Should I term it as less than a year ... or after nearly a year ...
For several months, the phone had been giving me problems related to the accessories.
The earpiece don't work well, the recharging don't work well ... basically, everything related to the contact point between the phone and the accesssories.
Today, it just gave up. The scary thing is watching it occassionally going into bonkers mode, repeatedly beeping "Optimised charging" over and over before doing a flatliner ...
What else could I do except drive across the island during my lunchbreak to the service centre at Wisma, where I was issued an aged T68 which saw much wear and tear.
The recent forum letters complaining about Sony Ericsson's poor service at the service centre didn't help.
I was told I'll get the phone back on Sunday ... so I hope I am not the unlucky ones.
Incidentally I plan on getting the very same model this Sunday, since my contract is due for renewal. If you see anything with a good deal on the K800i for Star Hub over the weekend, do let me know.
ReplyDeleteHopefully after selling my K750i I will not be paying much more than $100 for this phone.
Using your blog to rant... no phone has really got me excited this past year. The SE K800i was the last 'star' that was a good device at a mid-price range.
ReplyDeleteIt seems increasingly mobile phones are a fashion statement. Even as newer models look ever trendier there is no outstanding development on them as mobile computing device. Symbian communicators like the new Nokia E90 or SE's P1i seem to trying half-heartedly to be a really useful pocket computer like the old Psions, but cost $1000 or more. Symbian OS, once the child-star of the mobile computing world seem to be more trouble than it's worth these days. For the Geek he is really better off having a phone + pda combo. Still waiting for a decent pda/phone combo with the latest connectivity options that doesn't cost a bomb.
My Samsung Ultra Edition Z370 is fairly good...I've no reasons to complain yet except for the steep unhandy buttons.
ReplyDeleteIf looks are the main deal than I think the SE W880i looks better than the Samsung Z370.
ReplyDeleteBut like I said, I am more interested in computing ability. I want a strong mobile computing device with updated connectivity options that fits in my tight pants.
I should add the HTC series has features near to what I want but each successive model seem to be getting more expensive...
ReplyDeleteSE K800i don't seem to be that much cheaper compared to last year.
ReplyDeleteIn any case, I allowed my 2 kids to play with it, and let them discover on their own how to take pictures. I got no photographic skills of my own, so I can't teach Snowylass much, except point out things like out-of-focus in her products.
What's HTC series?
http://www.htc.com/
ReplyDeleteThe thing is, if I am not going to do more with my phone than make calls, SMSing, listen to music, take pictures, send the occasional email and surf the web than I have no intention of spending more than $400, especially since I can change phone every year. Recently discovered the 'joys' of instant messaging on the phone but again its more of a fun feature rather than something I find essential. I might change my mind later.
As for the price of the K800i they are about $200 less now than this time last year. Not a lot but I am hoping this weekend will throw some surprises. Anyone who sees a good deal for Star Hub contracts on Sat please let me know!
Starhub's current price for SE K800i on roadshow for SIA staff is S$398 (any 2 year plan), and S$198 (PowerValue 300/700 Power TalkII/Ultimate).
ReplyDeleteI am a Singtel subscriber, and a cheapo plan one at that, so I purchased mine at a lower price than S$398 last year, and also had a box of mooncakes thrown in too (which Liang Jieming brought to the Mooncake gathering on my behalf).
Then you got a good deal last year since the average price last year was about $500+
ReplyDeleteYup, from SH itself we don't always get the best deal. Every Sat their various dealers will launch their latest offer, and sometimes we get some really good deals. For example about 2-3 weeks ago there was a deal for K800i at $268.
ReplyDeleteI traded in my SE T610 to get the discounted price ...
ReplyDeleteI typically sell my phone to a 2nd hand dealer rather than trade it in since I tend to get better deals. Like last year when I sold my K700i for about $130 compared to a trade-in value of only $50-$100. I bought my K750i at $168 (Singtel) so a difference of about $38.
ReplyDeleteI had not realised 2nd hand dealers gave better prices, though I confess I don't keep my phones in sterling conditions.
ReplyDeleteThey are not overly concerned with minor cosmetic tarnishes since they will be refurbished anyway. But the phone must be in working order.
ReplyDeleteGot my phone back, sans further warranty.
ReplyDeleteIt seemed that exposure to moisture had corroded the connectors. The only way I could think it happening was Snowylad putting it into his mouth :-(
The engineer warned of intermittent connectivity failure. *sigh*.
Just hope this will last another year before I can get another phone at offer price.
The K810 seems interesting, albeit just a marginal upgrade from K800i.
Who knows what the scene will be like next year.
By the time you upgrade the K850 would have been out with a 5 megapixel camera. I must say I am somewhat ambivalent towards the new models these days, none of them seem particularly exciting.
ReplyDeleteMobile phones have done an admirable job doing duty as MP3 players. In terms of camera, they are good as 'always on hand'. In terms of megapixels quantity does not equate quality. A 5 megapixel camera is little different from a 3.2 megapixel camera for my needs. When I really need to take good shots my trusty Panasonic Lumix 4.0 megapixel still outperforms any camera-phone on the market.
Video-recording should be next logical 'general-consumer' oriented direction, sadly the choices are few and not quite there yet either in terms of price or quality (although as always this can easily change).
I am using my K750i as an ebook reader. Handy on those rare occasions when I find myself with nothing to read or in a space where a phone would be more unobtrusive. It works surprisingly well for those who think the screen must be too small.
There are probably a lot more I can do with my phone. Just need to explore and make the best use of it.
I don't need an MP3 player or a radio, and would have cheerfully given up these features if I could, along with composer/VJ, in return for better camera or cheaper prices.
ReplyDeleteIs there a way to activate voice recorder to record phone conversations though?
That'd be useful.
Yes there is and I have done it before, most recently to record a conversation with Star Hub customer service. After a call is connected, from the main screen you will see there is a More option, go to that and right at the bottom of the list is Record.
ReplyDeleteTry it tonight and see if it works, I am happy to be the guinea pig but I am sure you can find more interesting folks to call.
I don't use the MP3 or radio much but they are nice to have. I use the voice recorder every now and then.
After getting the SE K800i I might just find myself turning to another brand for the next upgrade, though I am reluctant. A better video recorder is mighty tempting.
The reluctance is partly due to the ability to share accessories (especially memory cards) which would be really handy.
ReplyDeleteThe Nokia N95 is mighty tempting if not for the price which is way beyond what I am willing to pay for.
Thanks, I'll try it some time ... especially when I'm making a service call.
ReplyDeleteFinally got the K800i (silver) today. It was worth the wait price wise and this week Star Hub dropped to $138/238 (through their distributor Telestation)
ReplyDeleteQuite happy I got a good deal and will trying out the functions tonight. Will try to get all my numbers transferred over soonest so I can sell my K750i.
Took a look at the K850i today. Its fat...
ReplyDeleteI am not terribly impressed with the camera. Here is a review
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/sonyericsson-k850-cam-en.shtml
Feels a little awkward to use as well, not quite used to the new interface and keypad. Compared with my experience going from K750i to K800i which felt very intuitive with almost no learning curve.
A plus point for me was the improved video recording quality. It now records to 320 x 240 at 30 fps. It still trails Nokia in this area though, 640 x 480 fps would have made it very useful.
Another is HSDPA. Works well with my plan to go mobile wireless next year. Still getting a $700 phone just to get HSDPA? Nah.
I honestly do not know what phone to get come March. I have been comtemplating a two-phone setup for some time now. (I have 2 sim cards). The general idea here is to get a cheap second phone that I can 'play' with or complement my first phone. My K850i is functioning well in the camera and music department so phone #2 must be good in other areas. HSDPA would be good, or excellent video taking. Preferably both.
That'd be worth a wait ...
ReplyDeleteThat'd depend on a few things.
ReplyDeleteFirst, I'm not too sure if my local mobile phone operator (SingTel) supports HSDPA.
Second, I'm charged on data size, not by time taken.
Third, I already get decent speed for most browsing, except for multiply.com sites.
Fourth, all in all, broadband on mobile might offer a better price packaging, but I haven't done much studying in this area at all. Nonetheless, despite being touted as 3.5G phones, neither N95 nor K850 are listed as supported devices for SingTel's broadband on mobile service ... I wonder why. http://home.singtel.com/bbmobile/HS_supported.htm
Fifth, one word ... iPhone ...
Singtel supports HSDPA. I am on Singtel too. (and SH)
ReplyDeleteSingtel currently offers a data-plan for close to unlimited download (10Gb) for 33 dollars a month. I get good connectivity at my residence. This means I could do away with my current SH Maxonline connection which is costing me $60 a month. I have Digital Voice so I get to use Maxonline for free on weekends. The rest of the time Broadband Mobile fits my needs better. After all I don't do mega-downloadings...
iPhone is nice... except there has been complains about call-quality. I am committed to remaining one year behind the latest releases, for the best price/features ratio.