First Review of the Upcoming Cingular 2125 Smartphone

[Mike Temporale]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?s=ea10a5d4f73819214615d1e205cefed0&showtopic=10388' target='_blank'>http://www.mobilegadgetnews.com/index.php?s=ea10a5d4f73819214615d1e205cefed0&showtopic=10388</a><br /><br /></div><i>"So I was lucky enough to have a chance to have a Cingular 2125 (HTC Faraday) to play with for the weekend. Initially I didn’t think I would really be interested in this device as I plan on getting the 8125 (ie HTC Wizard) when it is released, but I’m very impressed by this device already. As many have confirmed, the device does NOT have WiFi. I’m actually ok with the lack of WiFi personally because the device actually posts some impressive speeds with EDGE. The hump isn’t the most esthetically pleasing feature on the phone, but from what I’ve been told it actually helps the 1900 frequency significantly."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/images/Temporale-20051205-c2125Review.jpg" alt="User submitted image" title="User submitted image"/> <br /><br />The phone is not even released yet, and we're starting to see reviews posted on it! Aside from cosmetic issues and the lack of WiFi, it looks like a great phone! ;)

[Kris Kumar]

I like nskgti's point - with EDGE speed, we need not be concerned about the lack of Wi-Fi. After all thanks to EDGE we will be seeing 100-120Kbps as opposed to the current 25-45Kbps with GPRS.

[nskgti]

As the reviewer in said link, I figured I'd drop in and make some comments over here.

From a smartphone perspective, this is the best device I've used to date. As stated in the review, I will be moving to the Wizard when it is available, but this device could easily have been my choice if I didn't need a PocketPC for some of the things I'm doing...

For anyone on the fence about this device because of the lack of WiFi, I wouldn't worry too much. EDGE is plenty fast and the battery will thank you for it....

[Kris Kumar]

As the reviewer in said link, I figured I'd drop in and make some comments over here.

Cool. Thanks.

So the 2125 has a better reception compared to the SMT5600? That's good news.

Inside the buildings/homes especially the 1900 frequency is tough to receive. I am hoping that with the bigger antenna. The HTC Faraday (2125) and HTC Tornado (SP5/SDA) will have better reception. This is great news for T-Mobile users which is operates completely on 1900. :)

[robertotores]

That hump is disgusting

[nskgti]

That hump is disgusting

It really isn't that bad. I think the pictures make it look worse than it really is.

[Rocco Augusto]

That hump is disgusting

i owned a mpx220 and you know what? as many flaws as that phone had i NEVER once dropped a call or got down to one bar. i like the hump if it keeps me from dropping calls and pissing off my clients ;)

[robertotores]

Thanks.

And one question:

Does this phone has the screen angle problem that plauged the SMT 5600?

Here is a discussion of this problem:

http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9209&amp;highlight=smt+screen

[nskgti]

No problems viewing the screen from any angle. At least I haven't noticed any.

[Jerry Raia]

I'm still going to wait for the Qtek. I want WiFi, just cause. :D

[gai-jin]

Mmmmm.... (/me wipes drool from chin)

I want. However, being recently unemployed, I might have a hard time justifying the expense right now...

Gai-jin

[robertotores]

That hump is disgusting

i owned a mpx220 and you know what? as many flaws as that phone had i NEVER once dropped a call or got down to one bar. i like the hump if it keeps me from dropping calls and pissing off my clients ;)


The SMT 5600 does not has a hump and it never dropped a call. Also the Orange version of this phone has no hump.

The hump was only present in phones that had wi-fi (it is the wi-fi antenna.).

Apparently Cingular purchased the Wi-Fi version of the phone and disabled it or removed it somehow.

[Rebecca]

That hump is disgusting

i owned a mpx220 and you know what? as many flaws as that phone had i NEVER once dropped a call or got down to one bar. i like the hump if it keeps me from dropping calls and pissing off my clients ;)

That hump is going to keep your clients away from buying this phone.

Most people buy with their eyes. Why is the RAZR the most popular phone?

I know some will say this is no problem since they are geeks and they don't care about looks. The problem is that phone carriers will sell what the masses want to buy.

This phone will create a bad image for Windows Mobile on the mind of carries if it does not sells well for being ugly they will blame it on Windows and not on the looks.

[Kris Kumar]

Apparently Cingular purchased the Wi-Fi version of the phone and disabled it or removed it somehow.

Please. I don't think the hump has got anything to do with Wi-Fi.

You can get the Wi-Fi enabled Smartphone with and without the hump. Example of a Smartphone without the hump but has Wi-Fi - i-mate SP5m. (http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9640)

I am sure Cingular never ordered the Wi-Fi version. I can see business justification for that. It is sad. But that is the problem the carriers have all the power. They decide what the customers want to buy.

The hump is most likely to accomodate a bigger antenna for the cellular signal.

[nskgti]

Kris, you are correct. The hump is for improved reception and it does an AMAZING job from a reception standpoint...

Apparently Cingular purchased the Wi-Fi version of the phone and disabled it or removed it somehow.

Please. I don't think the hump has got anything to do with Wi-Fi.

You can get the Wi-Fi enabled Smartphone with and without the hump. Example of a Smartphone without the hump but has Wi-Fi - i-mate SP5m. (http://smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?t=9640)

I am sure Cingular never ordered the Wi-Fi version. I can see business justification for that. It is sad. But that is the problem the carriers have all the power. They decide what the customers want to buy.

The hump is most likely to accomodate a bigger antenna for the cellular signal.

[Rocco Augusto]

im still thinking im gonna shoot for the Qtek as well. Like I stated before I want that phone to have my babies... but only if they have built in wifi ;)

in all seriousness though EDGE really isnt a big plus for me, I would have rather have had wifi. 11Mbp/s is a lot better than 100-120Kbp/s and when you really do the math youre only getting speeds on EDGE of upto 10-15KBp/s. That might be enough for some people but I get a lot of big emails that I download to my phone and when you have a massive gmail mailbox like I do it takes FOREVER to download your mail. EDGE would speed that up but it would still take forever to get it done.

Also I use Orb a lot to stream live/recorded TV and music from my HTPC (Home Theater PC) to my phone for when it's really slow at work. With GPRS I get crappy quality (TV/video) and with EDGE on my laptop I get right above crappy quality (TV/Video as well). Either way I would personally prefer WiFi over EDGE any day :cry:

[OSUKid7]

Good deal. I'll be trading in my SMT5600 for this in a week or so (whenever my store gets the 2125 in stock). I wonder how much I'll end up paying with all the weird contract conditions and rebates with the two phones...hopefully it's not too bad.

[Rocco Augusto]

The SMT 5600 does not has a hump and it never dropped a call. Also the Orange version of this phone has no hump.

The hump was only present in phones that had wi-fi (it is the wi-fi antenna.).

Apparently Cingular purchased the Wi-Fi version of the phone and disabled it or removed it somehow.

It might never had dropped a call in your area but I drop several calls a day in certain spots that I never dropped them with the MPx220. is the 5600 had a hump like the 2125 or the MPx220 i'm sure I would have had greaet reception in my area


That hump is going to keep your clients away from buying this phone.

Most people buy with their eyes. Why is the RAZR the most popular phone?

I know some will say this is no problem since they are geeks and they don't care about looks. The problem is that phone carriers will sell what the masses want to buy.

This phone will create a bad image for Windows Mobile on the mind of carries if it does not sells well for being ugly they will blame it on Windows and not on the looks.

the hump really isn't that bad. i actually just had a client place an order for 20 of them today for when they get released. theyre upgrading from the old MPx200 and they think the design is awesome.

most business customers really don't care about aesthetics over functionality. how do you think the all the RIM devices became popular? ;)

if a customer has issues with the hump i just flat out tell them 'look, you're going to get better reception with this phone due to the hump. we can easily stick you behind a phone that looks flashier, ill get paid the same regardless, but its your clientel you might end up dropping calls on'

magically the hump doesn't become an issue anymore ;)

[robertotores]

The hump is not for improoving reception.

The hump is empty inside just look at these pictures of the openend phone:

https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=577341&amp;native_or_pdf=pdf

I think Cingular just removed the Wi-Fi components leaving and empty hump.

The T-mobile SDA has a wi-fi antenna inside the hump:
https://gullfoss2.fcc.gov/prod/oet/forms/blobs/retrieve.cgi?attachment_id=562885&amp;native_or_pdf=pdf

FUGLY phone, I did rather buy a ROKR for aestetics.

[Rocco Augusto]

Good deal. I'll be trading in my SMT5600 for this in a week or so (whenever my store gets the 2125 in stock). I wonder how much I'll end up paying with all the weird contract conditions and rebates with the two phones...hopefully it's not too bad.

you can find the phone and rebate prices here:

More Info on the Cingular 2125 Smartphone - Release Expected Soon (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=61931&amp;sid=e8a8f5300f3a6bf6d50a7e44e97cc78c)

[OSUKid7]

you can find the phone and rebate prices here:

More Info on the Cingular 2125 Smartphone - Release Expected Soon (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=61931&amp;sid=e8a8f5300f3a6bf6d50a7e44e97cc78c)
Oh I know, I'm just wondering how they'll handle it since I'm technically already in a 2-yr contract, and have sent in my rebate form for the SMT5600.

[Kris Kumar]

I think Cingular just removed the Wi-Fi components leaving and empty hump.


Check out this post. (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=61977) ;-)

[Rocco Augusto]

you can find the phone and rebate prices here:

More Info on the Cingular 2125 Smartphone - Release Expected Soon (http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=61931&amp;sid=e8a8f5300f3a6bf6d50a7e44e97cc78c)
Oh I know, I'm just wondering how they'll handle it since I'm technically already in a 2-yr contract, and have sent in my rebate form for the SMT5600.

arent you still in your 30 day grace period? if you are unless the phone is all broken and abused they should take it back. as for the rebate you most likely cut off the IMEI from the box which means youll prolly have to pay a restocking fee of $25-$50 bucks depending on where you live.

if anything you just wont get the 5600 rebate because it will show your phones sim card number assigned to a different IMEI, unless they forget to change it through the online system, then you might still get it.

[OSUKid7]

arent you still in your 30 day grace period? if you are unless the phone is all broken and abused they should take it back. as for the rebate you most likely cut off the IMEI from the box which means youll prolly have to pay a restocking fee of $25-$50 bucks depending on where you live.

if anything you just wont get the 5600 rebate because it will show your phones sim card number assigned to a different IMEI, unless they forget to change it through the online system, then you might still get it.
Yep, still 20 days in my grace period, so that should be fine. Any idea when retail stores are expected to get the 2125?

[Rocco Augusto]

Yep, still 20 days in my grace period, so that should be fine. Any idea when retail stores are expected to get the 2125?

the moment i find out ill let you guys know. :D

[thenikjones2]

the hump really isn't that bad. i actually just had a client place an order for 20 of them today for when they get released. theyre upgrading from the old MPx200 and they think the design is awesome.

most business customers really don't care about aesthetics over functionality. how do you think the all the RIM devices became popular? ;)


In the pre-Smartphone age, one of the most popular business phonews was the Nokia 6310i and similar. Heck, you still see loads of them in use now. They were nice and curvy, ergonomically brilliant, but noticeably larger than more "consumer" phones. Business people loved them as the battery lasted for ages and the signal was great.

I don't think the hump will make or break this phone. I wouldn't get it as WiFI is important to me. In the UK, GPRS rates are VERY expensive (we get the good GSM phones but the US get the good datarates) so EDGE leaves me cold.

thenikjones