i-mate SP3i Review

[Jerry Raia]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mozongo.com/movabletype/archives/2005/03/imate_sp3i_revi_4.html' target='_blank'>http://www.mozongo.com/movabletype/archives/2005/03/imate_sp3i_revi_4.html</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I am not one to fall in love with something just by what is on the outside. I like to get to know it, learn about what is on the inside – after all, that is what counts – but man, this phone is a looker! So much silver on the market as of late, but making the phone half black and half silver gives the phone a definite contrast and a certain flare. It looks sexy yet professional, sleek but dependable."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/imsp3i.gif" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/><br /><br />The more I see these candy bar phones the more I start wanting one. The one thing I have read over and over about this phone is the "joystick" leaves a bit to be desired. This review echoes that as well. Worth the read.

[Kris Kumar]

The small size of the keypad and the joystick does make it tricky, but it just a matter of getting used to it. I find the joystick "okay". Not the best, but works quite well. Small tradeoff for the small size.

Overall its a great Smartphone. Looks great, works great, and as the reviewer mentioned, it feels great in your hands.

The only drawback is the price, since there is no carrier subsidy. But then you don't have to sign up for an annual contract. ;-)

[cortez]

i'm in the process of acquiring the i-mate sp3i...Kris, can you confirm that the sp3i supports bluetooth voice dialing and it does not have the same volume issues that the Mpx220 (read: its way better than the MPx220). Also can you comment on battery life (relative to the way you use the phone) and what (if any) issues you've encountered.

thanks!

[Mike Temporale]

No, there's no volume issues with the SP3i. Motorola didn't have their hands in the manufactoring of the phone.

[BR]

i havent heard of any volume issues with the sp3i but do know that motorola did fix the mpx220 volume problems

[Kris Kumar]

i'm in the process of acquiring the i-mate sp3i...Kris, can you confirm that the sp3i supports bluetooth voice dialing and it does not have the same volume issues that the Mpx220 (read: its way better than the MPx220). Also can you comment on battery life (relative to the way you use the phone) and what (if any) issues you've encountered.

thanks!

SP3i is the best choice. ;-)

BT Voice dialing: Yes and No. I have some voice tags programmed for my contacts. I press the button on the BT headset, speak the name, it dials it. :-) The problem, the keypad has to be unlocked. :-(

Has very good in call volume. One of the best handsets I have ever used.

Battery life is slightly longer than the MPx220. For me it last two days before it gets down to the 20% range. It involves 40-60 mins of voice call (with BT headset), two email boxes that get sync'ed every half hour or so.

No joystick or dust problems either. Have owned it for five months now.

[cortez]

thanks for the response... :)

[Jerry Raia]

SP3i is the best choice. ;-)

Devoted MPx220 owners, like myself, are getting really sick of you SP3i people dancing around about how wonderful your phone is!

STOP IT STOP IT STOP IT!!!!!

:cry:

[cortez]

jerry - there may be hope... i've read rumors on Howard Forums about a possible ROM update for the MPx200 appearing sometime in April. i pinged a buddy of mine at Moto about this and he suggested some ROM activity has occurred (whatever that means), but he couldn't confirm that its related to a ROM update. after hearing this, i've decided to wait a couple of weeks (to see if an update appears) before i take the plunge on a i-mate sp3i.

[Kris Kumar]

Devoted MPx220 owners,

I didn't know that the MPx220 had a devoted followers. :?

...like myself...

Looks like it's time to remind you of some of your famous words. :wink:

...are getting really sick of you SP3i people dancing around about how wonderful your phone is!

Dancing? Who's dancing? :clap: :rock on dude!: :turn-l: :beer:

[Jerry Raia]

Dancing? Who's dancing? :clap: :rock on dude!: :turn-l: :beer:

:rotfl: