Best inexpensive EDGE/Bluetooth phone?

[rr0123]

Any suggestions for something that can transmit EDGE over bluetooth for use with Cingular or Tmobile? Something inexpensive but not difficult to configure? Thanks!

[Robette]

I personally am holding out for T-Mobile to release the SDA.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/articles.php?action=expand,6750:dont_paginate,1

I am hoping for a $200 price point and a good color (black).

[fpp]

I asked for the same advice over here in France when I ordered my 770 and was pointed towards the Nokia 6021 : a no-frills "business" phone (no camera, no flashy stuff) but nicely made and pleasant to use, the absolute cheapest in the Nokia world that had both EDGE and BT : under 150 euro, which should be at most as many dollars in less tax-intensive places :-)
Works like a charm with the 770, as you'd expect.

[lenfischer]

T-Mobile in the U.S. might have an EDGE network, but the company certainly doesn't sell many handsets that work with it. The cheapest is the $149 Nokia 6101, but it DOESN'T include Bluetooth, so it won't work with the N770.

None of the Motorola's (Razr, Pebl) support EDGE either, so you're pretty much out of luck unless you buy an unlocked phone.

In terms of unlocked phones, look hard at Nokia models because many models include EDGE. Overall, few manufacturers appear to be supporting EDGE, which is kind of disappointing.

Cingular, which sells way more phones than T-Mobile, probably has a wider selection to choose from.

[rr0123]

I will check out the 6021. Any other suggestions?

[Robette]

uh yeah, the T-Mobile SDA. Has Edge and bluetooth and comes out this or next month.

[waddell]

Any suggestions for something that can transmit EDGE over bluetooth for use with Cingular or Tmobile? Something inexpensive but not difficult to configure? Thanks!

nokia 6230 - us - unlocked (http://www.expansys-usa.com/product.asp?code=118260) $229 USD. From a carrier with a contract you should be able to get it locked for a lot less.

bluetooth + class 10 edge + small size + great RF + excellent battery life + unlocked = :)

You can configure your phone for your carrier, cingular or tmobile, using SMS from nokiausa.com. I did it this way and it works fine with AT&T wireless mmode. I assume it should work as easily with other GSM carriers.

nokia settings via sms (http://www.nokiausa.com/support/settings/1,1921,,00.html)

[Robette]

The 6230 is pretty good but SDA has miniSD and wifi to boot. Currently Cingular has the phone but sans wifi going for $200.

[KleineTako]

I ordered a Nokia 6230i, which is listed as working, but it doesn't. I called Nokia support and was informed that Bluetooth DUN on the 6230 series doesn't work.
It wasn't clear if it was just a bad batch of phones or what, but I'm sending it back.

Maybe I'll try the 6021 instead. Any recommendations on the best place to buy one in the US?

[Robette]

My 4 year old Ericsson t39m has bluetooth DUN, no EDGE naturally. But there $40 on ebay and work OK.

If a carrier doesn't have the phone you want, ebay has close to market prices or froogle can pften find you a vendor.

[Anton]

I have the Motorola v551 with cingular and it is EDGE compatable along with its upgrade the v557. The v557 is $149 with a $50 rebate (probably for new subscribers only).

Also while looking at the site the Samsung d357 ($119 with $50 rebate) also lists that it is edge compatable.

[Lord Bodak]

I ordered a Nokia 6230i, which is listed as working, but it doesn't. I called Nokia support and was informed that Bluetooth DUN on the 6230 series doesn't work.
It wasn't clear if it was just a bad batch of phones or what, but I'm sending it back.

Maybe I'll try the 6021 instead. Any recommendations on the best place to buy one in the US?

I don't know about the 6230i, but the 6230 works fine.

[seindal]

I ordered a Nokia 6230i, which is listed as working, but it doesn't. I called Nokia support and was informed that Bluetooth DUN on the 6230 series doesn't work.
It wasn't clear if it was just a bad batch of phones or what, but I'm sending it back.

Maybe I'll try the 6021 instead. Any recommendations on the best place to buy one in the US?

I have a Nokia 6021 and my wife a Nokia 6230i and both work with the 770.

[KleineTako]

I have a Nokia 6021 and my wife a Nokia 6230i and both work with the 770.

Hmm. Must have been a bad batch then.

I think I'm going to go with the Nokia 6682. It's a bit larger, but it has all the calendars and alarms the 770 lacks. With any luck someone will make a PIM for the 770 that can push meeting alarms to phones.

[eye.surgeon]

My 6230 works fine. It did take a small change in the cingular connection script included with the 770.

[cAPSLOCK]

Sorry to hijack the thread...

But I can't help but chuckle everytime I see a post by you (eye.surgeon) as I always think you stand to make good money with devices like the 770 becoming so popular. ;)

Now we resume your previously scheduled cellphone discussion ...
cAPS

[eye.surgeon]

Yes, squint away ;)

[rr0123]

My 6230 works fine. It did take a small change in the cingular connection script included with the 770.
Does the BT transmit the EDGE speeds on the 6230?

[lbattraw]

I'm also looking for a good phone with BT (doesn't even need to be EDGE), but I'm more concerned about the monthly costs for a data plan. Can anyone chime in with their data plan (USA only) costs per month, and if they have an unlimited plan?

I'm mostly going to be using the phone for data so voice minutes aren't interesting to me. I'd also be very curious to know if anyone has gotten bitten by fines/outrageous charges for using their phone as a BT DUN device. I've never been able to get a straight answer out of the sales droids about what plan will actually allow pairing, short of going for the $80/month PC connectivity plans.

Larry

[Vidge]

I'm currently using a Razr with TMobile. I have the unlimited data plan @ $19.99 per month. I don't know if this is still offered.

[Supergeek]

I'm using a Razr v3 with Cingular; $19.99 per month for unlimited data. I just signed up for this plan a couple days ago in Denver, Colorado USA.

It's maybe a little faster than dialup speeds.

Since my DSL hasn't been installed yet in our new apartment, I've used it on my 770 and on my main PC. It works fine, just slow.

[bradb]

And old thread but... I love the Razr (even though it's been a BT pairing nightmare for me) but I just got a Samsung t509 with T-mobile. Not nearly the phone the Razr was, but at $49.99 and with EDGE, it's _way_ faster (well worth the upgrade).

But I'm afraid T-mobile probably has worse pricing than Cingular if you don't have an account though (but I'm on the $19.99 data plan).

FWIW.

Brad.