Is Audiovox 9500 the right phone for me?

[inquirer]

I need to replace my old Startac (Verizon network) and I am attracted to the Audiovox 9500, but I am sure that your guidance will be helpful.

My needs/desires are pretty basic. I want a flip phone, so that narrows the field a bit. One of the principal reasons that I am attracted to the 9500 is its speakerphone capability. I occasionally get calls while driving, but don't want to wear a headset on the off chance that a call will come in, so the idea of a speakerphone is attractive to me. This narrows the field even more. I am not a particularly heavy user (rarely more than 30 minutes per day), but sometimes put stress on the battery by leaving it on in areas of bad reception or no reception (such as subways). (Is there an auto power save for those no-reception situations?) I often talk outdoors on the phone, so I would like a phone with sufficient earpiece volume to be able to hear over street noise. Finally, I want a phone that will last as long as the contract I need to sign in order to get it. (Two-year contract but one-year warranty means a year of risk, but I don't want to pay $4 extra per month for "insurance.")

So, is the 9500 the phone for me, or do you recommend that I consider something different? Thanks in advance for your help.

[BUmmedic]

Hey, Inquirer... well, if you need a speakerphone, the 9500 is it for your choices currently on the Verizon network. Many people complain about the earpiece problem (I know, I used to be one of them). There is a smaller sweet spot because of the design of only one sound hole. However, once I found it, 4/5 volume was plenty loud for me. In a pinch, with lots of street noise (people screaming at cabs and cabs honking back), 5/5, if anything in that case (I think you would have problems with a set of Bose sound-cancelling earphones here in Boston during rush hour), would probably do the job. It just takes some getting used to when you first start positioning the phone. The standard battery will suffice for heavy-light to moderate use (~30 min/day), and yes, there is a power save feature that you can set for whatever interval you want. I think the default setting is 3 minutes or so. This phone pulls in reception like nothing else out there, and you might be surprised how this phone can turn former dead areas into "clear call" areas, even with minimal signal. Speakerphone qality is pretty good, and I use the belt clip that comes in the box because I can clip it to my visor and flip open the phone so that the external speaker is pointed straight at me. No one I've talked to using this method has had any problems hearing me or being heard. Sometimes I have to crank it to 5/5 external speaker volume, but as with all things, there's a little distortion and usually 4/5 is clear as a whistle and I can hear just fine. The 9600 is slated to come out sometime this summer, but from what I've read and seen, the only advantage of that will be a built-in camera and a few minor design changes (very very minor... e.g., instead of two single rubber pads to cushion the flip, there's one long one instead... maybe another earpiece hole... can't tell from small pics). I personally love this phone and haven't had one this good in the past (and I used a startac). I just never had luck with Motorola phones. There are some software glitches, but they're known by the techs and VZW has been fine with swap-outs. No questions asked. This may be the phone for you. Also, people who have bought the Bluetooth Jabra Freespeak (the version for non-BT phones with the adaptor since the 9500 isn't BT) have been praising the quality of the wireless headset communication and the fact that the 9500 is the only phone so far able to take advantage of the advanced features of the BT headset (answer/end calls from headset, activate voice-dialing from headset, etc.). Just another option if you're one to leave phone in backpack/briefcase and just use headset for all your needs. Hope this helps.

- Fred

[inquirer]

Thanks, BUmmedic. Your analysis is extremely helpful. Do you have any sense of whether durability/reliability/obsolescence issues would make it more sensible to pay the extra for a one-year contract (and only 10 months until eligibility for a new phone at the subsidized price) or if it is a good gamble to pay the lower price and get a two-year contract (and wait 22 months for eligibility for a new one)? (My startac was replaced twice during the one-year warranty period and is nearing the end of its useful life 18 months into my relationship with Verizon (but only 11 months since last replacement), so this is worth a moment of thought on my part. On the other hand, I suppose that if I buy the phone with a credit card that extends warranties for up to an additional year I'm OK for everything but obsolescence issues.)

Thanks again.

[BUmmedic]

I've always signed 2-year contracts and have always been allowed to upgrade my phone for the upgrade/new subscriber price every 10 months. I don't think you have to wait 22 months for that option (if so, I've been extremely lucky). So I always sign 2-year contracts and usually upgrade every 10 months to a new phone. In all honesty, this is the only phone that I've bought thus far that, after over a month of having and using it, I'm not anxiously awaiting my next upgrade opportunity.

- Fred

[pjrivera03]

Fred we are aloud to upgrade after ten months, even in a two year contract!!!! That is awesome I was worried about that too. Thanks! But I will call and verify to make sure you jsut didn't get lucky, and I'll let everyone know. Later!

[BUmmedic]

I've been signing two-year contracts since 1997, and I've always had/been given the opportunity to upgrade my phone every 10 months (from the date of my last contract intiation). Started out with a Nokia 2180, switched to an Audiovox 4500, then a Motorola StarTac 7860W, then a Kyocera 2235, and now my Audiovox 9500. Of these, the best reception and sound quality has to go to the Audiovoxes. The Nokia was okay as a starter, and the Motorola just gave me trouble (echoes, battery life inconsistency, battery meter fluctuation, etc.). I mean, the StarTac was a cool phone, but I just didn't have good luck with it. The Kyocera was all right, but I grew tired of it after a while and wanted a new phone. So here I am... proud to have my 9500, and for once, envisioning not being ready to get rid of it when I hit my next 10-month opportunity.

- Fred

[pjrivera03]

Fred I called Verizon and no luck they said you can't upgrade until the 22 month marker, do you remember what your reps. name was? OR were did you go to upgrade phone, internet, or store. Thanks again for the info.

[BUmmedic]

Went to a Verizon store. I signed a 2-year contract in March of last year, and they told me that I'd be eligible for an upgrade this January... I did, got the 9500. Don't know what the deal is. Sorry, man.

- Fred

[pjrivera03]

lol, your a lucky man, i will try the smathing in ten months though, lol! Give me some of your luck mean while, lol, j/k.

[Suliman]

I think they have to tell you "no" when you ask. A year from now if they want you're business, the odds are they'll offer something for you. I've done it myself a couple of times, even though the policy was contrary to this. I only use a phone to make and receive calls, so when the time comes, I might be hard-pressed to get rid of the 9500 as it has been that good.

Suliman

[BUmmedic]

Me, too... unless there's something out there that I have to have or is vastly better and the price is right. I mean, c'mon, the 9500 has been a wonderful phone, and for a total of $49.95 (once I get that darn rebate), I don't think I've ever gotten a deal that good. I've dished out more money for a car charger, body glove case, dekstop charger, and extended battery, but all has been well worth it. I don't think I'm going to give up this one easily.

- Fred

[Suliman]

My rebate took about 8 weeks but finally came. I sent it in when you had to send in an old phone, also.

Suliman

[BUmmedic]

I sent in my old Nokia 2180 (my first Bell Atlantic Mobile) phone that's been sitting around in a desk drawer for years. I powered it up, it still had a pretty decent signal, and the battery still retained power. Not bad... Sent it in the first week of February, so I'm not expecting anything for at least another month or more.

- Fred

[Tullphan]

Originally posted by: BUmmedic
Me, too... unless there's something out there that I have to have or is vastly better and the price is right. I mean, c'mon, the 9500 has been a wonderful phone, and for a total of $49.95 (once I get that darn rebate), I don't think I've ever gotten a deal that good. I've dished out more money for a car charger, body glove case, dekstop charger, and extended battery, but all has been well worth it. I don't think I'm going to give up this one easily.

- Fred

$49.95 AR??? Mine was $179.95 less $100 MIR (no trade-in required). When & where did you get yours? So far I like mine (bought the extended life battery & a nifty case that offers better protection for it than the belt clip...$2.79 @ RadioShack on clearance), but am ready other peoples gripes/complaints/problems with the phone so I can try & duplicate it before my trial period is over.
I guess this phone is sold exclusively @ Verizon because I work @ RadioShack & haven't heard anything about us getting it. Otherwise I would've waited & gotten a 25% discount! I'm kinda glad I didn't, tho, since VZW changed the pricing structure on the Am. Choice plan.

[BUmmedic]

Got mine just after the first week of January. This was before the shift to a strict MIR rather than the TIR. THey told me at the store that I didn't have to mail in a phone since Verizon knows that you can donate an old phone directly at a store. Had my old one lying around for too long, so I mailed it in anyways. The price went up like two weeks after I bought mine. The phone is great, and the only gripe I have is the lack of external buttons, but I'm not going to trade it in for a lesser phone just for that convenience. And now that the stores are starting to get a lot of returns and complaints about the VX4400, it looks like the 9500 is the new flagship of the GIN color-flip fleet. All of the VZW authorized retail stores that I've been in know about the phone and I've been told that they're "not allowed" to carry it. It's a VZW only thing. Oh well... too bad you couldn't have gotten your 25% discount, that would have been sweet. Take care...

- Fred

PS - my rebate was processed two days ago, so I should have my $100 within the next couple of weeks.

[Mike6594]

I wanted to comment on all the reviews I have read here about the Audiovox 9500. I am new to this forum and have really enjoyed reading everyone's comments. My wife and I switched to Verizon last June after having nothing but problems with AT&T Wireless. I'm in the Atlanta, GA area. I have been very happy with Verizon so far except for the phones we originally chose. The LG VX510. What a piece of junk! My latest problem is it constantly echoes when talking. They have already swapped it out once. No change! So after talking to customer service, not the store, the stores are not willing to deal with you, the customer service rep told me that the LG VX510 has become there biggest problem phone. They are going to allow me to get a new phone early because of the problems I've had. So next Saturday, the 15th, we are both getting new phones. I asked the tech support person to recommend a phone to me. She gave me 2 choices. The Samsung A310 and the Audiovox 9500. After reading all of the reviews here I think it's pretty clear which one I'm going with. I am a technician, and I've got to say, the 9500 has the best display I have ever seen. Plus with the rebate it is a lot cheaper than the A310 and does 10 times the stuff. A little bigger than I like but what a cool phone! If there is actually an issue with software upgrades for the volume, I'll get the lowdown. I've already made friends with the Tech Support guys here at the call center here in Atlanta. With the problems I've had with this LG 510 I'm unsure of going back with another one of their products. When I had cellular service years ago with BellSouth Mobility, the Audiovox phones were one of their best models. Thanks for all the great comments here about the 9500. The current prices here are $210 w/1 year contract; $180 w/2 year contract. $100 mail-in rebate. I found it at Verizon's website for $149 w/$100 rebate. The lady at the store here told me to print it off and bring it in Saturday and she would try to let me have it for that price. I think so far that the 9500 is the choice of phones for Verizon even though Consumer Reviews still doesn't have it in the Top 5 phones for Verizon. I think it's so new that they haven't seen it yet. Thanks!

Mike

[cocoagirl]

The 9500 is no longer on verizon's site, anyone know why?

[Suliman]

There have been postings that suggest Verizon is discontinuing the 9500 and will come out with Audiovox's replacement for it (9600?). Yet, I just saw a pop-up ad for the 9500 from Verizon a few minutes. I have the 9500 and it's a great phone with the exception of the weak standard battery, which is easily remedied by getting the extended battery. As far as Consumer Reports goes, by the time their results are published, the model of whatever they are talking about has already been replaced.

Suliman

[AnthroMatt]

Yeah, to anyone who may want to get a 9500 and have been putting off your decision for whatever reason, the time to act is now. Stores in Columbus, OH that have sold out of the phone (I know of at least 2) will not be getting any more. The phone is also no longer listed for sale in the Ohio/Michigan market for online purchase AFAIK.

I'm afraid it won't be long before eBay might be the only place to get a 9500.

[onestunner]

I was just wondering if anyone out there is working on the Audiovox cdm9500 crack for wallpaper and midi file upload through the data cable. Or if the exsisting Data Kit will have Sync software in it that will Allow users to upload pics and ringtones?
[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-sad.gif[/img]

[wyldekard]

Go to www.cdmangels.com and join in. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-wink.gif[/img]

[onestunner]

Where can i go and get Mobile Office Cable Data Kit for the AUDIOVOX CDM9500 Series[img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-confused.gif[/img]

[AnthroMatt]

Verizon sells them on their webpage, eBay has em, probably some Verizon stores have them too.