Cell phone recommendations

[wautd]

I'm thinking of getting a new cellphone and I'm looking for recommendations. I always had a very basic model since I just use it for calling & texting and I find a sharp price more important than options like a crappy camera. However, I'm really interested in getting a good, affordable model (say, < 300€) that has integrated GPS/navigation and I like to get some idea's before I get to ye ol cellphone shoppe.

[Zed Snardbody]

I'm thinking of getting a new cellphone and I'm looking for recommendations. I always had a very basic model since I just use it for calling & texting and I find a sharp price more important than options like a crappy camera. However, I'm really interested in getting a good, affordable model (say, < 300€) that has integrated GPS/navigation and I like to get some idea's before I get to ye ol cellphone shoppe.

I adore my blackberry pearl. Google maps is awesome and will work seamlessly with the pearl version that has GPS. I have the wifi version but I've seen the other in use. Call quality is good, and I've abused mine a fair bit with no issues. If you're a google user then there are even more goodies for you if you don't want to opt for enterprise and just use it with a straight data plan.

[Admiral Valdemar]

I can only vouch again for the N95 8GB. It should be cheaper now the N96 is out (which only really offers more memory and a better flash for the camera), and offers all you could need from a phone bar a proper QWERTY keyboard (which you can get as a Bluetooth accessory, actually).

[salm]

Whatever you get, don´t get a Samsung SGH U600.

[Netko]

I can only vouch again for the N95 8GB. It should be cheaper now the N96 is out (which only really offers more memory and a better flash for the camera), and offers all you could need from a phone bar a proper QWERTY keyboard (which you can get as a Bluetooth accessory, actually).

If that is too expensive for you, you could go for the E66 - has pretty much all the same features except a slightly worse screen, camera and integrated memory (trades integrated memory for a microSDHC slot - 4gb and higher cards are dirt cheap, comes with 2gb), but has the same great form-factor (slider) and is lighter and thinner. Uses the same software too (S60 3rd edition, feature pack 2 Symbian OS).

I've just bought one for that reason, and I'm enjoying it so far, a fair (and cheap with operator contract) upgrade over my 6280.

[wautd]

I can only vouch again for the N95 8GB. It should be cheaper now the N96 is out (which only really offers more memory and a better flash for the camera), and offers all you could need from a phone bar a proper QWERTY keyboard (which you can get as a Bluetooth accessory, actually).

If that is too expensive for you, you could go for the E66 - has pretty much all the same features except a slightly worse screen, camera and integrated memory (trades integrated memory for a microSDHC slot - 4gb and higher cards are dirt cheap, comes with 2gb), but has the same great form-factor (slider) and is lighter and thinner. Uses the same software too (S60 3rd edition, feature pack 2 Symbian OS).

I've just bought one for that reason, and I'm enjoying it so far, a fair (and cheap with operator contract) upgrade over my 6280.

That one looks nice but at first glance the E66 is just marginally cheaper than the N95 (and both around 400€ still). I'll check it out though

[Netko]

Depends on your options really. The reason I got mine was that I managed to get it for ~100€ in exchange for selling my soul to my operator for two years, and there wasn't a similar offer for the N95. That said, the E66 tends to be often offered in such special promotions. Getting the kind of functionality that you want (especially the GPS/navigation part) in a <300€ unsubsidized phone might not be possible.