I need help please

[Steve]

I'm currently rocking an original Motorola Droid. It's held up pretty well until yesterday. The power button died on it. The only way to wake it up is to slide it open, and the only way for it to go back to sleep is to just let it time out. The only way I can shut it off is to remove the battery. Luckily, when I put the battery back in it boots up automatically even though it shouldn't. It also seems to be running slower so I don't know if this is a software or hardware problem. The problem didn't coincide with any update or the installation of any new apps.

It's way out of warranty and I really don't want to do the insurance thing with it. I'm eligible for my upgrade on October 20th, but I'm afraid my current phone won't last that long. I stopped by a Verizon place today and the guy there said I could do an early upgrade. He said the price I'd get wouldn't be as good as in October, but still not too bad. He also said my current phone would have a trade-in value of $26.77. So I'm thinking about upgrading now. I'd like to stay with a Droid phone, but I haven't been keeping up with the new models or features so I'm behind the 8-ball here.

What Droid phones are you guys using and how do you like them?

What problems are you having?

Is it worth it to go to a 4G model?

Any help/info/advice would be greatly appreciated.

[Beta Man]

I'd wait it out.... I bet you can make it until October.

I used a phone with no numbers on it (missing entire face-plate) for the longest time.... only bad part was, (other than having to look at it and count spots over etc. to know where the # key, or "5" or "Send" buttons etc. were supposed to be!) was that because it was really "half" of a phone, it would catch my beard or sideburns/hair on my head, and yank it out

I used that phone for 9 months like that... so you can make it!

I'm using a Nokia RM-513 which is this beauty right here:



except all of the edges of mine are chewed up from using it to open beers

[Steve]

My first thought was that I could make it. My biggest concern is that if I need to reboot the phone (which it seems to need every couple of days) and all of a sudden it decides it's going to work "right" and not boot up on its own when I put the battery back in it. It's not supposed to do that anyway. If that happens then I have no way to turn it on with the dead power button. And as we all know this kind of thing only happens at the very worst time possible.

[Beta Man]

Originally Posted by Steve

My first thought was that I could make it. My biggest concern is that if I need to reboot the phone (which it seems to need every couple of days) and all of a sudden it decides it's going to work "right" and not boot up on its own when I put the battery back in it. It's not supposed to do that anyway. If that happens then I have no way to turn it on with the dead power button. And as we all know this kind of thing only happens at the very worst time possible.

Will the place still give you the same amount trade-in if it completely dies??

[Steve]

Originally Posted by Beta Man

Will the place still give you the same amount trade-in if it completely dies??

No. The amount stated above is because it's currently working (more or less). If it's inoperable then the trade-in value drops to about $7. The $20 difference there isn't really the deciding factor though.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Have you looked at the new Galaxy yet? The MOLED screen is amazing!

[Steve]

No I haven't looked at anything yet. I figure buying a phone at Verizon is a lot like buying a TV at BB where you really have no idea if the salesman knows what the hell he's talking about. I thought it would be better to check around first.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steve

No I haven't looked at anything yet. I figure buying a phone at Verizon is a lot like buying a TV at BB where you really have no idea if the salesman knows what the hell he's talking about. I thought it would be better to check around first.

So what features are you looking for in a phone?

[Steve]

I should also probably point out that 4G coverage is (supposedly) available where in live.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steve

I should also probably point out that 4G coverage is (supposedly) available where in live.

I would look at a phone with 4G for sure then!

[Steve]

Originally Posted by John72953

So what features are you looking for in a phone?

I've been happy with the Droid operating system. I would like a better camera, but I think most every new phone has a better camera than my current phone. I also like the idea of having dual cameras so I could do the video calling thing (unless they charge you extra for this). Other than that I'm mainly looking for the usual features that come in a smart phone: web browser, navigation, etc.

I think the only thing I don't really like about the Droid is the installed MP3 player. However, there are several things I don't like about iPhones which is why I'm looking to stay with a Droid.

4G would be a nice feature since it's available where I live.

[Steve]

Originally Posted by John72953

I would look at a phone with 4G for sure then!

Is the Galaxy you mentioned a 4G phone? Is it the same as the Galaxy Tab? Because that's all I can find, and from what I can tell it's bigger than what I want to carry around all day, every day.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steve

Is the Galaxy you mentioned a 4G phone? Is it the same as the Galaxy Tab? Because that's all I can find, and from what I can tell it's bigger than what I want to carry around all day, every day.

No, the Galaxy Tab is their tablet. Hang on a minute.

[Johnny Vinyl]

I don't understand how phone distribution works in the U.S. (I'm in Canada), so I don;t know if Verizon even offers this, but T-Mobile does.

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/...contentBody;3r

[Steve]

Originally Posted by John72953

I don't understand how phone distribution works in the U.S. (I'm in Canada), so I don;t know if Verizon even offers this, but T-Mobile does.

http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/...contentBody;3r

Ok thanks. Based on what's popping up on a Google search (didn't read through it all) I think that phone may be called the Fascinate in the US.

[Johnny Vinyl]

Originally Posted by Steve

Ok thanks. Based on what's popping up on a Google search (didn't read through it all) I think that phone may be called the Fascinate in the US.

Could be...I don't really know.

[Steve]

I've been looking at reviews and it looks like the HTC Thunderbolt and Samsung Droid Charge are both pretty solid 4G phones. Both have different strengths and weaknesses compared with each other. I might ride back up to the store and take a look at them in person.

I'm still open to other suggestions though.

[Steve]

Well I wasn't able to make it back to the Verizon store today. After reading some more I think I'll try to hold out at least long enough to see the new Bionic. Supposedly it's coming out on September 8th, if the rumors are true this time.

[Steve]

I'm pleased to report that my phone is working right again. I did a hard reset and the power button started working again about 2 hours after that. It came with a cost though. All of my Angry Birds progress is gone, and I had even moved the game to the SD Card. I'm at a loss to explain what happened to it, but I'm glad to have the phone working right again. Hopefully it'll keep working right and I can wait another two months and get a nice new 4G phone with a dual core processor.

[Mr. J]

Hate to tell you but the Droid is a seriously dated device at this point. I'm surprised you've had it this long.

Considering you have 4G in your area, then you could go with a 4G device. But Verizon is very limited in 4G devices. They have:

HTC Thunderbolt
LG Revolution
Droid Charge

Since you're somewhat familiar with the Droid, then I think you should go with the Droid Charge. It's a huge upgrade from where you are right now, but there are a lot of other options if you don't want to go the 4G route.