vB Easy Archive - Sanyo RF vs. Samsung RF

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Sanyo RF vs. Samsung RF
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Posted by: ykr919

I am a newb so bear with me...

Being with spring I have always had a sanyo phone. My friends typically have samsung phones. We can place our phones right next to one another and the sanyo always seems to pull the best signal. Is this chance, or does Sanyo always have higher signal strength? Is there a Samsung that has equal signal strength with the Sprint Sanyo phones?

Posted by: lgreenberg

People claim on Sprint's network that Sanyo phones provide the best reception.

Posted by: ykr919

But is that claim true. Is this a proven fact or is it just hear say?

Posted by: lgreenberg

I have found it to be somewhat true.

Posted by: flyguy42

I used to have both and would say that Sanyo used to be the best. As for the signal strength meters... you cant really judge by that as every phone/brand measures a bit diffrently... Recently I have heard that the RF has improved on the Samsungs and is as good as the Sanyos... but Im still a Sanyo fan.

On my Sanyo, there is a service menu that lets you see your RF strength in real time. If Samsung has the same thing, you could stick em side by side and check...

Posted by: sneak16

Sanyo was better than Samsung until the a680, which pulls in about -5 dBm better than any Sanyo out.

Best phones for reception:
Samsung VMA680/a680
Toshiba VM4050/9950
Sanyo 4900

Posted by: azndano

Quote:

Originally posted by sneak16
Sanyo was better than Samsung until the a680, which pulls in about -5 dBm better than any Sanyo out.

Best phones for reception:
Samsung VMA680/a680
Toshiba VM4050/9950
Sanyo 4900

I agree.

Posted by: ykr919

I currently have 4900 and was looking to upgrade to a flip phone...but I am partial to the non-camera phones. I believe the 680 has a camera built in. What are my other options besides it? Never seen a toshiba (even in stores around here).

Posted by: azndano

The toshiba VM4050 has a camera/camcorder on the front as well. Not many flipphones at Sprint that DO NOT have cameras. I think the flips that don't have cameras are the A660, V60v, RL7300, VI5225, and the I500.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Agreed. The VM4050 is only $249 at Costco which is a KILLER deal.

If you're looking for a flip phone with good reception, check out the 5225 and v60v as well. The 5225 gets very good reception, but lacks analog roaming. The v60v has analog roaming, but doesn't have Vision.

Posted by: tonytnnt

Bull! The Toshiba is a POS! It doesn't pull near the reception a 4900 or even a 5300! I've got quite a few unhappy coworkers with that phone...

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
Bull! The Toshiba is a POS! It doesn't pull near the reception a 4900 or even a 5300! I've got quite a few unhappy coworkers with that phone...

Let's all listen to the guy from Nebraska with only two posts. ROTFLMAO

The 4050 owns the 5300 and is nearly as good as the 4900.

Posted by: tonytnnt

We're talking about the same Audiovox pretending to be a Toshiba right? I've seen far too many of them come back in unhappy customers hands... We program them right, but they sure do suck for reception.

Posted by: ykr919

Quote:

Originally posted by azndano
The toshiba VM4050 has a camera/camcorder on the front as well. Not many flipphones at Sprint that DO NOT have cameras. I think the flips that don't have cameras are the A660, V60v, RL7300, VI5225, and the I500.

Of this list, which is the best phone? I have been dying to see a v60v, but I never see it in stores. What is the deal with it? Is it a good phone?

Posted by: ykr919

Quote:

A little off topic, but is this priced without a plan? I know everytim I have been in Costco, BJ's, or Sams looking to buy a phone without a plan they say they can't sell them without plans.

Posted by: tonytnnt

Sprint has had problems in the past with Motorola's and I was surprised to see them carry the V60v. (A lot has changed in Motoland since the Startacs/Timeports/etc). I've not had personal experience with the 60v, but the 60i and 60t (ATTWS) aren't exactly phones to rave about... They're both TDMA phones though, so maybe the 60v will be better. It worked for Nokia

(TDMA Nokia was horrible, and CDMA Nokia is significantly better than the TDMA, but really just average CDMA quality)

Posted by: tonytnnt

For Best Buy anyways, I know that's correct. Can't confirm for others. It involves an agreement between Sprint and Best Buy (or other resellers) in that to sell the phones, they have to be activated. We get people in all the time looking to buy phones and ship them overseas. Even if we could sell them the phones (we do ATTWS too -- GSM) they're locked into ATTWS, so they still have to go about unlocking them.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
We're talking about the same Audiovox pretending to be a Toshiba right? I've seen far too many of them come back in unhappy customers hands... We program them right, but they sure do suck for reception.

You're showing your lack of knowledge here. The phone is 100% Toshiba and is distributed in the US by Audiovox (which Toshiba used to own a stake in until very recently). Figure it out.

Posted by: tonytnnt

If that's the case, so be it. On the phone itself it says Audiovox. But, that still doesn't make up for the fact that people I work with, and people I know as friends hate the ×××× thing. It's got a pretty screen and takes videos. They don't really seem to care about those features when they're calls are dropping, when two weeks before with a half-dead Sanyo 5300 on the same road, the reception was clear.

Jimmy, playing that Nebraska card earlier shows your lack of logic. No need to use fallacies in your personal attack on me. Also, playing the 2 post card shows your inexperience with forums. Yes, yes I realize you've been a member here since 2001 and have over 1000 posts. But, in that time, I hope you would realize that not all people with two posts know nothing. You yourself once had two posts. Figure it out.

Posted by: Merlyn_3D

Quote:

I should point out that I have the A680 and VM4500 both in front of me and the dB readings are virtually identical. The VM4500 is HW version 0201. Also, going into buildings on my campus, they both drop calls at almost the same time, sometimes the A680 comes out on top and sometimes it's the VM4500.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by Merlyn_3D
I should point out that I have the A680 and VM4500 both in front of me and the dB readings are virtually identical. The VM4500 is HW version 0201. Also, going into buildings on my campus, they both drop calls at almost the same time, sometimes the A680 comes out on top and sometimes it's the VM4500.

The difference in RF is usually -5 to -10dBm (favoring the a680), which can totally vary depending on your location.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
Jimmy, playing that Nebraska card earlier shows your lack of logic. No need to use fallacies in your personal attack on me.

Wow. You really should have looked up the meaning of "fallacy" before trying to make yourself sound intelligent by using it. Unless you're lying in your profile, Omaha is indeed located within the borders of Nebraska. Yikes.

Once you've been on these boards for a long time, you'll learn that the search button is your friend. The Toshiba VM4050 gets great reception and is one of the best that Sprint offers. If you're looking for ultimate reception, the P300 and 3588i were also at the very top.

Posted by: sneak16

Here Here! Beer for all!

Personally, I can't wait to see what kind of reception that the a700 gets. Hope it's on track like the a680 was. Don't want to see Samsung's image go back down the drain.

Posted by: ykr919

How about the older phones. I have an older 5150 that I got from a dealer dumping it. It is in excellent condition and I was thinking of getting it activated in place of the 4900. Any thoughts? Same goes for Samsung a500 I have lying around unused, how would that fair?

Posted by: tonytnnt

As for the 5150, I'd stick with your 4900. It's a more advanced phone with better reception. Unless you really want a flip phone for cheap.

Yeah I really do hope Samsung keeps up their recent trend of making better phones. I still have people coming in with A460s and dead screens. Not dead phones, just dead screens. And N400s... and a few A500s... I am impressed by the A680 though, so hopefully the A700 will be part of a new trend of great Samsungs. I love their voice dialing software. It's just cool.

Jimmy, here's a link. http://dictionary.reference.com/search?q=fallacy Look at the second definition under Webster's. A Fallacy is

Quote:

2. (Logic) An argument, or apparent argument, which professes to be decisive of the matter at issue, while in reality it is not; a sophism.

Nebraska has nothing to do with the validity of my argument. Perhaps you should have looked for the definition of fallacy under logic. Just like I mentioned. Now lets stop flaming the boards. If you want to beat me down, do it in a PM.

Posted by: Merlyn_3D

Quote:

Originally posted by sneak16
The difference in RF is usually -5 to -10dBm (favoring the a680), which can totally vary depending on your location.

That's the thing, I have both phones here in front of me, and there is no difference that large between them. It happened with the 0101 HW version VM4500, but not with this 0201. I'm trying to tell you that what you are stating is not the case anymore.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by Merlyn_3D
That's the thing, I have both phones here in front of me, and there is no difference that large between them. It happened with the 0101 HW version VM4500, but not with this 0201. I'm trying to tell you that what you are stating is not the case anymore.

I've tested on 2 4500s with HW 0201. It's still a -5 to -10 dBm difference at my location.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by ykr919
How about the older phones. I have an older 5150 that I got from a dealer dumping it. It is in excellent condition and I was thinking of getting it activated in place of the 4900. Any thoughts? Same goes for Samsung a500 I have lying around unused, how would that fair?

Burn the a500. You'll be happier. After a few myself, I can assure you of that.

The 4900 is one of the best Sprint phones ever. Too bad the screen sucks

Meh, for a phone, it gets the job done and then some. Wish the 4920 was as good.

Posted by: Merlyn_3D

Quote:

Originally posted by sneak16
I've tested on 2 4500s with HW 0201. It's still a -5 to -10 dBm difference at my location.

Is your location on a fringe reception area (95-105dB) or a good reception area (<95dB)? In a good reception area it doesn't much matter, a fringe area, however, is where you're gonna drop a call and that's when dB's matter. I can tell you that both phones drop calls at the same or relatively close times. Sometimes one before the other, sometimes it's the opposite.

Posted by: sneak16

Right, and I don't doubt you. I tested them in an area about 80-90 dBm. And I realize it won't make a huge difference in that area. But when it does matter, there is a slight edge to the a680/9950, especially when roaming on analog.

Posted by: ykr919

I have heard a rumor that if I do an ESN swap with Sprint, it resets the 18 month $150 rebate that you get toward a phone upgrade. Is this true?

Posted by: tonytnnt

sure is.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by ykr919
I have heard a rumor that if I do an ESN swap with Sprint, it resets the 18 month $150 rebate that you get toward a phone upgrade. Is this true?

UNLESS you get a warranty replacement through Sprint. A DHRP replacement will NOT restart your clock.

Posted by: suicidal2af

There's a lot of arguing going back and forth over the a680 and the vm4500 as far as reception goes. a680 fanboys shout how much better its reception is and have fantastic numbers to back it, and the same goes for the vm4500 crowd.

Both of those came from RussPath03's thread in the sprintpcs forum. The second line on the samsung shows its reception. D088-04 is -88dBm with a standout of 4(lower is better on both of these numbers). The vm4500 doesn't show standout in its debug screen.

My point is, everyone SAYS they see such better numbers from whichover phone they're rubbing their crotch again, but when it comes to actual proof in photographic evidence, the 2 are nearly identical.

As for roaming, I can't really say. I've only roamed a few times with my vm4500, and it has worked fine, so I really don't give two ***** about roaming

Posted by: jimmyjames

Who cares about "photographic evidence?" Sounds like someone's been watching too much Law & Order. lol

I tested them both side-by-side and the A680 was much better than the 4500. The numbers fluctuate quite a bit, so it may have been possible for me to take a picture at a specific moment to make them look equal or to make the A680's superiority look inflated.

The only way to be sure is to test them both for yourself using the debug screens and by making calls in low-signal areas. If roaming reception is important to you, be sure to test it as well.

Posted by: sneak16

EXACTLY.

Jimmy can tell you that I was a Sanyo fanboi when I tested the 5500 vs the 4050.

The difference was striking. The 4050 was superior in fringe areas. Just like the a680.

It doesnt matter dBms in good reception areas; calls will be the same. What counts is fringe areas and roaming, where the a680 and 4050 are vastly superior to the 5500... (note I'm no longer a Sanyo fanboi after the 5500 and Sprints/Sanyos coverup ops).

Posted by: ykr919

So basically what I am hearing is to stick with the 4900 until my contract is up...I would love to get my hands on a decent flip, but it may be too costly. I priced the models you guys described and without a new contract...it is a wallet buster to even think of upgrading.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by ykr919
So basically what I am hearing is to stick with the 4900 until my contract is up...I would love to get my hands on a decent flip, but it may be too costly. I priced the models you guys described and without a new contract...it is a wallet buster to even think of upgrading.

The Toshiba is the best deal by far at only $250 with the free accessory pack included at Costco. If that's too much, I wouldn't recommend any of the other flips since they are in the same price range.

If you're in no need of Vision or SMS, your 4900 should still serve you very well.

p.s. Check out this link: http://www.sprintusers.com/forum/showthread.php?t=45890

Posted by: tonytnnt

doesn't the 4900 have Vision?

albeit, not a fast processor so maybe not the best experience...

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
doesn't the 4900 have Vision? albeit, not a fast processor so maybe not the best experience...

Yes, but it's quite slow and the screen is pretty lousy. As a voice-only phone, it's great. As a Vision phone, it's barely passable, IMO. Since the OP mentioned the v60v, I doubt that he's interested in Vision.

Posted by: tonytnnt

yeah but come on... v60v.... i'd take a nokia 3588i over that anyday. hell, and I'd bet the nokia will be cheaper too. I'm just not a moto fan for TDMA or CDMA. Their GSM phones seem to be better quality wise, but otherwise, no thanks.

Posted by: powertoburn

In the photographic evidence:

both phones are on two different sites:

VM-4500: PN 032 Channel 200
VM-680: PN 036 Channel 75

But, since I have had the VM-680 & VM-4500 both for a week. I would say reception is the same on both.

I tried using both in my home with very poor reception. -101 to -104 in my home. I recently got a repeater for my home so now reception is much better so basically I am now in a good signal area.

However, VM-680 prefered to digital roam when the reception got really bad and can actually make calls on digital roam.

VM-4500 would say digital roam but whenver try to place calls the phone would say entering Sprint.

Sound quality: VM-4500 would would cut in & out mute. VM-680 Stuttery sound but never mute. Will just drop.

For me the best phone was the Nokia PM-6225.

I decided to return the VM-680 and keep the VM-4500. Better video camera and I prefer the blue.

Posted by: Merlyn_3D

I can also vouch for having both phones on the same tower and showing the same readings for reception. They're virtually identical, which doesn't make reception a factor in which phone to choose, choose based on other features. For me the Sanyo beats out the Samsung for the blue color, multicolor led, speakerphone, and better compatibility with bitpim

. My only wish is that the camera on the Sanyo was as clear as the one on the Samsung when taking pictures.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
yeah but come on... v60v.... i'd take a nokia 3588i over that anyday. hell, and I'd bet the nokia will be cheaper too. I'm just not a moto fan for TDMA or CDMA. Their GSM phones seem to be better quality wise, but otherwise, no thanks.

Nokia 3588i - $150
Motorola v60v - $250

I'd take the Moto if the price was right, but there isn't a $100 difference there for me.

Posted by: ykr919

I was trying to get a smaller phone. Isn't the Nokia 3588i smaller just as big as the 4900? I have good experiences with nokia in the past, how is it's overall performance with Sprint?

Also, the person that keeps talking about costco....is this price with or without a plan, or is costco like Sams and won't sell without a plan?

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by ykr919
I was trying to get a smaller phone. Isn't the Nokia 3588i smaller just as big as the 4900? I have good experiences with nokia in the past, how is it's overall performance with Sprint?

Also, the person that keeps talking about costco....is this price with or without a plan, or is costco like Sams and won't sell without a plan?

Costco sells without plans, bundles accessories with each phone and offers a lifetime exchange plan on every purchase. If you have one near you, it's the best place to get a Sprint phone.

Posted by: tonytnnt

that lifetime exchange thing sounds like a gift from above.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
that lifetime exchange thing sounds like a gift from above.

Yup. You can exchange at any time for any phone for any reason. That, and their prices blow Sprint's away. You get bundled accessories for free, as well. The only problem is the limited selection and usually a couple of months wait for new phone releases.

Posted by: ykr919

Yeah. I was there this weeekend. All they had was the toshiba ($249), the sanyo 8100 ($199), and the Samsung VI660. Actually all I saw they had in stock was the Samsung, but I don't trust samsungs at all...

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by ykr919
Yeah. I was there this weeekend. All they had was the toshiba ($249), the sanyo 8100 ($199), and the Samsung VI660. Actually all I saw they had in stock was the Samsung, but I don't trust samsungs at all...

It's tough to get over, but the new Samsungs are good phones.

I was an a500 owner, and believe me, I was pressed to like Samsung. But after trying the a680, I am once again a Samsung fan.

Posted by: tonytnnt

The A660 is kinda a barebones model though... esp for Samsung that usually has all sorts of bells and whistles. I haven't heard quality complaints yet (of course, it took about a year to start hearing A460 complaints... and A500s...) but mostly I've heard people complaining about obvious stuff: No external caller ID, no camera, no blah blah blah. It's cheap, but effective.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by tonytnnt
The A660 is kinda a barebones model though... esp for Samsung that usually has all sorts of bells and whistles. I haven't heard quality complaints yet (of course, it took about a year to start hearing A460 complaints... and A500s...) but mostly I've heard people complaining about obvious stuff: No external caller ID, no camera, no blah blah blah. It's cheap, but effective.

You forgot about the earpiece beeping that plagued the A620. The VI660 has it as well. I would call it neither cheap nor effective.

Posted by: tonytnnt

haven't heard about either one of those yet. I'll have to make some phone calls on my friend's A620.

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
You forgot about the earpiece beeping that plagued the A620. The VI660 has it as well. I would call it neither cheap nor effective.

Is the same beeping present in the Vi660? Never heard it was. Interesting. Is that supposed to be Samsungs variation of "white noise?"

Posted by: motocdmahead

the sanyo rl-4920 seems to get good reception and the battery life rocks too!!!!!!

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by motocdmahead
the sanyo rl-4920 seems to get good reception and the battery life rocks too!!!!!!

Correct on both, but the earpiece is mediocre. Not as terrible as the other Sanyos, but nowhere near as good as the 4050, 8920, A680 or 5225.

Posted by: ewod

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
Correct on both, but the earpiece is mediocre. Not as terrible as the other Sanyos, but nowhere near as good as the 4050, 8920, A680 or 5225.

jimmy, you tested the 8920? put up a full review man.

Posted by: motocdmahead

yeah the ear volume will make you deaf if you have it turned up all the way. i leave my phone on like 3-4 seems to work ok

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by ewod
jimmy, you tested the 8920? put up a full review man.

I'm a bit busy this week, but will put up a big review early next week. I saw that someone did a nice review on SU. It's another phone that does some things very well, some okay and some now very well.

Posted by: autobotjazz13

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
I'm a bit busy this week, but will put up a big review early next week. I saw that someone did a nice review on SU. It's another phone that does some things very well, some okay and some now very well.

You did? Now how is that possible marahajja?

Posted by: flyerzsukbalz

Quote:

Originally posted by autobotjazz13
You did? Now how is that possible marahajja?

You obviously haven't found the review section on SU. Try the search button. MINE will be there next week. RTFT

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by flyerzsukbalz
You obviously haven't found the review section on SU. Try the search button. MINE will be there next week. RTFT

What he said. ROTFLMAO

Posted by: autobotjazz13

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
What he said. ROTFLMAO

Actually I have found it several times thank you very much. I was just wondering how mr. james was going to post after being put on read only is all. Unless he decided to be a coward and hide with a new screen name is all.

Posted by: autobotjazz13

Quote:

Originally posted by flyerzsukbalz
You obviously haven't found the review section on SU. Try the search button. MINE will be there next week. RTFT

I await with baited breath. Please do PM me once you do so I can be bestowed with the wisdom from above.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by autobotjazz13
Unless he decided to be a coward and hide with a new screen name is all.

Like you've done here? LOL

Posted by: sneak16

Quote:

Originally posted by autobotjazz13
Actually I have found it several times thank you very much. I was just wondering how mr. james was going to post after being put on read only is all. Unless he decided to be a coward and hide with a new screen name is all.

Why the problem with Jimmy?

Yes, he's controversial. And hard-headed. BUT, he provides good information, excellent reviews, and information that the average Sprint user would never know.

Jimmys comments are always anticipated by me, and I appreciate his reviews.

And no, Mr. Conspiracy, I'm not him.

Posted by: autobotjazz13

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
Like you've done here? LOL

Not at all...this name has been mine and always shall be mine upon any forums I go to, and you can check that out if it is allowed on read-only. I have never been warned, banned or given a restraining order from any forum I post at.

Nice try though.

And we all know who sneak16 is. The main problem with the double j is that he can not refrain from insulting others while those others are attempting to have an intelligent debate.

Posted by: jimmyjames

Quote:

Originally posted by autobotjazz13
Not at all...this name has been mine and always shall be mine upon any forums I go to, and you can check that out if it is allowed on read-only. I have never been warned, banned or given a restraining order from any forum I post at.

Not sure why you think that I don't post at SU. Open your eyes.

p.s. You've already violated forum rules here.

Posted by: autobotjazz13

Quote:

Originally posted by jimmyjames
Not sure why you think that I don't post at SU. Open your eyes.

p.s. You've already violated forum rules here.

I know you do jj, which is why I find it humorous.

Thanks, I'll be expecting the pm anytime.

Posted by: lgreenberg

If you guys/gals can't stick to the topic at hand I'll have to close this thread.

The next person who posts in this thread with something besides a comment related to Sanyo or Samsung RF is getting banned.

I can't be any clearer.