What phones support SMS on Sprint's network?

[Tony E!]

Just curious, will there be a software upgrade for older phones, or are we stuck with short messaging?

[larry]

No there will not be any updates for current phones but all of the newer models & future models have built in SMS.

[ILUVSOCAL]

No upgrades? Sounds like a good way for Sprint to make a bunch of money, and it doesn't seem to fair to the users to have to buy a new phone to use SMS, which Sprint should have had years ago, how do you feel about it Larry?

[Tony E!]

Also i think that one should be allowed to upgrade to a handset that does support it by giving it's current customers a discount, BIG diccount.

[larry]

Originally posted by: ILUVSOCAL
No upgrades? Sounds like a good way for Sprint to make a bunch of money, and it doesn't seem to fair to the users to have to buy a new phone to use SMS, which Sprint should have had years ago, how do you feel about it Larry?

You can't really blame Sprint for not wanting to release software updates for every phone. That would require a lot of time and effort. It would also create huge lines in all of the stores with people coming in for these upgrades and they just don't have enough equipment and manpower to do that. I just don't see it to be a good idea. But that's not to say they shouldn't give up some sort of discount on a new SMS capable phone or something like that. But we all know that's just wishful thinking. [img]i/expressions/face-icon-small-smile.gif[/img]

[mescpa]

Originally posted by: larry
No there will not be any updates for current phones but all of the newer models & future models have built in SMS.

Unfortunately, not that many of the current offerings by Sprint offer 2-way SMS messaging. For the Sanyos, it appears that only the VM4500 has 2-way SMS. Unfortunately, that phone has a damned camera (I work a lot for a large defense contractor - Camera phones are a hassle) Also the VM4500 is BIG BUCKS.

It appears in reading the on-line owners' manuals that the Sanyo models RL-2000, RL2500 and SCP-8100 all do NOT offer 2-way SMS. Bummer. (All of these Sanyo models are still offered for sale on the current Sprint website)

Soooo, I was looking at the Samsung VI660, which DOES offer 2-way SMS and has no camera.

I'd hate to lose the signal-holding strength of a Sanyo, though.

Just my thoughts,

--Mark

[larry]

The Nokia 3588i is also SMS capable.

The Samsung V660 is a pretty nice phone if you can live without the external display. I believe Costco has dropped the price on it to $170 now.

[shimo]

That was one of my biggest complaints about Sprint, no SMS. I know there is a way to get your messages via the web, but from what I hear, it's a pain. It makes Sprint look more attractive now.

They might even be able to capture some bigger % of the teen market now that they have SMS. I believe SMS is geared toward teens.

[larry]

Yes I agree. They will get more teens siging up with SMS available now.

[mescpa]

I called SPrint Customer Service (*2) and asked about upgrades of existing phones for SMS.

The technician told me that there WILL be upgrades available for some of the existing models which will make SMS available to these phones. This is supposed to include the Sanyo 4900 and 8100 models. (Those are the models I specifically asked about)

As for Larry's predictions that Sprint will NOT offer these upgrades, I think the smart money is with Larry. I'll believe these SMS-enabling upgrades when I see them.

Next... I'll call a Sprint Store to see if they know anything about these SMS-enabling upgrades.

--Mark

[Tony E!]

Originally posted by: mescpa
I called SPrint Customer Service (*2) and asked about upgrades of existing phones for SMS.

The technician told me that there WILL be upgrades available for some of the existing models which will make SMS available to these phones. This is supposed to include the Sanyo 4900 and 8100 models. (Those are the models I specifically asked about)

As for Larry's predictions that Sprint will NOT offer these upgrades, I think the smart money is with Larry. I'll believe these SMS-enabling upgrades when I see them.

Next... I'll call a Sprint Store to see if they know anything about these SMS-enabling upgrades.

--Mark

Same here, thanks for the info Mark.

[larry]

Originally posted by: mescpa
I called SPrint Customer Service (*2) and asked about upgrades of existing phones for SMS.

The technician told me that there WILL be upgrades available for some of the existing models which will make SMS available to these phones. This is supposed to include the Sanyo 4900 and 8100 models. (Those are the models I specifically asked about)

As for Larry's predictions that Sprint will NOT offer these upgrades, I think the smart money is with Larry. I'll believe these SMS-enabling upgrades when I see them.

Next... I'll call a Sprint Store to see if they know anything about these SMS-enabling upgrades.

--Mark

It doesn't matter what customer service says. It's simply not going to happen. It would create too much work for the Sprint stores who don't all have the equipment or manpower to do that many upgrades.

[Tony E!]

Ok then now i have a good excused to replace my 8100 with the VM 4500.

[mescpa]

I called the Brea Sprint Store and talked with "A Voice Who Answered The Phone."

I asked about software upgrades for SMS on existing phones.

THe Sprint Store employee indicated that they have been told that SMS software upgrades will be available in-store in early to mid-March.

While my money is still with "Doubting Larry," I am starting to get my hopes up.

Also, my daughter (Who has her own Sprint account with a Sanyo 8100) received an email to her Sprint PCS email letting her know that she can start using SMS messaging. Unfortunately her Sanyo 8100 is not currently SMS enabled. I did not receive such an SMS email announcement. Then again, I have a Sanyo 4900.

Stay tuned...

--Mark

[larry]

Originally posted by: mescpa
I called the Brea Sprint Store and talked with "A Voice Who Answered The Phone."

I asked about software upgrades for SMS on existing phones.

THe Sprint Store employee indicated that they have been told that SMS software upgrades will be available in-store in early to mid-March.

While my money is still with "Doubting Larry," I am starting to get my hopes up.

Also, my daughter (Who has her own Sprint account with a Sanyo 8100) received an email to her Sprint PCS email letting her know that she can start using SMS messaging. Unfortunately her Sanyo 8100 is not currently SMS enabled. I did not receive such an SMS email announcement. Then again, I have a Sanyo 4900.

Stay tuned...

--Mark

I still stay it won't happen. By the way I go to that Brea store all the time. It's the 2nd closest store to my house. I like them because they still do software updates unlike the store in Orange.

[larry]

One good thing that appears to have come out of Sprint offering SMS is that the short mail (connecting to web) way of sending texts seems to be working better and faster now as more people use the new SMS, which frees up the servers for short mail. So we all end up benefitting from this.