Customer Reviews

PCS Phone Samsung I330 (Sprint)

5 star:		(2)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I recently purchased an i330 for my wife and have been putting it through its paces for the last week. I've owned dozens of PDAs and mobile phones, and currently use a T-Mobile SideKick (a/k/a Danger HipTop) as my personal mobile phone. I use the Sidekick as a point of reference for my review of the i330.

First, here's what I like about the i330:

* Familiar OS: Despite its relative age, the Palm OS still has of the fastest, most efficient user interfaces of any PDA. The folks at Samsung have done a good job integrating the phone functionality into the Palm OS.

* Sleek Form Factor: The shape, size, and weight of the i330 feel great. It's a nice compromise between portability and screen size. The heft lends a nice, dense feel to the phone, and the construction is top-rate. This thing could have been built by Apple.

* Button Layout: The buttons are well placed and function intuitively.

* Application Availability: You can download and install thousands of different applications on the i330, including a decent SSH client (TopGun SSH). Not so with the Sidekick: as of yet *no* 3rd party applications are available.

What I don't like about the i330:

* Lack of Applications: There are no Email, Instant Messenger, or SMS applications installed on the phone by default. For the price, I had expected these. For comparison's sake, my Sidekick came with excellent versions of all of these apps right out of the box. I don't want to have to choose between, and ultimately purchase, versions of these applications.

* Not Always-On Internet: In some ways, the i330 acts like three separate devices: PDA, Phone, Internet Device. Each must be turned on separately. The i330 must "connect" to the internet (complete with "Dialing" dialog box) before you can use internet apps. The Sidekick, in contrast is always connected to the internet if wireless coverage is available.

* Lack of Multitasking: In my opinion, this is the biggest flaw in the i330. Applications like Email, Instant Messenger, and SMS do not continue to run in the background when the i330 is in standby mode. Combine this with the fact that you have to remember to manually connect to the internet, and you've severely limited the "communicator" functionality. Again, compare this to the Sidekick: the SMS, AOL Instant Messenger, and Email applications are *always* listening for incoming messages, even when you're running other applications or when the phone is in standby mode.

* Feels a bit "hackish": Let's face it: the Palm OS was never designed to power a telephone. Although Samsung has done an admirable job on integrating the phone and Palm OS, there are times when the phone functionality still feels like a hack. There are subtle things like separate preferences for the phone and Palm, and the fact that when the OS freezes, you must wait for it to unfreeze before you can use the phone.

Summary:
With the i330, I think Samsung has done as good of a job as anyone in terms of building a Palm OS based phone. But I suspect less advanced computer users will frustrated by the out-of-box experience, the lack of default applications, and the not-always-on internet connection.

The first thing you need to know about the i330 is that it is more svelte than it looks in pictures. This is a slender, beautiful machine, an impression I did not get from the photos I've seen in various places on the net.

The second thing you need to know is that if you're a mac user, you're going to need the Missing Sync for Samsung. Search for it on Google. Otherwise, you'll have no Hot Sync, and thus, no Mojo. Also one should note that the connection seems a bit on the slow time during Hot Sync. Perhaps due to some manner of translation?

That said, I'd reccomend the phone. A color screen is not essential in life, but it sure is nice. It's hard to put my finger on what the advantage is, but it certainly feels better when in use. And games, of course, are vastly improved.

I've used a lot of Palms: a Palm IIIe, a Handspring Visor, a Palm M105 (gift), and a Sony Clié SJ20. All are worthy devices, but the Samsung takes the cake. Smart Phones have come a long way since the VisorPhone, and at this point, there is no good reason to have a sperate palm and cell phone. Putting them together is a natural combination, and termendously useful. I am waiting for my Vision plan to activate, and so cannot yet comment on that aspect of the device, but I would reccomend the i330 even without. It's just a nice phone. It feels light and comfortable in the hand, and the black grips on the side are superb.

The only complaint I can register is that this is not a flip-phone design. Of course the overall cooler i500 is. If you've got the cash, that's the way to go. If you don't, this'll do in a pinch.

Final Analysis: Good Stuff.

Early this year, I took the plunge and purchased the Samsung I330 PDA/Phone. After researching the various PDA/Phones out there, I came to the conclusion that this was the one I wanted. Overall I'm happy with my decision.

Most of the PDA/Phones that I looked at seemed to come up short. Most appeared to be a phone with some PDA functions added as an afterthought or the other way around (one PocketPC/cell phone required a headpiece or you would not be able to place a call). The I330 is a usable PDA and a phone.

The LCD is bright and readable, although somewhat dim in direct sunlight.

However, there are some deficiencies. You cannot upgrade the version of Palm OS; You cannot download any customized ring tones; The case is awkward and opens up. Also, the hot sync utility sometimes goes CPU-bound and I have to kill it and restart to resync with Outlook.

Even with those annoyances, it is great to get rid of my pager, cell phone and personal organizer. The phone quality is better than any other phone I have owned.

The phone comes with an internet browser and I have used it to pull down street maps over the internet. It is slow, but useful.

I'd highly recommend it to anyone.

Others have touted all that the I-330 is capable of when it works. Those reviewers who have praised the I-330 haven't owned one long enough.
What they fail to mention is how supremely aggravating it is to be stuck with something this expensive when a fatal flaw surfaces. The I-330 is subject to any number of them. I'd still have a serious bone to pick with I-330s, even if they didn't tend to die in infancy from unknown causes. But their brief life-span alone renders them deplorable.

Hasn't happened to yours yet? Quick--drop everything and HotSync your data. You're next!

Let's say you're one of the lucky ones who hasn't spent hours trying to set up replacement I-330s that are as faulty as your original I-330. Guess what? Even when it is working "properly", you still have to download and install third party email software, because the I-330's Blazer browser is hopelessly incompatible with Sprint's own website.

Is it Samsung's fault that the devices don't work? I suspect it is all Sprint's fault. Sprint, whose network the I-330 doesn't mesh with. Sprint, who doesn't bundle any software solution. Sprint, who didn't even acknowledge the inherent incompatibility. Sprint, who sends out dead-on-arrival replacements. And most importantly, Sprint, who doesn't value customers enough to do anything to make amends. Better a less advanced device with a responsive carrier, than a cutting-edge flop (the I-330) with a company that doesn't give a rip (Sprint).

The I-330 is not for casual users. This is a handset aimed squarely at professionals who will pay a lot in order to get a lot. With the I-330 and especially with Sprint, whatever you pay will be too much.

I've had an I330 since 2003. It was an excellent phone and PDA, but I wouldn't recommend buying one, even a used one because:
1. Accessories are very difficult to find. You can't find a replacement stylus. With no stylus, you will have to use your fingertip or carry a different one around. The problem is that other stylus will not fit in the built in shaft. Sprint PCS doesn't even carry some I330 parts on its web site and its stores never have accessories because it has been discontinued. Batteries are becoming scarce.
2. Echo problem is bad and very annoying. Callers will complain about an echo. The problem is that if you use the handsfree speakerphone option, the microphone will not cut off, even if you power down. You have to remove the battery and then power up.

This phone rocks - I am really disappointed that it is not available to be used on any other provider. The phone itself has been the only reason I stayed with Sprint - even here, in Kansas City, the WORLD HEADQUARTERS of Sprint the service areas are always dropping calls and it is expensive!

The pda phone is awesome, though. I can be on the phone while scheduling. It has voice dial which has great recognition and the screen keeps its color beautifully. The interface is slick and sweet - again, it is the ONLY reason I have stayed with Sprint!

There are not enough stars to rate this phone. If you have never tried a "smart phone" you will love this phone. The pda/cell phone combo makes life so easy. You've got your schedule and all your contact data with you, all the time. No more carrying around a cell phone, palm and pager.

I have email, web, word, excel, powerpoint all on my I330. Very easy to use and unlimited flexibility as to what apps you install on it. Take it as far as you want and need to. Lots of user groups to support your learning curve. This cell phone is state of the art.

Try it! You won't be disappointed.

phone quality is good. Button layout doesn't make whole lot of sense. So many buttons so little it can do. I was on travel last winter for a month. guess what heppened when i cameback? all my address book is lost! PC sync does not always work. battery life is average.

pros:
1. sound quality
2. screen size
3. look & feel

cons:
1. battery life (may be due to big screen)
2. Not easy to list out missed calls
3. Some basic features needs stylus. For example, if i want to save a number from incoming call list i need to click File -> Save