Mobile phone advice req'd
 

My Ericsson T-39 is getting on a bit, and it's time for a replacement. Wondered what other people thought of the phones on the market.

My primary requirements are:

1) Small and compact
2) Tri-band
3) Good battery life
4) Decent hands-free
5) Decent sound quality
6) Decent text-messaging interface
7) Not a Motorola. They're crap.

Colour screens, polyphonic tones, in-built cameras are all cool features, but not requirements. WAP and Bluetooth are of no use to me at all.

Infrared is a nice add-on, as is compatibility with an MS-Outlook contacts list.

I'm currently considering the Ericsson T68 and the Nokia 7210. Any opinions on these phones? Anything else I should be considering?

Matthew,

I've just got a Nokia 6610 (very similar to the 7210, but in more of a 'business'like package). Migrating from 2 previous Nokias, I find all the menus very intuitive, and love the predictive text. Battery life is excellent so far, tri-band works easily (auto-switches in Europe and US), and hands free is fine with the optional Nokia headset (the included earphones seem to be designed for the stereo radio, and are on an especially rubbery and tangle-prone lead http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/frown.gif )BUT I'm not sure it's very well built ... in fact, the 6610 seems to have now been withdrawn from sale in the UK http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttravel_forum/eek.gif

Colleague has a T68, which he thinks is great (but then he was coming from an old Motorola Timeport, so two tin cans and a piece of string would have represented an upgrade).

I don't think that you can really go wrong with either, but I would suggest that if you're used to (and happy with) the Ericcson interface, then stick with it.

Cheers
Stew

You might also want to consider the Siemens S55.

I have one and I like it a lot; it certainly fulfills your requirements 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 and 7: text messaging interface is OK but not stellar, but I guess that's quite subjective.

It's also got a colour screen, polyphonic tones, has a clip-on camera (with flash) that comes as standard with every bundle I've seen etc. It also has Bluetooth (which you don't care about), IR (which you do) and serial cable connectivity (comes with the cable) and syncs fine with Outlook.

The S55 and the 7210/6610 both have speakerphones; which the T68i doesn't if that factors into 'good handsfree'.

Matthew, you dissapoint me, you are a MAN, you need a phone with every possible feature, gimick and add-on there is!

Get the SonyEricsson P800!

I could be tempted, but it looks a little chunky, it's still very expensive (oddly enough, I *hate* to pay for a phone, though I'll spend tons on other gizmos), and they're scarcer than hens' teeth.

Would be very interested in your opinion on something a little more common, though. If memory serves, you quite liked your T68?

I've tried the Nokia 6610 and 6100 (same features as the 6610, sans radio--but much smaller), the Siemens S55 and the Samsung S105. Of all of them, I really prefer the 6100--which is what I'm using now.

The S55 was really nice feature-wise, but I didn't love the menus, and the buttons were a little hard for me to get used to. Also, I found the speaker phone on the 6100 to be better.

BTW, I'm headed to Malaysia next week, so if you need a 6100 or 6610 picked up for you, let me know. If you can wait a until I get back on the 14th, would probably save you money over ordering it from HK or the UK and having it shipped here.

Edited to add:

Oops..just noticed you're in the UK, so my above offer wouldn't make much sense. http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 02-28-2003).]

If you like the Nokia 7210, hang on a bit and wait for the 7250. Very similar,except with camera and a slightly newer,cooler look.

For a pure business phone, I would agree with the aboce and go with the 6610 or 6610.

P.S: How you can use a T39 and call Motorola cr*p is beyond me...there are no worse menu's on this planet than those created by Ericsson http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...orum/smile.gif

Mededguy,

are they significantly cheaper in Malaysia than here in the US ?

Phone??? Why just get one!?!? It's GSM, have 10! The S55 has a few too many quirks to keep me from falling in love with it. If you want color, the 6100 is a great phone as well. For ittybittyness, the Panasonic GD-55 is a good buy and fairly inexpensive although the interface isn't great, the RF is only passable, and the ringtones suck. That said, the sound quality is GREAT and the thing gets monsterously loud so it's great for clubs and such. Seriously though, I don't know how anyone lives with just one phone anymore. I carry a P800 during the day and switch to something else for nighttime.

[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 02-28-2003).]

T68i was the best phone I ever had till I got the P800. IMHO Nokia's phones suck, I've never had a Nokia without software issues...

3 is around average for me nowadays http://www.flyertalk.com/travel/fttr...um/biggrin.gif

Well, the 6100 and 6610 aren't actually available in the US. If you do buy them here, they've been imported from Europe or Hong Kong, most likely.

So, yes, they're usually a bit cheaper. If you're interested drop me an email, I can let you know the exact price when I get there next Sunday.

Thank you for the kind offer Mededguy, however I'll be taking a trip to Malaysia myself in the not too distant future so I'll probably pick one up then if they are cheaper.
I'd be very grateful if you could let me know what prices you see while down there though...for comparision,over here you can find one for about 350 $ (=1,330 Malaysian Ringgits).
Cheers
J

Nothing beats the Sony Ericsson P 800.

Sure thing--will be happy to let you know. I assume you mean the 6610 is 350? Or you are looking for the 6100?