PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Silver (Sprint)

by Sanyo

Product Details

Product Manual [2.76mb PDF]

• Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 1.8 x 1 inches ; 3.6 pounds
• Shipping Weight: 4.8 ounces
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S.
• ASIN: B00023DRVO
• Item model number: PM-8200 SILVER
• Average Customer Review: 3.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (43 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #273,483 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo PM-8200 includes a built-in VGA digital camera with an LED flash, push-to-talk capability, voice dialing, Internet capability, and much more, all displayed on a 1.8-inch, 65k color LCD screen.

See a detailed view of the phone's features

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the PM-8200's features include vibrating alert, voice dialing, call screening, a dedicated speakerphone and voice mail button, push-to-talk, and a 300-entry phone book capacity with picture-ID capability. It also supports mobile-to-mobile (walkie-talkie) direct link for up to 6 simultaneous users. This phone supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) devices.

Messaging and Internet
This phone provides SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance, plus picture sharing and voice-memo picture attachment. The PM-8200's Internet connectivity also lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can download Java applications (version J2ME) to add additional capabilities to your phone, and high-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The PM-8200 is GPS capable.

Organizer

Multishot feature: Take up to 8 rapid shots in sequence

The PIM organizer included with this phone provides programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays, or other significant dates, an event calendar, to-do list, call alarm, alarm clock, calculator, world clock and more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the PM-8200 sports a built-in VGA digital camera, outfitted with a flash, digital zoom, self-timer, multi-shot capability, plus fun frames, color tones, and a security camera lockout feature. The PM-8200 also features 32 chord ring tone capability, and the usual downloadable ring tones, screen savers, wallpaper, and games, in addition to the ones built in to the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo PM-8200 weighs 3.64 ounces and measures 3.34 x 1.85 x 1.02 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 3 hours talk time, and up to 12 days standby time.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

35 of 37 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very well done phone, June 2, 2004

By A Customer

This review is from: PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Silver (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I have had Sprint PCS service for just under 3 years, and in that time have switched phones 3 times. My previous two were Samsung phones -- the first was good, the second so bad that I had to consider getting another one just to get reception in my home. With the performance of that phone, I decided this time to try a Sanyo product. I had heard good things about the 8100, which this phone replaces, and was hoping the 8200 built on that reputation.

After using this phone for almost 2 months, I have to say that I am very pleased. This phone has all of the features you can ask for, and yet with rebates and other offers is very affordable. Both color screens are very clear, and they display easy to use menus and a camera that takes pretty good pictures, considering the phone is not a stand-alone digital camera. The phone has a solid feel, and talk time is more than adequate, too (compared to my last phone, which may not be saying much). The nicest addition is the speakerphone, although the speaker could use a little clarity. Oftentimes, at low volume you cannot hear it, and when you put it higher, the sound is distored and reverberates.

Since you can read about the remaining features above, I will point out a couple of disappointments, other than speakerphone quality. The first is the lack of screensavers, ring tones, and games. I know that since this phone is advanced, most people will end up downloading these things, but for someone that has little interest in PCS Vision or such services, this is a setback. Next, I am not sure why Sanyo only included 9 speed dial numbers -- my Samsungs allowed over 100, and it is limiting to have just those that are dialed by one touch of the keypad. My third complaint is not necessarily with this phone, but with the fact that even as good as it is, it does not mask the sometimes poor service Sprint PCS provides. It is either crystal clear or not there at all, and despite being told that this phone would give me much better reception (and it does compared to my last phone) it is still not near where some of the other carriers are.

In summary, for the cost, you won't find a better Sprint PCS phone out there which includes all of the features you would expect from an advanced phone. And, when Sprint gets the service to where it should be, this will be a great phone to complement it.

23 of 24 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A Decent Phone, February 1, 2005

By 

CBR Rider (Sacramento, California) - See all my reviews

This review is from: PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Silver (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

I purchased this phone as an upgrade replacement to my SCP-4900 about a month ago. I have compared it to my old 4900 as well as a SCP-8100 in terms of reception and function. Overall, it has been a decent phone, but it does have its quirks. My current firmware is v1.007SP, PRL 10025, hardware 0202 for those of you that care about these things.

First, the bad:
- Noticeably worse audio quality in the built-in earpiece compared to the other phones. I think that putting the camera in the same part of the phone as the earpiece speaker made them have to compromise the earpiece quality. The 4900 was clear but too quiet, the 8100 is loud and clear.
- Reception is different. The phone always shows fewer bars than both my 4900 and 8100 in the same location (2 bars vs. 4 bars). However this said, I think all three phones are comparable in reception - the first week I had the PM-8200 I went all over town with the SCP-8100 to compare. I have read that Sanyo used to exaggerate the signal strength meter in the older phones and that the 8200's signal bars are now more in line with other phone manufacturer's. Some places I can get better reception (ie. make a call) with the 8100, in other places only the 8200 works. Strange.
- Battery life is somewhat limited. Sanyo states 12 days' standby life for the 8200. I manage 3-4 days at best (I am a 700 minute-a-month talker and use the web an average of 5 minutes a day). I can easily talk 2+ hours at a time without problem. I was spoiled by the 4900 with 1 week between charges minimum with the same usage pattern and 16 days if I didn't use it much. The 8100 I have to charge about as often, though, and that's only rated for 10 days' standby.
- Build quality is not quite as good. In comparing the other two phones, the 8200 is not quite built up to the same standards (eg. the hinge is looser, the finish coarser). Of course, this may or may not have an impact on functioning.
- I find the polar bear animation irritating, but fortunately this can be turned off. A choice if different onscreen 'Buddies' would be appreciated.

Now the good:
- Reception is quite good overall, I get signal in the places I need it (work and home). Sprint's coverage is rather good here in Sacramento, CA, about the same as Verizon and much better than either Cingular/AT&T or T-Mobile (I'm a former customer of Cingular and AT&T before they merged). Likewise for San Francisco - my friends there with Cingular borrow my phone to make calls.
- The camera, although not as good as other maker's, now is up to VGA resolution and has a flash.
- The camera flash (really just a bright LED in the cover) can also be used as a flashlight (just hold down the volume toggle while the cover is closed). This is good in a pinch trying to find the keys you've dropped at night.
- You can text message now without having to go on the wireless web, unlike the older units.
- The phone now has a real GPS chip imbedded for locating the phone in e911 conditions, but some may also consider this bad for privacy. I don't think this feature is entirely functional yet anyway.
- The web browser is much much faster than the 4900 and also noticably faster than the 8100.
- The ringer can now be set to ring at the lowest volume and vibrate at the same time. Before it was either high volume with vibrate or vibrate only.
- The screen is bright and clear.
- The phone now has a built in clock. Sprint phones in the past have relied on the network to provide the phone with the time so if you didn't have reception, the phone couldn't tell you what time it was. With this phone you can.
- The speakerphone works reasonably well, although not as clear as on the 4900. The 8100 does not have a speakerphone, although the earpiece is loud enough you'd think it did.
- The phone has analog (AMPS) capability, unlike almost all GSM phones. Not really useful in a urban setting, but if you go out into the countryside, many rural areas are still analog only (the analog signal travels further than digital requiring fewer antennas), which may be a lifesaver in an emergency. Roaming on analog is normally $0.50/min, but Sprint has a nice Free and Clear America option that lets you roam on any carrier (including analog) for $5 extra/month. Good if you're the outdoors type. Be aware, however, that if you are talking in analog mode your phone number is vulnerable to cloning.

Overall, I would recommend this phone and am glad I bought it, despite the flaws I mentioned above. I, like many Sprint users, are fond of the Sanyo phones because they have been the best performers in the past. Other phones to consider if you don't need a camera are the SCP-4920 (candy-bar style) and the RL-2500, both these phones are by Sanyo with good reputations.

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Next generation of Phone! Awesome!, August 22, 2004

By 

Mark "Technology, Music and Movies" (East Coast) - See all my reviews
(TOP 100 REVIEWER)    (VINE VOICE)    (#1 Hall OF FAME REVIEWER)    (2008 HOLIDAY TEAM)   

This review is from: PCS Vision Picture Phone Sanyo PM-8200 Silver (Sprint) (Wireless Phone)

The Sanyo PM-8200 is an awesome piece of equipment. Don't believe the hype! If you live in a major metropolitan area, Sprint service is often BETTER than that of other cariers. I live in the New York / New Jersey area and the service is great here, especially with a high quality phone like this one. I'm sure in some areas of the country Sprint may not be as good. I've never had a problem with my connection, although their customer support is another issue.

That being said, this phone utilizes all the good things that Sprint offers. The wireless web through PCS Vision is great. The new link feature is nice too. It basically allows you to use this phone as a walkie talkie. Watch out Nextel!

Contrary to some of the other reviewers, I actually like the speaker phone. I think the quality is good. How many cell phones actually have a speakerphone by the way!

The camera is a nice feature. The PIM is cool too. It is true that there's not enough speed dial numbers for those who use that. I never used it too much with my Samsung phone anyway. What's worse is that my Samsung just was not durable. My experience with Sanyo phones is that they stand up to a lot of abuse!

True, there are also not enough games and ring tones on this phone. Downloading that stuff sucks, not to mention that they want you to pay extra. It's a $300 phone, include some decent ring tones will you!!!!!

Adding another criticism, why does Sprint go out of its way to sell phones that come with no accessories? This is an annoying problem, considering most of those cheapo plastic accessories cost them pennies to make overseas. Check out some of my reviews of the accessories for these phones. This is one problem that is not just about this phone, it's about the cell carriers trying to sqeeze their customers till they go broke.

All in all, the positive far outweighs the minor issues with this phone. Every generation gets better, and the features on this particular phone make it more than worth the cash. This phone rocks, which is what I expect from Sanyo! Enjoy!