Customer Reviews

palm Treo 700wx Phone (Sprint)

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(5)
1 star:		(11)

 

 

While I love the phone, there are some issues with this phone that Sprint (or Palm) has not worked out yet. The biggest issue is that you cannot send text messages to people who are on Verizon or on t-Mobile. For some reason text messages are never received by people on those networks. Sprint is aware of this problem, but have no resolution in the near future. You are able to receive text messages from them however.

I already had a Sprint PDA, but when I saw this one, decided to upgrade. I saw that it could be used with my SlingBox to play cable TV, PVR, and DVD player on the PDA screen. Sure enough - works perfectly. Easy to set up. Just amazing. Now I can watch TV from my own cablebox whenever I am. Very fast transfer rate.

I also found the keyboard to be quite easy to use. I've had it for a few weeks, and I'm still learning its features, but it has everything I could have asked for. Syncs with my VPN, Bluetooth compatible, and a wonderfully sharp screen.

My husband liked mine so much, we are buying another one for him.

There is one huge problem with this phone. When you're on a call and a second call comes in - the sound on your first call drops! Most people think that the first call was ended. Though it appears that way, the sound goes dead both ways on your first call.

I am amazed that this has not been fixed and was not disclosed when I bought the phone. Search on Treo 700wx and call waiting in a search engine. You'll find a ton of complaints about the same bug.

Palm - do some better testing - this is a basic feature!!!!

I went with the Windows-based Smartphone since I need to sync with Outlook and OneNote on my home and work computers. Windows Mobile is implemented on this phone in a bit of a blah manner. Palm really did not go out of their way to add any cool features. This 700wx can be held and operated with one hand, but the touch buttons and icons on the touch screen are small, making it hard to hit the right ones the first time. The 700p buttons are 4x larger in phone mode, so it's much easier to use as a phone.

Screen resolution is only nominal (but functional) at best, but nowhere near as nice as the 700p screen. The camera output is downright awful. Photos are consistenly fuzzy, even for a 1.2 megapixel camera. The speaker on the 700wx is okay, but very low on the volume side if you're trying to use it in a car. When in a car or outdoors, I find I need to put the speaker next to my ear to catch all of the conversation. Bluetooth Activesync works great. No need to buy an extra travel cable! The keyboard has a nice feel, and the unit is pretty responsive overall.

At the end of the day, this phone is a standard Windows PDA with a phone component. The features on this phone are about the same features as any other Windows Smartphone (but fewer features than a Dell Axim, for example). It might as well have been made by a generic phone maker, as there are very few Palm-added features. Someone at Palm obviously said "Good enough, just get it to market for goodness sake." The form factor is what really sells this phone. It does what it's supposed to do, nothing more.

I've read some horrible reviews of this. Perhaps if I had read these before I got this it would have set me off. Thankfully, I didn't. This phone has been great for me and great to me. I've never had a problem with
it and it's been dropped about 10 times. I blame that on my case.

==The phone==

At first I was skeptical about how well the phone could work. It doesn't look that functional. The Treo 700wx is easily more functional than my last cellphone. Voices are clear and crisp and I don't have to yell to be heard.

==Windows Mobile 5.0==

Great system. I've never used the Palm equivalent. I've had no crashes or problems. The included software includes Pocket Office and some games. The calendar and the contacts sync with Outlook or a similar program, keeping a backup of both your events and your contacts on your PC, or on your treo, however you want to look at it. I would recommend getting something like Sprite Backup anyway. It also comes packed with Pocket MSN.There are also lots of games that take advantage of Windows Mobile 5.0. The Today screen is helpful, although sometimes I wish I could turn it off. Touch dialing is a great feature, so is the automatic number or contact search once you start dialing. The only downfall here is that if you don't put your phone in standby you might accidentally call someone. I've done that several times and can't help but wonder if that's what the other people's random call were. Also, screen protectors are a must.

==Keyboard==

Having a full QWERTY keyboard is nice, but this is not a viable option for something more than a paragraph or two. You also have to push down the function button to use the keypad. Not a big deal for me. I usually just start typing their name. The two buttons on either side of the navigational pad are one of the things that make the treo great, in my opinion. These in combination with the navigation pad make it so that the treo can be used in one hand without the stylus. If you want to do more than text messaging and the occasional email, though, you need to get a pda keyboard.

==Connectivity==

I have had no problems with bluetooth. I have a headset that I have yet to have a problem with and recently purchaesd Think Outside SBT5ER Stowaway Sierra Wireless Bluetooth Keyboard and iGo MSBTUE Stowaway Bluetooth Mouse. Both of them work great at the same time via bluetooth. The expanded functionality is nothing short of amazing. It basically makes it a miniature laptop. Pocket Office isn't a joke anymore. I can actually type up documents on my treo, save them to my SD card and transfer them to my PC. I could even email them if I felt so inclined. With an SDIO (this IS SDIO compatible, by the way)Wi-Fi card, this is indeed a possibility. Find a hotspot and get connected to the web. No more paying for virtual dialup. Use a wireless connection for free. Make sure your phone is turned off when you do though, or you might use your dialup anyway. You can also connect to your computer through bluetooth if your computer is bluetooth compatible. Eliminates the need for a cable sync, but uses batteries.

==Battery Life==

I have had no problem with the battery life. It lasts a long time. I've gone a couple weeks without charging, only taking it with me when I go out somewhere. Keep in mind that the treo is never really turned off. The only way you can completely turn it off is to take the battery out. Things like bluetooth drain the battery quicker. I haven't used bluetooth that much, usually misplacing my headset, so my battery lasts longer than someone who keeps better track of their headset. There are also extended batteries for those who need it.

==Screen==

It's a decent screen. Crisp colors. It can display digital pictures great, especially the 2 megapixel photos it takes. It can get pretty bright when you have it turned all the way up. It is hard to see in the sun though, but not enough for me to take the score down.

==Camera==

The camera is a cellphone camera. What else is there to say? It's no substitute for an actual camera, digital or no. There is no flash, so make sure there is decent lighting. But you can use the pictures you take and assign them to your contacts then put them on speed dial on your today screen. Touch their picture to dial. Their picture also comes up whenever they call you. Standard feature for a phone with a camera though.

==Overall==

A great device. I would recommend this to anyone. Very easy to get used to. A little on the bulky side, but it more than makes up for it with performance. It's durable as well. Like I said, I've dropped it plenty of times. A little cosmetic damage, but nothing that affects performance at all. Although I now make sure he's strapped into his case securely whenever I put him back in.

==Things to be wary of==

-Incompatible devices - nothing sucks more than buying something then finding out it doesn't work.
-Screen protectors - I know I told you to get some, just make sure they don't get under the edge of of the case on the side of the screen. This will disable the touchscreen functionality.
-Cases Depending on your needs you will need specific things from a case. Make sure it protects your screen WITHOUT impeding your use of it. If you're clumsy like me, make sure it will absorb shock from a drop, not just look pretty and keep it attached to you. And make sure it will keep it attached to you if that's what it's supposed to do.
-Your service plan - Make sure you won't get charged extra before you use the built in modem. It's good in a pinch though.



I hope this helps you. And if you decide to buy a treo, be sure to check out some of the treo sites out there and get advice on what accessories to buy, because with a phone like this, accessories can make your experience SO much better!

After owning the TREO 650 for two years it was time to upgrade. I've always been interested in trying out the Smart Phones with the MS OS because I figured it provided more capabilities for a business person on the road, such as being able to retrieve e-mails and organize files more easily on the fly. I was wrong. I can understand that people may have their preferences with either the MS or Palm platforms, for me the MS (TREO 700WX) was to hard to navigate with one hand and the multiple open windows can be confusing. Also what I did not know is that I could not use the Tomtom software that I had been using on my TREO 650 because of incompatability issues. To me the phone was worthless. I took it back and got the TREO 755P. Palm keeps it simples and the enhance web capability over the TREO 650 made it much easier and faster to access web pages. Also they have improved Versamail so it is easier and faster to recieve e-mails. So I had strayed from the trusty Palm application once, but never again. Bottom line, the TREO 755P can do everything the TREO 700WX can and more. Stick with Palm

I rarely write reviews, but after having this phone I thought I'd write one.

I'm on my second Palm Treo 700wx in less than a year. If it wasn't replaced under warranty I wouldn't still have this thing.

I don't load any software on to this thing because I know how finicky it is... Even with that I've had to do several data-clearing hard resets.

Amongst problems I've had with this phone:
1) Bluetooth works very poorly, if at all (very staticy compared to other phones)
2) Synch issues while hooked up to the computer, just won't connect (this was the source of one hard reset)
3) Unable to connect to internet, tries 5-6 times getting a "no modem at number" or something like that each time, another source of a hard reset.
4) Terrible reception, most of the time I get two bars, I might get 3 when I go outside, this is in Denver metro. I've reverted to texting people when a conversation is important, because I can't make out all of what they say. The phone's been replaced for this and has gotten *slightly* better.
5) Makes calls and changes settings even with keyguard enabled.
6) Synchs at all times of the day, whereever you are, regardless of your peak times settings or roaming schedule settings. This drains the battery FAST!
7) No option to set a reminder or flash a light for messages waiting. You get one alert when a new message or voicemail comes in, that's it, after that there is a small icon at the top of the screen that let's you know there is a message or some sort.

I wanted to like this phone, I really did, but it's the source of a lot of aggravation for me..

I am now on my 4th 700wxphone and it is a huge piece of junk. Bluetooth does not work, phone locks up, screens just flash up and now it just makes calls randomly while in my pocket locked. I can't understand what there has not been a class action lawsuit and massive recall. Where are the lawyers when you need them. You sure won't call on your treo 700wx. Sprint fix is to do a hard boot or replace the phone that is equally as bad.

Well I had the treo 650 and decided to "upgrade" to the 700, I decided to get the 700wx because I use Windows and im used to it. Boy was that a MISTAKE. Turns out that the 700wx does not allow you to send picture and video mail through texts or through their picture mail service. Thats right this SPRINT phone does NOT support SPRINT PICTURE MAIL. Apparently all the other phones including the 700p, 650, whatever can support picture mail but this one can not. After spending 3 HOURS on the phone with them I was able to get the fees back that they were charging me and have them give me a way to send picture mail... which is you have to setup a sprint email address, and send the picture as an attachment through your sprint email account. So complicated! I wish I had gotten the 700p. Apparently the windows system has lots of issues with it.

BTW when I signed up for the sprint picture mail. I started receiving spam text messages at a rate of 5 of these messages a day. AND their costumer service is a JOKE! they know NOTHING!!!

Like a lot of people probably did, I ignored everyone I knew who told me that this phone has a lot of problems. Mine was no exception. I've had it for less than a year and have had every possible problem with it including multiple freezings, random screens that pop up hundreds of times/day, active sync not working, etc. The only thing I do love is the keyboard and ease of reading the screen. It is a bit bulkier than I would want also. As soon as I can find a well reviewed smartphone, I'm throwing this one in the trash!!