vB Easy Archive - Decision - to get a 3G phone or not?

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Decision - to get a 3G phone or not?
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Posted by: tkrandall

Will be porting over from Sprint soon. We are looking at the different new model phones and have looked at the newer mid line 3G offerings like the A737, 6555, SYNC, A727, V3XX, etc.

My concern about getting a 3G phone right now is that AT&T's 3G is 1900 MHZ only in the Atlanta area, and am I concnerned about weaker reception killing the battery life. I am not confident yet knowing how biased the phones are or are not to holding a marginal/unusable 1900 MHz 3G signal over simply reverting to GSM. Seems AT&T disables your being able to select network mode on the handset.

I don't see myself as a user of CV services or things like that, but I do want a phone whose technology is going where the winds are blowing. This, and voice clarity due to the half rate GSM codec, are some of the reasons I am looking at 3G models.

Are any of the 3G models more intelligent than others at handling 3G verusus GSM priorotization? I hear we will be 850 MHz for 3G by Spring - maybe then it won't matter.

Posted by: scaredpoet

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrandall

My concern about getting a 3G phone right now is that AT&T's 3G is 1900 MHZ only in the Atlanta area, and am I concnerned about weaker reception killing the battery life. I am not confident yet knowing how biased the phones are or are not to holding a marginal/unusable 1900 MHz 3G signal over simply reverting to GSM.

If it concerns you, then don't get a 3G phone. I wouldn't hold out hope for something that's supposed to happen in the Spring.

Posted by: bobolito

I can't remember which ones, but there are some models that allow you to disable 3G. Maybe you can ask at the store.

Posted by: tkrandall

I could be blowing this concern out of proportion. Not having a 3G ATT phone now (I do have a ATT Blackberry through work), makes it hard to assess their 1900 mhz coverage. I do know the 800 MHz coverage is much stronger than Sprin't 1900 only coverage in terms of building penetraion and signal strength at home, but my BB does not have a mode where I can see if and when it is on 1900 versus 800. I should just get the phone I want, and if it is 3g and the issue is a probelm, just return within 30 days for a GSM only model.

Posted by: zephxiii

v3xx likes to ditch weaker connections for stronger ones earlier than most other phones. also with a little hacking, you can unhide the network control menus that allow you to force gsm or 3g whenever you want. in addition, you can disable amr-hr as well.

Posted by: SmokinTrickster

All the phones have the network select disabled on their menus, except the Palm 750, AT&T 8525, and AT&T Tilt. I would suggest the V3xx, then do a little bit of seem editing.

SEEM 0032_0001
offset B1 bit 3 (Set to 0) Enable Network Select Menu
offset 43 bit 4 (Set to 1) Enable Band Select Menu
offset 62 bit 6 (Set to 1) Shows 850/1900 in Band Selection

If you find it hanging on to 3G to much, just goto the menu and select the 850/1900.

**edit**

I just read that post again. I said "do a little "bit" of seem editing." LoL bit. Seem edit.

Posted by: zephxiii

www.xti9.com/v3xx for a complete how to guide.

Posted by: mdasen

3G will kill the battery no matter what the signal strength. Even if coverage is perfect, battery life will be significantly worse than GSM.

Posted by: tkrandall

I'm not sure I'ms so thrilled with the idea of hacking the phone. Is it pretty easy?

Also, just a comment, but the V3xx for some reaosn does not have GSM900, which I would think would significantly limit it's international coverage ability.

Posted by: l7jr

I just recently bought a trax to try out for 30 days and I get little or no 3G coverage in my apartment but I get full EDGE coverage so my battery is dying quickly. Unfortunately, as much as I would like a 3G phone, it's just not going to happen. I think I may return the phone for a non-3G phone.

I will say this however, when I did try making a call with no bars of 3G coverage showing, the call was crystal clear.

Posted by: zephxiii

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrandall

I'm not sure I'ms so thrilled with the idea of hacking the phone. Is it pretty easy?

Alos, just a comment, but the V3xx for some reaosn does not have GSM900, which I would think would significantly limit it's international coverage ability.

its not hard, and its not really hacking imo, its just accessing some system files, and throwing digital switches to turn things on and off.

see http://www.xti9.com/v3xx

This particular ability with the v3xx is highly valuable.

Posted by: tkrandall

V3xx has good reception?

Posted by: zephxiii

excellent reception

Posted by: Elfreshcuh

Black Jack And Tilt Does

Posted by: SmokinTrickster

Quote:

Originally Posted by tkrandall

I'm not sure I'ms so thrilled with the idea of hacking the phone. Is it pretty easy?

Also, just a comment, but the V3xx for some reaosn does not have GSM900, which I would think would significantly limit it's international coverage ability.

It's very easy, just download and run a program and click a few times. Also, if you needed the GSM900, I would suggest then getting the Razr2 V9. It has it, and the amazing reception and voice quality are the same as the V3xx, if not better.

Posted by: tkrandall

probably, but the V9 is a bit steep.