[anthony330]

Hi, my Orange contract has now come to an end and I am therefore eligible to upgrade my phone. Available to me and I believe meeting my requirements are the HTC Touch Diamond, Samsung Omnia, Samsung Tocco F480.
The phone is mainly for business usage, and I therefore need it to be reasonably easy to operate, email access via 3G & WiFi, touch screen, on-screen qwerty keyboard, easy to write emails and texting.
Decent camera and video capability would be great but not essential. Won't be used for music at all. Currently I just use my phone for calls and texts, and my main reason for change is having to cart a laptop everywhere with me and trying to hunt down Macdonalds for free wifi!
I've read a few reviews of all the phones now and there seem to be a number of pros and cons for all. One of the biggest cons for me (and users may tell me different) is the external stylus on the Omnia, as surely it's difficult to write emails without it? However that is the phone that seems to be the better of the 3 from the reviews I've seen.
My main concerns are regarding usability and reliability, so any advice or opinions would be gratefully received.
Also are there any phones on the horizon that I should perhaps hang on for?
Thanks.

[chrism_scotland]

I'm in a similar position, not too impressed with the range or quality of the phones available on Orange at the moment, I myself am holding out for the Blackberry Bold becoming available again via Orange.
If it wasn't for having an iPhone I would have the Omnia, its certainly the best of the three you have mentioned.

[Burry1]

I'm also with orange and want to upgrade to the Nokia E71 but have been told that this is only available to business customers and I am on a consumer tarrif. I find it a bit daft that Orange have the phone in stock, they don't have a stock shortage (I asked) but they wont sell it to me as it has been decided that this phone is only for business customers. I would have thought they would happily take my money and tie me in to another 18 months. Seems they think that only business account holders want E-series phones. Still, at least I can take my business elsewhere now I am out of contract.

[chrism_scotland]

I believe the E71 is available via CPW on upgrade

[anthony330]

Ended up going for the HTC as the Omnia was not available through Orange upgrade due to supply issues, hopefully I'll like it
If not I'll look for a new contract and therefore new number and see what I can get that way.

[radiiman]

you may find that unless yo do a lot of customization the diamond is slow. Depends what your used to, windows mobile has loads of applications but is laaagggyyy.

[anthony330]

Yes I've seen that there are a few things I can get from something called xda developers from the discussion thread. I've got 7 days so if it's too slow I'll send it back.