The Cell Phone Newbie Thread

[Never_Scurred]

My brothers.
After many years of avoiding the cell phone temptation, I have decided to succumb to the allure of text-messaging, bluetooth capability, GSM networks, and all that other bullshit that the talk about to sell cellphones. I am ready to venture off on this fantastic voyage as my utter lack of cellphonage has begun to affect my meager social life.
School a brother on what I need to be looking out for when it comes to the cellphone game.
Phones I have in mind:

BlackBerry Storm (sexy as hell, but very big and bulky. Plus I hear that the whole screen is one big ass button )

BlackBerry 8900 Curve (I know a few people with this model and they have absolutely nothing but good things to say about it)

BlackBerry Bold 9000 (Sexy, very sexy)

HTC Touch Pro (Haven't seen one in person, but i've heard some decent things about it)

I'll be using this phone for video and photos, email (the main form of communication at my job since i'm on rotations), some text messaging, and perhaps Facebook when I get a page up and running.
Thanks in advance for any advice you can spare. I'll probably be getting one when I get my next check.

[Fuzzypants]

Ive been using the bold for about a year and a half and I've had no real complaints. I do a lot of emailing with work, ebay, craigslist, freecycle, etc. and rarely have I ever had a "big problem" with the phone. I think my biggest problem was setting up my gmail accounts so I wouldn't get my sent messages sent back to me. While it doesn't have IMO any really good apps yet RIM has been working hard to fix that. I cant vouch for video since I don't watch it on my bold. I can't watch a 2 inch by 3 inch screen it will drive me nuts.

[Vexorg]

In some places on the Internet if you asked that question you'd get half a zillion people telling you to get an iPhone, but I've never been a big fan (even though, ironically enough, I'm working with iPhone apps right now.) The various Android phones seem to be the other popular choice these days, but I have yet to find one that really works for what I'd be using one for (the Droid is probably the closest one, but I don't care much for the keyboard layout.) Of course, if you just want something to make calls, you probably don't need a Blackberry, since those generally require data plans which can get a bit expensive.

As for the Touch Pro 2, I only have a little bit of experience tinkering with it in the phone store, but I thought it was reasonable, although battery life is a significant concern with these. There's also Windows Phone 7 coming out in a few months, which might be worth waiting for. I'd recommend against getting one on a contract at this point, but if you can find an inexpensive secondhand one and get a no contract plan, that might be worth looking into. They're still pretty decent phones, they just don't have the glitz of the newer models.

[Fuzzypants]

IMO if you want a good test on a blackberry try outright buying a blackberry pearl they go for 60-100 USD pending condition etc. etc.

this is true you do need a data plan with blackberries but that is actually with all smart phones on AT&T you cant get one without it. Also make sure you read their insurance plan before agreeing to it. Some companies won't honor your insurance if there is visible damage on the phone including trackball

[PainAmplifier]

Sorry, can't help much here.

I've had a cell phone for years, but I just use it for *gasp* actual voice calls. No internet, email, music or other distracting crap. Just the ability to talk to me/others. That's pretty much all I need it for. Occasionally use the built in alarm/timer/countdown but all the other fancy features are pretty much useless for me. Even the 'games' aren't worth it.

That said, if 'work' requires a phone, be sure that you at least have them compensate you for some of the costs. As it sounds now, you are paying for everything, but are getting mostly because you need it for your job. Thus it's compensatable/deductable under most rules.