Audiovox SMT5600 is a "Miniature Marvel"

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6880000/' target='_blank'>http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/6880000/</a><br /><br /></div><i>"I’ve become kind of bored with handheld computers and PDAs recently. Office software integration is nice, but if I need to do real work, I can carry a small laptop, like the IBM X40. What I want in a handheld device is different: a world phone that I can load with my calendar and phone contacts, that lets me surf the Web, send instant messages and even play music and video clips. I think I’ve found what I’m looking for in the Audiovox SMT5600. This is one terrific smartphone, a nearly perfect device."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20050129-5600small.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />Gary Krakow from MSNBC, has done the research that some other journalists have failed to do. This article is accurate, and fair toward the Audiovox handset. Check it out and let us know what you think.

[Jerry Raia]

We MPx220 owners are beginning to get a complex over this. :puppydogeyes:

[ChemNerd]

I agree for the most part. I'm getting a little tired of this device being "the best" or "near perfect". Personally I love it but it's far from perfect. Perhaps it's just my unit but this is the 2nd worst phone, beating out the one that randomly cut off in phone calls for no reason, I've ever owned. The phone buzzes in my ear and the speakerphone is worthless. I still love it, I just hate it as a phone.

Again maybe my unit is just defective to some degree - I'm open to suggestions as to who to send it to (T-Mobile customer using an unlocked SMT5600 from AT&amp;T)

[Jerry Raia]

I can't recall but this seems like the first negative post for a 5600.

Take heart MPx220 owners, maybe we will get some company down here! :twisted:

[Jeff Song]

I agree for the most part. I'm getting a little tired of this device being "the best" or "near perfect". Personally I love it but it's far from perfect. Perhaps it's just my unit but this is the 2nd worst phone, beating out the one that randomly cut off in phone calls for no reason, I've ever owned. The phone buzzes in my ear and the speakerphone is worthless. I still love it, I just hate it as a phone.

Again maybe my unit is just defective to some degree - I'm open to suggestions as to who to send it to (T-Mobile customer using an unlocked SMT5600 from AT&amp;T)

Interesting, my SMT5600 has no static in the earpiece, and everyone comments on the high quality of the speakerphone. I would have to say that this is the best phone that I have ever used, although the SE K700i comes in a close second.

[Mike Temporale]

I agree for the most part. I'm getting a little tired of this device being "the best" or "near perfect". Personally I love it but it's far from perfect. Perhaps it's just my unit but this is the 2nd worst phone, beating out the one that randomly cut off in phone calls for no reason, I've ever owned. The phone buzzes in my ear and the speakerphone is worthless. I still love it, I just hate it as a phone.

Again maybe my unit is just defective to some degree - I'm open to suggestions as to who to send it to (T-Mobile customer using an unlocked SMT5600 from AT&amp;T)

I'm not sure where you should send it, but it sounds like there is something wrong with your unit. I have no static or buzzing, and the speaker phone is loud and clear.

Where did you buy it from?

[Kris Kumar]

I definitely agree that SMT5600 is better than that em-pe-ex-2-20.

And I am willing to bet that the i-mate SP3i is better than the SMT5600. ;-) Too bad that the SP3i or similar model (branding) is not being sold by a carrier. It does everything the SMT5600 does, and has better looks and good joystick.

[killah21]

Flip phones own candy bar phones any day! Mpx220 >> SP3i >> SMT5600

[Jeff Song]

Flip phones own candy bar phones any day! Mpx220 >> SP3i >> SMT5600

thanks for the insightful comment :roll:

[Janak Parekh]

Flip phones own candy bar phones any day! Mpx220 >> SP3i >> SMT5600
thanks for the insightful comment :roll:
Well, I'll provide some insight. ;) I went back to a flip phone (the i600) and found out how much I truly missed the flip formfactor the last few years. Answering and hanging up phone calls by flipping the phone is truly intuitive, and best of all you can do it without too much eye/hand coordination. In addition, keylock isn't necessary, and you know the internal screen is protected. I don't think I'll be going back to any candybar-style phones any time soon.

The i600's main downside is that the phone turns off whenever you flip it closed, so if you're using a headset or the speakerphone it's a little tricky. I hope Samsung will fix that in their next device, and I wish more Smartphone manufacturers would decide to make flip phones.

--janak

[Jerry Raia]

Flip phones own candy bar phones any day! Mpx220 >> SP3i >> SMT5600
thanks for the insightful comment :roll:
Well, I'll provide some insight. ;) I went back to a flip phone (the i600) and found out how much I truly missed the flip formfactor the last few years. Answering and hanging up phone calls by flipping the phone is truly intuitive, and best of all you can do it without too much eye/hand coordination. In addition, keylock isn't necessary, and you know the internal screen is protected. I don't think I'll be going back to any candybar-style phones any time soon.

The i600's main downside is that the phone turns off whenever you flip it closed, so if you're using a headset or the speakerphone it's a little tricky. I hope Samsung will fix that in their next device, and I wish more Smartphone manufacturers would decide to make flip phones.

--janak

I'll have to second that. If we could just get the guts of the 5600 into the 220...I'd have phone that worked and flipped at the same time!!!

:turn-l:

[Mike Temporale]

And I am willing to bet that the i-mate SP3i is better than the SMT5600. ;-) Too bad that the SP3i or similar model (branding) is not being sold by a carrier. It does everything the SMT5600 does, and has better looks and good joystick.

With any luck T-Mobile will release this phone, although at this rate, I'm starting to think this may never happen. :(

[ChemNerd]

I agree for the most part. I'm getting a little tired of this device being "the best" or "near perfect". Personally I love it but it's far from perfect. Perhaps it's just my unit but this is the 2nd worst phone, beating out the one that randomly cut off in phone calls for no reason, I've ever owned. The phone buzzes in my ear and the speakerphone is worthless. I still love it, I just hate it as a phone.

Again maybe my unit is just defective to some degree - I'm open to suggestions as to who to send it to (T-Mobile customer using an unlocked SMT5600 from AT&amp;T)

I'm not sure where you should send it, but it sounds like there is something wrong with your unit. I have no static or buzzing, and the speaker phone is loud and clear.

Where did you buy it from?

Since AT&amp;T doesn't exist where I am so I bought it off e-bay.

Seriously though I'm open to suggestions. I love this device but the phone aspects are just bad. I have to use my headset for any call longer than 5 minutes cause I can't stand it otherwise.

[Marc Zimmermann]

Gary Krakow from MSNBC, has done the research that some other journalists have failed to do. This article is accurate, and fair toward the Audiovox handset.

One point that he misses is that 850/1800/1900 MHz is far from being a "world" phone. Most of the "traditional" GSM networks outside of the USA are 900/1800 so your roaming options abroad are somewhat limited. You are not having the freedom to use any available network but are limited to those on the 1800 band.

For example, in Germany both T-Mobile and Vodafone are basically 900 networks with an extremely spotty and GPRS-less network of 1800 antennas in overcrowded areas. Practically, you're limited to use the two smaller 1800 carriers, E-Plus and O2, the latter of which is logging their users onto T-Mobile's 900 network where their own is not dense enough...

Selling tri-band phones like this is making not much sense for international use. Phones with 850 HMz support should all be quad-band in order to be considered "world" phones.

[Mike Temporale]

Gary Krakow from MSNBC, has done the research that some other journalists have failed to do. This article is accurate, and fair toward the Audiovox handset.

One point that he misses is that 850/1800/1900 MHz is far from being a "world" phone. Most of the "traditional" GSM networks outside of the USA are 900/1800 so your roaming options abroad are somewhat limited. You are not having the freedom to use any available network but are limited to those on the 1800 band.

True. The term "world" seems to get applied to any phone with more than 1 frequency. It's a shame we don't see more quad-band phones. Until they are more common, I think the misuse of the term world will continue.

[sbthaut]

I have used my SMT 5600 in both Brazil and Russia and it sounded as great as it does in the US. I would consider that world coverage, even if it does not cover every single town and city. I would be happy if GSM could get full US coverage. Road Trips to Vegas on a major US interstate still find me without coverage almost a thrid of the trip. And as for the flip vs candy bar debate, each to thier own, I love the candy bar phones! I have never been more satisfied with a cell phone and I tend to go through two or even three a year.

[Mike Temporale]

I tend to go through two or even three a year.

8O My wallet couldn't handle that! :(

[Jerry Raia]

I tend to go through two or even three a year.

8O My wallet couldn't handle that! :(

:lol: I'm holding the line at one a year.....per carrier.