MobileTracker Reviews the Samsung i730

[Darius Wey]

<div class='os_post_top_link'><a href='http://www.mobiletracker.net/archives/2005/07/18/samsung-i730-review' target='_blank'>http://www.mobiletracker.net/archiv...ung-i730-review</a><br /><br /></div><i>"The Samsung SCH-i730 PDA/phone is an extremely fast, highly capable Pocket PC PDA with a stunning 320×240 screen which can be used in portrait or landscape modes, and cell phone with high quality reception. Unfortunately, the i730 empties its battery much too quickly, and, at a weight of virtually 8 oz (227gm) with its essential "extended" battery installed, is heavier than Palm's weighty Treo."</i><br /><br /><img src="http://www.pocketpcthoughts.com/images/web/2003/wey-20050719-i730.jpg" /><br /><br />There have been many highs and lows with the i730 ever since Verizon brought the Samsung device into the US market. I, along with many others, find it to be a pretty neat device, but as neat as it may be, Ned from MobileTracker has identified two woes with this compact Pocket PC Phone Edition. The first being its less than impressive battery life. The second being its weight (when put head-to-head with the Treo). Any i730 owners care to comment on these issues?

[DaleReeck]

One glaring mistake - EVDO costs $70/month, not $45. Regular 1X costs $45. And despite "45 cities" having it, most places don't have it yet.

Though I have to chuckle when he says he understands why Verizon wouldn't want you using EVDO too much as a modem for a notebook. Yeah, paying $70/month to NOT use EVDO is what I'm looking to do :roll: We pay through the arse for these wireless services, then VZW does everything in its power to make the services as limited as possible. Of course they have "the fastest data network" as they love to advertise. Because no one is allowed to use it! Lots of bandwidth available! :D

[Gex]

One glaring mistake - EVDO costs $70/month, not $45. Regular 1X costs $45.

With a voice plan consumer pricing for unlimited EVDO on the i730 is $45. With corporate discounts you can get that price down quite a bit... with only a 5 line business account you can get the price down to something like $39 or $37... i forget...

[saru83]

its a neat device, but unluckly its not available in Canada yet :(

[homer999]

One glaring mistake - EVDO costs $70/month, not $45. Regular 1X costs $45. And despite "45 cities" having it, most places don't have it yet.
:D

Yup, $45 before my corp discount. Just switched from T-Mobile. It stinks seeing my data plan double in cost but after a couple of hours of testing my Jam against the i730 the 1X speeds are pretty darn good compared to GPRS. Throw in EVDO in several markets that I will be traveling to and now I can justify the cost increase.

The biggest factor in my case for switching though was increased coverage. While Cingular GPRS is slightly better than T-Mobile, VZ is even better. Since I travel I gotta go where the coverage is best. And I will do my best to use as much EVDO bandwidth when I am in the Boston area (next assignment) just to spite VZ.

Oh and about the battery life concerns. Except for the H6315, battery life is always an issue with these converged devices. Faster performance, faster download rates, what do you except? My Jam would probably eat battery life just as much if it had the faster processer and faster data rates. The trade-offs will continue for a while I guess.

[DaleReeck]

Hmmm. This is news to me. VZW EVDO used to be $80. Then there was a big bruhaha about how they lowered it to $60 (my mistake from my first post about it being $70). But I haven't heard anytthing about it becoming their normal $45 plan in areas where its available. When did this happen?

[ARW]

The $45 plan is for phones/PDAs, they still have the $80 plans for their PC cards modems, which are for notebook computers. This is why they are trying to cripple the ability to use the i730 and others for use as modems.

[csterns]

I love the device and learned to deal with the battery life (auto adapter, and extra batter). I think for what it does you have to expect high battery drain.

The BT connection with my headset is fantastic, internet connection is fast, email retrival a dream and over all a nice piece of equipment. As soon as Piel Frama comes out with their case I am going to jump all over it. My only complaint is the holster, I don't like it.

As for a camera, I've found these to be useless and unwanted so I for one was glad it wasn't offered.