Alternative to iPhone

[Bootlessjam]

Hey guys I love the iPhone, in fact I like just about any Apple product.

The problem is that I'm in Australia and really need a new phone, since my old LG U8120 no longer works like it should; the mic doesn't work, and half the keypad doesn't work.

So I need a new phone that is available in Australia, and has similar design to the iPhone (I don't want an iPhone clone though). I need something that is decent at being a phone. Keep in mind that I am a 16 year old in school and don't need a phone for businesss.

You people seem to be phone experts so I want to see if any of you have any suggestions on what phone I should get.

 

[SmartAlx]

The Openmoko. It just entered beta stage but being that it's open source you can get a developer model for $300+shipping. When it's mature this phone will OWN the iPhone due to its superior hardware and open source architecture.

 

[WolfmanXII]

LG Prada...

 

[infamousiphone]

Not sure if it's avalible where you are, but the Samsung F700, is a real nice phone.

 

[Bootlessjam]

The Neo 1973 looks really sweet but I would like to get a phone that lets me make calls when I take it out of the box! It looks like it could be a really good phone in the future though.

The Parada is kinda a girls phone and it's not on the LG Australia site and I don't think it is available here.

That Samsung F700 does look like a good one, but alas, it is not in Australia!

 

[stoneskid]

Get an HTC TyTn, they are cheap and can do a world of stuff. Interface blows compaired to the iPhone, but software wise its a world a head of it.

 

[SmartAlx]

The Neo 1973 looks really sweet but I would like to get a phone that lets me make calls when I take it out of the box! It looks like it could be a really good phone in the future though.

LOL. Touche.

But I think it does let you make calls out of the box. Just not much else. But upgrades should be swift and powerful. The retail version is due to be out in October.

 

[Sleeper]

Nokia N95. Easily.

 

[GP78]

Get an HTC TyTn, they are cheap and can do a world of stuff. Interface blows compaired to the iPhone, but software wise its a world a head of it.

I second this recommendation. Look around for a TyTn (AT&T 8525) or... well... I don't know the HTC name (it might be "Kaiser" don't quote me)... but I know AT&T is going to be selling it as the 8925.

Either one of those should keep you well off for a while.

 

[fmcgirt]

Nokia N95. Easily.

Absolute agree.

 

[TrippalHealicks]

I still kinda like that Helio Ocean phone. Feature set is INSANE on that thing.

 

[Alexander]

Nokia N95 is the only phone in iPhone's price range. Depending on where you get it, it can actually be more expensive. However, I think it has an awesome design.

 

[Sleeper]

Nokia N95 is the only phone in iPhone's price range. Depending on where you get it, it can actually be more expensive. However, I think it has an awesome design.

I have one and caution anyone in the US getting one - not because it's rubbish because it's not, it's absolutely brilliant - but because it's unsubsidised over there and doesn't work with US 3G (or didn't last time I looked).

If you can get one on a subsidised contract you should expect to pay no more than £100 for it, probably less.

 

[socalkevin21]

I second this recommendation. Look around for a TyTn (AT&T 8525) or... well... I don't know the HTC name (it might be "Kaiser" don't quote me)... but I know AT&T is going to be selling it as the 8925.

Either one of those should keep you well off for a while.

It is the HTC "Hermes"

 

[vanslam]

Nokia 9500, the brick...

 

[lilo]

There is plenty phones to choose from

Just look at this web site:

http://www.pdadb.net/

You will find all kinds of devices with screens small and big, all types of processors etc.

 

[GP78]

It is the HTC "Hermes"

The Hermes = 8525 = Tytn

I'm talking about the next phone. The 8925, which I just looked up, is the "Kaiser".

Guess my memory isn't failing like I first thought.

 

[xSoNiCcRaCkErSx]

I switched from the 8125 to the 8525 to the iPhone. and I must say the 8525 has a HORRIBLE battery life. I wouldn't recommend it. Fast internet speeds but your battery life will be less than 5 hours consistantly unless you run GSM Edge network using Daniel Herrero 's band switcher http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=286844) The only time i used 3G was for video calling TV streaming and high data web pages. I lost a lot of features by switching to the iPhone but i can live without having them Dunno bout u but at most the only thing i miss about that fone was all the variety of programs i had to choose from. Windows Mobile 6.0 is slow as hell compared to iPhone and the battery of the iPhone completely blows away that phone even when i was only on GSM. just my 2 cents about my expirience with the fone.

 

[GP78]

I switched from the 8125 to the 8525 to the iPhone. and I must say the 8525 has a HORRIBLE battery life. I wouldn't recommend it. Fast internet speeds but your battery life will be less than 5 hours consistantly unless you run GSM Edge network using Daniel Herrero 's band switcher http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=286844) The only time i used 3G was for video calling TV streaming and high data web pages. I lost a lot of features by switching to the iPhone but i can live without having them Dunno bout u but at most the only thing i miss about that fone was all the variety of programs i had to choose from. Windows Mobile 6.0 is slow as hell compared to iPhone and the battery of the iPhone completely blows away that phone even when i was only on GSM. just my 2 cents about my expirience with the fone.

I agree 100%. I went from a RAZR to a Treo 650 to a 8125 to a 8525. Each was a major "upgrade" and was successively more impressed with each one. I love my 8525. (I still use it around the office.)The 3G data was awesome (when I was in an area that had it), even though it was a HUGE battery suck. (When in a 3G area I would consistently use 50% more battery during the course of a day as opposed to EDGE.)

I miss the apps from my WinMo phone, and I kinda miss the cellular video (used to love watching the hourly CNN clips on my smoke breaks)... but the more I use my iPhone, I find I'm not missing too much.

 

[JACathcart]

The HTC Touch

Check this baby out:

www.htctouch.com

I was consulting with Microsoft last week (and yes, I did need to hide my iPhone), and I worked with a guy who had one of these. It has a very similar screen-touch interface and runs Windows Mobile 6.

I don't want to have to go through the trouble of ordering a stock model online, and then go through the trouble of having AT&T set it up for me (and besides, I really do love my iPhone), but for those who need an alternative to the Apple product, this is one to consider. I was very impressed.