of the N95 8Gb, though it is apparently on its way.
It was on sale at buy.com last week and appears to still be on sale this week:
http://www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=205814244

There is a North American version of the original N95, supporting WCDMA / HSDPA at 850 / 1900 MHz. It's known as the N95-3.

As yet there's no North American version of the N95 8Gb, though it is apparently on its way.

I can vouch for the HSDPA speed/reliability - I'm using it with Wataniya in Kuwait on this phone, and for very reliable call quality on Fring.

Thank you very much for the replies. I tried out the N95 today - excellent phone! Does anyone know when the North American 8GB version might be coming out?
Has anyone tried using N95 as a modem for their laptop in area where Wi-Fi wasn't available?

BTW, I checked the prices and looks like Tigerdirect has it for $499 (http://www.tigerdirect.com/applications/SearchTools/item-details.asp?EdpNo=3323669&CatId=1809)


Also, has anyone tried Samsung BlackJack II ? I was at the AT&T store yesterday and was very impressed by how compact that phone is - probably one of the smallest smartphones I've seen.

Shop Around

http://buy.ebonza.com/Cellular/Phones/258978

Mrs typical just got an E51, and it's absolutely superb. I have severe phone envy. She did prefer the form factor of the E65, but the E51 is streets ahead for user experience.

Another vote for the E51. I picked one of these up before xmas, and am very pleased with it.

Has a great mixture of business functionality, along with a camera, radio, music player etc.

The only downside is heavy use of 3G / wifi will drain the battery pretty fast.

Shop Around

http://buy.ebonza.com/Cellular/Phones/258978

Unfortunately, I believe that that is not the US version that the OP is looking for.

Thank you very much for the replies. I tried out the N95 today - excellent phone! Does anyone know when the North American 8GB version might be coming out?

Q1 (http://www.symbian.com/news/cn/2008/cn20089697.html)...

I have a Blackjack 2 and I am satisfied with it... It's a little bulkier than the N95 but I certainly don't consider it as a full-size PDA.

I have a Blackjack 2 and I am satisfied with it... It's a little bulkier than the N95 but I certainly don't consider it as a full-size PDA.
Afte comparing the N95 with the Blackjack 2,the Blackjack 2 is lighter than the N95 (4.09oz vs. 4.95oz).

PhoneScoop (http://www.phonescoop.com/) is a great site to compare cell phones...

Rumor has it to expect a 3G iPhone in the near future, if you can wait a bit.
Hello. I'm interested in knowing why a 3G version of the iPhone would be worth waiting for? Would it work any better? And does AT&T support 3G anyway?

Thanks for any replies:)

Hello. I'm interested in knowing why a 3G version of the iPhone would be worth waiting for? Would it work any better? And does AT&T support 3G anyway?

Thanks for any replies:)

Yes, Yes and Yes.

;)

1) A 3G iPhone would give it much faster data speeds. The current EDGE chips are very slow, but with 3G you could finally do things like download songs or view video streaming.

2) Hard to say whether it would work better without knowing what you plan to do with it. If all you do is some basic web stuff, it may not be worth the wait

3) Yes, ATT has a fairly extensive 3G network. Not nationwide yet, but growing every month.

I just LOVE my w880i.

Very tiny phone. 3G and GSM.

However, it does not have US 3G bands. Just Europe/Asia. So I guess it won't work for you.

I'm curious why you need US 3G anyway?

I'm curious why you need US 3G anyway?

Thanks ScottC and CPMaverick for your replies^

I've no idea what to I'd do with 3G but it seems what ever I'd use it for I'd be doing it faster!!:D

Thank you for the replies. The N95 8GB finally came out, but the $800 they want for it is pushing it.....


Might end up returning the regular n95 - the reception is great, but all the apps on the phone are surprisingly and frustratingly slow - especially the camera . GPS is very slow as well, but I don't really use it anyway - so that doesn't matter as much.


Regarding US 3G, the goal is to be able to get online in areas where there are no Wifi hotspots nearby or if I don't have my laptop with me. Having easy access to Google maps helps as well.




I just LOVE my w880i.

Very tiny phone. 3G and GSM.

However, it does not have US 3G bands. Just Europe/Asia. So I guess it won't work for you.

I'm curious why you need US 3G anyway?

HTC Tytn II I am very happy with and I got it for $99 from AT&T. At that price I have no problem paying an early termanation fee.

HTC Cavalier (aka Dopod C730, HTC S630) is a good choice. WM6 Quad band GSM, TriBand 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth and qwerty in a small footprint.

It is a smartphone so no touchscreen and does not have GPS built in.