vB Easy Archive - VTech A700

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VTech A700 - Returned.
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Posted by: korvus

I went for the A700 as a 900mAh replacement for the 3390 is about the same price, my mistake.

2 Issues with the A700:

1. Sales guy AND the Fido box it comes in state: Phone can display up to 6 lines of text AND graphics ... I had someone send me a graphic using another Fido cell, it didnt arrive, tried again, Nope...phoned Fido tech support: 'oh, that phone cant send graphics' doh! ....so I returned the cell and bought a new battery for my 3390.

2. Menu is the worst part of the A700, its slow and poorly layed out.

The Nokia 3390 is only slightly larger/heavier than the A700 and Free, don't even bother with the A700.

Posted by: b00

Quote:

Originally posted by korvus
The Nokia 3390 is only slightly larger/heavier than the A700 and Free, don't even bother with the A700. [/B]

3390 = 120 g (4.5 oz)
A700 = 68 g (2.4 oz.)

um.. slightly heavier? that seems like a big difference to me.

Posted by: korvus

When we are talking 1 or 2 ounces in difference then no, its not a huge deal. Are you worried it will it slow your walking speed down?

Personally, I'd rather have a functional phone that does what the company says it will do. Not false advertising like the VTech A700 Fido box (and Saleperson) states.

Posted by: Player1

i have both phones and i would say that the vtech is a better phone...it's not a little smaller.....it's 10 times smaller than the 3390!!!! i really hate the 3390.....and would rather have the vtech anyday....better sound and better reception on the vtech.

Posted by: Accord_Type_R

My box doesn't, nor does the manual say anything about pic messages. Granted the menu takes a bit to get used to, but poorly laid out?? It is a totally differant menu than most phones. It seems IMHO you have trouble with change

Posted by: Player1

3390 doesn't have real picture messaging anyways....
ems is the standard for picture messaging....the 3390 supports nokia's strange smart messaging.

Posted by: korvus

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Snake 2 says;

The A700 is "10 times smaller than the 3390"

- I'll just let him think about that statement for a while.

and that "the reception and sound is better"

- I'd say its about equal, though I didn't have the phone for more than 2 days so I didn't have a chance to really find out in all the places I usually make calls from.

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Accord _Type_R says;

"My box doesn't, nor does the manual say anything about pic messages."

- The side of the Fido A700 box clearly states: "Phone can display up to 6 lines of text and graphics." Being able to display 'text and graphics' in the same sentence implies that it can send and receive graphics. Clearly an error on Fido's packaging and false advertising. Considering the Sales Rep stated the A700 could send/receive text/graphics it was an error in training said employee too.

- The A700 menu manager is sad, 'overlapping' icons that slant bottom left to upper right and that scroll upper right to lower left is a very poor design. You are right, it looks cool for about 1 minute, then it gets annoying from a 'usability' point of view. The menu system on the 3390 is far better and faster to navigate through.

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Player 1 says;

"3390 doesn't have real picture messaging anyways...."

- As long as I can send and receive text/graphics locally and to the Philippines who cares what the Nokia 3390 uses to send info.

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Posted by: Player1

korvus.....it's okay if u like the 3390 more...there's no problem with that....they both have their own plus and minuses...

but.....when it comes to phones....a slight difference in size and weight....makes a great difference in portability....

the 3390 is exactly 2 times bigger than the vtech....that's a huge size difference when comparing phones...

the T66 is only slightly smaller than the 8390.....but when u actually compare the 2 phones side by side....the difference is astronomical.

Posted by: Player1

Sending and recieving graphics means the phone supports EMS.....nowhere does it say the A700 supports EMS.

What the box is implying, is that the screen can display graphics such as graphical icons and graphical menus and web graphics.

indeed it was the fault of the sales rep if they told u u can send/recieve pictures.

the 3390 can not recieve graphics from phones other than nokia phones that also have smart messaging. so it cannot recieve pictures from other EMS enabled phones.

Posted by: b00

Quote:

Originally posted by korvus
When we are talking 1 or 2 ounces in difference then no, its not a huge deal. Are you worried it will it slow your walking speed down?

Personally, I'd rather have a functional phone that does what the company says it will do. Not false advertising like the VTech A700 Fido box (and Saleperson) states.

to each his own i guess. the weight difference does matter to me because when you're carrying around a wallet, camera, phone, etc.. weight is a concern.

so far im happy with my Vtech, the menu isn't too bad once you get used to it (plus you can program 10 hotkeys).

P.s. anyone know if 3rd party batteries will start to come out? the black battery on the silver body isnt the greatest.

Posted by: korvus

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Snake 2 says;

"the 3390 is exactly 2 times bigger than the vtech"

- in weight, not area size. Place the 3390 beside the A700. 2 phones (including the antenna on the A700) are a couple of mm apart height-wise. Width they are almost identical. Depth the A700 is about 1/3rd smaller for the A700.

Another plus for the 3390 is that it is free and has more features that the A700;

Off the top of my head, here are a few pluses;

3390:
address book - shows names+numbers
downloadable ring tones
customize ring tone
downloadable pics
send pics
voice activation
900mAh battery

A700:
slightly more advanced T9 auto-complete function

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Posted by: Accord_Type_R

Ok I was wrong. I see what you were saying about the 6 lines of text and graphics. It is saying that about the menus and the phones functionality. Implies nothing at all about pic msgs.

Posted by: korvus

So what if the phone has built in 'spining icons' to display...when you mention a phone can display text and graphcs in the same breath it means that you can send text and graphics...thats the whole point of the messenging service Fido offers.

Stating that the A700 phone "supports 6 lines of text and graphics" does imply that is can send/receive graphics.

Anyway, we have beat this thing to death...

A few facts that we all know:

3390: is Free, more functional and twice the weight of the A700.

A700: is $75 for a new account, $125 for an existing customer who wants to "upgrade" to the A700.

- Pricing seems backwards to me, another odd marketing idea, charge the existing client More money? heh.

I'd carry 2 ounces more to get the more functional and free phone any day :-)

Posted by: Player1

korvus....when the 3390 was released it costed $250 i believe
u can't compare the prices between old and new phones...

after a couple months i'm sure they will put the vtech on a promotional offer as well.

Posted by: korvus

Sure I can compare the A700 to the 3390 in terms of the current prices.

Why is Fido charging $75 for a phone that is less capable than the Free 3390? If anything it should be the other way around.

This goes the same for the A700 promo fee of $75 for a New client and $125 for an Existing client. Fido has it backwards, from a customer service point of view charging more to "upgrade" doesn't make sense, lol.

Oh well, if consumers are fooled by these tactics this easily then the above is to be expected.

Posted by: Player1

the reason the vtech is currently more expensive is because it's new...

but as for current prices...the 3390 is cheaper and has a better feature set yes...

but in my opinion.....the vtech is the better phone and i wouldn't mind paying more than a 3390 for it.

Posted by: korvus

How could a phone like the A700 with less features and a $75 price tag attached be better than the 3390 with more features and $0 ?!?

Remember, its a newer phone but, not a better phone. If it was better, it would have more features and options.

Please explain your reasoning.

I respect your opinion, make no mistake...I'm just trying to figure out how Fido gets away with it.

Posted by: Player1

i really dislike the sound quality of the 3390 and the low earpiece volume....

the A700 has a much loud earpiece and much better sound quality both ways.

Posted by: korvus

The sound and reception on the 3390 is fine for me. 2 floors below the surface in a building downtown and still able to hold a conversation, not bad

You just reminded me of another issue the A700 has, the recharger attachment to the phone itself. Wonder how long the gromet can handle being snapped in and out of the phone, reminds me of the flimsy clip on the 5190 I use to have.

Posted by: green1074

My question to you Korvus is, would you put a new phone out for 0 dollars?
Yes the nokia 3390 might have more features, but it is Older, larger, clumsier, In my opinion.
$75 dollars for an entry phone is an excellent deal, a good phone for a cheap rate, I love it, I played with it at the mall, and I can't wait to get mine, just to get someone to cosign with me.

Posted by: Accord_Type_R

Yes the Vtech is new. Yes it is $75. True fact the 3390 is free right now. Hmm...I do recall the 3390 being $200 not too long ago. Could it be because they wanted to get rid of old stock cause they were introducing a new phone? Could be. The 3390 is an excellent phone. As is the Vtech. You cannot compare the two. One is entry level and the other is for more experianced users (not saying power users) And for your info (and also to settle something) in my 6185 handbook it also states 5 lines of text and graphics. You gonna tell me that it is supposed to have pic messaging??? Should I take out 3 yrs of agression on Bell for false advertising? It is saying the menu is graphic/icon based. Don't be so judgemental

Posted by: korvus

Accord_Type_R,

When I asked about the features on a New phone (not an old 61** series) and the sales rep tells you that the cell (in this case the A700) can display text and graphics, in addition I asked if it could send and receive graphics they said Yes. Misinformation on the employees part and misleading on the A700 box cover = false advertising.

Anyway, A700 is not a bad phone its just lacking features that the "older", more robust and free Nokia 3390.

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fido_g310 say:

"Yes the nokia 3390 might have more features, but it is Older, larger, clumsier, In my opinion."

3390 is an older phone, with more features, heavier yes but, (not physical dimensions to the extent you make it sound), clumsier (a phone with an exposed antenna is clumsier as it can catch on things and/or snap in a fall.

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Posted by: green1074

I agree with you about the misinformation on the employee's part if he did tell you, you can send and recieve graphics.
But VTech didn't false advertise, I think what they meant was that the graphics in the menus etc, go up to six lines, like in the G310, the graphics are about 2 or 3 lines, in the menu.

Posted by: Accord_Type_R

I knwo you weren't asking about a 61xx series, but I am saying mine says it has graphics and it does. The menu's same as the Vtech. I wouldn't say it is false advertising on Fido or Vtech's behalf. But I admit you got misinformation from the sales rep. He probably said it to 1) make a sale 2) He didn't know, or a combo of both. As I stated the "new" Vtech is entry level. The 3390 isn't/wasn't. Fido has 2 promos going on right now to boost activations IMO. Also the 3390 would be for new clients while allowing a "beater" phone for older customers. Hence the prices

Posted by: Carlop

There is a Very Simple way to explain the reasoning beetween the pricing of the two phones...

A700: It's new. Simple.

3390: It's old. And, if you look at Fidos patterns, probably about to be discontinued. They did it for the Ericssons, for the Nokia 5190, and have been trying to do it with the Mitsubishi phone, but i'm guessing it's been alot harder to get rid(probably bought them in a big bulk, and overestimated the consumer)...

But, eh, who cares. Microcell will be going out of buisness soon anyways...What are their stocks at now? 6, 6.5, maybe even 7 cents now? Oh wait...just checked... MICTF.OB is at 5.5 cents, and MTIb.TO at 9 cents...Ouch..

Oh well..I guess all you Fido customers should get ready to be a part of the Rogers community...

It would be a smart thing for Rogers to take over Microcell, they'd have 1million more customers on the same network that they've started to use...

But, I hate rogers, thats why i just switched(and i'm not a bell lover either...).