Sanyo Zio Review

[RedHeadTwink]

I purchased a Zio on Launch day. I must say that it was excitingly nice to see Sanyo bring a Smart Phone to market for once.


I have got to say I am sadly disappointed at this attempt, and think to myself if this phone is positioned as mid range, How bad will the LG be when it comes out in a few weeks? Sprint ID slows things down to an absolute dog and slows down the user experience, installing a bunch of software the user doesn't want. Lord help you if you like the concept of the ID's but want to switch to a different ID to explore. Each time you switch ID's you must reset everything included in that ID. Facebook, Twitter, Yahoo, for the Social Networker having to be relogged into all the time get annoying. Plus it includes it's own twitter client as a widget. For the Home Base ID, it includes things like a weather bug widget, excercise programs, recipies, and shop savys, pocket auctions, TMZ, Pandora, etc. I have noticed that when you switch ID's all the applications included in the previous ID are still installed on the device.

Screen is slow to respond when you unlock it. Typing isn't as accurate on this as something like the Evo, or the Droid Eris causing a lot of slow downs.

Compared to the Motorola Blur interface, this one has less training wheels in your face, but none the less holds your hand on deciding what apps would work for you based on how it thinks you are using your phone.

It's signal strength is low compared to other devices. Often quick to fall back to 1x where other devices are holding strong on EVDO/3G. While it hasn't dropped any calls in my tests.

Early on while playing with it, I joked that Sanyo, building the best 1x Android that china can produce. Because of this "limitation" market downloads fail often, constant disconnects from programs that should stay active in the background.

Overall I'll give it a full week and follow up if people like to answer questions, but it's going back as one of the worst I've ever dealt with.

[huntm856]

Thanks for the review. I was curious as to how Sanyo's foray into Android would turn out. Not too good, from the sound of it. And it's interesting to hear how this Sprint ID thing works in practice.

[wam]

Make sure you do a software update if you have not already. Mine worked a lot better when it updated. Sprint ID is awful. It dose slow things down. Use Launcher Pro or some other launcher is it will do away with the Sprint ID. Signal is not to good i agree.

[RedHeadTwink]

I returned mine, My account will revert back to the contract ending 10/24/2010 And I bought a refurbed Tour for $79.99

[AnthroMatt]

Kyocera sucks. Their devices have typically been junk, and now they are hiding behind (and tarnishing) the Sanyo brand.

[VCI_Cell]

I'm unsurprised. The minute I saw the first images of this thing, with its 2008-era trackball and horrendous 1983-style "MENU" key, I knew it would be an Android phone for the preschool segment. Shame what Sanyo has come to.

[PC Bigboy]

Makes for a good beginner smartphone though (I only had basic phones before getting the Zio last month)

Cheers

Pat

[garnetcool]

Thanks for your review buddy, I need it because I want to buy one...

[RedHeadTwink]

Not a problem. it was honestly the worst smart phone I've used. The Samsung Intercept on VM was much better than this thing.

[mobilegames]

Thank you for this Sanyo Zio Review. I was thinking about purchasing one, but not so sure now.