Samsung's i730 Pocket PC Phone gets WiFi

We'd already been quietly lusting after the SCH-i730, Samsung's slick new Pocket PC Phone with a 2.8-inch QVGA (240x320) 65,000 color touch screen, 64MB RAM, a 1.3 megapixel digital camera, and a slide-out QWERTY keyboard ever since we got our grubby hands on it at a press event a few weeks ago, but this just sealed the deal for us: according to FCC filings scared up by PhoneScoop, it's also going to have built-in WiFi and Bluetooth. You didn't hear it from us, but the i730 is almost definitely going to be available from Verizon sometime early next year (for use on their new high-speed EV-DO network, no less). And did we mention that it's almost the same size as the Treo 650, too?

[Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

After the huge mess they made with the v710(I'm yet another dissatisfied customer), I'm not going to hold my breath. Although I'm definitely curious to see how vzw screws this one up.

[Jabari @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

yup ur right Bill...the question is how will Verizon screw this one up...only if this was a GSM device

[Paul @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

If you're lookin for a GSM device, scope the Siemens Sx66 - i'm holding out for AT&T to pick it up, so i can score one through our business :D

[isaint @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I have the i600 and it has got to be biggest pile of sh*t of I have had to use. Two replacements, firmware upgrades, and the same story. It will be interesting to see if history repeats itself on this one...

[Dave @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I heard Vzn is also getting the Audiovox XV6600 in January--same as the Siemens SX66 Cingular already has--but with NO wifi. Why would they enable it for the i730 but not for the XV6600?

http://www.smartphonetoday.com/articles/2004/12/2004-12-16-Verizon-Offers-3G.html

[Anatoly @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

It looks like we will never see Samsung i 730!
....such a joke.....

[Bg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Do they have "Samsung" in enough places on the device?

[Bg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Do they have "Samsung" in enough places on the device?

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I'm an unhappy Audiovox XV6600 user anxiously waiting to trade it in for the SCH-i730. I'm very interested to know why people have been unhappy with the Samsung 700 series before possibly stepping into another pile. Please share or point me to a source.

[Charles Hoard @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Well, it's on the Verizon website with a 'coming soon' moniker. I hope Verizon doesn't screw this up - please leave the wif and bluetooth alone!

[robert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

http://www.vzwshop.com/samsungi730info/

Notice that there is no mention of WIFI. Also no mention of EV-DO

No Wifi is a complete deal killer. Guess I'm going to stick with cingular and get the HTC after all :(

[Smith @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Update:

Seems Wired got Verizon to admmit "NO WIFI on the i730".

http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2005/05/27/wifi-mobile-phones

quote:

"A great example of carriers unwilling to take a chance with WiFi is the Samsung i730 and Verizon Wireless. While the i730 that Samsung has been showing off for months at trade events has WiFi, the unit that will ship from Verizon Wireless suspiciosly lacks WiFi.

In the Wired News article, a Verizon Wireless spokesman notes that Verizon is sticking with EV-DO instead of WiFi (though phones like the Samsung i730 had both EV-DO and WiFi).

"You're not going to be tied down to a coffee shop or the lobby of a hotel."

end quote.

I didn't want Wifi to use VOIP. I wanted Wifi for within my company's walls where internal information should not go out to the public net just to see over EVDO, and at home for quick site checking without having to start a laptop.

The day it comes out I'll take a fast check but fully expect now to not be moving to Verizon.

[phamdinhnguyen @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Despite the document that is recorded in the FCC site for this long-awaited i730 confirms Wifi is included, Verizon is still continuing on with its march to kill Wifi in all its hardware.

I just got off the phone with a corporate rep, who confirmed that the i730 will NOT have a) camera, and b) Wifi.

This is consistent with their past behavior: arrogant, and self-serving.

I 'hate' Verizon for that, unfortunately my decision still is to stay with them for their best nationwide coverage, which is a 'must' due to my traveling needs.

Bottom line, can't wait to get it (obviously with data plan), but 'hate' Verizon even more.

[Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Is there anything good about this phone? I've been waiting for it to come out but it sounds like they aren't using all the built in features. Any thoughts/comments?

[Joel Smith @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

new i730 from verizon sitting in front of me. 2 days old, love it. I read lots of garbage above, so here is the scoop. No Camera. Yes it has wi-fi, bluetooth (just did a bluetooth sync for the first time with my laptop) expansion slot SD, and all the other crap that the other phones have. I'm happy to be rid of the treo and back to outlook from the palm os. the slide design is very nice and overall the phone is very easy to use. The download speeds are great both in wi-fi mode and with Verizon's ISP.

[Joel Smith @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

new i730 in front of me, two days old. Love it!! glad to be rid of the treo and back to using outlook instead of the Palm OS.
NO Camera, (buy a real camera!) Yes it has Bluetooth, SD card slot and WI-FI!!! yes it all works. I just checked my email from the wireless at work and I used the Verizon ISP last night to get directions, both download very fast. the only think I don't like is the shortcut key on the side is to easily pushed. It takes you to an audio note page. I'm going to see if I can change it's function.
overall I think it will spell the end of the dingleberry and tripeo.

[Bob Wilson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Hi Joel:
1. After having the i730 a few days do you still like it?

2. Are you sure there's no camera? Darn it!
I was hoping that you made an error. I wanted that phone, but also want the camera. Don't want to carry more than one item. thanks

[Steve @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I've been using the i730 for about 3 weeks now. Previously I had used various Palm platforms, Blackberry, and the Seimens phones. This is - by far - the best unit I have used. It is unfortunate it doesn't have a camera, but that is the one negative. I was very happy with the Bluetooth set-up, and have found a lot of the sync. issues I had with the Seimens and BB were not apparent with this machine. Airport security broke the screen on the Seimens in one try. The Samsung has made many a trip. The Seimens battery would discharge by 2:00 every day, the Samsung will go all day (about 60 calls and 200 emails per day). We beta tested Verizon and Cingular before going with this platform, and I've been REALLY happy with the Verizon service, even in very remote areas. I can't recommend it enough. VPN into my office from anywhere makes me a God to clients. "I don't have a copy of that report, can you send me one?" "Sure, just a minute." 30 seconds later it's in their inbox!

[Ira @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Dear Sirs

My name is Ira, I am from Armenia. I have a big company G&S Music. Now I would like to become your dealer in Armenia. I need the GSM cell phones, Nokia, Motorola, LG, Sony Ericson, Samsung, Siemens.
Please send me your export price lists by E-mail. It is very urgent.

Looking forward to a long business partnership.

Best Regards
Ira Khanamiryan
Tel: [phone]
Fax: [phone]
E-mail: [e-mail]

[Ernie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I had an IMATE Jam and just switched service and phones to the i730. It is one heck of a device. Most complaints that I have heard are very common to pocket pc phone devices. The only thing is battery life. Thank god samsung gives you two batteries. I should have my car charger and extra travel charge coming in soon which should enable me to keep it charged so I should be good as far as battery life. EVDO is a dream compared to my old gprs connection! Hats off to samsung.

[Larry Judd @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Has anyone heard any more about a camera being added to the Verizon version of the i730? I heard rumors that it might be added.

[MItsunori @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

If anyone knows how to download Japanese fonts to i730, please give me the instruction. Thank you.

[Tyson @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

Stupid providers always have to cripple their phones in some way. It's truly a conspiracy.

The i730 DOES exist with a CAMERA. Will Verizon or Sprint ever sell it with one?? Sure after they sell you a bajillion of the version without the camera. Jerks!

http://www.phonescoop.com/articles/samsung_2004/index.php?p=i730

[agent lead @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

i had this baby live in my hands today @ digital life...all i can say is i want one...

[PARO @ Dec 19th 2005 12:08AM]

I've been using an i730 for about 6 months replacing a Treo 650 which had similar problems with email. Verizon has sent me 2 replacements so far. All three of the units I have used suffer from the same problems: (1) The email password is randomly but regularly "lost" disrupting the smooth receipt of mail and irritating me enormously, (2) Email is not always received seasonably and manual retreival is often necessary, (3) Memory management seems to be lacking as it is necessary to soft-boot the "device" (as Verizon is wont to call it) lest "low on memory" messages are put on the screen.

Somehow, Verizon believes that replacing the unit is going to correct problems with the Intellisync software that is malfunctioning and thus losing my email password. What does it take? A lawsuit? Anyone else having these problems?

[Rich @ Dec 27th 2005 9:40AM]

I had many Samsung I-600 phones. Some lost, some replaced due to VM notification not reporting new messages, watchdog errors and general locking up. Highly recommend the insurance, same deductible and monthly cost as lower cost phones. Luckily the last lost phone will be replaced with the i730. Looking forward to a more reliable phone with louder outbound voice volume...