SP3i recommended or not?

[Mark Larson]

I'm looking to get a Windows Smartphone again, after being stuck with a Sony Ericsson for far too long. Great phone and UI, don't get me wrong, but it just feels like i can't do anything other than make calls with it.

Anyway, I had an SMT-5600 and loved it, so I figured a good place to start was to wait for the T-Mobile SDA. However, I just came across a brand new SP3i for $199.9999. Much cheaper than the SDA, which is supposed to be $299 with a 1yr contract. Should I buy it? Does it have major problems, is the joystick going to fall out or what?

Would appreciate input.

[Kris Kumar]

I used the SP3i for a almost a year, no problems; no joystick issues; no keypad problems; no dust; no hardware problems of any kind.

i-mate SP3i's latest ROM update makes it very stable and provides WMP10.

If the new models were not available, I would have highly recommended the SP3i, but now that the new models are available, I would recommend taking a look before you order the SP3i.

The T-Mobile SDA has a lovely QVGA Screen (it makes a big difference) and many major & subtle OS improvements that make it worth the extra $100. [Not sure if it is worth the 1 or 2 yr contract though :-( ]

[Mark Larson]

I did take a look at the SDA, but if I want to be stuck in a contract for 1 year and pay even more, that's not such a good deal. I can get a Razr and sell it for $200 and the SP3i will be free. The SDA on the other hand will cost $300 WITH contract. Too rich for my blood. :oops:

I also wonder - for people who have seen both the T-Mobile EU SDA (black one), how do the looks compare? The EU SDA is simply gorgeous, and the SP3i doesn't look so hot in comparison ;)

[Kris Kumar]

In Europe the black SDA is an older model. I don't think they have launched the Windows Mobile 5.0 + WiFi based model in Europe.

I wish T-Mobile had named the US SDA as SDA II, instead of SDA. Europe had launched the SDA last year and it was a WM2003SE based device and the US SDA launching today is a WM5.0 based device. :roll:

Vodafone did launch the black SDA, looks more like the i-mate SP5.

[Mark Larson]

Yes, the WM2003SE black SDA is the one I meant, since its the same phone as the SP3i. Not the SDA music etc.

[Kris Kumar]

I was talking about this SDA.

http://www.smartphonethoughts.com/forums/viewtopic.php?p=65960