most basic phones with best value

I have the Samsung a650 and from my experience, it has great reception. Much better than my old Motorola 120c and my brother's Motorola V265. The phone has kept a steady digital signal in most areas, including Knox Indiana where my brother live. My phone will work there while my brother's phone won't. I wished the Kyocera SoHo would have been available at the time I upgraded, but it wasn't, and my choice was the Audiovox CDM 8900 & the Samsung a650, because I wanted a tri-mode phone. My mind told me to get the Samsung and glad I did. Someone I met with an Audiovox phone, similar to the CDM 8900 complained about spotty reception. Battery life has never been an issue for me. At least my Samsung has worked great for me and plan to get another Samsung when it's time for me to upgrade, unless Kyocera offers a new flip phone about this time next year. People also complain about Samsung phones getting hot. They do get warm, but your sense of touch is sensitive, then it might feel like it's hot, but for me, my phone doesn't feel hot. I also don't talk on my phone more than 20 minutes either, and much of my calls are made with the earpiece, so I don't have to hold it up to my ear. I've been happy with my phone and will put my recommendation in for the Samsung a650.