iPhone 3GS from AT&T. Free Shipping
- Average user rating: 3.0 stars out of 256 reviews Back to product review
- My rating: 0 stars
Full user review
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116 out of 119 people found this review helpful
4.5 stars
"A real business machine, but for the price it comes up short as a personal device."
Pros: 3G connectivity is worth it; full set of connectivity options, keyboard and big screen are wonderful; the processor is fast enough for me.
Cons: Headphones use a special USB connection- hard to replace or upgrade. Micro SD is added cost, since I already have purchased a ton of SD memory. I miss the locking switch from my Dell.
Summary: What did I spend $400 on? The big screen, keyboard, and 3G connection. The 8525 is the only device that could replace both my Axim X50 and my cellphone. My main concern was sacrificing the screen size, which I barely miss with the 8525. I also like the phone for its better than average camera, easy navigation, and full connectivity (BT, WiFi, & IR).
I get my business done with the 8525- email & office files mostly. I use PowerPoint to make flash cards to study. But since this phone is with me at all times, I want it to be a personal device too. Music and pictures are great frills, but they serve only to frustrate me if they?re sub-par. I look forward to a device that replaces my camera and mp3 player too.
MUSIC
I don't like the lack of a normal headphone jack. The included (mediocre) headphones connect with a special mini USB connector. I won't mind if I can find an adapter, but in the meantime I can't play music in the car, on my home stereo, or use my high-end headphones (sigh). Maybe I'll get those fancy bluetooth headphones. I am also not thrilled with having to buy microSD memory when I already have tons of regular SD.
CAMERA
The camera is better and more feature-packed than other phones, but if they put in a flash I would be able to use it more. How often is the lighting just right when you need it anyway?
Am I the only person who notices that a dirty lens ruins pictures? It doesn?t seem like it would be too difficult to include a simple lens cover- but no one else is doing it.
CUSTOMIZATION
The 8525 gives you only 4 programmable buttons- not bad except that I can't program two of the buttons I rarely or never use: the Push to Talk and Camera buttons. I will be irritated if, after PTT is enabled in 2007, I get charged every time I bump the PTT button. That button should be a voice recorder- or whatever you use.
USABILITY
Definitely not comfortable to hold to your ear. You can lock the phone through the software- if you're not using it. If there was a switchable lock, I could flip it on during a call in case I want to hold the phone with my shoulder. I'm just big on headsets yet.
If you use IR software to remote control your home appliances, you'll have to hold the 8525 backwards since the IR port is on the bottom.
WiFI
With 3G, I will only use WiFi for internet when I am outside 3G coverage or if I downgrade my data plan to save money. One cool party trick is building playlists and controlling iTunes over my LAN using my PDA with NetRemote.Updated
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In my original post, I pointed out my main concerns. I've learned a few things since then, and now I think the phone is almost perfect.
(1) I found an adapter to allow the use of normal headphones. This should have come with the phone, but what can you do? At $30, the adapter is pricey enough to consider bluetooth headphones- especially since there is no support for a microphone.
Search for:
"Dopod C720W Audio Jack Converter 11 pin to 3.5mm"
or
"HTC TyTN Audio Audio Jack Converter 11 pin to 3.5mm"
(2) I would prefer a hold switch, but with the right settings, you can push the power button during a call to lock the keys without ending the call.
(3) The camera does have an LED flash of sorts. It is almost useless, but better than nothing in very specific situations. I'll give some points for trying.
(4) MicroSD is a lot cheaper than I thought. For about $20, I picked up 512MB. Since I can sync playlists with Media Player, I don't see the point of using more memory. I don't need access to more music than I can listen to in a month.
(5) I was wrong about the camera button; you can change its function. And thanks to a helpful tip from AZ_user, I was able to find freeware to allow the PTT button to be reconfigured. Search for: "Sleuth255 PTTfix"
(6) It turns out that my house is a hole in 3G service. I'm glad to have WiFi now so I can connect at home. This is nice since I don't always want to boot up the PC to "check something real quick".
BOTTOM LINE: Even though the camera is nothing more than convenient, the 8525 leaves little room for improvement. It takes a while to learn (my friends can't even place a call), but there's nothing better for me.
Note: I do have a list of problems that are WM5 related- but software will always be an issue for me.
- 9 replies to this review
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Phone is very expensive, has no battery life, is the worst "phone" I have ever owned, the sliding lock wears out in matter of weeks and requires upgrades and after market parts to really work well.
Positives
nice key board for emails or texting, big screen, great camers and outlook style email.
Bottom line....
I am replacing it after only 3 months. If you really use the "phone" get something else. -
The 8525 is almost perfect. WM5 PIM/phone integration falls short.
1) No ring profiles.
2) Caller-Id contact recognition is lmtd to 1# per contact.
3) Show my info only to my contacts doesn't work at all. I logged a caller-id bug w/ATT tech supt.
WM3 profiles allow automatic integration w/your calendar, so ring settings go silent when you're in meetings & enable auto Bluetooth connection for car & earpiece. Contact/Caller ID integration is great for biz/personal networking.
These features sold me on WM3/Smartphone when they came w/my AV SMT5600. All allow you 2 spend less time fumblimg w/phone & more time on life.
I hope the WM6 upgrade restores these lost features. In the meantime SPB Software has a profile suite and other cool WMx add-ons. It's disappointing to have to pay for features that were free. -
Cingular (AT&T) network in NYC and Chicago are full of dead spots.
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The 8525 truly seems to have everything I need and more. I'm a novice when it comes to smart phones. Anyone on here have experience with the Blackberry and could comment on whether the 8525 has the edge or not on it? I love the 8525's bigger keyboard, but it sounds like it's a pain to use it routinely as a phone. This would be for both personal and professional use.
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I pretty much agree with everything in this review. While I am still on the learning curve with this PDA phone, I have done a little better in price when purchasing accessories. Ebay is a great source for finding this kind of stuff. I found a 2GB Micro SD card for $20 which I consider more than reasonable. The 3.5mm headphone adapter was $4. I'll probably be adding a cradle charger and a spare battery to the mix soon and expect to find similar savings.
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I know that the 8525 flavour of our beloved handset has been stripped (sob) of its front and back cameras, because Cingular doesn't have a capable data network in place for video calling, but my version (the UK T-Mobile version, called the Vario 2) has both cameras front and back and a physical flash. Granted, it's nigh useless (nothing more than an LED which goes a little brighter when you hit the shutter button... And it gives everything a very blue hue), but it still has one.
I don't use my Vario 2 for the camera though except in particular circumstances, I bought the phone for its crazy fast HSDPA 3G capabilities (using it as a wireless modem on my inclusive data tariff is just... Wow! 1.3mbit/sec through my PHONE! and about 512kbps up at peak). I paid £65 for the phone and my tariff is £27.50 including the £7.50 all you can eat 3G & GPRS access, I love my phone to bits and I'm so happy with it I may even stay with it after my 18 month current contract is up! Of course many have had problems with things such as the screen alignment (my first unit began to do that, but I just arranged a swap as it was within the first 28 days) and the headphone connector is a pain in the ass, but I feel a bit of homebrew hacking up and soldering going on, because the modified USB connector HTC has developed uses a pin out arrangement similar to regular headphones for the actual earbuds, if memory serves
It's just finding the time (and the necessary skills) to do it.
I'm still really happy with this phone, it's oodles better than my last one (HTC Alpine), and I still think it blows the iPhone out of the water in many respects, from push email to ability to install third party apps, hardware keyboard which you can just slide away when you don't need it
, loads of things. That HSDPA support seals the deal for me, personally. -
With this phone costing $200 after signing up for a data plan, it is absolutely the best deal for a smartphone today. You can go to http://www.inphonic.com/specialoffer.aspx?cid=34376_989e5772e45f4f52948a226b9c8262b8 for the info.
I just bought this phone today at the Cingular store in White Marsh, MD. They tried to match the price but could only go as low as $300. I'm testing the phone out and I have the option to return my phone in 30 days, which I believe should be enough time for coolsmartphone to send me a phone for $100 less.
I just switched from a blue RAZR that I paid $120 for. I knew that was ridiculous but I have redeemed by stupid decision by buying this masterpiece. I'm sure newer phones will appear with faster processors but this is perfect for a college student like me. I can use Wi-Fi almost anywhere and it doesn't cost extra. It's fast, the stylus works great and the keyboard is comfortable. Try this phone out, regardless of what the guys at the stores tell you. The salesman actually asked me twice if I was sure I wanted this phone. He said many people have returned them, but I said I'm 19 and I think I know how to work a computer, especially because I grew up using Windows. -
I am in the market for a smartphone and am having trouble deciding which model to get. I have read your posts and you seem to know what you're talking about. I have a few ?'s though: What is WiFi, I'm not in a 3G area (Jacksonville, FL) does that matter, can I use it to check my e-mail (I have a free hotmail acct)? I want to use it for e-mail, word, excel, and other common phone features. The other brands I was thinking of were the Blackberry 7130, 8700 or the palm 680. You can e-mail me at my home address if you like: aaron.eckard@hotmail.com Thanks.
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ttella,
Per "I can't program two of the buttons I rarely or never use: the Push to Talk and Camera buttons."
There is a freeware I loaded called "Sleuth'255's PTTFix". By default it maps the PTT button to start voice command, but it can be configured to do other things.
Do a search for it on line.
Try it, you'll like it!!!
Rick
AT&T 8525:
