Mikeyboy01
07-05-2005, 05:17 AM
Following on from the 9300 review recently posted, I've had 9300 for three months or so now, and here is a quick summary of what I think from extended usage of the device as my main phone ....
Good points:
1. Web browser - superb
2. Screen - superb
3. Bluetooth - connects to anything, no hassle - car kits, Tom Tom Go 700, head set, PC's. When connection is lost, connection is re-established
4. Communicator side - software is superb very few panics, generally stable - email works well. It is generally great to use, customisable.
5. Image viewing. Receive MMS, image is tiny - virtually unviewable. Admittedly, phone isn't really designed for this.
6. Size - pocketable, light
7. 2GB MMC cards - work fine with this. Great as a pseudo USB stick!
8. Communicator screen - suberb.
9. Hardware - hinge holds open, sits nicely on a desk, opens 180 degrees - all great!
Bad points:
1. Dropped it once, hinges off set straight-away, doesn't close properly. Was it not drop tested?
2. Outside of phone is poor to use. For example, if incoming call notification is enabled (i.e. you are on an active call and another call comes in), if phone is being used with headset/ handsfree no audible tone is heard. If phone is used normally, shrill squeak that rendesr your ear useless is heard. I am used to S60 and UIQ though. S40 seems such a basic UI.
3. Only way to switch off the Communicator part is to remove battery!
4. Battery cover is horrible to remove
5. Switching off phone side disables Bluetooth, but switching phone side back on does not enable Bluetooth.
6. Keyboard - number keys are too close too the app short cut keys. When ever pressing numbers you end up switching application
6. Battery life - isn't great if you use Bluetooth a lot - connected to car kit / headset to and from work. Full charge Friday PM, often dead on Monday AM.
7. Phone side keys - poor feedback and feel.
8. Phone and communicator sides are not integrated. Look at message on phone side, open communicator and it isn't displayed.
9. Accessing missed calls from phone side can take up to 15 seconds. Open up the communicator side and they are displayed instantly.
Admittedly a lot of these are minor grumbles. But the 9300 is really let down by S40 phone side and the lack of gap between the top two rows of keys. The rest is great.
So if you are thinking of getting this phone, think long and hard.
Good points:
1. Web browser - superb
2. Screen - superb
3. Bluetooth - connects to anything, no hassle - car kits, Tom Tom Go 700, head set, PC's. When connection is lost, connection is re-established
4. Communicator side - software is superb very few panics, generally stable - email works well. It is generally great to use, customisable.
5. Image viewing. Receive MMS, image is tiny - virtually unviewable. Admittedly, phone isn't really designed for this.
6. Size - pocketable, light
7. 2GB MMC cards - work fine with this. Great as a pseudo USB stick!
8. Communicator screen - suberb.
9. Hardware - hinge holds open, sits nicely on a desk, opens 180 degrees - all great!
Bad points:
1. Dropped it once, hinges off set straight-away, doesn't close properly. Was it not drop tested?
2. Outside of phone is poor to use. For example, if incoming call notification is enabled (i.e. you are on an active call and another call comes in), if phone is being used with headset/ handsfree no audible tone is heard. If phone is used normally, shrill squeak that rendesr your ear useless is heard. I am used to S60 and UIQ though. S40 seems such a basic UI.
3. Only way to switch off the Communicator part is to remove battery!
4. Battery cover is horrible to remove
5. Switching off phone side disables Bluetooth, but switching phone side back on does not enable Bluetooth.
6. Keyboard - number keys are too close too the app short cut keys. When ever pressing numbers you end up switching application
6. Battery life - isn't great if you use Bluetooth a lot - connected to car kit / headset to and from work. Full charge Friday PM, often dead on Monday AM.
7. Phone side keys - poor feedback and feel.
8. Phone and communicator sides are not integrated. Look at message on phone side, open communicator and it isn't displayed.
9. Accessing missed calls from phone side can take up to 15 seconds. Open up the communicator side and they are displayed instantly.
Admittedly a lot of these are minor grumbles. But the 9300 is really let down by S40 phone side and the lack of gap between the top two rows of keys. The rest is great.
So if you are thinking of getting this phone, think long and hard.