vB Easy Archive - Sanyo 5500 -vs- 8100

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Sanyo 5500 -vs- 8100
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Posted by: taino211

Well, just got my 5500 two days ago and was noticing some differences between the two of them (5500 vs 8100). Most importantly is the difference that struck me right off the bat:

When you open it up, the screen is not as bright as the 8100. Granted, the 8100 screen is much brighter than the 5300 but the 5500 screen looks dull compared to my 8100. The 8100 looks clearer as well. I still have the plastic sticker on the screen but its a clear sticker anyway (meaning it shouldn't have anything to do with it).

If you have both of these phones (8100 vs 5500), please do a comparison and let me know if you feel the same way. If not, then I must have a defective phone (And, if you're a fanboy who thinks the 5500 is the best phone ever created by a human being, please do not respond).

I look forward to your comments. Thanks.

Posted by: shervinf

Take the plastic off, it makes a huge difference.

Posted by: lgreenberg

I don't doubt this is case at all. After all, as you said the screen of the 8100 is far brighter than the screen of the 5300. This was one of the reasons I opted for the 8100 over the 5300. Since the 5500 seems to modeled after the 5300 it makes perfect sense that the screen of the 8100 would look brighter than the 5500 as well.

Posted by: taino211

Quote:

Originally posted by lgreenberg
I don't doubt this is case at all. After all, as you said the screen of the 8100 is far brighter than the screen of the 5300. This was one of the reasons I opted for the 8100 over the 5300. Since the 5500 seems to modeled after the 5300 it makes perfect sense that the screen of the 8100 would look brighter than the 5500 as well.

Well, I stopped by a Sprint store on my lunch break and they had the 5400 on display. I compared it to my 5500 and the screens were identical. Then, mounted next to the 5400 (at the store) was the 8100. I compared the 5400 to the 8100 and the difference was definitely noticeable.

So I guess its not just my phone. This really is a big downer because I was really impressed with the brightness of the 8100 when it first came out. The 8100 text looks clearer as well. Like the other person posted, I'll take off the plastic to see if that makes a difference (it shouldn't make much of a difference though).

On the other hand, when comparing the 5500/5400 to the 5300 that was on display, the 5300 definitely showed its age.

Thanks for the info and would appreciate someone else who has had this experience to chime in.

Posted by: mta6319atspcs

I agree that the Screen on the Sanyo 8100 is brighter than on the 5500, especially since the 8100 is significantly cheaper than 5500.

Posted by: taino211

Quote:

Originally posted by mta6319atspcs
I agree that the Screen on the Sanyo 8100 is brighter than on the 5500, especially since the 8100 is significantly cheaper than 5500.

Well, in my opinion (and i'm pretty sure almost everyone will agree with me here), brighter=better. The 8100 looked clearer and brighter. It seems that it has a better display than the 5400/5500 (even though its smaller).

Posted by: Redhed

I agree that the 8100's screen is a lot brighter. I figured for the price, this phone would have a brightness adjustment or something. Oh well.

Posted by: jaustin

hmm...

Ok the 5500 is by a long shot one of the best phones I have ever used.

but im coming from nextel and we all know there phones are not as advanced as other companies.

Hmm...

The screen is ok but a good point is made in paying around 400 bucks for it that it should have a better screen color. One thing I do like about it not being as bright that at night it doesnt blind you

Posted by: Redhed

I don't know if you all have tried this yet, and found the screen still too dark, but it GREATLY improved the brightness, clarity and visibility on my 5500....

In "Settings>Display>Backlight>Main LCD," the default is set to "Always Off." Change it so that it's on for a bit (8, 15, or 30 seconds) and the screen is magically brighter (at least for 8, 15, or 30 seconds)...

Now that I've made that change, my screen is nearly as bright as that of the 8100.

Sorry if this was a "given" and you are wanting an even brighter screen... I'm new at this stuff

Posted by: io NightShade

but I'm considering porting from AT&T to Sprint. The screen issue is a bummer, but not enough to keep me away from a phone. Since these two phones are at the top of my list, any and all help discerning/comparing the two would be greatly appreciated.

How about reception for both?
Speed?
Other idiosyncrasies?

Thank you SO much,

JT

Posted by: bcoutlander

Well, I had the 8100 and now use the 5500 and I like the 5500 much more. Yes, the 5500's screen is a bit dimmer than the 8100's but I think the text is easier to read on the 5500 plus the 5500 screen displays 2 more lines of text while using vision and reading messages.

I also like the camera on the 5500 much better. My father-in-law loves the pics I send of his grandson while he is travelling from work. Also, the videos are half way decent for emailing to people. The menu for sending pics also is smoother on the 5500. Another big plus is if you send the same pic to people in different messages the 5500 only uploads the pic to your pictures.sprintpcs.com once, not each time you send it like the 8100 does. It makes navigating and managing the pics online much easier.

The 5500 also seems faster overall than 8100. Plus, if you are coming over from another carrier and used SMS at all the 5500 has MO-SMS and the 8100 requires using the Short Mail Vision page. Just another advantage over the 8100 in my book.

I would recommend the 5500 if you don't mind the extra $$$ but you can't go wrong with either really.

Posted by: io NightShade

TYSM for the info....just what I was looking for.

JT

P.S. One last question....Is the 5500 and the VM4500 the same thing??

JT

Posted by: taino211

Quote:

Originally posted by io NightShade
TYSM for the info....just what I was looking for.

JT

P.S. One last question....Is the 5500 and the VM4500 the same thing??

JT

Yes sir.

Sprint calls it the Sprint/Sanyo VM4500 and Sanyo calls it the Sanyo SCP 5500.