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Searching for a recomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

Discussion in 'AT&T Wireless Forum' started by TurboDan, Jun 11, 2006.

  1. TurboDan

    TurboDan Junior Member
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    OK, so I signed up with Cingular back in February and my experience has been pretty good - except for the fact that I bought into the hype and purchased a RAZR! Basically, I've had three "beefs" with this phone: unbelievably low volume from the handset, an annoying buzzing noise whenever the battery goes below three bars, and poor reception - even compared to the freebie LG phone that my father purchased when we signed up together. We met for lunch one day, and his phone made a clear call from inside a restaurant and mine was doing its usual "crapping out."

    Anywho, since a few of these issues are well-known, and I made a big enough stink about it, they're letting me choose a replacement phone. My requirements are quad-band (since I'll be travelling a few times this year), Bluetooth, high volume from the handset (comparable to my old Nextel?) and good reception. Ad for other features, I'm a gadget guy, but I mostly want a phone that just WORKS!

    I tried out the Nokia 6102 in the store, but the volume was incredibly low on this phone too. Otherwise, it would've suited me fine. After reviewing owner comments online, this is apparently a well-known problem with that model. I promise - it's not my hearing! :D Tried my girlfriend's VZW CDMA Motorola phone and I could hear clearly at 3/7. The RAZR is unintelligible at 7/7 regularly.

    So now I have it narrowed down to the Sony Ericsson Z520a and the newly-released Samsung S407. Both have all of the features I require, but I have two questions: If anyone is aware of reception and voice volume on either of these two models, I am in desperate need of being in the know! ;) I know the Samsung was just released, but how is their history in these areas? I figure if an "el cheapo" LG freebie has better reception - just about any phone would! My main concern now is the volume.

    Any input would be much appreciated!!
     
    #1 TurboDan, Jun 11, 2006
  2. Jay2TheRescue

    Jay2TheRescue Resident Spamslayer
    Super Moderator Senior Member

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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    Well, the V3 is usually a great phone. If you are experiencing low volume you can always adjust the gain table. A great free phone is the Motorola V557. It is bacically an updated version of the Motorola V551 (My old phone) bluetooth, EDGE - all around a great phone. Stay away from the LG CU320 - I got one last month and returned it after 26 hours. I never had so many dropped calls in my life. I traded it in and got a V3 and haven't been happier.

    -Jay
     
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    #2 Jay2TheRescue, Jun 11, 2006
  3. Scrumhalf

    Scrumhalf Bronze Senior Member
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    Turbodan, I agree with Jay - the V557 is an excellent phone - my wife has one and I must say the RF performance and sound quality is exceptional. I have also not experienced the issues that you have with the V3 - could it be that you just have a lemon? I edited the gain table on the V3 and turned a really good phone into a very very good one but I am guessing that is not your problem - I never had *bad* sound issues like you describe.
     
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    #3 Scrumhalf, Jun 11, 2006
  4. AshRae84

    AshRae84 ...Formerly YourDream84
    Senior Member

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    Wirelessly posted (SonyEricssonZ520a/R3F Browser/SEMC-Browser/4.2 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

    I have the Z520a, and it has excellent reception. My best friend has a RAZR and you cant even compare them when it comes to reception. We live in the country and she's usually dead when I have at least 2-3/4 bars. As far as sound, I think the Z520a is great. I have a perforated ear drum and have lots of hearing problems, but I hear clearly with this phone. I use my phone more for media and text, and Im not that impressed for those purposes. But just for calls, its great.
     
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    #4 AshRae84, Jun 12, 2006
  5. walkguru

    walkguru Wireless Guru
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    Wirelessly posted (Walkguru's: Nokia6682/2.0 (3.01.1) SymbianOS/8.0 Series60/2.6 Profile/MIDP-2.0 Configuration/CLDC-1.1 UP.Link/6.3.0.0.0)

    The 557 is a good phone. I am a fan nokia, just about any nokia.
     
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    #5 walkguru, Jun 12, 2006
  6. bobolito

    bobolito Diamond Senior Member
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    The z520 may not be the best phone for MediaNet because the browser is cheap and the screen is small, but the sound quality and reception are exceptional. I wish the phone was just a little bit louder, but it is just right for most occasions. But the only reason I wish it was just a notch louder is because it seems to be at the reasonably loud but comfortable volume level when it is maxed out. I prefer to have a little more room for volume loudness in case I am in a loud area or the volume from the other end is weak. However, the well-balanced tone, bassy and bright smooth sound quality of the z520 almost makes up for it. It is easy to understand people even if they are in a bad connection.

    A lot of phones are having this lack of earpiece volume problem lately. I don't know what's wrong with manufacturers.

    Now, if you want a REALLY LOUD phone, get a Motorola like a V557. It is honestly LOUD. If you still want it louder than that, there are hacks that can be done to it to make it even louder! The V557 also has a better screen than the Z520.

    A problem with the RAZR is its cheap earpiece doesn't have that much power so the sound quality is not as good as the other Motorolas like the V557.
     
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    #6 bobolito, Jun 12, 2006
  7. TurboDan

    TurboDan Junior Member
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    Thanks for the input so far! You guys have been a huge help. I'm going to head over to the Cingular store to see everything for myself. I've handled the SE before - my only complaint was a lack of the regular Send/End buttons, but I suppose that's something I could get used to. I was actually quite impressed with the UI.

    Overall, I like the design and look of the Samsung a little better, but I guess for the things I've narrowed it down to, I'll have to check it out for myself.
     
    #7 TurboDan, Jun 12, 2006
  8. walkguru

    walkguru Wireless Guru
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    good luck with whatever you get.:cool:
     
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    #8 walkguru, Jun 12, 2006
  9. our3rotts

    our3rotts An Iowa Gurl...
    Senior Member

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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    I said it on the other thread.

    Loving on the v557 I've had since March.

    And it takes pretty good pics (if you go to this thread, you'll see)

    And as we were going home from the neighbors last night, my dh said my phone would easily double as a flashlight in case of emergencies.

    :D
     
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    #9 our3rotts, Jun 12, 2006
  10. raw4986

    raw4986 Member

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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    i went out last week and got the samsung d807 - i love it

    the only drawback is that the earpiece volume is rather low despite being on the loudest setting...

    i used to have razr v3c from verison and would take the d807 over the razr any day ( i had some very bad razr experiences)
     
    #10 raw4986, Jun 12, 2006
  11. kjo

    kjo Bronze Senior Member
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    I know CHARLYEE on this forum had a Sony Ericsson Z520i phone which is just the unbranded/unlocked version that Cingular carries and she was extremely happy with it as I remember. I know I went in one day to the Cingular store and just played with it. It was cute and sounded pretty loud to me. here's her review on that phone.
    http://forums.wirelessadvisor.com/sony-ericsson/13023-preliminary-z520i-review.html

    I know I would want one if I had Cingular :browani:
     
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    #11 kjo, Jun 12, 2006
  12. TurboDan

    TurboDan Junior Member
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    Re: Searching for a reccomendation, Trading Phones This Week.

    OK, so after 90 minutes of arguing, back-and-forth, etc. on the phone with Cingular, they agreed (again) to send me a different model phone. They originally only wanted to give me a feature-less LG phone, but I demanded quad-band and Bluetooth, and they said I could have the V557.

    I may have fought on further if not for the reccomendations on here, since I've gotten used to the "cool" factor a bit with the RAZR and it feels like I'm going back to my clunky Nextel i730 (especially with the absence of a color external screen). But, I do tend to trust the opinions of those here and if it delivers what counts - good call quality - then I'll be a happy camper.

    The guy at the Cingular store told me that they would be upgrading to 3G in NYC on June 21 and in most of NJ by September and October, so I will most definitely be eBaying in search of a 3G phone when they release some new 3G models. I'm especially looking forward to seeing what the LG CU500 looks like.
     
    #12 TurboDan, Jun 12, 2006
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