T610 firmware upgrade -> better reception??

[cBass]

when talking to a sales-person, i was told that newer T610 phones ship with a newer firmware which gets rid of the reported hissing and supposedly finetunes the reception of the phone.

can anyone confirm this?


I am considering buying the T610, so i am wondering if there is any truth in this, and if i buy a new phone now, does it already has the new firmware, or if not can i do the update myself, or does it cost money?
I am mostly concerned of the reception, but otherwise like the looks and features ( bluetooth ) of the phone

questions over questions :-)


thanks for any input.

[Sid]

Since you are in the USA, I would recommend you get the T616 - which has been specially optimised for US networks.

SE provide free firmware updates during the warranty period (1 year) so you dont need to worry about paying money for that.

The hissing problem occurred with a very early model of the T610, and by now all new T610's will not have this problem.

[cBass]

Getting the 616 instead means i cannot run it on GSM 900, correct?
My concern is using the phone in germany then, whrere I am about twice a year for a couple of weeks. as far as i understand Vodafone D2 and T-Mobile D1 run on GSM900 !?
So would i be able to log on to a different network provider in germany/europe with the T616 phone?

best regards,

cBass

[Sid]

The T616 is GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz. I dont know about what band germany uses but if it's not one of them, the T616 wont work. You might be better off waiting for the Motorola V600 which is quad-band.

[cBass]

I found out that in germany there is also the e-plus provider running on the 1800 band with nation wide coverage.

so i should be good to go with the T616.

thanks for the advice,



cBass

[Michael]

In Germany you would have to use O2 or E-Plus with the T616 since Vodafon and T-Mobile are on the 900 band.

And a firmware release having an impact on RF reception sounds quite inplausible to me, but I can't say it isn't possible.

[Jakob]

No,I do not think that software has anything to do with RF reception.I am from Europe,and I think that my T610 works just fine,but it consumes more memory for fotos,than it should.Now that is a real problem.In general T610s have that problem.

[Getor]

Got to tell you our experience is that the hissing "problem" is non-existent. We have had three units for two weeks now...and I don't understand what is the problem....biut we live in Taiwan and maybe the models here are better...?

I also read the report about a disapointing T610 - thats bull. Trust me. We love the P610 - all three of us. I in fact predict the T610 to become a solid market winner. The main compact layout is great, the design is classic and claean, and the over all quality and functionality is as could be expected - and a little more. Some work on the software as the callender is needed though - but, this is after all a phone and not a PDA!

I've been an diehard NOKIA supporter for years. Have loved their way of understanding what a mobile phone use is all about. But it seems that they are getting slow to react now. Waiting for exitement but with the 6210 close to falling apart the natural choise after numerous testing was the SonyEricsson T610.

Bougth one - tested it for a good week, then the second that has been in good operation for a week - and the third one today. We all - 50yrs + 21yrs +18 yrs respectively - love it....simply do. For this kind of money, we could not possibly expect more.

OK - the camera resolution is on the low side, the callender is not PDA style...but, I did not buy a camera nor a PDA! Tose are simply bonuses, and darn good ones too.

Now - my wait is for the P810/900 - I have high expectations for that one. The P800 is simply to bulky and a little too retro for me..... Anyone knows when the P810 is expected in the stores by the way?

[Steven]

The hissing prob only occured on models manufactured before week 19 (correct me if I'm wrong, fellow-readers).

All phones released for example in Belgium are hiss-free, because the early ones were recalled and SE postponed the release in Belgium until the new batch of hiss-free phones were ready.
This could also have happened in Taiwan for all I know...

[Michael]

Originally posted by Getor
Got to tell you our experience is that the hissing "problem" is non-existent. We have had three units for two weeks now...and I don't understand what is the problem....biut we live in Taiwan and maybe the models here are better...?

The problem was very real, but only was on the early handsets. The first of three T610s I have tested had the problem, and it was very obvious.


I also read the report about a disapointing T610 - thats bull. Trust me. We love the P610 - all three of us. I in fact

Forgive me if I don't trust your opinion. As I said, I have tested three T610s, and a T616 too.

The display is bad on all of them, and the RF is bad on the T610 even when compared to the lowly T68i. I've done side by side comparisons in multiple countries. Not just comparing the number of reception bars on the display, but actually making/dropping calls and GPRS connections in areas with weak signals.

T616 was ok, though.

Outside of the display in bright sunlight and the RF, though, the phones are everything you could want. If you live in a city and don't spend a lot of time out in harsh sunlight it will probably please you.

[conX]

actually, i bought my t610 in taiwan also, to bring back to canada....the reception of the t610 in taiwan is very good, i guess it depends on where you are~

i'm in canada now and with certain providers, the reception sucks but with others, it's not bad~

[Daniel Y]

Michael,

I think you are being too hard on the T616 which is what I have. I almost didn't buy one based on your review of the T610. I am glad I did. Stopped using my old trusted Nokia 6190. Love the Bluetooth (goes great with my Bluetooth PDA). Love the camera, low resolution and all. Reception is fine. Have had if for 3 1/2 weeks now and no complaints.

My screen is so bright I can use it as a night light to get around in the dark (standard display). The truth!

Best regards,
Dan

[Sid]

Michale is not saying the display is always bad - just that it's bad in harsh sunlight. When compared to a 7250 side by side you can easily see the difference.

http://members.optusnet.com.au/mobileburn/7250vst610.jpg

[Michael]

Originally posted by Daniel Y
My screen is so bright I can use it as a night light to get around in the dark (standard display). The truth!

I never said there was a problem in the dark. In fact, that is when the display is at its best. The problem is the exact opposite, when the sun is very bright.

The reception on the T616 is acceptable, I state as much in the T610 review.

[Daniel Y]

I'm not the greatest photographer, but I snapped some pictures. There is a difference, but not significant enough for me to complain. (First time posting pictures - see if it works...)

http://www.fototime.com/97DBD50BB5144CA/standard.jpg

http://www.fototime.com/C1312373C98B185/standard.jpg

[Jalal]

Michael,

I agree with you on the display. I live in Bahrain and its sunny here 340 days a year. The display is totally useless in the sun. On reception I disagree with you. I have used my T610 in Bahrain, UK, France and on the east coast of the US and it worked great in all these places.

[sempai]

Originally posted by Jalal
Michael,

I agree with you on the display. I live in Bahrain and its sunny here 340 days a year. The display is totally useless in the sun. On reception I disagree with you. I have used my T610 in Bahrain, UK, France and on the east coast of the US and it worked great in all these places.

The T610 is useable in my basement.

But I have to tell you (p.s. Hi Jalal!!) that the 6310i and 3650 trounce it when the signal is weak. My house seems to be very near a tower for my carrier and it's fantastic.

I need best cell reception in my home. It's my only line.

[Jalal]

Hi Sempai , nice seeing you here :)

[Dr freedom]

When I was looking to buy a T610, I read the hissing was only an issue for a European batch of them, manufactured before March this year, then the issue was fixed by SE after that.