View Full Version : Dreaded Mobile Phones
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 14:04
Well upgrade time is approaching and I'm stuck for what to get. Due to an impending iBook disaster I can't afford to drop £269 on an iPhone as that money will need to go towards a MacBook. I'm currently on t-mobile and would ideally like to stay there.
The only phone I'm really looking at is the SE K850i, anyone got any thoughts on it?
Dont get a Samsung G600, they are pants, it keeps freezing everytime I try and access the memory card.
Thats my only suggestion :)
If the K850i is the new one with the 5mp camera then it should be good, a friend and the K800i which was a nice phone.
Depends on what you want to use the phone for. Do you want a decent camera on there? Large internal storage to use as a walkman?
Oh and regarding the iphone, I found this link really helpful when I thought about getting one - http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone
EDIT: Mild swearing in the above link.
Impending iBook disaster? That sounds nasty. Should we declare a national emergency? :dunno: :)
As for the K850i, I don't have one (obviously), but I've had a look at a few reviews. It's certainly got the features you'd expect from an SE, but I think that keypad design would rapidly annoy me. The way the camera shutter has been done also suggests it'll be prone to scratching if you're not careful what goes in a pocket with it.
Would you mind if I stuck my nose in this thread and ask a smiliar question (later when I get home)?
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 14:50
If the K850i is the new one with the 5mp camera then it should be good, a friend and the K800i which was a nice phone.
Depends on what you want to use the phone for. Do you want a decent camera on there? Large internal storage to use as a walkman?
Oh and regarding the iphone, I found this link really helpful when I thought about getting one - http://www.thebestpageintheuniverse.net/c.cgi?u=iphone
EDIT: Mild swearing in the above link.
Kitten has the K800i which is nice, that made me think about getting the 850i.
I've thought about getting an iPhone for a while and after getting to play with one in the states I wanted one even more but considering the possible forced laptop purchase, the money could be better spent elsewhere. I know the iPhone doesn't have all the features that other phones have at the moment, they can always be added later so I don't see what all the whining is about.
I already have an iPod for all my music so I'm ok there :)
Impending iBook disaster? That sounds nasty. Should we declare a national emergency? :dunno: :)
As for the K850i, I don't have one (obviously), but I've had a look at a few reviews. It's certainly got the features you'd expect from an SE, but I think that keypad design would rapidly annoy me. The way the camera shutter has been done also suggests it'll be prone to scratching if you're not careful what goes in a pocket with it.
Yeah it started kernel panicing last night and does so frequently which I think means the logic board is on the way out and they are around £300+ to replace and that doesn't include shipping and all the time to replace it (which considering what happened last time I'd pay someone) so that is going to be around £500 I think. New MacBook I think ;)
Generally my phone is in one pocket on it's own, so hopefully it won't get too scratched but thing again knowing me ;D
Dont get a Samsung G600, they are pants, it keeps freezing everytime I try and access the memory card.
Thats my only suggestion :)
Thanks I was looking at that but was more looking at the u600 but my boss recently got one and isn't happy with it.
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 14:51
Would you mind if I stuck my nose in this thread and ask a smiliar question (later when I get home)?
me mind? never mate, help yourself :D
Dont get a Samsung G600, they are pants, it keeps freezing everytime I try and access the memory card.
*scratches that off her possibles list*
Any views on the nokia e65?
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 15:11
the thing for me is I don't want a walkman phone :( so I'm kinda restricted to the K series ones.
Mine is switched off now, it has been for 2 weeks and I feel so liberated I think it might stay off permanently. I am currently giving out my landline instead :)
Was thinking about walkman phones etc but I might as well just get an mp3 player, just like I got a camera instead of using my phone to take [poor quality] pictures.
Feedback from a friend who designs the networks and tests handsets, he said the Sony Erricsons are pretty much the best quality phones on the market from a hardware point of view.
I'd disagree on the Samsung front - was recently going through this dilemma with a friend and they eventually went for the G600 over the SE W880i; they seem very happy with it.
When my work phone is up for renewal I'll either be getting the K850i or W690i, leaning more towards the K850i as I have an mp3 player that also plays videos and can be used to store pictures.
SidewinderINC
21-09-2007, 15:36
I'm personally waiting for the K850i
Still using the K750i right now, and its lasted me 2 years so If the K850i will do the same then I'll be getting it on upgrade (which i'm eligable for now with O2) when it comes out. even if I have to pay for it.
I'm personally waiting for the K850i
Still using the K750i right now, and its lasted me 2 years so If the K850i will do the same then I'll be getting it on upgrade (which i'm eligable for now with O2) when it comes out. even if I have to pay for it.
Normally O2 are okay when it comes to renewals, I just used to ask to cancel my contract so I could start a new one straight up to get the phone for free even though it's a bother. They got the hint after a while.
Matblack
21-09-2007, 16:15
Aitch really likes her U600 and the camera is really really good :)
MB
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 16:16
hmmm I think I need to get hold of both of them and have a play.
SidewinderINC
21-09-2007, 16:54
Normally O2 are okay when it comes to renewals, I just used to ask to cancel my contract so I could start a new one straight up to get the phone for free even though it's a bother. They got the hint after a while.
The fact that O2 are now offering "the same as new customers, and a little extra" means I should get lucky.
However... I've been with them for 7 years now and I very rarely spend over the minimum contract allowances and for the last 2 years I have been paying £15 a month for 200Xnet minutes, 500 free texts, 500 free mins wap (which is utterly useless), and the 500 free texts includes picture messages ;).
It would make more profit sense to get a new customer than keep me! haha.
My contract is due for renewal shortly and I'm going to get a free upgrade since I'm a long standing high value customer. I'm not swapping from Orange as I pay very little and get a lot - I've checked and there are not really any deals out there that compete to make me want to change. Besides I'm happy with Orange - been with them for 8 years without any issues.
I've got an SPV (c600) which I've loved (I've had it and the c500) over the past 2/3 years. It's great, I can install apps on it, store files and notes on it, and most importantly I can synchronise with Outlook (other PIMs too, but for the moment Outlook is the testbed). As an additional it's great as I've currently got over 1000 texts in my inbox.
It's fast, has lots of storage, the camera is good enough for little snaps (I'm NOT interested in a great camera as I have a digital, however it's handy for a quick snap for MMS'ing).
Now here's the dilema, I'm quite happy with a smartphone as I'm used to it, but I wonder whether or not I should try something else?
My requirements are that it can support 3G (though not bothere about video calling or anything like that) on a good HTML based browser. It can synch with Outlook. Has a lot of storage, and has the potential of installing apps on it. A camera is not essential. It has to be quick, and functional and have a decent sized screen. Decent talk/stand by time would be great.
I'd be happy to try a Sony Ericsson or go back to a Nokia, however I don't really like LG, Motorola or Samsung. There are the other smartphones out there with orange such as the M700 or the M3100 (though it's a bit big). However I've seen phones such as the W880i which does seem quite cool small and funky, big screen, small size etc. It's got the walkman thing which I think is a bit of a gimick and something I doubt I'd use as I have an ipod - but does it fulfil all my needs?
Anything else you can suggest? Or is there anything that might fulfill my needs that I've missed?
Any views on the nokia e65?
From my brief play of it during my brief time at 3, they seemed quite nice. I've felt that Nokia have been quite poor in the last year or two but they seem to have redeemed themselves with this one :)
Feedback from a friend who designs the networks and tests handsets, he said the Sony Erricsons are pretty much the best quality phones on the market from a hardware point of view.
Definitely!
I had a bit of a play with a Samsung U600 for a little while and they're ok but few software features I wasn't keen on. I've still yet to find a good replacement for my w810i tbh.
Leo: You know my usual advice, don't go Motorola and make sure you get a play with the handsets :)
SidewinderINC
21-09-2007, 17:49
As Haly says (and probably more people above) stay away from motorola, I had one once and it was the slowest phone I ever owned and the txt message capacity was pitiful.
As Haly says (and probably more people above) stay away from motorola, I had one once and it was the slowest phone I ever owned and the txt message capacity was pitiful.
Some people on here have encountered my rants about them before :o I used to sell them, the hatred for motorolas after dealing with so many returns is something that never quite leaves you ;D
The fact that O2 are now offering "the same as new customers, and a little extra" means I should get lucky.
Tripe... :p
I recently upgraded and fought for a morning to get a half decent deal... and still ended up paying more than I had intended (albeit for a good amount of minutes and texts, which in retrospect I'll probably never use) ;)
As for phones, I was looking at the K810i I think it was... never heard of the k850i - but with a 5mp camera - I wouldnt have minded that! maybe in 11 months time ;)
Ouch with the iBook. I assume you've run it from the restore DVD for a while to make sure it's not something else. :(
The new Razr is supposed to be somewhat of a redemption as far as Motorola is concerned. God knows how, but I had Motorolas for five years (started when they were the only ones offering tri-band when I was in the US a lot, and never changed). I'm not one for changing brands on phones - every time renewal comes up I looked at the options and then decided - nah, stick to what I know, I'm sure it'll be better this time. I always got annoyed with how slow they were for browsing but just thought it was par for the course. Now I know better. :)
Back on topic, I don't like the Samsung U600. Had a play with one and decided that non-tactile keypads just don't work for me (you may have guessed the keypad and screen are the features I rate highest). Screen was nice though, but if people have reported issues with the software then that's that.
Are you of the mindset that you absolutely have to upgrade when you can, or is your current phone crap? If not, then is waiting a few months an option?
PS - Haly, what you think of Motorola, I think of Nokia. ;D
Justsomebloke
21-09-2007, 18:43
I am a Sony Ericson fanboy since getting my W810i, the user interface is how it should be with Sony. When i got my new contract last month i had a choice of 5 phones only 1 being a Sony E. I opted for the K610i Sony E without even looking at the others.
Sony Ericsons are how mobiles should be
[QUOTE=Le Hoff;150607]My contract is due for renewal shortly and I'm going to get a free upgrade since I'm a long standing high value customer. I'm not swapping from Orange as I pay very little and get a lot - I've checked and there are not really any deals out there that compete to make me want to change. Besides I'm happy with Orange - been with them for 8 years without any issues.....
QUOTE]
Wanna buy my M600 off me? A few scratches but I just got a new mainboard and touchscreen on warranty! The M700 is also an option, its basically the M600 with 3G and GPS, you might have to pay a little bit for that though.
I got my M3100 for £50 from Orange. I reckon a free M700 is doable should that be the chosen path. :)
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 19:31
Ouch with the iBook. I assume you've run it from the restore DVD for a while to make sure it's not something else. :(
Well it's been ok now for around 90 minutes, so not sure what it was :confused:
Only motorola phone I've ever had was a V3 and whilst it was ok I didn't really like it that much. Always been happy with Nokia phones but am very happy to try SE.
Not done an update recently? If it's anything like the intels it's probably the dreaded 'optimizing performance' issue or something like that. Anyway, that's a thread for elsewhere. :)
Seems like there's a plan with the phone. :)
leowyatt
21-09-2007, 19:41
Nah it's PPC arch ;) if it keeps working ok now with no more kernel issues I might get a US iPhone unlock it or might go with the SE, the SE does leave money for other stuff though......... :confused:
[QUOTE=Le Hoff;150607]My contract is due for renewal shortly and I'm going to get a free upgrade since I'm a long standing high value customer. I'm not swapping from Orange as I pay very little and get a lot - I've checked and there are not really any deals out there that compete to make me want to change. Besides I'm happy with Orange - been with them for 8 years without any issues.....
QUOTE]
Wanna buy my M600 off me? A few scratches but I just got a new mainboard and touchscreen on warranty! The M700 is also an option, its basically the M600 with 3G and GPS, you might have to pay a little bit for that though.
Thanks for the offer - but considering I get all upgrades for free I don't really want to buy anything! ;) :p
Thanks for the input though - anybody else got any suggestions to fit my requirements?
Del Lardo
21-09-2007, 19:47
I've had my Nokia 6230 since June and am very pleased with it. Nice screen, usable keypad (unlike the Sony Ericson phone I tried that had tiny tiny buttons), a half decent mp3 player and a camera that takes reasonable photos. Not sure about syncing with Outlook but I do occasionally download e-mail headers from my server to see if I've received owt interesting.
[QUOTE=Wryel;150651]
Thanks for the offer - but considering I get all upgrades for free I don't really want to buy anything! ;) :p
Thanks for the input though - anybody else got any suggestions to fit my requirements?
Thought you'd say that.....
hmmm I think I need to get hold of both of them and have a play.
How could anyone miss this **fnar** opportunity?
:D
How could anyone miss this **fnar** opportunity?
:D
I was trying to be a good girl :tak:
i'm waiting patiently (honest guv) for the k850. contract was up a month or 2 ago, was thinking about the n95 but cant deal with the yubbish battery life.
thankfully a good friend of mine has just started working for o2, so nice and cheap with the new one.
I've been a Sony user since the z5. However I'm bored of them now. The interface gets a few extra bits of detail to it, the camera is upgraded, blah blah. The k850i is technically a good looking phone, but its the k800i + 5mp camera phone. Personally the camera on the k800i is great and phone cameras are really going to start hitting their limit soon. The SE phone that does look good later this year is the w960i (http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=3450). 8gb, wifi, 3.2mp cam. That imho is a real upgrade to the k800i. Solid feature set upgrade. However, I didn't wait for this phone and I got the new Razr 2, v8. After a few weeks use I'm really happy with it.
SidewinderINC
22-09-2007, 17:44
Damn, that w960i looks fantastic!
I could sell my iRiver and just use the phone :)
Very nice looking phone :)
I'm not up for a new phone till June but looks like there'll be some great phones about by then :D
leowyatt
03-10-2007, 11:24
I'm still considering the K850i but T-Mobile don't have a released date for it yet :( Nokia has thrown the 6500 slide (http://www.mobile-review.com/review/nokia-6500slide-en.shtml) into the mix which looks interesting but still is coming "October".
Checking the website today it seems that the LG Viewty (http://www.mobilegazette.com/lg-ku990-viewty-07x08x24.htm) is on the way and this does look very tempting.
Matblack
03-10-2007, 11:31
The Viewty looks appealing but I think its more of a photo/ video phone than a PDA phone which is really what I need.
I think its either going to be the Touch Slide or the TYTN II for me, the Slide is crippled a bit because of the WiFi, though that hasn't be confirmed yet it seems to be pretty firm that it won't have it.
In actually fact I don't use WiFi THAT much it just seems a very odd thing to be without :/
MB
leowyatt
03-10-2007, 11:39
I'm not really after a PDA myself to be honest so the viewty seems very good. Since I've been using the Nokia 6021 Burble gave me having a camera will be good :D
I've used a prada which I think is an earlier version of the u990 and thought it was ok but didn't like the UI that much. I think it's been vastly improved on with the U990, just need to check the size of the thing as I'm after a small-ish phone.
Daz is very happy with his touch.
Matblack
03-10-2007, 11:43
The killer for me with the Touch MK1 was 3G, if it had had that I would have gone for it. The Touch feels so much more like a phone than the m3100 which is a bit of a brick.
My contract is up in November, so I'll see whats about then :)
MB
http://www.reghardware.co.uk/2007/10/01/hd_launches_touch_dual/
Touch Dual :) Gains keyboard (and size, but not sure how much), gains 3G, loses WiFi.
Spot on with the Touch too, it feels (and works) like a phone, which is what I wanted.
I'm still tempted by the M700 - but that HTC Touch Dual is looking appealing.
SidewinderINC
03-10-2007, 18:16
What about a blackberry?
http://img68.imageshack.us/img68/4572/chuck9ai4.jpg
??
I've often thought about buying a blackberry too, but just dont think I would use it to its full potential.
The BB pearl is very nice - it is tempting, it's just the lack of 3G and being able to install apps like TomTom that would put a lot of people off.
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 11:19
Bit of a bump for this one, I've just ordered the K850i and it should be with me a few days after the 15th if royal mail are back to work :p
Will give a mini-review when I get it :)
leowyatt
08-10-2007, 11:56
Where did you get it from mate? I'm waiting for a release date from T-Mobile :(
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 12:21
o2, Free on all of their £30+ Contracts.
It's actually pretty cheap even if you have to pay for it.
i'm waiting on them getting the stock into the shop till i go pick it up :D
works well having friends who work for o2
leowyatt
08-10-2007, 12:28
T-Mobile have said it'll be free on my upgrade, just don't seem to get a concrete answer on when it'll be in. Some say it'll be in the next 2 weeks, other say it'll be end of the month.
I want my phone damit! :'(
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 12:32
It appears that o2 have an exclusive release and then everyone else will get it a week later maybe?
Well I've agreed with Orange than I can try several phones no strings attached (just send them back after 14 days) so I might have a go at a few (M700, HTC Touch, W880 etc...) So it's going to be gadget city!!
leowyatt
08-10-2007, 13:34
It appears that o2 have an exclusive release and then everyone else will get it a week later maybe?
Fair enough I'll just keep pestering T-Mobile every 2 days or so till I get a proper date ;)
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 14:00
I want the black pearl... AAARRRRR!
They've dispatched my free bluetooth headset haha, gotta wait another week for the phone though :p
I had a go with the black pearl - it felt really plasticy and taky :( Worked nicely though, but it's only GPRS, and has limited functionality. However, it is VERY quick and does look pretty cool.
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 15:08
oh, there is a phone called the black pearl :o my bad.
I was thinking more pirates of the caribbean
leowyatt
08-10-2007, 15:13
haha yeah there is a blackberry pearl, which comes in white or black.
SidewinderINC
08-10-2007, 15:15
Man, and I've already made the chuckberry gag :p
Well I've agreed with Orange than I can try several phones no strings attached (just send them back after 14 days) so I might have a go at a few (M700, HTC Touch, W880 etc...) So it's going to be gadget city!!
Just got the M700, much faster than the M600 and 3G plus GPS. Unfortunately I think you need to enable the GPS and get your own software, which I haven't had time to mess about with. The other thing is it doesn't have predictive text so you need to use handwriting recognition or the keyboard. Either way you need to use the stylus which ent to clever after a skinfull in the middle of the pub!
SidewinderINC
09-10-2007, 23:05
My bluetooth headset arrived today... Now comes the wait of an unknown time for the phone.
Sony put the release at the middle of october, and from speaking to o2 staff they won't have stock for another week or so anyway so their release just seems to be to take orders and they will ship them at the same time as everyone else.
SidewinderINC
10-10-2007, 12:43
:'( I don't think my K750 will last much longer
leowyatt
10-10-2007, 14:34
Sony put the release at the middle of october, and from speaking to o2 staff they won't have stock for another week or so anyway so their release just seems to be to take orders and they will ship them at the same time as everyone else.
T-Mobile aren't even doing that, they're still just saying "End of October" :(
SidewinderINC
11-10-2007, 18:56
Got an E-Mail from o2 at 4:50 this afternoon saying my phone has been dispatched!
I should get it tomorrow if I'm extremely lucky, if not then it'll be monday.
*does happy dance*
leowyatt
11-10-2007, 21:15
1 word....goit!!!!
leowyatt
12-10-2007, 13:11
Well just phoned T-Mobile and it seems the carphonewarehouse now have the K850i available on an upgrade and want £100 for the phone from me :shocked: Or I can lose my 25% discount and the phone would be free :angry:
Think I'm just going to wait and see what T-Mobile themselves say when they get the phone and decide then. Could always take the extra £10 off your bill each month and get an iPhone anyway ;D
SidewinderINC
12-10-2007, 13:21
That's quite a lot they wanted for that, I had to lose my 50% discount anyways so I just went with one of their standard contracts.
DHL gave my phone to a different delivery service (RM I assume) and it hasn't shown up :(
The depot is only like half an hour away max, it's not as if it would have been hard for them to bring it to me :(
Matblack
12-10-2007, 16:22
Orange want £250 for me to upgrade to the TYTN II, which considering the power of the phone and having GPS etc could be worse but I could change to T-mobile and get a better deal on contract (especially for data)and the phone for ~£180. Hmmmmmmmm
Alternatively theres the new touch dual coming to Orange soon :/
MB
SidewinderINC
15-10-2007, 13:36
The K850i turned up today, 1st impressions are its a good phone, very sexy, but a but sluggish.
Not sure how I'm meant to activate the simcard though...
Mat - I will say that Web'n'Walk's unlimited data has been a total god send. I have the PDA permanently connected to my exchange box for push email, and pop MSN on whenever I want without worrying about it, not to mention all the random surfing (Google reader and BBC news mostly). Data was shafting me every month on O2 but my first bill so far on T-Mobile was just my line rental (£27.50), which is spiffy :)
leowyatt
15-10-2007, 14:06
The K850i turned up today, 1st impressions are its a good phone, very sexy, but a but sluggish.
Not sure how I'm meant to activate the simcard though...
photos please :D Saw a demo unit in the carphone warehouse store today and it looks good, still waiting to see what T-Mobile offer me
leowyatt
17-10-2007, 21:12
Well mate how are you finding the phone???
SidewinderINC
17-10-2007, 22:29
Well, mostly good but obviously the new things that are on it are making it a bit slower than my old K750i which was speedy as hell.
I haven't used it much yet really (I have no friends :'() but I think I've used most features.
The Good
Camera is so easy to use, it IS a camera rather than a phone trying to be a camera
The media player is superb, if a little sluggish, browsing through music is simple and it automatically rotates if you hold it at 90 degrees.
The touch buttons - superb! they should have made all of the buttons like this as it is effortless to use them. They are probably the single thing that makes me love this phone the most
The screen.. It's hooge!
The 'nipple' replacement - I thought it would take longer than it has to get used to this, but its actually really easy to use. however it does have its drawbacks...The Bad
The 'nipple' replacement - It gets in the way of buttons 2 and 5, and can make texting awkward as I keep bashing the buttons which do various things that interrupt writing the message
The touch keys don't work for waking the phone up when the screen turns off
there is no lil' mirror on the back for DIY photos if you want a photo with somebody or are taking one of yourself for whatever reason ;)
I haven't found a way of using the camera on the front of the phone to combat the above!The Ugly
It takes sooooo damn long to wake back up when the screen turns off! This is the only thing that really pisses me off about it. And when I say it pisses me off, I mean A LOT!
Any other questions feel free to ask and I'll let ya know :)
All in all I give it 8/10
1 point off for the menu buttons being fiddly to avoid, 1 point off for the time it takes to wake up. Other than that it's a solid phone! I've already dropped it a few times and its not chipped or turned itself off :p
LeperousDust
18-10-2007, 13:12
Don't know about you guys but after using symbianOS i can't use a phone that isn't a symbian powered smartphone (Either UIQ or S60) next phone i'm looking at hot off the press (t-mobile have it but haven't updated their call centre or website) is the e51, SUPERB little phone, its the smaller n95 with a decent battery life and no GPS (GPS was never a killer feature for me if im honest...) oh and only a mediocre battery life (i have a real portable camera for that). E51 Specs (http://www.gsmarena.com/nokia_e51-2106.php) shame its only in black though the white version of the 6120 classic (which this phone is basically) looked pretty damn nice (different?).
Reviews: Here (http://www.mobileburn.com/review.jsp?Id=3650) and here (http://www.allaboutsymbian.com/news/item/5885_Coming_soon_Nokia_E51-small_ca.php)
Matblack
19-03-2008, 22:47
Well after all this time I finally called to upgrade and got my Touch Dual for free, the ole m3100 was looking more and more battle damaged and just needed to be retired.
I'm very pleased with the Touch Dual especially the touchflow interface and the gallery, very very quick to scroll pics and the music player may just be the first phone music player I ever use. All in all a very nice piece of kit and I'm only sorry I didn't upgrade sooner
MB
After seeing you had a new phone MB, I looked it up. Looks pretty damn nice to me :)
I started looking around on O2 but they don't have it yet :/ Then looked on T-Mobile and I can pick it up there for £60 and on a cheaper contract (with Web'n'Walk) than I'm on now so might take a look.
Snuggle Ferret
21-03-2008, 13:11
Sorry to bump this, but who got the HTC but with the keyboard? I am really tempted with the HTC but I do a lot of texting and know I will get VERY bored of using the tappy tappy method with a stylus.
Can you let me know what you think of the keyboard and whether it is hugely bigger than the normal one?
Cheers muchly chaps and chappesses.
D
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