Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

Question

Best 9 Keypad Phone, with internet access?

Apr 24, 2017 9:31PM PDT

So I have been using smartphones for the past 5 years, until I dropped my Samsung s5 in a river about a year ago. Since then I've been using a Nokia 130 and have fell in love with the thing. And now that my contract for my previous phone is coming to an end, I wish to invest in a new phone that is basic like my 130 but with some extra features. I've shopped about online with reviews and tech websites, but have failed to find a clear viable option.

What I'm looking for:
- 9 keypad interface (can have extra buttons, avoiding qwerty and definitely not purely touchscreen)
- Durable (doesn't have to be waterproof, just resistant and can handle abuse. I've thoroughly enjoyed abusing my 130)
- Brick, flip or spring loaded
- 2g and 3g or 4g (as 2g is on its way out, it maybe a risk investing on another purely 2g phone. And as much as I've enjoyed being "disconnected" when out and about, I would occasionally like to access Facebook messenger, Emails and Google definitions, facts and maps. Plus I'm under the impression 2g and 2.5g internet is quite slow, limited, useless and expensive. Correct me if I'm wrong; but I remember my Sony Ericsson W350a having hourly/daily roaming fees which were quite hefty?)

Cheers for reading and I look forward to your answers =)

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Answer
What about the 3310?
Apr 24, 2017 9:51PM PDT
- Collapse -
New 3310
Apr 24, 2017 10:31PM PDT

Yes I have been looking at this one, and am quite intrigued. However its confirmed it will not be using 3g, which does make me wonder how much browsing using 2.5g costs, as well as how long I'll be able to use it for since they're discontinuing 2g services steadily. And it doesn't appear to have a release date.

I don't mind waiting, but the whole no 3g is quite worrying. It seems odd there isn't any companies developing t9s with 3g, as I'm pretty sure it'll be more than a niche market in the coming years.

- Collapse -
I didn't find your country.
Apr 24, 2017 10:57PM PDT

There is a model from Nokia for the US market. Ask carriers which one it is.

As to 2G, I had to get my car updated to 3G.

- Collapse -
England
Apr 24, 2017 11:26PM PDT

Is there? Thats interesting, but I do wonder if they'll release a 3g version for the UK. Though I was just reading on this thread that they believe 2g to outlast 3g in the UK. Perhaps we've heard little about its release date, due to reworks of its connectivity and perhaps the device will have both functions.

- Collapse -
So many factors.
Apr 24, 2017 11:37PM PDT

But in the case of Nokia's new 3310 (there is a new one and an old one) since I can't tap England data, I can only write that here the numbers meant 2G had to go. The US FCC fees and user base reached the tipping point and it collapsed.

- Collapse -
They are unlikely to rollout more...
Apr 25, 2017 7:56AM PDT

...3G in the UK since the cost/feature set of 4G/LTE is already present and more effective at delivering what the market needs.

That said, IMNSHO you would be silly to rely on a 2G only device, if that's your plan. I would heed Bob's advice and (in addition to the goofy 3310 clone) grab a simple unlocked $100 Android smartphone (with 4G/LTE) to use when not in 2G-only areas of the country. You can thank me later Wink

cheers

- Collapse -
Answer
Nokia 1208
Apr 25, 2017 5:36AM PDT

My best and first keypad phone Nokia 1208.