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Learning, Sharing, and Teaching => Ask a Mustachian => Topic started by: surfhb on November 10, 2017, 07:14:36 PM

Title: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: surfhb on November 10, 2017, 07:14:36 PM
Hi

Can anyone suggest a good QWERTY type phone?    I'm just interested in talk and texting.   An older Blackberry perhaps?   

Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: rockstache on November 10, 2017, 07:18:03 PM
I really loved the ENV3 when I had it - it’s an LG. I switched to a smartphone (in the last 5 years or so) only because work pays. I never tried a BB.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Bicycle_B on November 10, 2017, 09:04:49 PM
Not an expert here, but Google told me this from search term "best flip phone 2017":

ZTE's Z432, $28 on Amazon Prime (only 1 at time of post, might by hype)
https://www.amazon.com/ZTE-432-Phone-Annual-Contract/dp/B00Q1U31VI/?tag=aboutcom02lifewire-20&ascsubtag=577534%7Cgoogle.com%7C%7C%7C83%2C3%2C17%2C15%2C7%2C79%7C1%7C

https://www.lifewire.com/basic-cell-phones-577534
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: topshot on November 11, 2017, 07:02:38 AM
It's old now but LG Cosmos 3 I think it was had a slide out kb. Still have one in a drawer just in case.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Sayonara925 on November 12, 2017, 02:20:03 AM
Take a look at the BlackBerry Priv.  Not a dumbphone, but may be a good compromise.

Has slide out QWERTY physical keyboard if that's what you prefer, way cheaper (~$200) than current iPhone models, and reviewers describe good call/build quality.

I intend to get one soon for myself.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: surfhb on November 12, 2017, 07:41:01 AM
Thanks.  What about a used blackberry classic?

 I reason I’m doing this is to get away from the smart phone.  I find myself spending way too much time checking out my phone, reading news, this blog, etc. 

Now that the iPhone X came out with facial recognition, that’s it!   I’m done with all this needless bullshit.   I’ll accept the fact I just have no self control over the situation.  These devices are simply amazing BUT are specifically designed to promote this type of behavior.   
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Daley on November 12, 2017, 08:42:50 AM
What mobile network are you shopping for? That's going to be a huge driver on what choices you may have. It's worth noting that there have literally only been something like 30-or-so QWERTY cellphone models released by all the mobile manufacturers over the past five years. A third of them by Blackberry, and at least half of them are 2G GSM only or non-US mobile band devices or obscure brands that have zero used market availability after the model was discontinued.

If you're wanting to do T-Mobile, there's literally only one choice: Blackberry Priv, an Android handset with a slider keyboard. Why? Because it's the only phone that has LTE Band 12 VoLTE support, and outside of a very tiny 2G network footprint that will be congested with all their legacy users who haven't upgraded handsets, Band 12 LTE is going to be the only mobile voice reception you'll have on T-Mobile very soon.

There really haven't been many/any released for Sprint compatibility. Verizon has a few more if you're willing to mostly restrict yourself to LTE Bands 4 and 13 with coverage, but all of them but one LG handset (an Android slider), are Blackberry.

LTE is also a major battery suck with all devices.

The best network for these sorts of handsets is AT&T right now, because they have the largest 3G UMTS coverage footprint, and most of the still usable QWERTY handsets made over the years are 3G UMTS handsets.

There are... disadvantages... to going Blackberry, even if the hardware is nice. I used to use a Bold 9900, but finally had to give up on the fool thing.

Like it or not, the mobile industry is rapidly being divided into a caste system. If you want actual buttons and a basic non-smartphone interface, you're stuck with the traditional 12-key dialpad. Even there, though, with the rise of 4G LTE, even the "dumbphones" are starting to be built on Android framework given the nature of how the 4G LTE radio spec operates. Sadly, because of this fact combined with the negligent security update practices that manufacturers have with simple feature phones, going this route gives you the worst of all worlds - no security patches for an OS that gets frequent security patches, no ability to install apps even if you needed something useful, and crappy battery life.

I'll do what I can to steer you in a useful direction, but what you're wanting is rapidly becoming a very tall order. Almost easier to develop and flex the self control muscle to try and break the addiction cycle, sadly... and knowing that there's genuine biological chemical dependency issues mixed into the feedback cycle of these devices, that's similar to telling an alcoholic to stop drinking while living in a house with beer flowing from every spigot and tap.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: MatthewK on November 12, 2017, 09:25:31 AM
Following...I to am considering ditching the smart phone. I wouldn't say I'm addicted, in fact I am pretty minimalist about using it. I guess that's why the old style appeals to me. All I really need my device to do is text and call. However after reading I.P. Daley's very insightful post (once again :) ) maybe I just need to experiment with shutting off data and using as though it's just a talk/text device. The only downside is that on my network (Ting), I can't receive group text's/photo's with data disabled. I guess that's not the end of the world though...
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Daley on November 12, 2017, 10:04:16 AM
maybe I just need to experiment with shutting off data and using as though it's just a talk/text device. The only downside is that on my network (Ting), I can't receive group text's/photo's with data disabled.

You know that the data APN and MMS APN settings are two separate things, right? You can delete the data APN settings, thus disabling mobile internet access, but leave the MMS APN settings in place. This keeps your web browser (and various apps) from working but your MMS message functions in tact. The only downside is a loss of email access, if that's something that's needed.

So yes, you can technically gut internet access on a smartphone without crippling MMS functionality. Given the rise and prevalence towards smartphones these days, it's about the closest you're going to get to the feature phone experience. Disable internet access/leave unconfigured, disable WiFi, gut, disable and uninstall all apps that aren't directly centered around phone and texting, and that'll get you a fair bit of the way there... but it still doesn't address the underlying problems with the nature of the platform in the first place.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: quinndannen on November 13, 2017, 12:59:41 PM
Don't switch. Find the cheapest talk/text plan, but stay on the IPhone. Switching back would give you more social barriers than the worth of the switch in my opinion. There is a reason technology advances. Don't get left behind.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Daley on November 13, 2017, 01:08:08 PM
Don't switch. Find the cheapest talk/text plan, but stay on the IPhone. Switching back would give you more social barriers than the worth of the switch in my opinion. There is a reason technology advances. Don't get left behind.

Anyone who demands that your friendship is contingent upon the existence of specific technology to maintain and develop that social connection is not actually your friend. It fails the very threshold test of genuine friendship as real friends will make the time and reach out to talk with you no matter what you use.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Kwill on November 13, 2017, 01:49:04 PM
I found it liberating to switch to a no-data plan on a smartphone a few years ago. Currently I have something like 60 MB per week on a prepaid plan that's mostly talk and text, so I'll turn on the data every now and again to just check email. I still do a lot with my phone, especially since there's WiFi almost everywhere, but I don't walk around staring at it as much as I did before. Maybe before investing in a new dumbphone, you could do a two-month trial of life without data on your current phone and see how you feel. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ahLcSgC_eIw
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: icemodeled on November 13, 2017, 01:54:58 PM
We never had smartphones until we switched from att to total wireless. They have smartphones but none require data, this was first time we seen any offering this. Bought a moto E for $60 and using it for 2-3 years now. Been great. Couldn't go back to the qwerty phones now. I only ever use talk and Text which is unlimited and the screen is still big enough to see it and typing is easy.

Total wireless will even let you come to them with iPhone and not have data. Not sure about others but then you wouldn't even need a new phone.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: surfhb on November 13, 2017, 03:10:33 PM
Thanks all for your input.   Ive decided on this:

https://www.amazon.com/ZTE-432-Phone-Annual-Contract/dp/B00Q1U31VI/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&qid=1510610842&sr=8-3&keywords=qwerty+phone+att

I swear, If it wasn't for my girlfriend I would just go with a landland and an answering machine....seriously.    I'm learning to despise smart phones and their place in our society.     I still think they are amazing pieces of technology.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: Bee21 on November 14, 2017, 02:34:46 AM
Check network availability. I was forced into buying a smartphone when the phone company announced that they were closing down the network. It was a sad say.

I was a big fan of my dinosaur mobile, but appreciate the fact that the smartphone is a camera, diary, navigation device all in one. Perfect for minimalists as it reduces the clutter. Just use it wisely.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: formerlydivorcedmom on November 14, 2017, 08:14:07 AM
Take a look at the BlackBerry Priv.  Not a dumbphone, but may be a good compromise.

Has slide out QWERTY physical keyboard if that's what you prefer, way cheaper (~$200) than current iPhone models, and reviewers describe good call/build quality.

I intend to get one soon for myself.

I love my Priv!  It runs Android, which makes my husband happy, and I get a keyboard, which makes me happy.  I've had it a year and haven't had any issues with it at all.  So much more reliable than my old dumb phone, and the camera is pretty good quality too.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: drudgep on November 15, 2017, 03:53:15 PM
Look for the Blackberry Passport- I have one for 3 years now no trouble. It's a bit bigger, but the keyboard is great, and the battery is amazing! Prefer it over the Priv. Battery on the Priv is iffy- will get you through the day- Passport will get me 2-3 days- since it is running BB10 instead of Android.
Title: Re: Ditching The Iphone For QWERTY Dumbphone
Post by: surfhb on November 15, 2017, 04:25:24 PM
Thanks    I want to get away from a smartphone.    I spend too much time on them.

I wanted to go back to a landline and answering machine but my lady overruled that idea ;)