Sony Ericsson TM506, T-Mobile's first HSDPA handset, goes live

The well-scooped TM506 from Sony Ericsson is now on sale, marking the first time that T-Mobile has openly and proudly admitted that a handset in its lineup can actually support 3G -- despite the fact that they've had such gear for over a year now. Why the big secret? Until now, T-Mobile's 3G network has been undergoing pretty much the softest soft launch in mobile history, and only now are enough markets starting to come on board to make the whole thing worthwhile. For what it's worth, every previous 3G handset on the carrier has merely rocked UMTS, so the TM506 becomes its first HSDPA-equipped piece while also offering up a 2-megapixel cam, TeleNav navigation, and stereo Bluetooth. As of this writing it's still showing "Coming Soon" on the site, but we're hearing that it'll be available today for $79.99 after rebate on contract.

[who? @ Sep 5th 2008 2:04PM]

Good for you T-Mobile. Good for you.

[Ryan @ Sep 5th 2008 2:33PM]

yea i was in store asking about it since they had it on display and they were telling me it was out on the 5th.

[Kris @ Sep 5th 2008 2:37PM]

Nice. I can buy this phone and enjoy awesome 3G speeds.... in Baltimore.

Go coverage!

[Sean @ Sep 5th 2008 2:44PM]

Does T-Mobile not understand what 3g is for? How useful is it on a 2" screen?

[Kao @ Sep 5th 2008 4:11PM]

yea you can also tether the phone to share the connection

[deyanimay @ Sep 5th 2008 8:39PM]

I think t-mobile is not gonna allow tethering just like any other provider they are going to mkae it a separate plan.

[whatishalo? @ Sep 5th 2008 2:46PM]

That's pretty cool how the phone shrinks to half the size when it is flipped open!

[Sean @ Sep 5th 2008 2:47PM]

i just went to the tmobile store a couple days ago and it was there...

[Famous by Marital-Association @ Sep 5th 2008 3:50PM]

And this should put an end to the "T-Mobile's 3g is only for voice" beliefs.
As for coverage, on 10/1/2008 you should see much more 3g coverage- and it won't be strictly in metro areas.

[Jason @ Sep 5th 2008 6:23PM]

Wow. T-mobile has 3G. What's the next thing you're going to tell me? That the Meizu M8 is coming out for it next? And it plays Duke Nukem Forever??! Sweeeet!

[bachviet @ Sep 5th 2008 6:39PM]

Just picked one up today for $170+ (no contract). It's a pretty good price for a basic HSDPA phone. 3G is going to be launched on September 17th so I want to be ready.

[IY @ Sep 5th 2008 6:42PM]

I have to agree with some posts here. 3G is clearly for 2.8''+ phone and at LEAST running WinMo. That phone they can stick up their assez. Unless I see something good before 2009 (HTC, NOKIA, W/ANDROID).....BUY BUY T-MOBILE

[brandon @ Sep 5th 2008 6:42PM]

It's about damn time!!!!

[IY @ Sep 5th 2008 6:45PM]

BYE BYE TMOBILE is what i meant to say :)

[Information Central @ Sep 5th 2008 6:47PM]

Hooray clamshell!

But hold on: "Memory Stick". They aren't serious. As in the moribund Sony Memory Stick? Way to kill the product.

Also, no details on whether this thing has the essential utilities: calendar that syncs with Outlook, contacts with categories and STREET ADDRESSES, tasks, and memos.

[deyanimay @ Sep 5th 2008 8:38PM]

All sony phones use m2 memory sticks.

[Rodney McKay @ Sep 5th 2008 10:10PM]

Still doesn't come dear EvDO Rev A. Face if fellows, CDMA rocks. The only reason GSM is alive at all is because the EU only allowed GSM to be built in Europe just to be different and a pain in the rear. SprintPCS was the first to build an all digital Network from the ground up and they choose right - CDMA. If you do not travel to Europe much, CDMA is the way to go. EvDO Rev A speeds will blow anything else away. CDMA will also roam in most Asian nations and worked fine in Bermuda last time I was there.

[Rafa @ Sep 5th 2008 10:55PM]

If you say so, then it must be true.... for you.


CDMA is not for everyone. GSM is for those who want to be able to be device-independent, that is, not having to go with your carrier every freaking time you change phones or have the ability to use one same device locally (not roaming!!!) with different carriers by just swaping sim cards (i.e. when travelling abroad). Try that with a Sprint, Verizon, or any CDMA carrier of your choice.... good luck.

Of course, if your idea of the "whole planet" means not leaving da' Land of the Free... good for you.. but there are people that acknowledge there's much more than that in this life.

[Oliver @ Sep 7th 2008 10:46PM]

Oh yeah, that will be why everywhere all over the world that stupidly copied the USA and went the CDMA route is now hastily attempting to change their network over to GSM. Yeah, CDMA MUST be the best! The phones are awful, the brands that support CDMA are awful... Wow, CDMA is great!

[yoyodude64 @ Sep 5th 2008 11:18PM]

so tmobiles website doesnt list 1700 at a supported band...im confused

[Tested This Phone @ Sep 6th 2008 5:55AM]

I have been testing this phone since August. It is a very crappy phone, sorry to break it to you. The browser is poor for page rendering, and the call quality is no better than standard GSM. User interface is laggy.

Don't buy this phone just for the purpose of owning the first 3G handset on Tmobile, there will be PLENTY more on the way.

[Marcell @ Sep 6th 2008 1:47PM]

Or you can buy an iPhone 3G and subscribe to AT&T... :)

[David @ Sep 7th 2008 2:16AM]

Or unlock the iphone and use it with TMO. :)

BTW, TMO has 4 3G capable handsets for audio already before the Sony TM506. (Nokia 3555 for one)

[Mary Harwood @ Sep 8th 2008 11:47PM]

The Sony Ericssson TM506 cannot be used for tethering at this time. I tried it and spoke with customer service. It messes up their cell towers so sadly I must return the phone. Hope this helps others wanting to tether. Guess we have to wait for the next HSDPA 3G Phone.

[Rodney McKay @ Sep 9th 2008 4:34AM]

Rafa, as I mentioned if you plan to travel Europe often you will need to have GSM. However, there is not much need in that unless it is a common thing to be over there. When I go to Europe, I use a Nextel Sprint Blackberry worldphone. I have also used a Quad Band GSM phone with a sim provided by Sprint for use abroad as well as a unlocked GSM phone with a cheap prepaid SIM geared for the nation I was in. All that said, I do that because I HAVE TO. If Europe had CDMA and GSM there would be a problem but the damn EU had to be pain in the rear as usual... think of PAL vs. NTSC. In any event, where I have the option I will utilize CDMA as it just is so damn better in regards to speed, clarity of conversation and security.

In regards to roaming, the US CDMA carriers have good agreements with each other in that if you are subscriber of either carrier you will likely have roaming included with any decent plan. T-Mobile charges .49 cents per minute if you roam onto another GSM carrier in America.

I have used iDEN, GSM, TDMA, Analog and even Iridium Satellite phones and will say that you will not find any that beats CDMA in clarity, data speed and security. Yes, I do travel for pleasure and business and do what I have to do when abroad and when I am forced to downgrade I feel bad for all those Europeans that are missing the greatness of CDMA!

[bachviet @ Sep 6th 2008 4:41AM]

Where do you get that $0.49/minute roaming from? If T-Mobile has roaming agreement, they you roam for free. If it doesn't, you can't roam. I could see AT&T network where I live but I can't select it (no roaming).

[Rafa @ Sep 7th 2008 1:58PM]

I hear you, and I'm sure there must be a good pool of U.S. users that fall in the very exact scenarios you describe, and for those, the profile of users you mention is totally valid.

As I said, CDMA is not for everyone, and being so, I just can't agree with the "CDMA sucks and GSM rules" line of thought (I personally think the opposite, and as me, there are millions that fit my profile: no contracts, device independence, carrier Independence, etc).

You have good points though.

As for the Europeans doing stuff just to piss you off... mmmh... If I were you, I would think twice before going there, because then you make me thing about this English measure system (that not even the British use any longer) that only the US uses which is far inferior compared with the metric system the rest of the planet uses (this is not me saying this, Science is), as well as this date format used here, just to complicate things with everyone else, and stuff like that ;-)

[Syah @ Nov 28th 2008 12:36PM]

Is this model available at Malaysia? I would like to buy it..