Bluetooth phones: Nokia 6310 vs Ericsson T68i

[Bluetoothnut]

I want to get a Bluetooth phone to go with my pocketpc. I talked to local AT & T representative. He told me that Sony Ericsson T68i has very terrible reception, I should go with the Nokia 6310 instead. But the Nokia 6310 cost $175 and seems a lot bigger. Any one with better suggestions? The same rep also tells me I can use my minutes to surf the web using GSM. But I heard from someone else that they usually locks it, forcing you to get GPRS account. Is that true?

I also talk to T-mobile, they only carry T68i. Does anyone know can I buy a Ericsson R520m elsewhere and use it on T-mobile?

[t720]

Well, that AT&T rep was DEFINITELY right...if there's anyone to ask about the T68i's poor reception...it's me. I hate that phone...it is clearly the spawn of all evil. I almost wanted to turn down AT&T because of it, but their coverage here is way too good. Instead I got a T720 and I'm a lot happier [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img].

Anyway, enough about me, let's handle you. I guess the 6310 is a bit heavier and taller, but if you want to be using bluetooth while making a call, that's your only choice. You're kind of stuck. I would honestly suggest waiting for some newer phones to come out, if you want to take the wait. But the T68i is just plain unacceptable.

If you live in an area with a REALLY strong GSM signal (this is a rarity), then you can choose the T68i. Otherwise, not an option. Hope I was at least semi-informative.

[Phony]

I've used the t68i for about 4 months now and I'm pretty happy with it. Yes, if you're in an area where the signal is really weak this phone might not work as well but for the most part you shouldn't have any problems. People freak out on this phone if it doesn't work in one area and say that it has terrible reception but the fact of the matter is that the phones are tested extensively by the carriers before they roll them out. I love my bluetooth headset. I switched phones for a week and was freaking out because I didn't have my bluetooth headset. Its really nice once you get use to it and its hard going back to a wired headset.

[ComicalMoodyDan]

The T68i is crap reception wise. Go to Howards and read a review of it even he meantions the Poor RF on it.

[ZaphodB]

Originally posted by: Phony I've used the t68i for about 4 months now and I'm pretty happy with it. Yes, if you're in an area where the signal is really weak this phone might not work as well but for the most part you shouldn't have any problems. People freak out on this phone if it doesn't work in one area and say that it has terrible reception but the fact of the matter is that the phones are tested extensively by the carriers before they roll them out. I love my bluetooth headset. I switched phones for a week and was freaking out because I didn't have my bluetooth headset. Its really nice once you get use to it and its hard going back to a wired headset.

The phones are tested heavily... yes, probably. Doesn't stop some truly terrible phones from being released - go to the Motorola forum sometime and read the complaints about Verizon's T720i... and Verizon are the most ____-retentive about testing.

My boss had a T68i on T-Mobile here in Los Angeles. He was constantly freaking out about how terrible the coverage area was here and how T-Mobile could possibly survive without coverage along some of the major freeways (the 60, for example, and the 5). I lent him my old Samsung R225m, which, while bug-laden, has EXCELLENT RF performance. All of a sudden the complaints slowed to a trickle, and he discovered that there really is coverage - GOOD coverage - along those freeways and that his phone just stank.

[DCinSEA]

As far as the phone goes, you get what you pay for. Wonder why the T68i is almost free?

GPRS data usage on AT&T is pay per kilobyte, NOT per minute from your bucket. Depending on your usage, there is a fee from $3 to $20 just for the mMode, then you get a set amount of kb's to use.