vB Easy Archive - 8125 vs 8525

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8125 vs 8525
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Posted by: chuckknight

I'm looking for some advice.

I'm now eligible for a phone upgrade on my cell plan, and have several choices. BUT, one of my requirements is Windows and wi-fi, so that narrows it down (on Cingular) to the 8125 and the 8525. The DASH isn't available through Cingular...I know I can buy one aftermarket.

Now, here's my question. The 8525 is an upgrade to the 8125, but how much of an upgrade does it represent? Bottom line, I can get the 8125 for $59, or save for a while and buy the 8525 for several hundred dollars...is it worth the difference, or should I just get the 8125?

Also, I have heard from an acquaintance, that there is an HTC ROM for the 8125 that puts on pocket Word, etc...basically takes it from smartphone to pocket PC. Is this true?

I look forward to your responses, as I am trying to figure out which one of these phones to buy.

-- Chuck Knight

Posted by: scharnet

Word is already on the 8125 as is, and it already is a WM 5.0 PPC Phone. The 3125 is the smartphone.

What the 8525 has over the 8125:
- A2DP (Stereo over Bluetooth). However, with some tweaking you could get this result on the 8125.
- Scroll wheel on left side for easier navigation.
- Light sensor on the keyboard for typing in the dark.
- PushToTalk. Don't use it myself, but it's there.
- 3G. Not available in my area, but people report it is faster than Edge.
- 2.0 vs 1.0 MP Camera.
- Uses MicroSD vs. MiniSD (not sure it's a benefit, as Mini's are cheaper).
- Processor size is 400 vs 200.
- Memory is bigger.
- Soon, there will be an upgrade to WM 6.0 for the 8525.

We use the 8125 and 8525 - for the price you quote, the 8125 is worth it! If it is through Cingular you could always try for 30 days, save your money in the mean time, and trade for the 8525 if you aren't happy.

They both have their own set of quirks, make sure to read through the forums - lots of people have posted solutions here.

Posted by: chuckknight

I understood (though there is much contradictory information on the web) that the 8125 had word/excel/etc viewers...but that the 8525 had pocket office which allowed editing. If it's full WM5/PPC, then it has the handwriting input, etc too...right?

I currently have a 2125, so my MiniSD will transfer over beautifully to the 8125.

My needs are relatively simple...a pocket laptop with wifi and bluetooth that I can use while installing 802.11 networks. YES, a legitimate business use for a wifi capable phone. It annoys me to no end, that only Cingular's version of the 2125 is not capable of wifi. They informed me how it offers no benefit to the users...then I informed them how it would benefit me. In great detail. How dare they tell me I do or don't need a feature!

And, yes, the 8125 (refurb) is available to me for $59 as an upgrade phone on Cingular.

I couldn't care less about cellular data...I've never used it and don't plan to start. And, I live in a small country town so 3G, HSPDA, and even EDGE are not issues, anyway. The only concern I have is the faster processor and greater memory capacity. There are registry hacks to overclock the 8125 to nearly 300MHz...so it's 75% as fast as the 8525. And, the RAM...is this a significant issue? I thought they both came with 64MB of available RAM...program storage should be able to be done on the MiniSD card. Right?

-- Chuck Knight

Posted by: scharnet

I am able to create and edit Word/Excel on both the 8125 & 8525.

Both have the same choice of Inputs: Keyboard, Block Recognizer, Letter Recognizer, Symbol Pad, Transcriber. And in Notes, you have Draw available where you just write free form like on paper.

Both WiFi's seem fine...I could test them side by side tonight to see how they compare.

You are correct on the memory, my memory failed me - I thought the 8525 had twice the memory...but after reading on the links below I found out you were correct.

Here is some good info, you might want to see the specs, tweaks available, etc:

8125 AKA Wizard
https://www.cingular.com/support/de...nt=KB56013.html
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/inde...#specifications

8525 AKA Hermes or Tytn
https://www.cingular.com/support/de...nt=KB71152.html
http://wiki.xda-developers.com/inde...name=HTC_Hermes

Posted by: chuckknight

So, to bottom line it...

8125 and 8525 are extremely similar devices.
The hardware specs on the 8525 are *slightly* superior.
The capabilities of the two units are virtually identical.
A few details differ, for example mini vs micro SD.

Assumptions: I'm familiar with HSPDA and 3G, vs EDGE...but I don't use cellular data, ever. My primary use will be as a cell phone, then a PDA, and then a wifi network testing tool.

So, here goes...all else being equal, the 8525 would win...but only by the slimmest of margins. Given the price difference (6x, for the moment...but it just changed, again), the 8125 is the far better value, and will do everything the same, anyway.

Do I have this just about right? Or, is there something I'm missing? I just hate buying "last year's" technology, unless there is no significant difference.

-- Chuck Knight

P.S. Or, should I wait for the iPhone to come out, and devalue the 8525? ;-) June isn't that far away...

Posted by: ibeqa

Quote:

Originally Posted by chuckknight

So, to bottom line it...

8125 and 8525 are extremely similar devices.
The hardware specs on the 8525 are *slightly* superior.
The capabilities of the two units are virtually identical.
A few details differ, for example mini vs micro SD.

Assumptions: I'm familiar with HSPDA and 3G, vs EDGE...but I don't use cellular data, ever. My primary use will be as a cell phone, then a PDA, and then a wifi network testing tool.

So, here goes...all else being equal, the 8525 would win...but only by the slimmest of margins. Given the price difference (6x, for the moment...but it just changed, again), the 8125 is the far better value, and will do everything the same, anyway.

Do I have this just about right? Or, is there something I'm missing? I just hate buying "last year's" technology, unless there is no significant difference.

-- Chuck Knight

P.S. Or, should I wait for the iPhone to come out, and devalue the 8525? ;-) June isn't that far away...

This is what you'll miss if you go for Wizard (8152) instead of Hermes (8252)

Speed - 200mhz vs 400mhz (remember samsung 400mhz processor is equivalent to intel's 520mhz).

Windows 6 upgrade.

Scroll wheel (Very handy).

2.0MP Camera.

Now just remember, if you want to listen music while your working (you said you work as a wi fi tester), your processor speed will be at maximum and your device will freeze and you don't want those kind of problems at work.

cheers

P.S. By the way iphone (mac os) does not allow third party applications to be instaled (this is what I heared).

Posted by: chuckknight

Not exactly...I'm the equivalent to Best Buy's "Geek Squad" in my little country town.

Much of what I do (and it goes in waves) is installing and supporting networks, many of which are wireless. A wifi capable phone would serve me well as a testing device, but that won't be its only use, for me.

-- Chuck Knight

Posted by: kareo

The 8125 sounds like it should work fine for you. IMO the only major benifit of the 8525 is the much faster data if your network supports it. Without that, you would just get the processor upgrade and camera upgrade. I am running a 8125 now with Windows Mobile 6 on it. I really don't have a problem with the processor speed for the most part. I was going to get the 8525 since UMTS should be in this area in a few months, but now I'm going to wait for the htc 4550 (I want the GPS too!).

For what you are saying, I don't think the 8525 would be worth the extra cash.