Customer Reviews

Palm Centro Phone, Pink (Sprint)

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

 

 

I realized earlier this month that I was going to need a new Smartphone. However I wasn't sure if the Treo 755 that my husband has was a good fit for me. When I called Sprint to inquire about what other phones they carry with some of the same features of the Treo 755 they offer the Palm Centro phone for free. Once I received it I fell in love with it. It's small enough to fit in my purse or pants pocket and it has everything I need for work and for entertainment. Besides I love the color, because it's not a real bright pink.

The keyboard is kind of small but it's perfect for me, however some might not like that. I hear all my calls clear and they can hear me without a problem. I hope this helps anybody who is thinking of purchasing this phone.

As of March 2009, I think Palm Centro is one of the best smartphones available. The style is simple, unadorned and functional a.k.a. Google style but not stylish, fun & glamorous like iPhone & Mac. Having used 3 Windows Mobile phones, iPhone, Balckberry Storm, Palm Treo 755p & Nokia E51, I think Centro is closest to the ideal smartphone but Sprint network does not hold water to Verizon Wirelss network in reliability.

1. Clear sound. Solid, reliable phone.
2. Reasonable size & weight (119 gms) and is pocketable and you have to carry phone with you all the time. But there is scope for improvement, it could be lighter and thinner. Ideal weight for a phone is less than 100 gms.
3. Top-notch contact, calendar and memos management.
4. Brisk, peppy response and rarely locks up or freezes.
5. A-one Microsoft office document functionality with Documents-to-Go.
6. Good QWERTY keyboard.
7. Fairly decent availability of applications.
8. Functions well as a tethered modem with cable and speed in 800-900 Kbs range on Verizon Wireless network.
10.Synchronizes calendar, contacts and memos with Macbook.
11.Good SMS function: threads messages.

But Centro is not without flaws: the default OK button is on Voicemail and dials Voicemail unintentionally. I have not been able to sync over Bluetooth or use Bluetooth modem. Web browser is fast for mobile sites but otherwise barely functional - Internet is available but browsing is not enjoyable like on iPhone. Instead of micro-USB or mini-USB, it uses proprietary cable which is hard to take out. Camera is bare minimum at 1.3 Megapixels and music function is basic with 2.5 mm audio jack. Font size is small and has to be individually adjusted in each application.

Here is my Gestalt on smartphones.

1. iPhone is the best MP3, video and multimedia player, has the best user interface and mobile browser experience but is abysmal as a phone in comparison to Verizon Centro. AT&T has poor network signal and coverage, the calls drop all the time and sound on iPhone is average.
2. Blackberry Storm has a gorgeous screen and excellent email device but has very buggy software and constantly freezes. Blackberries shine when it comes to email.
3. Windows Mobile phones are horrendous: packed with features that don't work and smartphone operating system is the most unreliable.
4. Symbian based Nokia phones are fairly decent smartphones but their availability on US cellular carriers is very limited. Verizon Wireless, the best network in US, has none.

In my experience Palm operating system is one of the most trusty and functional smartphone operating systems. Centro is supposedly the last in the Palm lineage phones. I would recommend it if you need a solid, trustworthy smartphone, but on Verizon, not on Sprint.

SMALLER THAN A PEN, SWIFT ON THE EMAILS, RINGS LOUD AS H**!
HOWEVER- VOLUME IS A LITTLE LOW FOR THE SPEAKER (GET THE BLUE TOOTH).
WORTH IT!
GET IT!