My TEP protected/no-contract Shift cable died. What phone or action do you recommend?

[tt C6]

Short Version:
Sprint is offering me a replacement phone due to the common "keyboard cable failure". I have TEP, am eligible for an upgrade, but refuse to use my upgrade until there is a QWERTY slider with LTE, Multi-Core, and maybe a larger QWERTY/screen.
What do you all recommend asking for?
What can I get that will have the highest resale/ebay value?
What's the minimum solution from Sprint you would take?



Extended Version:
I LOVE my Shift. Best phone I have ever had.
Yes, I would like LTE (due to sprint's failed WiMAX), a longer keyboard/screen (NOT wider than EVO 3D so I can 1-hand operate), Multi-Core, more memory (tired of low disc space message), but I was happy riding the Shift out until Sprint offered a phone that offered all of the features I mentioned.

Although I have ZERO damage (impact, water,etc), the earpiece speaker stopped working all together. Then, the touchscreen sporadically works and I have to leave the keyboard slider closed in order for the screen to work. Phone works if I leave it shut and on speakerphone only, but I bought the phone for a QWERTY keyboard. If not, I would have bought a Iphone.

So, the Sprint tech says the cable that connects the QWERTY to the phone is poorly designed, frequently fails, and is the cause of my issue. They ask me to leave the store without a working phone and that they will order me a replacement that I will receive in a few days. Leaving customers without a working phone for days is pretty pathetic customer service in my opinion. But, whatever. Now, I just have to make a decision on what I want to do.
Thanks for any info.


PS.
YES, I did a search before posting.