Expert: DebiN - 1/25/2011

Question
QUESTION: I live in the UK. My mobile phone requirements are:-
1.. a good well spaced physical qwerty keyboard - fold out or slide
2.. A high resolution screen
3.. A reasonably good camera.
4.. Pocketable
That's it! I just want to phone, text, and take pictures. Would prefer sim free but would change carriers if phone was perfect.
Currently with Vodafone.  Have you any suggestions?   Thank you. Paul W Hunt

ANSWER: I would suggest the Samsung Genio. This is sold through Vodafone and sound like it would suit your needs. Most phone that have Qwerty keyboards today are SmartPhones. It's hard to find a good Quick Messaging phone, but that's what you would need if not a SmartPhone. This one only has a 2MP camera, though. Nokia has the highest MP cameras typically, but then you won't get the keypad. My favorite device that Vodaphone is selling today is the BlackBerry Torch. It basically has everything, but it is a SmartPhone. Has a QWERTY slideout keypad and touch screen and high resolution camera and all kinds of other things.

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thank you for your reply. I read the comments on the Amazon uk web site about the Genio Slide from people who had bought this phone and they were not encouraging. But it would probably do. However today I have discovered that in Feb 2011 HTC are bringing their Pro 7 out, and that has it all. Lovely keyboard, good screen, good camera, nice looks, but the price unlocked is £415 from Amazon UK and £460 everywhere else. It seems a huge expense for a phone that I shall never use other than to text, phone and take pictures. If this phone was a not so expensive it would be perfect.
I was originally intrigued by the Sanyo Incognito, which has a hinge out keyboard but it can't be unlocked for use in the UK so I am told. I don't like the keyboard on the Blackberry torch, so I am still in a quandry. Without presuming on your good nature too much, have you any other suggestions based on what I have just said. Perhaps I should wait to see what else comes out in 2011. Thank you once again  Paul W Hunt

Answer
So I wish that I knew details about what was coming out in 2011, but you probably know more about this than I do based on your research. I live in the US, and we have the "luxury" of being able to have our carriers subsidize the cost of devices, therefore, we don't really ever have to pay more than $300 for a device. Most of them are either free or under $200 USD. Of course, we have to sign a 2 year agreement, and if we leave early, pay a penalty, but it definitely causes us not to have to worry too much about cost.

The keypad on the Torch is actually really a good one and you might be surprised about it. BlackBerrys are built better than pretty much all SmartPhones and if take a look again, you may want to consider it. If you don't want the Genio or the Torch and the new Pro is too expensive, I just don't know what to advise. Perhaps if possible wait a little longer until the price of the Pro goes down if that's the device you think will best serve your needs. The best of luck to you.