Manage updates with the Download App-
"Nice phone, needs work"
on by SunfellPros Lovely design, easy to use features
Cons Wonky browser and firmware problems
Summary I purchased this phone less than a week ago as a web-enabled upgrade to my old Nokia candy-bar phone, and put it through its paces. Internet access was simple and easy, but in spite of my purchasing the Power Vision plan, there were a lot or 'premium' features that required payment to use.
The display was colorful and very readable- even the tinier fonts.
Unfortunately, the browser had difficulty rendering some pages- even their 'mobile' or 'text only' versions. And a particularly frustrating problem was the inability to read entries on moblogs after writing and posting them. The phone came up with a 'too many redirect' error. I found that odd, because on the computer, there were no redirects at all. It went straight to the "format=light" page.
The firmware error came up when I attempted to access my email- no matter what route I took to get to it, the phone would lock up, and required my removing the battery in order to reboot it. Two hours of head-scratching with customer service determined that this was a firmware error in the phone. It's a doozy, though. I got it mainly for email and moblogging. I can't do either, which made me down-rate it.
One feature that I liked was the wireless contact backup feature offered by Sprint. I don't know if it was exclusive to this phone, but it's very useful and extensive. For $2 a month, you can enter your contacts online through your computer, then exit the application and have it instantly update the phone. Considering that I am going to have to swap out this phone, the wireless backup is a handy thing.
All in all, it's a nice phone with all sorts of bells and whistles- but you'll have to pay for a lot of them.Updated
I had my phone replaced with one that did not have the firmware problem, and I am happy with the phone now. If I could, I'd move my rating up to an '8'. Just make sure that you have the Power Vision option turned on before you leave the store. Sprint forgot to do that with mine, and I got hit with $75 in data overage fees. Yes, they fixed it, but it always is good to double check your plan.
I also got the firmware fix code:
On your phone's keypad, do the following:
##36245778#
Select 'yes'
Option 1
Exit -
"sharp phone, surprising value, pleasantly surprised"
on by alexcordero9Pros elegant, great battery life, sturdy, solid feel, fast
Cons better camera and video, external media controls
Summary I bought this phone because I have a Sprint contract and didn't have a choice. Sprint NEEDS a better selection of phones. Despite my cell phone service reservations, I was pleasantly surprised with the Katana DLX. I have the silver version and the more I look at it, the more I like it. It's a strikingly attractive piece of hardware. Ringers are nice and loud and the phone doesn't feel flimsy and skinny--it's the perfect size and weight. Google maps is fast on this phone as are other JAR applications. With a seperately available, 2GB micro SD card (about $30), it successfuly replaced my PDA. The average cell phone user with minimal basic data transfer needs will not be dissapointed. The little plastic port cover feel like they might break after about a year or two or use so we'll have to wait and see how those pan out.
-
"solid phone, some problems"
on by seaniboi77Pros great call quality, excellent features, great looks, reliable
Cons scratches easily, poor speakerphone, charger port cover will eventually come loose
Summary bought this phone september 07. had a motorola 1580 which was nearly indestructible. this phone took quite a beating until i chipped a big piece off of the rear casing. i got it replaced today and the volume rocker only raises the volume and it erased everything on my sd card. they ordered another one free of charge and took $20 off the first replacement. unfortunately i cant get my pictures back, but that shouldnt be too bad. now and i gotta wait til next week and hope the next one isnt messed up. the e-mail problem with the phone was fixed in this replacement though so for anyone who still has the 1st wave of these phones you should be able to work something out with a sprint store. overall its my favorite phone, but why the volume rocker is malfunctioning on the replacement is sorta sketchy
-
"Great Phone, Great Features"
on by bridget529Pros style, design, features
Cons none to date
Summary I love my Katana, I switch phones every 3 to 4 months and I have owned this one for 6 months now and have no intentions of giving it up anytime soon. Sanyo makes phones specifically for the Sprint network. You will not find Sanyo sold on any other network and therefore, when it comes to good service that is the BEST phone you can buy for Sprint.
This phone is packed with features all of which work great. And if you are a big texter like me, you will find the texting features great, gives you flexibility and ease with texting.
Bottom line, just a great and stylish phone.. Looks good and works good. -
"Love this Phone!"
on by llmckeanePros Great shape, not to heavy, looks great, seems to access everything quickly. This is about my 4th phone since being with Sprint 4 years ago, and by far like it the best. Sleek, user-friendly!
Cons Firmware issue that some have had, phone locks up when trying to access email. Hope they find a fix, its a pain!
Summary I love this phone of all the phones sprint has come out with. Don't think I will have to look every 6 months for something new now, I think I like this one enough to keep it! Used to have the M610, HATED it.
This is by far the best!Updated
Just called sprint and they do have a fix for the freezing issue, so my faith has been restored!
Sanyo Katana DLX 8500 user reviews (pink satin, Sprint)
Results 1-5 of 16
Results 1-5 of 16
Where to Buy
Pricing is currently unavailable.
Set price alert
Quick Specifications
- Service provider Sprint Nextel
- Cellular technology CDMA2000 1X
- Talk time Up to 240 min
- Combined with With digital camera / digital player
- Weight 3.5 oz
- Diagonal screen size 2.0 in
%20-%20Smartphones%20-%20CNET%20Reviews&srcUrl=http://reviews.cnet.com/smartphones/sanyo-katana-dlx-8500/4852-6452_7-32513657.html&x_breadcrumb=8900:3488:3504:6452&x_arw_bkts=MAD:first_impression){kind=small}