vB Easy Archive - S500i initial review

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S500i initial review
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Posted by: ThorBlaze Dragon

hope I don't post in wrong place
got the phone yesterday for $220, paid $8 for wotan to flash (bought 5 credits) to HK version
the reason why I pick S500 over W580 because I need the T-Zones button, not walkman button
the phone looks pretty thin, about 2/3 thickness of 6263 when retracted
the color is "Green Tea" (looks like the Japanese green tea)
the screen is so small, that I even have to cut E50 screen protector abit to fit, it looks bright when it's on, but it's black when it's idle, does not show clock like K790a or most of nokia models, a little minus
earpiece is LOUD, as well as speakerphone, sound is better than K550
the buttons are kinda small, but still can be easily pressed, I'm gonna buy several spare keypads just in case
the antenna is on left side and bottom, that I experience signal loss when I hold the phone bottom
the reception is like K790a, not better than W300, which is the best
the fastport is located on the right side, which is kinda inconveient when plugging headset
bt is fine, but I had hard time trying to connect to desktop (uses IVT), but works 100% with HP 211
numberic pads is kinda pleasure to press, I don't worry much cracking problem
cam is OK, about same as Z710i, which I had once
this phone DOES NOT have radio and player control, which is kinda inconveient for audio player use, streaming audio is not stable as K790a, which skips more
the build is kinda weak, which is kinda creaky when I extend/retract slider

pro:
very loud and clear earpiece and speaker
OK camera in spite of lacking of AF and light
buttons are easy to press
small and thin
con:
reception is adversely affected when touching the bottom of the phone
no standby clock
questionable build
screen is too small

Posted by: xeniagirl77

Does the T Zones work on that phone? I have ordered it, and I'm considering either AT&T or T Mobile. I need to make sure that if I go with T Mobile, I can use the net.

Posted by: Phone Diva

Do you have the $6 or $20 plan? If not, all you get is the crappy T-Zones site but no true internet service.

Posted by: xeniagirl77

I currently have Sprint, and am switching to at&t or TMobile. So the TZones is pretty crappy? I did test the sites I go to most often, and they worked.

Posted by: Phone Diva

Not if you have the $6 or $20(this is needed for some things) plan. You can surf the net on those. But with no data plan or pre-paid, you get the bare bones T-Zones, which sucks really bad.

Although I did hear that some people got data even with no plan if they're on contract. I don't know.

Posted by: ThorBlaze Dragon

I have a special data: VPN
T-Zones is included, it works 99% (the 1% missing is the fonts are too small)
I can tether through PAN, which is the easiest way