09 TCH w/nav--need new cell phone--which one?

[loves2read]

I have a 2009 TCH with nav package that has paired w/o problem with my older LG Vu cell phone...let it in pants pocket and it went throught the wash...will cost $50 to use the insurance policy I have to get same/refurbised phone that I know will work but would like to upgrade to newer phone...
the reason I chose the Vu for I don't really use that much...
I have been to the Toyota site to look at phones but frankly that site does not inspire much confidence...
I have friend with cell phone that is supposed to pair and it does not...

Anyone have a new Apple 4g phone--how does that pair up...
we have ATT service plan and we are keeping it--my husband won't switch-

Consumer Reports listed better phones for ATT plans
the top rated smart phone--Samsung Captivate -- is not on the Toyota list Neither is the Sony Erickson Xperia--
they both have large screens

any other suggestions--looking for something not for music or even for its camera or access to media sites like Facebook--
just for texting and checking my emails and sending a photo from time to time
Apple IPhone is really overkill for me
The Samsung Impression has a slide out keyboard that was was trying to avoid

just don't want to get a phone and not have it pair with my nav system/bluetooth--

[ancistrus]

I have an LG Xenon and it, too, pairs very reliably with the nav system version of bluetooth in my 09 TCH.

My wife has an LG Neon. It very occasionally has trouble pairing with the non-nav version in her 07 TCH, but most of the time works fine.

Ask again in 6 months and I'll report on an iPhone. :-)

[ukrkoz]

any bluetooth phone should pair. i think, it is mostly operator fault, not phone. my son pairs any phone we have with my 07 TCH in a heartbeat.
stay away from anything that has Bleckberry type keyboard, as suddenly you can't use digits if you are connected to the car and need to "please, enter your zip code for verification purposes, followed by a pund sign". my Blackberry been pita for this reason. make it simple, get something that is super easy to use when driving.
I-Phone sounds like a good choice. yes, we do have it paired too.

[loves2read]

I sent two emails to Toyoto about the weakness in its site about matching Bluetooth phones to Toyotas...
I think I am supposed to send in my phone number to get a call from a Toyota specialist...
while I appreciate the personal touch--I think they would do better to revise/update their site...

I was able to synch my husband's extra phone to my TCH today but I don't want to use it permanently...
I spoke to the after-market manager at the dealership I bought my car about what phones his installation guys had trouble syncing and he said they said almost any phone worked--no problem--
I am a little leery about that but another poster here said almost the same thing...
I just wish the phone stores had better support for checking out phones before you actually buy one...

[AML]

Nearly any phone with Bluetooth will be able to hook up with the Bluetooth system in the car. There is a universal standard and protocol that must be followed with the firmware and software. The only reason it wouldn't work is if the phones Bluetooth version predated that which was put in the car.

[ukrkoz]

love (beautiful name, by the way) just find a teenager with fast fingers. they will synch anything. you must put THE PHONE into synching mode, and on some phones it's a pita to get there. hence the teenager, they have this at the tips of their fingers.