Finding the Best Texting Cell Phone
As you might suspect different models excell in different areas. If one phone is an excellent camera phone it might be poor in the area of text messaging or visa versa. If your primary concern is text messaging, this page will help you find some of the best texting cell phone out there.
Choosing the Best Cell Phone for Text Messaging
Many cell phones today are capable of text messaging. However, if texting is what you will use most on the phone it makes sense to choose the best texting cell phone to make it easier and faster.Cell phones are known for their tiny keypads and close set buttons. Because some are designed more for placing voice calls the keypad isn't set up for fast and easy text messaging. Not only does it slow you down, but it can be tough on your hands.
Here are a few tips of things to look for when you are trying to find the best text messaging cell phones:
Choosing the Right Plan for Text Messaging
While you're getting the best text messaging phone it's also critical to match it up with the right plan. If you only use text messaging occasionally then paying the standard 15-20 cents per message won't be a problem and you probably won't be purchasing a cell phone that is a designed especially well for text messaging.However, for those who text more routinely the right plan is critical to assure that you stay within your budget and the plan allowance. Plans can start as low as $4.99 for 400 messages. Unlimited plans can be good for those who send/receive several hundred (or more) messages each month.
Several of the major cellular providers in the US even offer data only plans minus any voice calling for those who would use a cell phone only for it's text messaging capabilities. These are targeted toward the deaf and severely hard of hearing.
The most important factor when choosing a data plan is to assure that you know your usage. If you only use 300 messages per month, then you shouldn't go the route of an unlimited plan as it won't be the most economical option. However, you want to purchase a plan with a high enough limit, because exceeding the limit is expensive. Any data usage over the limit is charged at a higher rate.
You can check out Text Messaging Plans for details on what is available through the major US cellular providers or see our page about Text Only Plans if you don't need voice calling at all.
Some of the Best Texting Cell Phones
BlackBerry Torch
and the Bold Touch 9930
BlackBerry 9800 Torch Phone (AT&T)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
The BlackBerry Torch is among the best text messaging phones. It boasts a 3.2" high resolution touchscreen, optical trackpad, and slide down QWERTY keyboard. It operates off of AT&T's 3G network and offers 4GB of internal memory and a microSD card slot for expansion.It runs with the BlackBerry 6 OS and offers wireless-N networking and connectivty with over 20,000 AT&T Wi-Fi hotspots.
The Torch includes GPS with turn-by-turn directions, a built in media player with Bluetooth stereo music streaming and a 3.5mm stereo headphone jack, as well as a 5 megapixel camera with auto focus, image stabilization, and 640x480 video capture. Users get Integrated access to the BlackBerry Messenger (BBM), Facebook, Twitter, and MySpace. Web browsing provides full-page views, multitask with tabbed browsing, and Universal Search.
Advanced messaging is another highlight. The BlackBerry Tourch provides threaded messages, push email technology, group messaging with "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts, and AT&T's Locations feature. Locations allows users to search for points of interest, businesses, or even their own location, and insert this information directly into a message. This is especially useful when planning group meetings.
The BlackBerry Bold Touch 9930 is another option offering a spacious full QWERTY keyboard, 2.8" touchscreen, 3G connectivity, international GSM capabilities, a 5 megapixel camera with HD 720p video recording, and Bluetooth stereo music. It offers 4 GB memory and an HTML5 web browser.
LG Cosmos
LG Cosmos VN-250 Phone (Verizon Wireless)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
Another one of the best texting cell phones is the LG Cosmos. This phone has a full slide-out QWERTY keyboard as well as a 2" display. Users can save up to 10 contacts to their Favorite shortcut key for quick messaging to friends. They also get E-mail support/mobile web email, instant messaging, mobile web browsing, and multimedia messaging in addition to SMS.
Of course it provides other functions as well. It features a 1.3 megapixel camera, Media Center capability for downloading games, ringtones, and more, integrated GPS with voice guided, turn-by-turn directions, hands-free Bluetooth capability, and voice control. It comes with a wall/USB charger, product safety and warranty guide, and Quick Reference Guide.
LG Rumor Touch
LG Rumor Touch Phone, Purple (Sprint)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
Like all of the best text messaging cell phones, the Rumor Touch has a full slide out QWERTY keyboard. In addition it offers a large 3" exterior touch screen and operates on Sprint's 3G Mobile Network to stream Sprint TV, music, video and more.
Of course this phone provides E-mail support, instant messaging, mobile web browsing, multimedia, and SMS messaging. (Threaded messsages) This phone also features stereo Bluetooth capability for hands-free calling and quality audio, a 2.0 megapixel camera/camcorder, integrated GPS support for Sprint Navigation, and Mobile Sync to restore your contacts if your phone is ever lost, stolen, or damaged.
It comes with a battery, charger, 1GB MicroSD card and adapter, Getting Started and Features Guide, and manual.
Motorola Droid 3
Motorola DROID 3 Global Android Phone (Verizon Wireless)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
This Motorola Droid 3 is one of the best texting cell phones for business. It offers a variety of security features from SD card encryption, and complex password support to remote data wipe services. It runs with the Android 2.3 OS and a blazing fast dual core 1GHz processor.
This GSM phone sports a 4" qHD multi-touch screen as well as a 5 row full slide out QWERTY keyboard. It can function as a 3G hotspot for up to 5 devices. Other features include Skype Mobile compatibility, a built in 8 megapixel camera with 1080p video capture, Bluetooth stereo music, and 16 GB internal memory plus an expansion slot. This phone provides up to 8 hours of talk time per charge.
Pantech Link
Pantech Link Phone (AT&T)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
The Pantech Link with AT&T service is a great text messaging cell phone. It offers a full QWERTY keyboard and provides access to both voice and e-mail messages. It even provides a social networking app where you can manage your Twitter, Facebook, and other social updates. This texting cell also provides group messaging and "reply all" functionality for up to 10 contacts, threaded conversation format, and the ability to sync contacts with an online address book.
Other features include GPS functions, a 1.3 megapixel camera/camcorder, a built-in digital audio player, organizer tools, web browser, an airplane mode, and Bluetooth, handsfree stereo music streaming.
Samsung Epic 4G
Samsung Epic 4G Android Phone (Sprint)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
From Sprint, the Samsung Epic operates off of the 4G network (or 3G if needed). It offers a 4" AMOLED touchscreen with virtual QWERTY keyboard with SWYPE technology for faster input as well as a spacious, side sliding physical QWERTY keyboard.
It is not just one of the best text messaging phones though, it also has the Android 2.1 operating system a full THML web browswer, access to Google Mobile services, and a forward facing VGA camera for video calling. It also includes a built-in 5 megapixel camera with autofocus that can record HD video as well.
T-Mobile G2
T-Mobile G2 with Google Android Phone (T-Mobile)
Amazon Price: (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
T-Mobile offers some of the best texting cell phones also. The G2 runs on the Android 2.2 OS and is 3G/4G enabled. It has a 3.7" touchscreen and full slide out QWERTY keyboard. It is a quadband GSM phone with built-in GPS, FM radio, media player, HTML web browser, and 5 megapixel camera with LED flash and 720p HD video recording capabilities.
This phone offers 4GB of internal memory and a microSD card slot, wireless-N Wi-FI, Bluetooth Stereo music, and easy access to Google Mobile Services.
T-Mobile Sidekick
Brand New Sidekick LX 2009 SHARP PV300 GSM Unlocked - T-Mobile Retail Box (Carbon Black)
Amazon Price: $59.95 (as of 02/15/2012)![]()
With a high-definition 3.2-inch screen, spacious QWERTY keyboard with chiclet style keys, and one button access to popular social networking sites, T-Mobile's Sidekick LX is another one of the best text messaging cell phones. It also includes a 3-megapixel camera/camcorder, integrated MP3 player, MicroSD memory expansion to 8 GB (a 128 MB card is included), Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music streaming, digital audio/video player, full HTML web browser, and up to 5.5 hours of talk time.
Of course the Sidekick LX also provides e-mail access, web browsing, picture messaging, instant messaging, in addition to text (SMS)messaging and voice calling. Other features include a speakerphone, vibration alert, voice memo recording, calendar, alrm clock, task list, 3.5mm headphone jack, and more.
Other Good Cell Phones for Text Messaging
Click on pictured item for details
Text Messaging in the News
- Syria Disrupts Text Messaging of Protesters With Made-in-Dublin Equipment
- Chart: Syria Timeline Enlarge image Protesters Use Mobile Phones in Tunisia Protesters Use Mobile Phones in Tunisia Fred Dufour/AFP/Getty Images The filtering of text messages has curbed the protesters' ability to use technologies that helped organize ...
- Pa. judge says couple's text messages are evidence
- (AP) ? A judge says a woman's text messages with her husband about her 4-year-old stepson's injuries can be used at trial, a decision that deals with Pennsylvania's status as one of seven states that let spouses invoke a "communications privilege" in ...
- Police believe triple-homicide suspect sent text messages from victims' cell ...
- Ader's husband Nick began receiving text messages just before 10:00 am that Gilman likely sent. Nick received messages at 9:49 am and 9:51 am that said one of their sons had a fever, and Tracy was going to bring him to the hospital.
- VA Expands Efforts to Prevent Suicide with Text Messaging
- Washington, DC - infoZine - The new initiatives include a new, free, confidential text-messaging service in the existing Veterans Crisis Line, introduction of toll-free access from Europe, and collaboration with Vets Prevail and Vets4Warriors, ...
The Best Text Messaging Phones: Was this page helpful? Let us know!
If you didn't find the cell phone you want, be sure to visit our full service cellular and home electronics store.
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chefdave12118
Jan 19, 2012 @ 1:27 pm | delete
- Nice lense. I used to think that I could never text on all touch screen phone but after a year of only touch screen anytime I try to text on a physical keyboard it makes me mental. I can't use the physical keyboards anymore.... only touch screen. Anyway, glad i stumbled upon your article. Thanks!
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Phil from Cheshire
Jan 18, 2012 @ 8:31 am | delete
- I think a lot of makers are missing a trick with my age group ( 62 ) our eyes are not as good as they use to be ,but we don`t need glasses, the text size is important on phones for me, my Nokia 2630 is great, but it is getting on a bit now, but I can`t find a reasonably -priced one to replace it...any ideas ??
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MareeT
Dec 20, 2011 @ 2:15 pm | delete
- Nice selection of phones!
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stylingparts
Dec 10, 2011 @ 7:29 am | delete
- good lens well put together
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jacinto888
Nov 30, 2011 @ 10:04 am | delete
- Nice lens, very good info
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veryirie
Nov 28, 2011 @ 1:31 am | delete
- I'll never be as fast as my kids at texting, but it's a convenient way to communicate on the cell phone.
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cory2081
Nov 13, 2011 @ 8:38 pm | delete
- Nice lens! May I add that the new Windows Phones running version 7.5 are great for texting. You don't even have to touch the phone, it's all voice prompted. I love mine, great for those times when you get a text while driving!
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COUNTRYLUTHIER
Oct 10, 2011 @ 8:39 pm | delete
- Nice job!
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RichardMillner
Oct 4, 2011 @ 7:50 am | delete
- Good site and great information
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blackspanielgallery
Sep 21, 2011 @ 8:59 pm | delete
- Have never sent one yet.
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Introduction: hyku.
Choosing the Best Cell Phone for Text Messaging: James Cridland.
Choosing the Right Plan for Text Messaging: renaissancechambara.
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