Samsung SPH-i330 v. Audiovox Thera/Toshiba 2032

[Stewart]

I finally got permission from my boss (i.e. wife) to upgrade from my Kyocera QCP-6035. My two choices (I need to stay on the Sprint PCS network) - the Audiovox Thera (same as Toshiba 2032) and the Samsung SPH-i330. My goal is to own a cell phone which I can use both as a wireless web browser and as a cell phone. I will be using it as a cell phone 80% of the time, and web browser 20%. (That being said, I am willing to give up a certain amount of phone functionality for a good web browsing experience.)

My evaluation at this point is as follows:

Audiovox/Toshiba unit:
- weak battery life (WEAKNESS)
- big screen (STRENGTH)
- good internet experience (especially using Thunderhawk full screen browser!) (STRENGTH)
- cannot be used as external wireless modem for my laptop (WEAKNESS)
- not very "phone like" in operation (WEAKNESS)
- must use spotty Microsoft Activesync for Outlook information sync (WEAKNESS)

Samsung unit:
- strong battery life (STRENGTH)
- smaller screen (WEAKNESS)
- lesser internet experience (WEAKNESS)
- CAN be used as external wireless modem for my laptop (STRENGTH)
- very much "phone like" (STRENGTH)
- reliable syncing of Outlook info with Chapura software (STRENGTH)

Has anyone had a chance to put both phones through the paces? Does anyone have any comments or opinions? I'm currently evaluating the Toshiba, and am not thrilled with the terribly battery life and the very "un-phonelike" feel of the unit. I want to hear your comments! Thanks!

Stewart

[Rickj963]

How did you get the i330 hooked up as a wireless modem to your laptop? What type of speed were you seeing?