Best Android phone with blackblerry like keyboard?

[sanctified Veteran]

Girlfriend texts and mails a lot but does not want a BlackBerry (she hates the OS and has no use for BBM). What would be a good Android phone for her?

[Mystic Mungis]

If she wants a phone with the same form factor as a Blackberry then the HTC Status would be a good option, if she was wanting something a little bigger then the Droid Pro has a full qwerty bellow the screen or the Samsung Captivate Glide which has a slide keyboard.

[Charisma Veteran]

Another vote for the Droid Pro, that's what I want if I switch from BB.

[Brandon H Supervisor]

yeah, I'd go with the droid pro. you can even get ICS on it with CyanogenMod9 (CM9) http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1759721

[pes2013]

Its not BB like but the Samsung Captivate Glide ; The reason is pretty clear, its the only one receiving ICS. If its not on/getting ICS, dont even bother. Its dead on arrive.

The only reason I havent bought it is because it doesnt work with HSPA+ in europe.

[Mystic Mungis]

Its not BB like but the Samsung Captivate Glide ; The reason is pretty clear, its the only one receiving ICS. If its not on/getting ICS, dont even bother. Its dead on arrive.

The only reason I havent bought it is because it doesnt work with HSPA+ in europe.

Most phones will be supported by a custom ROM allowing for ICS, also removes all the crappy bloatware that manufacturers put on devices.

[pes2013]

**** it, I just found this: Samsung Galaxy Chat

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_chat_b5330-4866.php

Most phones will be supported by a custom ROM allowing for ICS, also removes all the crappy bloatware that manufacturers put on devices.

If it doesnt support it natively, it isnt worth it. If it does, THEN you go the custom ROM way.

[/thread]

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Galaxy Chat and Droid Pro are the ones, you should look into.

Though, I'm afraid neither' keyboard is near a BlackBerry'

[Mystic Mungis]

**** it, I just found this: Samsung Galaxy Chat

http://www.gsmarena.com/samsung_galaxy_chat_b5330-4866.php

If it doesnt support it natively, it isnt worth it. If it does, THEN you go the custom ROM way.

[/thread]

What? Do you have any idea how many people use older devices that haven't been updated to the latest version of Android by the manufacturer but run perfectly with a custom rom. You don't need a powerhouse to have a decent device for more basic tasks. I've got a One X and gave my dad my old desire, works perfectly for him, calling/texting, YouTube, checking horse results. Just comes down to what you need.

[pes2013]

What? Do you have any idea how many people use older devices that haven't been updated to the latest version of Android by the manufacturer but run perfectly with a custom rom. You don't need a powerhouse to have a decent device for more basic tasks. I've got a One X and gave my dad my old desire, works perfectly for him, calling/texting, YouTube, checking horse results. Just comes down to what you need.

If you are going to buy something now, it needs to have ICS or AT LEAST, a announcement that ICS is coming.

Its not about being a powerhouse or anything. It needs proper support. A year from now, some things on the Play Store will require Ice Cream Sandwich (a lot of things now require GB at least, I think). You might as well get a future proof phone.

And if you go the custom ROM way, you need at least your carrier/manufacturer to support that version (especially from the transition from GB to ICS; that was and still is complete hell)

Like I said go with the Galaxy Chat. I highly recommend you do NOT listen to ThunderBuddy and get a phone that has ICS or AT LEAST, has be announced that will be updated to ICS in the near future.

[Mystic Mungis]

If you are going to buy something now, it needs to have ICS or AT LEAST, a announcement that ICS is coming.

Its not about being a powerhouse or anything. It needs proper support. A year from now, some things on the Play Store will require Ice Cream Sandwich (a lot of things now require GB at least, I think). You might as well get a future proof phone.

And if you go the custom ROM way, you need at least your carrier/manufacturer to support that version (especially from the transition from GB to ICS; that was and still is complete hell)

Like I said go with the Galaxy Chat. I highly recommend you do NOT listen to ThunderBuddy and get a phone that has ICS or AT LEAST, has be announced that will be updated to ICS in the near future.

*ahem* maybe you should check everyone else's suggestions first, it's not just me recommending an older phone ;)

It needs to be supported by the manufacturer? Last time I checked the Desire didn't support ICS and I've got it on my old phone. Yes you take a risk getting a phone that isn't officially supported up to the latest version of the OS but how long do manufacturers actually update their phones for? 1 version, 2 if you're lucky. The dev's that make the roms will stop supporting devices too but they will probably support it for longer than most manufactures support their newest devices for. The Droid Pro is supported by CM up to ICS and another dev has released a JB rom for it as well, the Galaxy Chat is currently on ICS and will have JB in the future so version wise they are on par.

Anyways I'm not bashing the Galaxy Chat, it's an okay phone and it definitely is one Sanctified should look into but if he doesn't mind doing a little bit of work himself then he has a lot more options.

[pes2013]

(Last post from me on this topic. OP I once again higly suggest you get a phone with or that a ICS release is coming.)

*ahem* maybe you should check everyone else's suggestions first, it's not just me recommending an older phone ;)

It needs to be supported by the manufacturer? Last time I checked the Desire didn't support ICS and I've got it on my old phone. Yes you take a risk getting a phone that isn't officially supported up to the latest version of the OS but how long do manufacturers actually update their phones for? 1 version, 2 if you're lucky. The dev's that make the roms will stop supporting devices too but they will probably support it for longer than most manufactures support their newest devices for. The Droid Pro is supported by CM up to ICS and another dev has released a JB rom for it as well, the Galaxy Chat is currently on ICS and will have JB in the future so version wise they are on par.

Anyways I'm not bashing the Galaxy Chat, it's an okay phone and it definitely is one Sanctified should look into but if he doesn't mind doing a little bit of work himself then he has a lot more options.

They arent recommend a older phone. They are commending a phone with a BB type keyboard.

Yes, it needs to supported by the manufacturer. Every phone that has gone unoffically from GB to ICS has glitches. You can say all day "mine doesnt have any glitches, it runs perfect" and no, that is not true. They all, including your Desire, are not 100% perfect. As a matter of fact, I know someone with a Desire, he has tried several ROMs, and although they are great, they glitch and act up alot worst than any GB ROM. I also say this myself because I have a GB phone and I am running ICS. Tweaking it has gotten it near 100% but it is still glitchy.

You either get a phone with ICS already on it and do not complain. Or dont, play russian roulette and see what happens.

How long have you been in the Android community? If you have been a long time Android user you would know this, more so now with the GB/ICS transition.

Im done with this thread. Bye.

[Mystic Mungis]

Yes they were recommending a phone with a BB style keyboard... which is old. So they were recommending an old phone.

Well I've been using Android for over 3 and a half years so quite a while considering it's only 4 years old. Okay I'll take you word for it that the phone I used to use all the time glitched, I must have just blinked or sneezed whenever it lagged out or anything.

Yeah I'm done with the thread too (unless OP has any questions), this is just turning into a stupid argument and I don't really want to get a warning or change the threads intent.

[IronSkull]

The Droid Pro is a pretty classy phone, friend of mine has it and no complaints so far. Should go for it.