The Cingular 8125 surfaces (again)
posted November 3rd 2005 10:50AM
We had a pretty good idea it was headed for Cingular, and it looks like we've got further confirmation on the
8125. The
HTC Wizard is supposedly due on Cingular for
launch between the 13th and 19th of this month for a little as $299 with 2 year contract + data, or as much as $450
without a contract — still significantly cheaper than the $600
PPC-6700
(HTC Apache), perhaps because it's not getting
rebadged in between HTC and Cingular. Still, despite the tempting 128MB SDRAM and 64MB flash memory, quad-band
EDGE, Bluetooth, WiFi, MiniSD, and 1.3 megapixel camera, you're going to have to put up with a 200MHz OMAP CPU instead
of that slightly less anemic 416MHz Intel Xscale on the Sprint handset. Oh, and there's supposedly also a second model,
the 8100, which is the same device but without the camera. No word on pricing there.
[Thanks, Myke]
not sure if I like the design. I have not held one so this is just for the pictures/dimensions. I currently use a p910 on cingular and don’t find myself changing for while.....but this one does have some nice features.
I think I can live with the 200Mhz CPU. I wouldn't call this thin a Treo killer, YET, but I would call it a Sidekick killer. It's running in the same price range and absolutely kills on features. I used to use the original Sidekick when I was with T-mobile, and it was OK, but I have been looking for something like this since I've been with Cingular and I think this is what I've been waiting for.
Well, given that this device is smaller than the Treo 650 (especially smaller than Treo 700w), better for messaging than the Treo and is cheaper (Significantly cheaper than the Treo 700w will be.) I would say that this is as close to being a true Treo killer as you can currently get. Just my $.02
Sidekick is nothing compared to this device, Sidekick has no 3rd party software to speak of. The Treo will have close to the same amount of software as this device, and may have better build quality. HTC has been at it for a while now, and the build quality of thier devices has become quite good, so it may simply come down to the name recognition Palm brings to the table.
Been waiting to find out when this one would land. Price/features vs soft processor considered, this just might get me to ditch my VZW new-every-two $100 (which I get in 4 weeks) and pay the $150 penalty and switch to Cingular. It about balances out against the cost of a Treo 700w.
What I'm mostly interested in believe it or not, is what *bad* things are there to say about this unit? Why wouldn't this be a good idea for someone who is on the fence in between wanting just a qwerty messaging phone and a full featured smartphone? I've already got a good laptop, but I need more than just a phone cuz I do a lot of messaging, etc.
I have the Qtex 9100 but only for a couple of weeks but there are some obvious pros and cons.
The pros are the same associated with any smart phone. Syning with Outlook etc... This is such a good feature since everything my company does is through outlook. Being able to edit word and excel files and view Powerpoint is also nice.
The stylist and touch screen are great. The handwriting recognition is solid and you eventually learn what you can and cannot get away with.
Cons... the processor can be slow at times, especially because certain prorgrams remain in the background until you close them out and having to dial via the touch screen or qwerty keyboard makes it really hard when you are driving. My advice is to just get a blue tooth headset.
I also had some problems with Activesync 4.0.
Still if you want a smartphone... and you live in the US and are unwilling to buy one from an online store... this is the best one. I have used the Audiovox, mpx220, and others. Overall... this is a slick phone and I have to agree with what a lot of the reviewers are saying about this phone... this is the best smartphone to date.
If you just want a phone to do messaging... save your money and buy a qwerty phone.
Surprise! I know of a few Treo 650s it will probably kill--those I am responsible for. If the dates are correct on this, and the device's processor is "functional" (speedwise, the same as the Treo 650 in actual end user experience), then I am pretty sure I am in the market for a DOZEN before the end of the year.
I was excited until I checked out Cingular's pricing. Data would be $30/month more than my sidekick, and their phone plans are outrageous.
I need the assistance of someone who's used and compared these processors before.
I used to have an HP 4150 -- 416 Intel Xscale processor. Loved the device (except for WM2003). The processor seemed to be the perfect speed (of course we could always use faster, but in general -- it wasn't too slow). I want to know how this 8125/Qtek 9100/K-Jam will compare (processor wise) with the 416 Intel Xscale processor. I will be using this ppc phone on my college campus in place of my laptop. Our campus is 100% wifi, so I will be viewing webpages while having some idle time.
Thanks for any of your replies in advance!
Am I the only one that thinks that is one sexy phone? Looks much better than the bubbley 9100 and a lot better than those pre production shots of the 2 tone cingular wizard.
#7, data would be $30 a month more than your side kick? Im on cingular with unlimited data and 1500 text messages (media works) for $19.99 a month... Are you trying to tell me t-mobile pays you $10 to use their data?
#9
Cingular charges $20 a month for unlimited data if you have a "Phone". If you have a "PDA" then they charge like $40 or $45 a month. I have an audiovox smt5600 and even though it has only a number keypad and they consider that a "PDA" so I pay $40 a month.
I need the assistance of someone who's used and compared these processors before.
I used to have an HP 4150 -- 416 Intel Xscale processor. Loved the device (except for WM2003). The processor seemed to be the perfect speed (of course we could always use faster, but in general -- it wasn't too slow). I want to know how this 8125/Qtek 9100/K-Jam will compare (processor wise) with the 416 Intel Xscale processor. I will be using this ppc phone on my college campus in place of my laptop. Our campus is 100% wifi, so I will be viewing webpages while having some idle time.
Thanks for any of your replies in advance!
My Treo has already been sold, I've got cash in hand.
How do they have to know that you're using a PDA? It's not like Verizon where you have to register your phone with them. You can always say your PDA broke, so you have a regular phone and you're going to use the unlimited data plan. Heck, Cingular is so liberal with their phones, I usually use my free upgrades on their website to make some money. ...pay that $18 upgrade charge, get a phone shipped to me and sell it on ebay. Cingular leaves the door wide open. Honesty isn't always the best policy :) (Especially when dealing with companies like that!)
Yeah, I bought a Treo 650 (even bought it at a Cingular store), but as far as I can tell, Cingular doesn't know specifically what phone I'm using. I signed up online for the $20/month unlimited data plan (the one that is for phones, not PDA's), and I haven't had a problem. From what I've read, Cingular won't even notice unless you go REALLY overboard with the data usage.
#13 & #14,
would you suggest using the upgrade to purchase the phone (i suppose they'd force me into a pda plan cuz they'd be cognizant of what device my plan is connected to, or am i giving them too much credit) or just plain purchasing the phone (ie from store) and signing up for the unlimited plan (online)?
hmm... looks that this is what I am gonna get once sidekick contract runs out...
I used to be on Cingular and the only way they ever knew about what phone I had was when I called in for tech support. One of the reps would ask me what phone I had.
I guess you could call into Cingular and tell them you switched phones to a non smartphone or "PDA phone".
i just received my K-Jam about an hour ago and let me tell you, the size is AMAZING for a pda...speed wise, you guys dont understand that the omap ti850 200mhz cpu is still faster than the xscale 416, this thing is dual core people.
#15 Definitely use the upgrade to get the phone. You'll get the phone for the price of the new contract plus the $18 upgrade fee (they won't surcharge you $150 like they would if you bought it at a store without a contract). Once you get the phone wait a week or two then call up and get the data plan. Don't do it right away. Or, you could go on the site and upgrade your data plan --- but make sure your phone profile on the internet is set to a regular phone. You'll only be charged $20 a month. And let's be smart here -- if you have a plethora of Wifi networks around you -- don't buy the data plan right away. After all, why buy a phone with wifi if you're never going to use it, wifi is free (...), data is not. If wifi isn't a big deal, then go with one of the older phones and save a few bucks.
smaller than the treo? anyone seen a side by side?
This thing uses WinMo 5.0, right? If so, I'm in.
Myke, #10 above, where do you get unlimited data on Media Works for $20? All I can get is 5mb plus text and MMS messaging. I would love to cut $20 off my phone bill.
So you do know that Mhz is not the end all be all of processor design (which is why the Pentium M stomps a like Ghz Pentium 4). The Omap processor is far better designed than the XScale. Clock for clock it is MUCH faster and in the whole performance per watt field there is really no comparison. It is slightly slower than the XScale running at double the clock speed, but you get SIGNIFICANTLY better battery life. In the phone market that is far more important.
Having spent a decent amount of time playing around on the wizard I have found it to be fairly responsive with an excellent form factor. I haven't tried to run skype, but then I am not really interested in running a phone app on an already perfectly working phone (it helps that I have an insane amount of minutes and no long distance charges to call anyone I am likely to want to call)
"smaller than the treo? anyone seen a side by side?"
It is not nearly as wide but a decent bit thicker.
"This thing uses WinMo 5.0, right? If so, I'm in."
Yes it is.
#10 that media works package is not avaliable anymore. Check the website for the latest rip off Mediaworks. If you have the old one, keep that package.
I've got to get one of these. :)
Oh, and about the MediaWorks: I was lucky enough to get mine grandfathered in. There's nothing like cheap, unlimited data.
Just to clear things up - there is Mediaworks and MediaNet unlimited. Mediaworks gives you 5mb of data plus 1,000 text msgs and unlimited mms. MediaNet unlimited gives you unlimited data but you have to pay for each text and mms.
This phone reminds me of the Philips Nino miniaturized! Now that was a beautiful PDA. First gen though, but nice!!! I'm ordering ASAP.
The Palm OS, Cingular 8215 looks more attractive. It will run on Palm OS Garnet and be very similar in appearance, but more compact.
http://www.palminfocenter.com/forum/viewtopic.php?p=163489#163489
I've used this device and it's brother (PPC-6700), and this one is a much better device. It fits in your hand better, it doesn't have the giant antenna nub on top, and the buttons are more appropriately placed. The only two downsides are no EVDO and slower processor, although for most uses you don't even know there is a difference in speed between the two. In fact, the Cingular device switches from landscape / portrait faster than the 6700.
to #31: funny that you're link seems to be the only place on the whole www that mentions the alleged 8215. I'm prepared to give you the benefit of the doubt, but the second poster in that thread already accuses the first of photshopping. And if it's not a photoshopped attention stunt, then why is the screen not oriented to the extended slider?
Wow, I was so amazed by the unlikelihood of the whole thing that I forgot to proofread my post...
Ohhh, but it's so attractive, it's worth a Google run or two, huh? :-)
Not at all. I don't care what OS it runs since I'm not married to either. It's the form factor that has me at the moment. If it was offered in more than one OS I would check out both, but really, don't you have anything better to do between classes? ;)
**It's the form factor that has me at the moment.**
#36 ... That's the whole point of the 8215. While the 8125 is very attractive, the 8215 is stunning b/c of the improvement in form factor. The looong 8125 takes a back seat to the Treo650, but the 8215 is more compact and with a larger screen ... WM or POS.
Thanks for playing, Pat...
So I hate to even ask this, but my employer requires us to have AOL IM. Can this support that and show other AOL Buddys that you are "online" when using this phone?
i was looking into buying the sidekick II but then i saw the HTC Wizard/Qtek 9100 in one of the reviews i read. can anyone tell give me a full compare/contrast of these two? like the pros and cons and which phone is better and prices. basically, which is better for a 19 year old girl who is intrigued by the features of the SK2. thankyou.
Has anyone spotted the 8125/HTC Wizard? I haven't seen anything on Cingular's web site this week yet...and I've been checking :). Q: How slow is 200 MHz?
Delayed!
Seen it. Played with it. Want it. Delayed delayed delayed.
Delayed till when? I want one
Delayed till when?. Anyone has any insight when exactly it is being released?
Bought a SX66 on November 3rd and earlier this week discovered that the SX66 was removed from Cingular’s site and that the HTC 8125 was coming. So knowing that I was still in my 30 day return policy window. I contacted my rep and told him I wanted a replacement because that the unit was pulled and that the Bluetooth stack sucked (static on headset). He said no problem but I will need to check in next week for delivery dates. He also mentioned that he would (if needed) extend my return policy so I could replace the phone with the 8125. So… Long story short. It could be as early as next week.
I was in a Cingular store last night and they're still saying no one has told them anything yet about a real ship date.
Think January. Mid January.
Thanks Cap. That sounds more or less like a qualified statement fomr someone who 'may' know what they're talking about. Since pretty much everything else I'm loooking at won't be out till then anyway, I guess I'll just sit tight.
"which is better for a 19 year old girl who is intrigued by the features of the SK2."
Get her a Sidekick II. I had one, and it was cool for a while, but doens't do a lot of the things I need a phone to do. Then this past week I had a Samsung SGH-D307 and that was REALLY BAD, took it back in 2 days. Right now I am on a ROKR until this phone gets in.
I can't freakin' wait.