vB Easy Archive - Motorola A925

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Motorola A925
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Posted by: cmc0

Has anyone here heard of this phone? Just wondering since I recently acquired an unlocked A925 to use with my US service while in Japan. It's a UIQ powered phone meaning all my P900 apps work fine on it (no detachable keypad though) similar features as the Px00 but this one,thanks to the WCDMA 2100mhz support in addition to GSM 900/1800/1900 support, adds a few new twists to the Symbian platform. Noticably the built in e-GPS support (tells you your location street- by-street) and the video call feature (girls better have on their face now when you call!).

To compare with the Px00,it's huge,but other than that,it's basically the same feature and menu wise.You'll feel right at home and reception is excellent in both the UK and Japan as if BT and sound quality

Just my 2 cents

Posted by: cmc0

So no one here owns or has even heard of this magnificent phone?

Posted by: AdmiralAK

heard of it, never owned it

waiting for quadGSM and UMTS smartphone for next purchase

Posted by: Bengalboy

Yes, I have seen photos of it before....take some comparison shots CmCo and post them of it next to the P900/P800. Also, your comparison of the devices would be great...

Posted by: Zvika

heard it was a great phone, never had the chance to play on it, only did on the A920...

Posted by: cmc0

Sure, I'll get a review up ASAP. one thing I can say is that if you're coming from a Px00, the A925 is huge!

Posted by: Zvika

know that ;D

Posted by: The Rex

yeah, it looks kind of big

Posted by: afgbossplaya818

Where Can we get one of these?
Any place online? Is it even out yet? or just out in japan?

Posted by: Kevincm

The A925.... in the UK is slowly escaping out (3 have to get shot of a "small pile" of A920's first).

Again, on 3, walled garden. Rumors of Infra-red actually working on the device, as well as Bluetooth, with a slight increase in talk/standby time

Kevin

Posted by: cmc0

Quote:

Originally posted by Kevincm
The A925.... in the UK is slowly escaping out (3 have to get shot of a "small pile" of A920's first).

Again, on 3, walled garden. Rumors of Infra-red actually working on the device, as well as Bluetooth, with a slight increase in talk/standby time

Kevin

True, it's a good phone but the size is so unbearable. let's hope the A1000 comes out ASAP

Posted by: Kevincm

I for one don't mind the size. As a first Generation WCDMA/3G handset, you've got two major problems
o Battery life - its frankly applaling. I've got a 7600 that does 3 times the talktime and at least 2 days standby time
o Size - you try cramming all of that tech in one place

Still, other good uses for A920/5's inculde :
o Night time lamp
o Paperweight
o Making calls...

Kevin

Posted by: mavericke

The A925 does increase one's talktime and the screen is very much brighter than my A920. Anyway I have updated my A920 to bluetooth enable. I also asked 3G to unlock my A920 which they did for some money. I would prefer the A925 to A920 if I do have the chance. it is more solid than then A920!

Posted by: kenwchan

I've got this phone from 3G in Hong Kong. There are a few ways in which it is worse off than my P800

1) The phone will not vibrate AND ring at the same time - it's either ring, or vibrate, or silent.

2) There is no Speed Dials. Makes a phone with only a virtual keyboard even that much more frustrating.

3) Tried to put P800 software on the phone with only so much luck. Some work, most don't. Handy Day for example, does not.

4) You cannot install programs to the memory stick, so kiss your internal memory goodbye...

5) You cannot write on the screen "full time" like on a P800/P900. You MUST hit the keyboard icon whenever you want to enter text into a field (how ridiculous) before you can use graffiti or tap the little keyboard.

6) The power button turns on so easily so you are forced to keep the phone on and key-locked or else God knows what happens when the phone is in your bag. Also, when screenlock is on, pressing the buttons still lights the backlight, which will kill your battery (small problem, I know)

7) Battery life isn't all that bad if you're not doing video calls a lot. But you'll still feel better by carrying around the included extra battery with you.

8) Bluetooth voice dialing is not supported. Pressing the button on a bluetooth headset is the equivalent of pressing the "send" key on the phone. On a phone this big, there sure should have had this feature so you could stash this phone out of sight.

9) Jotter notes are not able to be synced with Outlook like a P800/900. They don't sync at all.

10) Small thing - Shortcuts are not configurable (the six at the top of the screen).

11) The phone supports AGPS but 3G in Hong Kong doesn't! So forget looking up where Starbuck's is on your phone...

12) Lastly, my first unit was defective. It emitted a high-pitched squeal when calling or receiving a call on occasion. It also sometimes would not boot-up. Perhaps a victime of installing P800 software on it, though.

In general, I would not have viewed the size as a drawback if some of the above bugs weren't present. If Bluetooth voice dialing worked, for example, you don't need to lug the thing out as often.

Hmm, those are my gripes but there's probably more that I don't recall. I feel a bit hosed for buying this phone. As for 3G video confererencing, it gets pretty spotty at times. Audio or Video drops out occasionally. As there is no utility to close the programs, it's best to re-boot the phone before attempting a video call. Incidentally, there is a lawsuit against 3 here in Hong Kong by an individual claiming all sorts of things like the phones don't work as advertised, etc.

It's got some teething problems, this phone. I'd give it a miss if you were considering it. One positive: if you're on a 3G network, surfing rules! Very quick, almost like you're on WiFi. Too bad on 3 that those megabytes are EXPENSIVE! Only other positives I can say is that there is a nice option to wallpaper your "application menu" and also that the screen is very impressive - sharp and bright; better than a P900, imho. Don't know the specs but I'd say comparable to an iPaq 4xxx series for colour and clarity. Also having dedicated button for speakerphone is also a good idea.

I guess I'll have to wait and see what next generation of 3G comes out!

Regards
Ken

Posted by: mavericke

I think Motorola is trying to kill two birds with one stone. The A925 combined telephone service with PDA function. The good thing about the phone is that it has a bigger screen so you can really see more things at one go. Furthermore it has GPS too combined with Infra Red and Bluetooth. The screen is much better than the A920 which I have. I believe the phone is bulky but heavy weight on its features. I really hope that 3 will just do away with the wall garden so that people can just install any symbian software in it. I can't install opera in my A920 even after with the bluetooth upgrade. This is really strange.

3 also stated they will provide another upgrade for the A920 which is to enable infra red but no news yet. By the way they have do away with A920 in their store so the question is....are you they going to provide such upgrades anymore? This is so dodgy!

Posted by: kenwchan

Mavericke,

I f u search the net, you may find a file that u can stick into your motorola that makes it possible to install P800 software (fools you phone into thinking it's a P800 so you can install software on it).

But again, the problem is that while you may be able to install it, the software is not guaranteed to work, and also you can only install into internal memory, not an external card.

It's frustrating.

Ken

Posted by: iridium

cmc0 can you give me more details of how it works when you roam in Japan?
What operator/service are you roaming on? Are you able to use all the 3g features in Japan? What cities have you used it in?
I'm in europe and travel to japan frequently and am in need of seamless roaming so I'd very much apreciate any info.
Thanks!