vB Easy Archive - Mpx220 vs iMate SP3i

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Mpx220 vs iMate SP3i
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Posted by: Haisook

What's better? regarding software, reliablity and value..?

I have read that mpx220 has many bugs and issues.. so...

Any input will be appreciated.
Thanks

Posted by: Marlex

Hi Haisook

I have the mpx220 and the spv c500 which is similar to the sp3i. I just bought the mpx220 and it's an european version which is re-worked on some bug issues compared to the US Cingular unit.

mpx220:

my personal pros:
- very nice clamshell design
- 265 k color display
- 1.3 cam
- good keypad layout
- quad band
- easy exchange of SD card while unit is running

cons:
- hard to look in display from side angle
- smaller display
- two hand use only
- poor sound output

c500 (sp3i):
pros:
- better sound output
- better display (view from side angle)
- one hand use
- very small

cons:
- candybar design (I prefer clamshell)
- 65 k color display
- vga cam
- can't exchange SD card while unit is running
- keys quite close to each other (probably not a sp3i issue)

I think your personal taste is what counts here but remember, the US mpx220 seems to have some open issues.

Cheers
Markus

Posted by: TLCC

The mpx220 is crap! The audio is horrid, the speaker phone is non-usable (voice cracks and distorts), the layout of the phone is good, buttons and five-way nav is good.

The sp3i has an issue with the joystick. Some cases it stops functioning and others where the joystick breaks off. The layout of the phone is good, the audio is great, speakerphone is great. I perfer candybar style phones.

I currently have an sp3i and love it. Concerned about the joystick eventhough I have not had any issues with it. I went through 4 mpx220's. That was hell. The audio never was right.

Posted by: Marlex

Quote:

Originally posted by TLCC
The audio is horrid, the speaker phone is non-usable (voice cracks and distorts)

This must be an US bug? The speaker phone of my mpx220 is very clear, nothing is cracking and the volume is very good........

Posted by: cortez

Marlex - what is your firmware version? (Start-->Settings-->About). My firmware version is 1.30. thanks!

Posted by: Kid1972

it's not a US issue. It's an *OLD* Firmware issue. The original released FW received many complaints about the audio. I never had any but many others did. The latest FW (1.3) has no audio issues.

I have the MPx220 and I love it. I'm considering going to the SP3i though for the simple fact that it's not all junked up with carrier branding, I can upgrade or downgrade the FW whenever I want, and iMATE will support the SP3i longer than Motorola will support the MPx220 (with FW upgrades).

Oh yah, SP3i comes with Media Player 10.

The MPx220 has the same issue that many other Motorola flips suffer: The keys touch the screen and after a little while will engrave the inner display. REAL stupid design flaw. They have it on every new phone model as if they were TRYING to.

-Kid

Posted by: Haisook

Cool, i guess im going with the sp3i

Posted by: sasha_NY

I had the SP3i for several days and ended up returning it to expansys. I liked almost everything about it, except for keypad and joystick - it feels pretty cheap and I was almost sure the keys are going to start falling off soon... My unit was also showing ROAMING all the time, although the phone i took my card out from (SE P900) always shows home network. Not sure what's up with that.
If the thing at least had a touch screen I'd probably keep it, but when you must use keypad for every single operation... it better be reliable and feel good. I am looking at iMate SP3 now, which is almost exacly the same phone hardware-wise, except for totally different key layout. Anyone has it for sale?

Posted by: Kid1972

for the record, I have not used the SP3i yet. I have used the Audiovox and rumor has it that Cingular will be releasing it eventually.

But, I do have the MPx220 and I am very, very happy with it. It's faster than the Imates and Audiovox and the external miniSD slot is nice.

-K

Posted by: Haisook

Quote:

Originally posted by sasha_NY
I had the SP3i for several days and ended up returning it to expansys. I liked almost everything about it, except for keypad and joystick - it feels pretty cheap and I was almost sure the keys are going to start falling off soon... My unit was also showing ROAMING all the time, although the phone i took my card out from (SE P900) always shows home network. Not sure what's up with that.
If the thing at least had a touch screen I'd probably keep it, but when you must use keypad for every single operation... it better be reliable and feel good. I am looking at iMate SP3 now, which is almost exacly the same phone hardware-wise, except for totally different key layout. Anyone has it for sale?

How does the keys feel cheap? Do they produce a loud click which could be annoying? Please can u clarify more than that?