Mobile phone advice req'd
Feb 28, 2003 | 2:28 am
#1
Original Poster
Join Date: Apr 2001
Location: Sunny Switzerland
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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?
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?
Feb 28, 2003 | 4:34 am
#2
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Location: UK - the nearest airport is named after a motorway !
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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
)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 in fact, the 6610 seems to have now been withdrawn from sale in the UK 
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
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
)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 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
Feb 28, 2003 | 6:38 am
#3
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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'.
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'.
Feb 28, 2003 | 11:48 am
#5
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by ScottC:
Get the SonyEricsson P800!</font>
Get the SonyEricsson P800!</font>
Would be very interested in your opinion on something a little more common, though. If memory serves, you quite liked your T68?
Feb 28, 2003 | 4:31 pm
#6
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 203
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.
[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 02-28-2003).]
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.
[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 02-28-2003).]
Feb 28, 2003 | 5:29 pm
#7
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chicago,IL.
Posts: 3,022
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
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
Feb 28, 2003 | 5:30 pm
#8
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chicago,IL.
Posts: 3,022
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MedEdGuy:
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.
[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 02-28-2003).]</font>
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.
[This message has been edited by MedEdGuy (edited 02-28-2003).]</font>
are they significantly cheaper in Malaysia than here in the US ?
Feb 28, 2003 | 8:52 pm
#9
Join Date: Aug 2001
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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).]
[This message has been edited by kanebear (edited 02-28-2003).]
Feb 28, 2003 | 9:55 pm
#10
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MatthewClement:
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?</font>
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?</font>
Feb 28, 2003 | 9:56 pm
#11
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<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by kanebear:
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).]</font>
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).]</font>
Mar 1, 2003 | 5:22 am
#12
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 203
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnG:
Mededguy,
are they significantly cheaper in Malaysia than here in the US ?</font>
Mededguy,
are they significantly cheaper in Malaysia than here in the US ?</font>
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.
Mar 1, 2003 | 9:23 am
#13
Join Date: Jun 2002
Location: Chicago,IL.
Posts: 3,022
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by MedEdGuy:
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.</font>
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.</font>
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
Mar 1, 2003 | 2:59 pm
#15
Join Date: Feb 2001
Location: Boston, MA, USA
Posts: 203
<font face="Verdana, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif" size="2">Originally posted by JohnG:
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</font>
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</font>