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General discussion

baltimore/dc/ny: tri-mode or no? samsung or lg?

Oct 14, 2004 1:07AM PDT

I live in Baltimore but travel to DC/NY frequently. Can someone please advise as to whether or not tri-mode is necessary? I have chose Verizon as my provider. If so, would you recommend the samsung 650? I want a simple phone, no frills, but excellent reception. If tri-mode is not necessary, please help me choose between Samsung a670 and LG VX6000!

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Re: baltimore/dc/ny: tri-mode or no? samsung or lg?
Oct 14, 2004 4:57AM PDT

I don't know much about the Samsung SCH-a670, but I own the Samsung SCH-a650. If you travel mainly around the DC area, you should do well with an all digital phone. If you travel frequently to areas that might still have analog like some rural areas, then you should get a tri-mode phone. The Samsung SCH-a650 works well for me and has good reception and sound quality. I travel a lot,which is why I have a tri-mode phone. Analog came handy when I roamed on Alltel's network in Michigan (Verizon's extended network) in certain areas, especially along the Indiana/Michigan state line where Alltel still has analog there, while Verizon on the Indiana side of the state line is digital. Bottom line, I'd suggest Samsung SCH-a650 or SCH-a670, but you need to determine your travel needs as the tri-mode a650 or digital a670 is right for you. Travel outside of the DC metropolitan area a lot, get the a650 as a safeguard. If you stay mainly in the DC area, then the a670 should work for you. I should say the a650, at least in my experience the phone rarely switches to analog since the phone almost always handles weak digital signals rather well.

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Re: baltimore/dc/ny: tri-mode or no? samsung or lg?
Oct 14, 2004 11:37AM PDT

I should have been specific on travel. Most major metropolitan areas that Verizon Wireless serves, and I didn't see New York in the original post, are nearly all digital. But I do stand by this, if you travel mainly to major markets that Verizon Wireless serves, an all digital phone should work for you, and probably the Samsung SCH-a670 would be the preferred all digital phone to get. If you travel to both major markets and rural areas, then get the Samsung SCH-a650, so you'll have analog, just in case that specific area is still on analog. If you travel through the extended network, it's not guaranteed the other providers are all digital. Alltel is still on analog in many areas, especially in Michigan from my experience.