Upgrade Options for v551

I have an early model Motorola v551 that I am wanting to upgrade from. I say early model because someone else I know who has one from the same cellular provider has the Edge capability (where it shows an "E" in the upper left corner along with the reception), however, my v551 doesn't have Edge capability. I have heard that battery issues have been improved with later models (i.e.: v557), but I was wanting to get the advice from those here about where I should go next. I definately want to stay with Motorola, although I'm not sure upgrading from v551 to v557 is much of an upgrade. What would those in this group suggest as far as an upgrade to a newer model Motorola phone?

By the way, I am with Cingular.

Thanks

Your upgrade options are limited by your personal budget.
The thing you need to decide is how much do you want to spend for a phone, as this will dictate what you can upgrade to (and if you have to include discounts, that might limit you even more than buying outright).

Since only you know what you like as far as looks, phone features, and carrier services like text messaging, email, web browsing, etc. So I will assume that having Edge capability for using the internet is important to you? You'd of course have to have a data plan (extra cost) to use it.

The V557 is a good option, but if you plan on doing moderate to heavy internet useage, you really may want to consider something with a larger screen. Like one of the smartphone/pda's that have larger screens (again more cost, even with a discount). Otherwise you'll be stuck with Medianet (which I personally find slow).

Also how much are you willing to spend per month for the phone service and data plan?

So the two important things to consider:

How much are you willing to spend on a phone?

How much are you willing to spend per month to use a data plan that allows you to use Edge for faster web browsing?

Thank you for your post. You'll have to forgive my ignorance, but I guess I wasn't quite sure what the Edge capability was for. As far as internet usage goes as it relates to my cellular phone, I don't use it for internet or text messaging (I figure with both of them combined, they are too expensive to have. Besides that is what I have a computer for.) Also, someone else told me that the even the early v551's have Edge capability, they just don't show that "E" thing in the upper left corner to indicate that.

Would I be better off just upgrading my phones firmware and seeing what improvements I get from that?

The v557 is basically the same phone as the v551 except for the color. I think you would like the razr with the bigger screen . I know that when i look at my v635 screen it seems so tiny since switching. The only downside is everybody has the razr.

Hey it's not really ignorance if you don't know something. As for updating your phone's firmware, sure you can do it, but more often than not you'll not even notice the improvements, if you aren't having problems now.

Will it be better to get a new phone or spend the time finding and downloading a firmware update? Hummm depends on the type of person you are. A fiddler would say... "Sure!"... and do it. A person that can't or won't fiddle with something will say..."Heck no, I'll just get a newer phone."

Unless you are going to be using the phone to surf the web, download ringtones, graphics, games (needing a data plan, if you plan to do a lot of it) Having Edge is not going to help or hinder you at all, even if the phone supports it.

This is from Mobiledia:
Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) - Cell Phone Glossary - Mobiledia

Enhanced Data for GSM Evolution (EDGE) - The final evolution of data communications within the GSM standard. Based on 8PSK modulation, EDGE provides 3G packet data throughput on GSM networks, and uses a new modulation scheme to enable data throughput speeds of up to 384kbit/s using existing GSM infrastructure.

Yeah but how many people decide not to buy a phone, because too many other people have one just like it?

Are cell phones now like dresses? Blkbear steps into an elevator and screams... "OMG he has the same phone and the same color as MINE! That tramp!"

The only thing I have heard that a firmware upgrade would benefit would be improved battery life, which is something that I have noticed is not that great.

Korey, the v551 is Edge capable, like you stated, it just doesn't show it on the phone's display, if you want to upgrade to a Razr make sure you get the upcoming Razr v3i which unlike the current Razr lacks edge capabilities.