vB Easy Archive - Steve P - Any first impressions of 8390?

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Steve P - Any first impressions of 8390?
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Posted by: dgorecki

Just read on the FIDO newsgroup that you are now testing an 8390. Any first impressions you can share with us before the review?

Thanks

Posted by: Steve Punter

I’ve not been very impressed with the 8390. However, remember that I rate phones highly based upon their RF and audio performance.

The first thing that hit me was the LOW earpiece volume. It was adequate in quiet environments, but it became annoying in noisier environments (plus the 8390 doesn’t appear to support Nokia’s “volume boost” feature found on other models). The tonal balance of the phone is actually quite nice, but the lack of volume makes it difficult to appreciate.

In the RF department, the phone doesn’t even come close to my P280. In areas where the P280 can sustain a perfect interference-free call, the 8390 will break up and drop calls. It also looses service when idle far too easily, and then it has a devil of a time regaining service.

In terms of non-RF and non-audio considerations however, the 8390 is actually a very nice little phone. I appreciate the inclusion of user-defined SMS folders, as well as the advanced phone book system (both borrowed from the 7190).

My full review should be online during the coming week.

Posted by: EddiePCS

Hi Steve, so you would recommend people getting the T66 instead of the 8390? Does T66 still suffer the "SOS only" problem?

Posted by: 666

Quote:

Originally posted by EddiePCS
Hi Steve, so you would recommend people getting the T66 instead of the 8390? Does T66 still suffer the "SOS only" problem?

my t66 has no this problem. firmware is 426.

Posted by: Steve Punter

Quote:

Originally posted by EddiePCS
Hi Steve, so you would recommend people getting the T66 instead of the 8390? Does T66 still suffer the "SOS only" problem?

Remember that my review of the T66 is based on a 2-hour session with it over at Square One, and NOT a full review (which usually lasts 3 days or more). However, if you are choosing between the T66 and 8390, then I would indeed recommend the T66.

However, the T66 is a fairly low-end phone, and it lacks many of the features found on the 8390. It's really a toss up between features and overall functionality.