Cingular 8125 coming soon

Ahhh, the Cingular 8125 version of the HTC Wizard is starting to trickle out for general release (depending upon which market you live in) to fill that consumption void you might be suffering from. That is, if you have the $300 green and wherewithal to commit for 2-years. Come on, take a chance...it's almost Valentine's day and you deserve the kind of gadget-on-man love only this Windows Mobile 5.0 PocketPC with quad-band GSM/EDGE and WiFi can do ya for.

[Thanks, everyone who sent this in]

[SamSnead @ Feb 10th 2006 8:45AM]

After this baby selling out in hours on the B2B premier site I just got mine ordered. Ive literally been trying for four days. Cant wait to get in the pants of this little freak. haha. Palm eat your heart out! Thanks Engadget!!!

[David Geller @ Feb 10th 2006 8:49AM]

Saw this device in the hands of the Seattle HTC/T-Mobile rep on a flight to Phoenix for DEMO and was impressed. The rep was too, saying he'd been using the device a while now and really like it. Too bad T-Mobile has nothing to compete with EVDO right now.

[Piel @ Feb 10th 2006 8:49AM]

Way better looking than the TMobile version...except this one has no WiFi

[push2flush @ Feb 10th 2006 8:54AM]

I'm currently trying to decide between this phone and the HP smart phones (6315,6325, etc). any opinions on which would be the better buy?

[apeguero @ Feb 10th 2006 9:04AM]

This phone should be a lot smaller then then those HP phones.

So this phone doesn't support hi-speed GPRS data, i.e. EVDO or UMTS or whatever Cingular calls theirs? Interesting....

[Joshua Laase @ Feb 10th 2006 9:06AM]

I just got mine yesterday and so far it seems pretty nice. Great form factor, bright screen and all around nice device. The HP devices have not started shipping with Mobile 5, so you still have to wait until those ship. You also will have to deal with the square screen.

[DJ @ Feb 10th 2006 9:10AM]

Earlier in the week, it was reported that the 8125 would available ONLY to BUSINESS customers beginning next Monday. Today, Cingular only shows it on thier CONSUMER website.

#1 - Based on reviews of previous HTC and HP designed phones, you're probably much better off with the 8125. Not only that, but the 8125 has a much stronger processor, Wi-Fi capability and uses the newer version of Windows Mobile, 5.0. And it's a $100 less!

[BBB @ Feb 10th 2006 9:44AM]

Does this device really have 128MB of RAM? The early reports showed only 64MB of RAM, but the CINGULAR web today shows 128...

[push2flush @ Feb 10th 2006 9:44AM]

hmm, its $450 w/o a contract, which im still in for my shitty ericcson... i think i might get it anyways...

[JSM @ Feb 10th 2006 10:04AM]

Always half measures with this garbage - broadband (evdo ro umts, not wifi, I don't want to have to sit in a starbucks to surf) has been available on comparable devices for over a year. Otherwise it sounds like a nice device, but that's like saying The mercedes is beautiful except for the missing front wheels. Geez.

[John @ Feb 10th 2006 10:54AM]

#7, Where can I get it for $450 without contract? Is Cingular offering it to just anyone for that price without contract? If so, I'd get one.

If you could pick between this or the HP ipaq 6515, which would you pick? I like how HP's has GPS, but the 8125 has wifi!!

Help me guys!!

-John

[Randy @ Feb 10th 2006 10:57AM]

Mine will be here in hours, ordered w/out a contract commitment...we shall see how it is...

[push2flush @ Feb 10th 2006 10:58AM]

im limited to what I can see (im at work) but this links description:
"http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2006/02/06/cingular-8125"
mentions it at $450, and you can probably call cingular for this price.
but doesnt the 6515 have wifi? (i know the 6315/25 does/did)

gps would be nice, but im sure you can get one eventually

[DJ @ Feb 10th 2006 11:26AM]

This should force Sprint to lower the price on their 6700 Smartphone, which is the sibling of this one except that it has EV-DO capabilities. It's also heavier and screen brightness is not as good. They still have it at $449.

[John @ Feb 10th 2006 11:35AM]

I'm pretty positive the HP 6515 does not have wifi....It had everything else, therefore it was a near perfect phone option for me.

Thanks for the link...I believe thats $450 with a 2 year contract for normal users. Business users get it for $225 right now through the "premier" links.

-John

[push2flush @ Feb 10th 2006 11:37AM]

hmm, might be right. all i can do at work is google and engadget. 99% of the web is locked out. does the cingular site sell it w/o 2 yr contract?

[Joshua Laase @ Feb 10th 2006 11:38AM]

Checking the system stats, it has 64 megs for RAM and a 128 meg Flash.

[creative_beast @ Feb 10th 2006 11:39AM]

Ok, so what is the real size of this device? There is mixed information on its width. Is it 2.3 or 2.8" wide? 2.8" is a show stopper por moi.

[push2flush @ Feb 10th 2006 11:43AM]

http://froogle.google.com/froogle_cluster?q=hp+6315&pid=4788120646433940732&oid=9819600350262123446&btnG=Search+Froogle&lmode=&addr=&scoring=mrd

oh, the 6315,20, and 25 have wireless b, so i assumed the 6515 would, since it was an upgrade of it

I think the Cingular 8215 wins....Fatality.

[Kiteless Dragon @ Feb 10th 2006 11:44AM]

Oh it is in my area. I am seriously consitering getting one, but if I do I am going to loose my awesome AT&T Wireless plan. Of course I would want to get unlimited data with this puppy. I am going to have to wait till I get the credit card paid down first though. Will give me some time to let the reviews trickle in anyway. Was hoping for a higher res screen, but the unit looks like it is geared to being sideways, so I guess it is not too bad.

If you want to see it go to the Cingular site and type in zip code 94555. I think $349 (plus the $50 rebate) is a good price for a device like this.

- Kiteless

[HawkWolf @ Feb 10th 2006 11:54AM]

It's not a Windows Mobile 5 Smartphone, it's a Windows Mobile 5 Pocket PC Phone.

Don't add to the confusion. I already have to deal with this at work all the freakin' time as it is.

[Damien Benoit @ Feb 10th 2006 12:26PM]

Man,m dont tease me with this device. I tried to get it today and its all sold out online as well as over the phone. Not fair. Can someone design a program to check the site for in stock and email me? Pwease? Email it to [e-mail] !!!

[Landon @ Feb 10th 2006 12:37PM]

I have been on the phone with Cingular for close to 20 minutes now trying to order this thing.. Was just transferred for the third time. I have a feeling I am about to get the news that they are sold out. What a dry hump.

[Dave @ Feb 10th 2006 1:17PM]

Um. It launched on the Cingular site.

[John @ Feb 10th 2006 1:58PM]

Landon,

Let us know if you get one and for how much. I'd be interested to know how much it would cost with NO contract.

-John

[Brent @ Feb 10th 2006 2:03PM]

This pocket pc is great, but there are some drawbacks...For one, don't forget that the display is QVGA, which looks pretty sad if you're used to a VGA display. The key pad IMHO is pretty useless because it's not big enough to type with all ten fingers yet it is big enough to add significant thickness and weight, thereby decreasing the overall form factor. It also uses a 2.5mm headphone jack, which could be a good thing or bad thing. If you already own a bluetooth headset with a 2.5mm jack, then you're in luck. If you're planning on using normal 3.5mm headphones, you have to use an adaptor. I'm curious about how decent the 200mhz processor on the 8125 is...

I'm gonna wait for someone to port over the HTC Universal to America, or I might just end up importing i-Mate's version called the JasJar. VGA screen, functional keyboard, normal SD slot instead of a mini SD...now I just need $1000.

[Ryan @ Feb 10th 2006 6:50PM]

To clear up some confusion - this phone DOES have wifi. The HP 6515 does NOT have wifi and runs Windows Mobile 2003. This device is clearly better; much smaller with better form factor and a lower price - it's a no brainer. The full price on this phone in Cingular stores will be $450. And to #10 - please show me a year old pocket pc running windows mobile 5 with EVDO or UMTS. I don't know where you got that information from, but it's completely inaccurate.

[Kzbd @ Feb 10th 2006 8:07PM]

So this one has a 200 mHz processor? What kind of plans are they making you take to get one at that price. I thought I'd heard that they wanted you to take an unlimited PDA data plan at $44.99 to get the $299 price. I'm using a Sierra Voq with a $19.99 unlimited phone data plan on cingular. Sooo in 6 months you'll make back the $150.00 difference if you get one with no contract and use it on your phone data plan, and over 2 years that's $600 more they charge you. Of course I don't have edge but I use mine for email almost exclusively.

[Kelly @ Feb 11th 2006 12:54AM]

I ordered mine today for $214.99 over the phone. I waited about an hour to finish the process. $100 was taken off the price for signing up for a voice and unlimited data plan. That information is not on their website, so if you're interested you have to ask the rep.

[Hip-pop-anonomous @ Feb 11th 2006 1:00AM]

If you people want real (read: accurate) info on the phone, head over to HowardForums. As far as what this phone is worth, I just sold it on ebay for $650, after buying it for $247 on the Premier site. The phone seems like a solid device, however, my only concern would be with the stylus. The stylus is retractable and is located on the bottom of the device. It seemed as though it would be very easy for it to fall out. My other gripe would be with the one handed functionality of the device. I just bought the HTC Prophet with the money I made from the 8125 and it has both the "Windows" and "Ok" keys, which are extremely handy for one hand use. On the downside, the HTC Prophet is about $650 via it's carnation as the I-mate JAMin. My verdict for someone on a tighter, more reasonable budget would be to definitely consider the 8125.

[PJ @ Feb 12th 2006 1:44AM]

Can someone tell me if the 8125 is compatible with Lotus Notes(6.0)and if I will need to load 3rd party software?

[Julie Chadwick @ Feb 12th 2006 9:52PM]

I got mine on Thursday, and it rocks! Check the deets here:

http://insane.com/8125/

[Guy @ Feb 15th 2006 5:03PM]

i like better t-mobile sidekick2 for help deaf people used it aol and yahoo and email anythings stuff . i like it t-mobile sidekick2 love it . but a future what happen another company should be cingular and verizon need pagers for help deaf people who want this . if you heard anythings about pager stuff thank you .Guy

[Steve @ Feb 19th 2006 12:37AM]

I got one otday. Went into Cingular Store, the rep said "we just got some new model in", went into the back and pulled it out. I wanted to get something that would sync up with my e-mail at work (on MS Exchange Server 2003), and they assured me it does. Now I have doubts??? Any help? E-mail me @ [e-mail]
Paid $299.00 (after rebate), and had to renew my contract to 2 years (had 13 months left).

[Boyd @ Feb 20th 2006 9:30PM]

Post #5 said the 8125 does not offer GRPS, but mobiledie.com says it has GPRS (Class 10) / EDGE. Who is correct? or did I misread something.

[Jeremy @ Feb 21st 2006 12:53AM]

mobile-review.com has a good review of the HTC Wizard Platform. This platform runs the HTC Wizard 100, which is the Cingular 8125. It also is the Q-tek 9100 (same innerds/hardware, little bit different styling).

It's a good review.. lots of pictures.. lots of details.
.. My 8125 is en-route via FedEx from Cingular online. Still at 299 online, w/2yr contract.

http://www.mobile-review.com/pda/review/htc-wizard-en.shtml

[La Dre @ Feb 21st 2006 2:23AM]

My T mobile contract is up, thier phones are out dated and I'm tired of waiting on them to come out with side kick III, they are so far behind cingular and sprint, I am going to go with one of them, which cell should I go with PPC 6700, 8125 Cingular, HP ipaq hw 6500, I need to make the right choice, they are all close, I do like the fact that I can watch CNN, ESPN, and other cable channels on the go with the PPC 6700 with sprint, but the 8125 looks good too. Which one should I go with?

[Lowen SoDium @ Feb 21st 2006 7:56PM]

posting from an 8125

suck it.

[Jason J. W. Williams @ Feb 22nd 2006 12:36AM]

This thing looks like a darn good Treo-killer.

[brandon @ Feb 22nd 2006 3:06PM]

anyone know where you can buy this thing, if you already in a contract? I just want to buy one out right.

[Brian @ Feb 24th 2006 1:09AM]

This is a sweet little device. I dumped my Siemens SX66 for this. It's light, small, albeit a little on the thick side. The SX66 was a PDA with (poor) phone capabilities. This is one of the first mature convergent devices I've seen.

To clear up any confusion, it has WiFi as well as Bluetooth. WM5 is pretty impressive, and the unit usually responds crisply. As with prior versions of Windows CE/Pocket PC/Windows Mobile O/S's, the little X in the upper right hand corner does not close applications, so you occasionally do have to go into the Memory applet and shut down running program or the device does start acting a little sluggish. The camera is very nice, and has a light (sort of the flash replacement, I guess). It seems to have a digital zoom, although I haven't played with the camera much. The EDGE data is a huge improvement over the GPRS data of the SX66. I weighed whether I wanted to buy this one with HSPDA coming out, but I don't live in one of the 18^er, 16 markets with HSPDA, and it won't roll out in Louisiana until the end of 2006.

My company doesn't do Exchange Server OTA synchronization (they're addicted to Crackberry), but the XpressMail Personal Edition client does a nice job redirecting mail (and it's free wih an unlimited data plan). Best of all, because I signed up for the $19.99 promo unlimited Media Works package a year and a half ago, I get unlimited EDGE wireless 'Net access, text and multimedia messages for $20/mo.

Definitely worth a look for anyone stuck on an older PDA. If you've got one of the nifty little HPs with WM2003SE and EDGE data, it's a tossup as to whether to buy this one or wait for HSPDA (and compatible handsets) to rollout across the USA.

[Sander @ Feb 24th 2006 1:20PM]

Ok, here is the thing - THIS UNIT DOES WHAT IT'S SUPPOSED TO. That simple. I am impressed. I am a physician, running around the hospital with no time to sit in front of my computer but needing to carry at least 6 medical apps, checking emails and looking up stuff on the go. Not only this unit handled all of this it even allows seemless wireless updating of all medical apps and a quick charging up from any USB port. Excellent. It is NOT a laptop but sure tricks you into thinking it is one. Keyboard is extremely usable. Screen is excellent and works great in two orientations - it is longer than it is wide so it comes handy for reading lots. The only thing - I have not been able to set up WiFi - though it picks up the networks and connects to them. I am doing something wrong - I suspect - but just refuse to read a manual :-). SkyScape medical apps are fully compatible and allow wireless updates. Enjoy.

[JA @ Feb 25th 2006 7:18PM]

The 8125 dominates, combining touch screen, bluetooth, quad-band, EDGE Class 10 and Windows 5.0 w/ Mobile Office (giving you editing in excel and word and view of PowerPoint), and also includes a .pdf viewer. The wi-fi which comes standard (with Cingular) as wi-fi b you can easily hack to gain wi-fi g, which will give you a realistic 3x increase in internet speeds, like previously stated the pocket IE is the slowest part of the process when paroozing the internet. Opera for Pocket PC tends to mitigate much of this but overall the complete package is pretty impressive so far. Other side features include mini-SD slot on top, IR port, 1.3mp Camera/Video, Windows Mobile Media Player 10 and the ability to play a few forms of media including some streaming video.

[Sander @ Feb 27th 2006 3:21PM]

Figured out the WiFi issue - the proxy box comes checked by default (in error) - simply go to your network settings and uncheck "proxy required" box - Start -> Settings -> Connections -> Connections -> Set Up My Proxy Server -> and now uncheck [] This network uses a proxy server to connect to the Internet.

That will do the trick - and save you money and time if you are on WiFi instead of GPRS half the time.

Oh, and the stylus on the buttom DOES NOT FOLL OUT :-)

[Mark @ Feb 28th 2006 10:09AM]

Where can I find a full review of this phone?

[ben @ Feb 28th 2006 12:40PM]

ordered it last wednesday night .. got it last night .. so far great unit ... still playing with it though .. email took a bit to get figured out using the free xpress utility but seems to be working good now .. had the same wifi issues as sanders .. nice to read the answer to my problems hopefully !!! THANKS SANDERS !!!

still alot to do and set up but so far great unit .. gprs is decent ... wifi will be great ... added it to family plan for voice and unlimited data plan for under 40 more ... so far no complaints !!!

Ben

[Bryan Crow @ Mar 1st 2006 12:33PM]

I just got mine. And to clear up all the questions once and for all:

It DOES have WiFi - and it works well!
It also supports EDGE (the GSM equivilant of EVDO)
It also has Bluetooth 2.0 (Revision II)

As for RAM, the memory settings shows 47.46 MB for storage, & 44.08 for Program, but the Device Information app shows 64 MB RAM, & 128MB Flash, so I don't know where the discrepency is...

[Dale Strauss @ Mar 3rd 2006 10:15AM]

I think we need to "clear up" the clarification in #46:

EDGE is the GSM equivalent of Sprint Vision. 70-140kbs on both. EV-DO is true 3g at 400kbs or more. HSDPA is the Cingular 3g system which is in very limited deployment.

I couldn't find anything that substantiates whether it is Bluetooth 2.0 or 1.2.

[Steve @ Mar 4th 2006 11:32AM]

OK - I've had the 8125 for 10 days now. Here's the short version:

* Great for telephone - have not dropped even one call yet (with my old phone I was questioning if it was Cingular or the phone --- it was the phone)
* Easy to use while driving - can find contacts quickly
* Bluetooth (2.0) has been flawless - have not dropped a connection yet.
* Internet browsing speed is adequate - colors and viewing area are excellent
* Syncronization is a snap --- with client machine! Still have not been able to sync with the Exchange Server.........ARRRGH!

So far the only thing I don't like (besides the fact that I can't hook into my Exchange Server, which is because I can't figure it out) is the alarm settings. I have to take meds 3 times a day and, early in the a.m. when I have to get up to take them, I can't hear the alarm because there is only one setting (I think???) for the alarm, and it's not loud enough.

*

[Steve @ Mar 4th 2006 11:32AM]

OK - I've had the 8125 for 10 days now. Here's the short version:

* Great for telephone - have not dropped even one call yet (with my old phone I was questioning if it was Cingular or the phone --- it was the phone)
* Easy to use while driving - can find contacts quickly
* Bluetooth (2.0) has been flawless - have not dropped a connection yet.
* Internet browsing speed is adequate - colors and viewing area are excellent
* Syncronization is a snap --- with client machine! Still have not been able to sync with the Exchange Server.........ARRRGH!

So far the only thing I don't like (besides the fact that I can't hook into my Exchange Server, which is because I can't figure it out) is the alarm settings. I have to take meds 3 times a day and, early in the a.m. when I have to get up to take them, I can't hear the alarm because there is only one setting (I think???) for the alarm, and it's not loud enough.

*