vB Easy Archive - The Samsung ZX10 3G thread (please read before starting add threads)

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The Samsung ZX10 3G thread (please read before starting add threads)
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Posted by: ASimpleFarmer

Quote:

Originally Posted by Isriam

have you even used the phone yet?

yes i have

Posted by: Avironeur

Could someone provide perhaps a helpful detailed review then? Esp in comparison to the LG CU320....I like the LG but the size and form factor are not ideal

Posted by: pcmagsascha

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1935644,00.asp

http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,1759,1935663,00.asp

Helpful? I'd write a longer post but I'm holding a baby.

Posted by: Avironeur

Thank you and yes don't drop the baby for a phone review hehehe that is far far better than the C-Scam (net) review I saw which was essentially useless propoganda

Posted by: Justin5117

So if someone calls, does the name show up on the external screen?

Posted by: Avironeur

Yes same as if someone texts you...the external screen works just like any other phone aside from the fact that it is not colour and does not work as a viewfinder for the camera. Otherwise it shows black and white preloaded images, caller iD, text messages, AIM and AIM status, signal strength, time etc. no different than any other external screen...you can change the analogue clock screensaver that comes as the default choice.

Posted by: Superguy

Finally got my phone this afternoon. Went home for lunch to get it.

So I'll list my intial impressions.

I like the clamshell style of the phone, and the mono outer screen doesn't bother me. I lke having it give me the basic info, and that's it. Don't care about photo caller ID on the outside, as I already know what the people look like. I changed the clock to a digital clock instead of analog, so I always see signal strength, battery, etc.

Screen's pretty good. However, the clock sits in a big orange strip that has the shadows for the number like a typical LED alarm clock. I find that pretty annoying as it makes the time hard to read if you look at it straight on. The orange strip takes up WAY too much space on the screen. I don't know why they couldn't at least leave the option to turn that off and have the time be small at the top next to the signal strength.

Calls sound pretty good. I had a friend call me on a landline and it sounded pretty good. I think 3G sounds a little clearer than GSM, but that's subjective. Earpiece sounds fine. Volume's good. Speakerphone's a bit quiet for my liking though. Has a faint "tinniness" when you're talking though ... something I hadn't experienced with other phones. Not terrible though, and you get to the point where it isn't noticeable.

It took me a little bit to figure out the IR for transfers between my laptop, but I was able to transfer a photo I took to my laptop and a ringtone to my phone. Pretty painless once you learn how to do it. Instruction manuals helped.

Camera's decent ... much better than the .3MP cameras most come with. I took a picture of my office phone and I could read all the writing on the buttons. Wish it could focus a little better because it's a little fuzzy. But I think it's a good camera for impromptu moments when you don't have a real digital camera. Wouldn't use it as main camera. The lens spins rotates easily between pointing towards you and back.

Headphone jack is proprietary. Didn't get what that meant until I saw it ... I thought it was just a smaller or larger jack. Wrong. It looks like a mini-USB port that you would plug into a digital camera. So no standard headphones. :td:

Like someone else said about the LG CU320, it seems to want to hold onto a weak 3G signal a little too much instead of bouncing over to a stronger GSM signal. I dropped 3 calls on my way back from work. So there are definitely growing pains with 3G. Signal penetration isn't that good indoors either. I live in the Baltimore/Washington area, so the network's been around for a few months.

Keypad feels a little rubbery. Doesn't bother me. However, the middle button brings up the wireless internet, and I don't like that. I don't subscribe ... don't have much need to right now. On my Moto, it would just bring up the menu. Need to see if I can remap that button somehow. I do like how either softkey can bring up a menu from the main screen. The left one brings up the full icon menu, while the right one brings up an abbreviated menu while still remaining on the main screen. Nice touch. The middle 2 keys above the 5 way pad are really tempting to push instead of the softkeys for the onscreen options, so that takes a little getting used to.

Has space for 3 different alarms and a lot of settings to where you can tweak (only on weekends, every day, every day but Sunday, etc). Snooze if 5 minutes, which may be a good or bad thing.

Lack of bluetooth can be a drawback if you use BT devices, like headsets. It definitely does lock you into buying specific headsets to fit Samsung's jack.

Overall, it's not a bad phone. It's pretty easy to use and has a lot of nice features. Does some have a few annoying issues, but it's pretty good overall. Whether I keep it or not depends on whether I can try out the LG CU320 to compare it too, but if I can't, I'm not going to mind being stuck with it.

Posted by: WirelessAndy

Great job Superguy for a SuperFirstImpression of the ZX10!

Posted by: RipRorn

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

Calls sound pretty good. I had a friend call me on a landline and it sounded pretty good. I think 3G sounds a little clearer than GSM, but that's subjective.

I agree... just got a zx10 and it does seem that voice calls are clearer when in the 3g signal area... of course have only made a few calls so far...

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

Like someone else said about the LG CU320, it seems to want to hold onto a weak 3G signal a little too much instead of bouncing over to a stronger GSM signal.

Same issue for me... when I was in a fringe area it would hold on to the 3g signal even at 0 or 1 bar and seemed hell bent on maintaining it until only the gsm signal could be found.

Overall though I think the zx10 is a good phone. I am not much of a samsung fan, and I cant stand LG, but the zx10 seems well built and call quality is very good. It was smaller than I expected. I had/and do have a vodafone live phone from the UK, and when Vodafone first launched their UMTS network, phones were huge (Moto 1000; and the SE clamshell/brick phone - can't remember the model). I'm a fan of flashy nokia's and moto's, so it will likely take the HSDPA v3x (if it happens) or a 850/1900 n80 to switch me over to a 3g phone full-time....

Posted by: CA

Does anyone have a link to information on this 3G sound? I know what 3G is, but my Sprint uses the normal voice network(CDMA instead of GSM) for voice and I was under the impression that 3G wasn't yet used for voice calls.

Posted by: Rok3nIt

I think it sounds like a nice phone. I don't know if I can get it in my area (Central IL.) I have a RAZR right now, and I don't like it. They aren't very good phones. I'm looking for something new, and was looking at this, but I cannot find it anywhere in my area.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Sonix

Does anyone have a link to information on this 3G sound? I know what 3G is, but my Sprint uses the normal voice network(CDMA instead of GSM) for voice and I was under the impression that 3G wasn't yet used for voice calls.

Sprint and Verizon (to my knowledge) use EV-DO, which is only used for data. Cingular is using UMTS (and later HSDPA) that is capable of sending both data and voice. So that's how Cingular is using UMTS for 3G voice ... different technologies.

Think of it like the old dual-mode digital/analog phones. It remains on digital and only drops to analog if a digital signal can't be found. Cingular 3G phones default to 3G (UMTS) and drops to GSM if it loses the 3G signal.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Rok3nIt

I think it sounds like a nice phone. I don't know if I can get it in my area (Central IL.) I have a RAZR right now, and I don't like it. They aren't very good phones. I'm looking for something new, and was looking at this, but I cannot find it anywhere in my area.

Have you tried looking online? No store in my area has them (despite the 3G coverage and pictures of the phones in the stores), so I had to go thru the web to get them. Stores are telling me they won't have them until April.

Posted by: Justin5117

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

where did u get yours? cingular.com? i am dying to get one!

Posted by: cellmet

Quote:

where did u get yours? cingular.com? i am dying to get one!

I'm in Utah, got mine in American Fork. This is not even a 3G area yet as it is just south of the Salt Lake area. Did an exchange straight across for the Razr I bought a week and a half ago. Yes I made the right choice. For those in the area, you know that there are 2 Cingular stores in The Meadows complex. I got mine at the store farthest to the west in the complex. This one has the appearance of a corporate store but it's not; it's run by Spring Communications. Let me also say that I love this phone. Good and solid, it looks great, sounds great, the screen is great. Can't try out the 3G part though, because I live at the south end of Utah County. The rep at the store said the 3G should be expanding down this way by the end of April. So I was real surprised that they had this phone in stock outside of the 3G area. I just got mine yesterday, so I will post more of my opinions after I have messed with it a few more days.

Posted by: Justin5117

damn, im not in a 3g area eather. Was hoping to buy one online...no stores have them here.

Posted by: Rok3nIt

Mine either, now im debating a Samsung p207, Moto a630, or a ROKR.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularOrange

where did u get yours? cingular.com? i am dying to get one!

I got mine thru the Premier site, but they were available at Cingular.com as well.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellmet

I'm in Utah, got mine in American Fork.

Do you wark in American Fark too?

Posted by: Rok3nIt

Hmmmmmmmmm.....

Posted by: Justin5117

I hope it comes to my market soon...i am even willing to trade my slvr! lol

Posted by: cellmet

Quote:

Do you wark in American Fark too?

Hehe! No, and thankfully born and raised in Salt Lake City, and we don't have that accent there. Mostly people from Arm (orem) south, especially "Spaneesh Fark" (Spanish Fork). Even though I live south of Provo, I don't use that dialect, thank heavens, since I'm a transplant from the narth, oops, North.

Posted by: .7

I would be very interested in hearing if anyones used this with ORB services. Man, I dont know where this has been all my life but I am just amazed with it. I cant stream very well with my 2125 but I can imagine that the service with UMTS would be a dream on a compatable device.

Posted by: .7

I would be very interested in hearing if anyones used this with ORB services. Man, I don't know where this has been all my life but I am just amazed with it. I cant stream very well with my 2125 but I can imagine that the service with UMTS would be a dream on a compatible device.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by cellmet

I lived out there for the better part of 10 years. Provo/Orem area for awhile, then Springville and lastly Payson before we moved to Maryland for a job. My wife's from Orem, and my in-laws and the rest of her family still live out there. They just built a house in Lehi.

Guess you're ok as you're not from Tewillah (Tooele) or Hurrikin.

Posted by: Justin5117

Still waiting for 3g phones on cingular.com in my zip!!err

Posted by: cjmedina

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripy

I would be very interested in hearing if anyones used this with ORB services. Man, I dont know where this has been all my life but I am just amazed with it. I cant stream very well with my 2125 but I can imagine that the service with UMTS would be a dream on a compatable device.

i just got orb to stream video from my computer (casino ) to my phone looks good almostt as good as cingular video, but could not do it with my lg cu320

Posted by: Superguy

What's ORB?

Posted by: .7

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

What's ORB?

http://www.orb.com/

Quote:

Originally Posted by cjmedina

i just got orb to stream video from my computer (casino ) to my phone looks good almostt as good as cingular video, but could not do it with my lg cu320

Thanks for the heads up. Are you able to stream your audio as well?

Posted by: Superguy

Thanks. Looks pretty cool.

Posted by: cjmedina

Quote:

Originally Posted by tripy

http://www.orb.com/

Thanks for the heads up. Are you able to stream your audio as well?

yes i can stream audio as well, and for some reason it started to work on edge

Posted by: iamthedudeman

I tried to order on the Premier website and it is asking for my SS# and who the phone is going to when I signed up under existing customers when I try to check out? WTF?

Do I have to call the customer service Premier number to order or what? Is anyone else having this problem?

Posted by: Justin5117

With a data cable, is it possible to connect this to a iBook with OS X?

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthedudeman

I tried to order on the Premier website and it is asking for my SS# and who the phone is going to when I signed up under existing customers when I try to check out? WTF?

Do I have to call the customer service Premier number to order or what? Is anyone else having this problem?

It asked for my SSN but I just gave it. They already have it, so I didn't see the harm in providing it again.

Posted by: iamthedudeman

"It asked for my SSN but I just gave it. They already have it, so I didn't see the harm in providing it again."

If you sign up for the premier with a user name and password, you don't have to go throught those steps. So I signed up and all is good. I don't like handing out my social if I don't have too. It is to run a credit check, my credit is sterling, and a credit check (inquiry) could drop you score by 20points or more. I want to avoid that if at all possible.

Posted by: superceleb

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthedudeman

"It asked for my SSN but I just gave it. They already have it, so I didn't see the harm in providing it again."

If you sign up for the premier with a user name and password, you don't have to go throught those steps. So I signed up and all is good. I don't like handing out my social if I don't have too. It is to run a credit check, my credit is sterling, and a credit check (inquiry) could drop you score by 20points or more. I want to avoid that if at all possible.

When a cell phone company checks your credit score, it is a soft hit -- only you can see that they checked your credit and it has no effect on your score.

Posted by: WirelessAndy

OK, I finally got a chance to see a live ZX10 today in a corporate Orange store.

The keys feel nice. The main screen is bright and vibrant. And of course, I dig the monochrome LCD on the outside. Kind of neat how the swiveling camera ratchets a bit as you spin it around, although I don't care about cameras.

I popped my SIM in it and it took a small eternity for it to "find" a signal. (It's just a normal Cingular-orange SIM, not some new 3G one).

First call to the voicemail lady? Major let down. Audio was quite tinny sounding and I could hear a pronounced high-pitched whine in the background.

The store I was in didn't have any to sell at the moment. Just as well. Even though one phone doesn't represent every single one made, I'll be passing on this one.

Posted by: iamthedudeman

""When a cell phone company checks your credit score, it is a soft hit -- only you can see that they checked your credit and it has no effect on your score.""

Well, that may be true, I am not going to trust Cingular of all people and take any chances when there is no need to do so, since I upgraded on the primier site when I signed up and avoided this mess, espicially when I am already a customer going for a upgrade and not a new customer.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by iamthedudeman

I didn't have the login and password ... I just went thru the link they sent me thru the email. I can imagine the hell it would be to get it working for Verizon.

Seriously, finding anyone that could give that to me anyway would be like pulling teeth.

I figured they wouldn't check it as I've already been a customer with them and it was an upgrade.

Posted by: Superguy

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessAndy

OK, I finally got a chance to see a live ZX10 today in a corporate Orange store.

The keys feel nice. The main screen is bright and vibrant. And of course, I dig the monochrome LCD on the outside. Kind of neat how the swiveling camera ratchets a bit as you spin it around, although I don't care about cameras.

I popped my SIM in it and it took a small eternity for it to "find" a signal. (It's just a normal Cingular-orange SIM, not some new 3G one).

First call to the voicemail lady? Major let down. Audio was quite tinny sounding and I could hear a pronounced high-pitched whine in the background.

The store I was in didn't have any to sell at the moment. Just as well. Even though one phone doesn't represent every single one made, I'll be passing on this one.

I thought a lot the same thing. Got the LG CU320 and I'm much happier with that.

Posted by: WillC81

MyOrb does work...

Posted by: Justin5117

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularOrange

With a data cable, is it possible to connect this to a iBook with OS X?

anyone????

Posted by: Justin5117

does everyone's camera when rotated back to you when the the flip is open show a upside down picture?

Posted by: cjmedina

Quote:

Originally Posted by CingularOrange

does everyone's camera when rotated back to you when the the flip is open show a upside down picture?

ya you have to push the side buttons to go back to the normal view

Posted by: WirelessAndy

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

I thought a lot the same thing. Got the LG CU320 and I'm much happier with that.

I wonder if ALL of the ZX10's are like that (poor, tinny-sounding incoming caller audio)... Early build, perhaps?

I thought I heard the sales guy mention to me that the ZX10 I was fiddling with was a customer returned phone with some kind of problem.

Posted by: iamthedudeman

Does anyone have info on data cables and pc suite and what can you do with it and where one can be purchased. I got a 1gb micro sd card on ebay for 51.00 us. I put it in the phone, and it took it, it took me awhile to figure which way to insert the card. You have to put the card in upside down. I checked the memory and it said, 999888kb, or something like that. I got a case, 1gb card, a oem headset, and now I just need a pc suite to transfer files. I will keep all of this until the zx20 comes out, than i will sell my zx10 and go on primier and buy a zx20 then keep my accessories including the card and I will be good to go.

Posted by: iamthedudeman

I hear people on hofo say this is a midrange phone? How so? the only thing it does not have is bluetooth, and a outside color LCD. But who cares, it has everything else, and if you don't use bluetooth, or prefer a mono LCD so you can actually see the screen while in sunlight(I live in florida) it is a welcomed addition. I like this phone alot. That is until the zx20 comes out.

Posted by: icking fudiot

Do any cingular people know what's up with the availability on this phone? I called and some rep told me she was ordering it but that "the first system would let her and the other 2 wouldn't do anything" and told me to wait a week or two.

Posted by: yardman

i checked out the lg and the samsung 3gs at the store today and while watching tv on the lg i tried to call the phone and it went right to voice mail..didnt give an accept or ignore option like the samsung zx10 does...anyone know if there is a setting on the lg to enable this feature...i messed with it but couldnt find one.....if lg phone wont do this function then that is a huge problem....i know sprint a900and 920s will take calls but you have to go into service menu and change a setting........thanks...

Posted by: SBacklin

Quote:

Originally Posted by WirelessAndy

Well, I just got the ZX-10 and the only things I find a bit irritating is the fact it takes a small eternity as you put it to when searching for signal when the phone is turned on. The other issue is that it seems a bit slower when making a call. Also, I am getting some weird *** messages on my screen sometimes. The two instances I am encountering are when I do *646# to check my minutes, my phone will display "rejected by network" but I will get the minutes summary text message. It happens every time. The other thing is when I am calling someone, I always see "forwarding active" show up on my screen then it will disappear. Does anyone have any idea what is going on? I had the CU320 before this but got rid of it because it was having some serious RF problems. The ZX-10 peforms a lot better in that regard but I am starting to wonder if the ZX-10 was a mistake too. Anyone have any input on this?

Posted by: Superguy

I'm starting to wonder a bit about the RF ... at least in 3G mode anyway.

I rarely drop alls in GSM mode. I think it's struggling more with 3G signals lately. It doesn't seem to be seemlessly switching between 3G and GSM while on a call.

So I'm not sure if it's just growing pains with the 3G network or if it's my phone. I did have my phone replaced a few weeks ago due to some issues with the speaker. I do know that at least in the southern Baltimore metro area that Columbia's 3G signal seems to have gone down the toilet, and I always drop calls at the MD 32/I-95 junction. Then it's weak until I get close to home. Home has a full strength 3G signal and I never drop calls there. So I honestly don't know where the problems is. I haven't called Cingular yet to ask them.

Posted by: SBacklin

Quote:

Originally Posted by Superguy

I'm starting to wonder a bit about the RF ... at least in 3G mode anyway.

I rarely drop alls in GSM mode. I think it's struggling more with 3G signals lately. It doesn't seem to be seemlessly switching between 3G and GSM while on a call.

So I'm not sure if it's just growing pains with the 3G network or if it's my phone. I did have my phone replaced a few weeks ago due to some issues with the speaker. I do know that at least in the southern Baltimore metro area that Columbia's 3G signal seems to have gone down the toilet, and I always drop calls at the MD 32/I-95 junction. Then it's weak until I get close to home. Home has a full strength 3G signal and I never drop calls there. So I honestly don't know where the problems is. I haven't called Cingular yet to ask them.

Well, in Seattle, I seriously think the problem is because AT&T didn't put UMTS on all of it's towers inside the UMTS coverage area, leaving holes in coverage. I do notice a CONSIDERABLE difference in coverage when in 3G compared to 2G. That concerns me too.