Comments on: Samsung Officially Debuts the SPH-i500

CES 2003: Samsung has formally introduced the SPH-i500 at CES. The SPH-i500 is a fully integrated Palm-Powered clamshell phone. The i500 runs Palm OS 4.1 and sports a 66 MHz Dragonball processor and 16MB of RAM.

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Hmm

M3wThr33 @ 1/13/2003 5:40:26 AM #

Well, unfortunately I'm still a sucker for the Kyocera 7135, but the 66Mhz sounds like a nice deal, except for the fact it lacks Mp3 playback and an expansion slot. The external caller id is something I can live without.
I'm looking at Smartphones to replace not two, but three of my devices, my pda, cellphone and my mp3 player(Which should be read it last rites this summer).
Of course, the little problem with my plan is that rumors keep circulating Sprint is going to opt to ONLY carry the i500 and not the 7135, and I have no choice about phone carriers, so I just have to play the waiting game.

I don't think you understand the gravity of the situation. We're in space.

RE: Hmm

hkklife @ 1/13/2003 9:23:39 AM #

If you could merge the multimedia type features of the Kyocera with the 66mhz Dragonball of this phone, then you'd have a real road warrior type of device. Until then, I think most users will go with the Kyocera, since it comes the closest to having the feature set most users want (mp3, expansion, external CID etc).

Also, I'd personally have very little use for 66mhz without any external expansion capacbilities, so it'd probably end up being a real battery drainer for the vast majority of users that didn't know about underclocking.

RE: Hmm

gfunkmagic @ 1/13/2003 2:16:43 PM #

Isn't is possible to somehow get the 7135 unlocked to work on sprint's network?

7135 & Sprint

Maddog @ 1/13/2003 3:44:20 PM #

I've been told twice now, by the Kyocera-Wirelss customer support people, that the 7135 will be released by Sprint...they just can't say when.

RE: Hmm

shrike4242 @ 1/13/2003 4:37:44 PM #

From: cdma-phone-sales <cdma-phone-sales@kyocera-wireless.com> [ Save address ]
To: Address Removed
Subject: Re: Kyocera 7135 smartphone is finally here!
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 14:26:41 -0800

Thank you for your interest in Kyocera Wireless Corp. CDMA digital wireless products.

The Kyocera 7135 is expected to be available from Sprint PCS during 1st Quarter, 2003.

Kyocera Wireless phones are available to consumers through authorized CDMA digital cellular and PCS service providers. Because the service providers
implement the networks, they have current information regarding product and service availability, service plans, coverage areas, activation and other services offered. They also set their own final retail prices.

We offer a variety of phone accessories for our CDMA phones. For more information about available accessories, please contact your local service provider, visit the Kyocera Wireless Accessory Store online at <http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/store>, or call 800-349-4188 (toll-free) or 858-882-1410.

For more information on Kyocera Wireless' entire family of CDMA digital wireless products, please visit our web site at <http://www.kyocera-wireless.com>. For additional information on CDMA technology, please visit the CDMA Development Group's (CDG's) web site at
<http://www.cdg.org/>. The CDMA Development Group (CDG) is an international consortium of companies who have joined together to lead the adoption and evolution of CDMA wireless systems around the world.

Thank you for your interest in Kyocera Wireless products.

James

Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Information Center
E-mail: cdma-phone-sales@kyocera-wireless.com
Phone: (800) 349-4188 or (858) 882-1410

At 05:28 PM 12/20/02 +0000, you wrote:
>To whom it may concern,
>
>When will the 7135 be available though SprintPCS?
>
>--- Jeff

RE: Hmm

shrike4242 @ 1/13/2003 4:37:44 PM #

From: cdma-phone-sales <cdma-phone-sales@kyocera-wireless.com> [ Save address ]
To: Address Removed
Subject: Re: Kyocera 7135 smartphone is finally here!
Date: Thu, 26 Dec 2002 14:26:41 -0800

Thank you for your interest in Kyocera Wireless Corp. CDMA digital wireless products.

The Kyocera 7135 is expected to be available from Sprint PCS during 1st Quarter, 2003.

Thank you for your interest in Kyocera Wireless products.

James

Kyocera Wireless Corp.
Kyocera Wireless Information Center
E-mail: cdma-phone-sales@kyocera-wireless.com
Phone: (800) 349-4188 or (858) 882-1410

At 05:28 PM 12/20/02 +0000, you wrote:
>To whom it may concern,
>
>When will the 7135 be available though SprintPCS?
>
>--- Jeff

No External LCD? :(

sub_tex @ 1/13/2003 8:37:00 AM #

Big bummer. Especially since their new verizon phone (i600 i think) has one.

I'm still almost 100% positive that this will be my next phone. I'll most likely be getting a new PDA that won't be running Palm OS, but I still want the POS datebook and address book.

That and i don't think you can pry Splash ID out of my hands just yet.

This is the perfect device for my needs. Giving me just enough PDA in my phone to make it useful. Love the fact that it's more phone than PDA. Way to go Samsung!

As a writer, there's no way i could have this be my main PDA. Low res screen and no expansion? No sir. But then again, i can't deal with a square screen on my PDA anymore either. Landscape all the way!

RE: No External LCD? :(

gfunkmagic @ 1/13/2003 2:17:28 PM #

Yeah that really galls me as well. The i600 and the i500 are otherwise idententical! I can't understand why Samsung elected not to include a SD slot in the i500. It would have made this device almost complete otherwise IMHO...

I500 and No Slot

Maddog @ 1/13/2003 3:45:58 PM #

If it had a slot, the i500 would be much thicker. Many of us who will buy the i500 will do so because of its size. The presence of a slot on the 7135 makes it too thick for me. There's no free lunch.

RE: No External LCD? :(

Tony_ensemble @ 1/13/2003 7:01:38 PM #

The i500 is the phone for me because of its small size. I understand the trdeoffs that had to be made to make it small. Still... the Kyocera 7135 IMO is a much nicer and sexier design. If it were out on Sprint now I'd buy one just to tide me over until the i500.

RE: No External LCD? :(

RAMd®d @ 1/14/2003 12:01:20 PM #

<< Love the fact that it's more phone than PDA. >>

Absolutely.

I want a big screen on a PDA, but not on my phone. Keep the PDA part simple. And for me *no* MP3 player. My iPod has spoiled me, so keep the size and the memory focused on phone-centric ability.

One almost *needs* an external LCD display, with the amount as the amount of phone spam grows. And I'd like to think that considerate users would check to see whose calling before they start talking at inappropriate times and places.

It looks like it's the verizon/Kyocera 7135 for me. In a different form factor, there's a Siemans that looks tres chic. I wish we could have "extension" phones. (Paying for a second phone, even at a reduced rate, is not an "extension" phone.

______________________________
An armed society is a polite society.

Samsung i500

Shingo @ 1/13/2003 6:18:12 PM #

A 2.5G Samsung i500 seen at CES 2003 at Las Vegas looks quite sharp at the first sight. However the four thumbnail buttons located right below the screen are not only hard to recognize but also too small to press. Also the lack of external LCD/LED does make the phone less desireable. Why does Samsung take one big step foreward to put out a nicely designed Palm powered phone but take one giant step backward not to include an external caller ID screen?

Shingo

Near 1 mega pixel camera as an option

ConceptVBS @ 1/13/2003 8:02:54 PM #

Here is the picture for the camera and keyboard.

http://www.gamespy.com/ces2003/day3/samsung/1.jpg

Reflective or Transflective screen?

iJITSU @ 1/15/2003 11:54:44 AM #

The screen on the I500 looks like a reflective one, not transflective, in the picture posted. If that's the case, then I wouldn't even consider this phone. The 7135 has a transflective screen= even lighting, rich colors. If the I500 does have a transflective screen, then I may condsider it as the smaller size/faster processor is appealling and I may be willing to sacrifice the SD/MP3 options.

RE: Reflective or Transflective screen?

pen_n_paper @ 1/17/2003 2:47:11 AM #

I dunno i don't think you should just look at the picture they never tell the truth. the Picture never displays LCD well.............

----------------------------------------
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RE: Reflective or Transflective screen?

Tony_ensemble @ 1/17/2003 11:24:55 PM #

Thats an important issue. Can anyone find out the answer to this question?

i500 vs 7135

g.x @ 1/22/2003 9:24:27 AM #

My understanding is that the 7135's PDA functions are unavailable when using the phone. Any word on whether this problem exists with the i500? If I could be on the phone/speakerphone with the i500 and still enter info into the Palm PIM applications, that would be my choice.

Plus, I hear the i500 is significantly smaller. True?

RE: i500 vs 7135

Maddog @ 1/27/2003 8:08:09 PM #

Yes, the i500 is significantly smaller than the 7135

RE: i500 vs 7135

barjohn @ 2/2/2003 3:04:26 PM #

I have a Kyo 7135 and you can use the palm functions while you are on the phone. To make it easier i turn on the speaker phone so I can set it down in front of me and use the stylus on the palm while talking. Without a speaker phone feature it would be dificult to use the PDA functions and the phone at the same time. I don't know if the i500 has a speaker phone or not, but if it doesn't, even if it would allow you to use the pda at the same time as a call it would be difficult to do so.

John

RE: i500 vs 7135

g.x @ 2/3/2003 9:51:18 PM #

Just did a little checking. It appears the i500 does not have a speakerphone feature, at least not by comparison of the i500 and i600 on the samsung website. Would have to rely on a headset, I guess, to converse and utilitze Palm functions well. Unfortunate, in my opinion, especially given that the i600 (pocket pc) crams speakerphone, SD expandability and an external caller ID display in a package that is nearly identical in size. Works on Verizon instead of Sprint, though. I currently don't use a PDA, so I'm not married to one OS or the other. If I could get the i600 to work on Sprint, I'd lean that way.

Similar question to one posted above...can you take a CDMA phone and make it work on Sprint? (i.e., any chance of taking the i600 and using it with Sprint PCS Vision)

message from Sprint

theVisualink @ 3/16/2003 2:41:48 AM #

(I guess they just haven't seen the great features of the 7135. I'm not even sure that this phone will sync with my Apple Macintosh)

From: "Stuart D." <ecare@cc.sprintpcs.com>
Date: Sat Mar 15, 2003 10:25:30 PM US/Eastern
To: EDWARD@GETFELDMAN.COM
Subject: Re: ID # 20030310234704

Hello Edward,

This is in response to your inquiry about the Kyocera 7135.
PCS is not supporting the Kyocera 7135, which is not compatible with PCS Vision service. However, the Samsung i500, which is very similar to the Kyocera device, will be available soon. The Samsung i500 is a dual-band/tri-mode device and features a color screen, and voice activated dialing/ voice memo. The i500 utilizes the Palm operating system and advanced PDA functionality and has the fastest Palm processor of any Sprint PDA. This PDA phone also will take advantage of our full suite of Vision services, including downloadable ringers, games and applications. Consider the Samsung i500 when looking for your next smart phone.

Thank you for contacting Sprint.

Stuart D.
eCare

theVisualink
http://www.getfeldman.com

I sent this letter back to Stuart D. of Spint

theVisualink @ 3/16/2003 3:09:48 AM #

"Stuart D." <ecare@cc.sprintpcs.com>
Hello Stuart,

Thank you for your response. I know that Sprint will be sensitive to my needs. Will this phone (Samsung i500) sync with my Apple Macintosh and does it have the expansion card support and the MP3 as in the 7135? In addition it's important to me that I have a sync link to my Apple Macintosh computer running OSX palm software, as the Sprint Kyocera 6035 that I currently have does. I tried the i330 phone, however I had to return it to Sprint. It used the USB as a serial connection which does not work that way on the Apple and there wasn't a software fix path available. In addition the i330 wasn't designed to be held without touching the side buttons and unintentionally changing the settings. Thank you for considering these important features. As a board member on the Florida Macintosh User Group (FLMUG) here in Central Florida I will be pleased to inform the members that Sprint supports our very active community of Apple users.

Edward

theVisualink
http://www.getfeldman.com

i500 or Treo 300? help!

billrallen @ 4/10/2003 5:06:19 PM #

I have a Samsung i300 - I want to replace it with either a Treo 300 or this.

The Treo is a bit bigger than what I want, although it does have the keyboard, so I see that as a plus. Any others?

Would (other than MP3) you see any advantages to the Qualcomm Palm phone instead - I have always used Sprint over Verizon.

the i500 seems to be the smallest, thus I am leaning towards that. Granted it doesnt have that expansion slot - but not sure what I need that for anyway.

comments or suggestions?

RE: i500 or Treo 300? help!

sprintfan @ 4/19/2003 3:31:03 PM #

My opinion is remember why you are buying a smart PDA anyway. For me it should be phone first and PDA second. I currently use a Samsung i330 and have also used a i300. If the phone is too big you will not want to carry it around with you...in fact mine stays in the car many times becasue of this. This is what makes the i500 VERY attractive to me. It has a real phone keypad which is very important to me when talking on the phone and driving in traffic. Since the i300 and i330 have a virtual keypad this makes dialing the phone difficult except when standing still. Second of all the i500 is very similar size to the Samsung a400 and a460 two very popular clam shells that are regular phones. Since the size is smalleer it makes it much easier to lug around all day....not to mention that the flip protects the screen if it is in your pocket. Samsung also made a great move by not including some of the PDA extra (MP3 etc), but focused on bringing a small Phone / PDA to the market. If you look at the Kyocera 7135 it does include the extras, but it is considerably larger and weighs 2oz more. The i500 also uses a TFT screen which is a 65,000 color screen that is used in the Samsung a500. This screen is awesome. My vote is the i500!

Check out www.phonescoop.com this is a great comparison website.

As of June 15th, Sprint is still not offering the i500

smkcpa @ 6/15/2003 9:59:04 AM #

This is the response that I just received from customercare at SprintPCS:

Hello Steven,

This is in response to your inquiry regarding the Samsung i500.

I apologize for the delay in responding to your email.

Currently, Sprint is not offering Samsung i500. We cannot provide
you with the exact date of the launch. When we will launch this
handset, you will be notified through a high-profile promotion. You
may view all available handsets by visiting our web site by clicking
on the hyperlink given below:

http://www1.sprintpcs.com/explore/PhonesAccessories/Phones.jsp

We appreciate you for contacting us.

Crissy A.
eCare

On Thu, 12 Jun 2003 03:38:35 -0000 you wrote:

>==================
>Name : STEVEN M KAPLAN
>Form : Ask A Question - Learn
>Topic: Products And Services
>=============
>
>Question:
>When will the Samsung SPH-I500 phone be available for sale in New
York?
>=================
>
>