vB Easy Archive - Buying a new phone. (Treo 650? Razr V3? Other?)

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Buying a new phone. (Treo 650? Razr V3? Other?)
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Posted by: MrMoose

So, about 8 months ago I switched to Cingular. I've loved the call quality (I'm in Eastern NC) and the signal I've gotten everywhere. Places I had no signal with Alltel were 5 bar places with Cingular. The bonus of free M to M with my girlfriend was nice too :P

But I'm a big time techno-geek and don't liek to wait for contracts to end to get new phones. I have a Sony Ericcson T637 right now and love it but I'm looking at a couple phones to move up to:

1) Black Razr V3
2) Treo 650

I really like the multipurpose usage of the Treo 650. I love how the Razr is thin but fits in my hand like a StarTac did back in the day (I still stand by that being my favorite cell phone ever).

I have a couple questions:

1) What is average battery life of the Treo 650 with Cingular? Figure I'd be using the email function for 10 minutes an hour for 6-8 hours a day and have it plugged into AC power otherwise. Talk maybe 15 minutes a day max without it being on AC power.

2) I've heard mixed reviews on the Razr. Anyone with one have any big pluses or minuses they wish to share?

3) Is there another phone coming down the pipe soon that I should wait for?

Note that I don't mind spending a few hundred dollars or more on a quality phone. Electronics are my big downfall when it comes to spending but, being a college student, it's better than spending money on what some spend on.

Posted by: aresthoth

I wouldn't get either. Here's why. If you buy the Treo from Cingular, they will require you to get a data plan, which I believe is $39.99 or $44.99 with a voice plan. If you buy it from a third party dealer, you are going to pay even more for the device. Moreover, while it is arguably a very good convergence/hybrid device, at least a PDA, I find that it sucks as a phone (IMHO). I struggled to hear anything on the device. I don't know how people could sacrifice earpiece sound quality for a so-called cool device. I refuse to do it. I also didn't like the feel of the device in my hand, that unnecessary stub antenna, and the overall design.

I have similar earpiece gripes with the RAZR, but since I didn't buy it, I don't feel raped. You can customize/hack/modify the Vxxx series of phones to do far more than what they appear as on the surface, but when/if I spend money on a phone, the idea of hacking it or spending money to hack it just so that it can do things it should do anyway, just doesn't jive with me. Without seem editing the phone, the earpiece volume is even less bearable than the Treo, making the phone all form and very little function. I think there's even a thread dedicated to Motorola design flaws. Just search and you shall find.

Posted by: MrMoose

That's a question on the Treo 650 -- if I don't buy through cingular (looks to be $549 from PalmOne), could I just get away with adding on unlimited MEdia Net and be fine for the texting/net access?

Posted by: aresthoth

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMoose

That's a question on the Treo 650 -- if I don't buy through cingular (looks to be $549 from PalmOne), could I just get away with adding on unlimited MEdia Net and be fine for the texting/net access?

Sure, but I think you're going to need a separate text messaging plan. I believe there's a plan that combines both, but I'm too tired (lazy?) to look that up right now.

Posted by: boston_errol

Quote:

Originally Posted by MrMoose

3) Is there another phone coming down the pipe soon that I should wait for?

I believe you should either wait for the Nokia 6682 when it comes out or find a nice Nokia 6620 off of ebay or somewhere for about $175 or less. Series60 phones are absolutely stunning to use as both phones and personal data devices. They are unparalleled and work flawlessly with few bugs. I actually find the "phone" part of my 6620 able to perform better than any phone I have ever tried. This is because Nokia holds a priority in this regard.

If this made me sound like a Nokia fan boy... well.. I am

But I love and treat all phones respectfully (lol sounds like a racism seminar). I just ordered a Motorola E398 and it's going to be a great toy!

Posted by: quillhill

I have a Palm T|C and honestly can not conceive of using a Treo. I have heard the same issues with the earpiece and the form factor annoys me.

I have not had problems with audio quality on my RAZR, but it seems to be hit and miss, from what I've seen on the forums. It's a great phone, IMO, and a beautiful body.

Just a thought: the Audiovox 5600. It's about $349 full price.

And I concur with the suggestion to consider a Nokia 6620 or the 6682.

My birthday is in about a month, and I'm thinking of getting another toy, er, I mean phone, then. What I'm seriously considering putting on my credit card is the 6682 at this point as I'd like to have a work week convergance device. I just have zero interest in a Palm OS phone, and I'm dying to try a series 60 phone. That 6682 looks like a hot little number, perfect for a phone whore like myself.

Anyway, good luck.

Posted by: aresthoth

Okay (to the OP and anyone else reading this), I have seen the error of my ways. It is certainly true what they say: we learn something new everyday, and often what we learn today is that everything we learned yesterday was wrong. Oh, but I digress. I vehemently stated in my first post that I would not recommend either, now I have been forced to use both (the RAZR and the Treo 650). Here's why. I originally got the 6682, because I thought I would just use it for both voice and data. I tried it out for a week, loved it as a phone, but despised it as a data device. It was fast, but surfing the web without a Qwerty keyboard or stylus is quiet cumbersome and sometimes futile. I know people do it all the time, but perhaps I've grown too accustomed to a Qwerty keyboard and or a stylus; they just make better sense as input devices.

Anyway, I have decided to get a Treo 650 and found that it is much better as a data-only/PDA device. I still refuse to use it as a phone. I have the unlimited Internet package with express mail on one line (with Treo 650) and a separate voice plan on another line (with the RAZR). As much as I despise Moto, the RAZR is arguably one of the best, if not the best, RF performer. I decided to seem edit it and increase the earpiece volume and deal with its other flaws, because the most important feature in a phone for me is RF performance and in that area the RAZR delivers and then some. I would recommend the Treo 650 solely as a data/PDA device, but not as the phone; the earpiece is just unbearable to me. I guess I will live with the form factor. I could have gone with the SX66, but EDGE is just more available to me in the places I frequent. Yeah, I had a change of heart. In any event, depending on how you wish to use either device, I would recommend them, because the Treo 650 works extremely well as a data-only/PDA device and the RAZR work well just as a phone.

Posted by: Spongey817

I am almost at the same crossroad as you are, except with a different option of phones..

Right now, Im considering both the Razr and The Sony Ericsson S710...The SE being my highest choice, which is why I think Im going to steer you away from the V3 Razr...besides looks and hackability, the phone is like other Moto phones...as for the S710...its a whole different generation of phones with all around features...for the same price as the Razr, I would go for the SE

Posted by: aresthoth

I think I'm going through a cell phone identity mid-gadget-life crisis. It's a critical stage for all gadget whores like me. I might need to sign myself in for therapy next week. Anyway, I digress. I returned the Treo 650 again. It has too many quirks that both me, besides the form factor, fell, unnecessary stub antenna, and the unbearable earpiece; plus I just cannot (internally) justify the $39.99 data plan. I decided to purchase a Motorola A780, which is slowly restoring my faith in Moto. I now have the $19.99 unlimited MediaNet package, which is obviously a $20 savings. My RAZR is no on my secondary line, which is use never. I give that number to people I don't really wish to talk to or particularly like. Oh well, we'll see how long this episode in my life last.

Still, that does not change my last recommendation. If you can live with the quirks (the ones I listed), the Treo is very good for data-only/PDA functions. I must agree that the RAZR is still more form over function. It does get reception that's second to none, so you have to decide what you value most.

Posted by: MoeDrummer

I've had both the Treo 650 and still have the RAZR. The only reason I haven't sold the RAZR is because my wife took it for herself...otherwise it would have hit ebay the day I got it. I've also had the S710a and currently use the 6230b.

The Treo 650 is by far my favorite phone of all time. It did EVERYTHING I needed it to and more. The sound volume can be fixed with a download called Volumecare. I got mine from This web site. It is also where I went with questions and downloads for my Treo 650. The only reason I got rid of it was because my new boss wouldn't let me use the hotsync software on the computer at the office, so the PDA portion was almost useless.

The S710a was a kick *** phone. The size is it's only downfall. Being that it weighed a ton, I had to sell it off. I liked it cause it has a large screen and a kick *** 1.3 megapixel camera. I used my MP3 player often, but 128MB wasn't enough to support my obsessive music habits.

The RAZR was, IMO, the biggest blunder I've ever witnessed. I got mine for free in a contest before they came out and shipped it to the highest bidder the same day it came in. The only thing I liked about it was the thickness and size opened and in my hand...but that wasn't enough to get me to keep it.

The 6230 is what I currently use and it does what I need it to do, other than the PDA stuff. The size is great, I don't have any problems losing it and it doesn't weigh me down at all. I have a 256MB card and about 55 songs and some pics and vids on it and I've still got a little room to spare. Radio, MP3 player, expandable memory, bluetooth, edge, speakerphone, voice activated dialing, great call quality, and reception are probably going to keep me in this phone for some time.

In every instance I've come across, the people asking "should I get this or the Treo 650"? and not getting the 650 usually return it and get the 650 later.

Hope I was a little help to you...and good luck with your decision.

Posted by: MoeDrummer

Quote:

Originally Posted by aresthoth

plus I just cannot (internally) justify the $39.99 data plan....I now have the $19.99 unlimited MediaNet package, which is obviously a $20 savings.

But the quality of the internet on the Treo justifies the $39.99 data package.