I still see people that text using a plain numeric keypad. I have a hard enough time typing with a normal QWERTY keyboard on most phones to even fathom how you could send a text message with a plain device lacking a keyboard.
It used to be that phones with QWERTY keyboards were very expensive, but more and more basic handsets are coming with a keyboard today. The latest basic handset to sport a QWERTY keyboard is the Sanyo SCP-2700. The device is available on the Sprint mobile network.
Features of the device include a 2.2-inch screen, Bluetooth, and support for work email, GPS Navigation, and Sprint Family Locator. The phone comes in pink or blue colors and keeps texts messages in a threaded layout. The keyboard also has a dedicated emoticon key for putting smiley faces in messages.
