Posted by spikee_3D
i'll review it now whilst my girlfriend is playing with it (the phone that is
)
for starters this is an orange branded phone with the menu on the left handside. its been discussed to hell above so just a quick conclusion: it transparent, its thin; its not a problem.
first things - whats in the box!
you get headphones/handsfree - nice stereo looking headphones, white with silver on the earplugs. manual, NO data cd, an external speaker that plugs in a port on the side that amplifies for mp3's, games, voice calls etc. on a side note you CAN use speaker phone without the supplies amplifier. oo, and a phone strap.
Next: Design.
love the slide action. semi automatic as was the e800. the dark grey design adds a touch of class to it. quite executive looking. little orange logo on the back, nothing much at all
Screen:
as you probably know, 265k tft screen, nice and bright, colours look really vivid. works perfect in direct sunlight (can you believe it, i got to test it out on a sunny day in WALES!!).
Menu:
uses a GUI. similar to that of the e800. easy to navigate.
keys:
bit small, but you won't need to get a tooth pick out to press them! i got big hands and have got to grips with it very quickly. got the up down left, and rigt keys with a central "ok" key.
Texting:
uses t9, has a dictionary (thank god! man has to keep his swears to hand). you can select large, medium, bold, normal and italic fonts.
Camera!
1.3 mp. 6 settings. 1152x864, 640x480,320x240,176x144,128x96,1280x1040. normal, fine, superfine settings. you can turn of shutter sound. picture quality in my opinion is excellent. it automatically adjusts to light situations. built in light, has to settings: one where it is constantly on, the other where it is on just before it takes the photo.
example of mega pixel mode (1152x864)
all in all i think you will agree its good quality considering these were in low light conditions.
Bluetooth:
it really is excellent. especially for the first attempt. full implimentation, send and receive features. bluetooth headsets comply perfectly. you also have the option to browse files on other peoples which is not available on the k700i. if your interested i'm using an msi bluetooth dongle and a motorola bluetooth headset (cant remember which model
, the cool one)
games,tones, etc:
3 games, penalty shootout one, some space fighter one, and some mini rpg. pretty good actually. plays mp3 for ringtones, 10 different sms tones (not custmisable, sadly
). all tones really loud
over all i would gve it 9/ 10.
pros:
excellent screen
good camera
nice loud ringtones
good blutooth implimentation
cons:
un-customisbale sms ringtones
er... my girlfriend wont give me it back?!
EDIT: i forgot tot mention the battery. had it on solid for a day now. made a couple of calls, sent some text, transfered a lot of stuff via bluetooth. 13hrs later the battery is full.
[ This Message was edited by: spikee_3D on 2004-12-10 23:09 ]
Posted by gbrooks3
i love it, nice review mate.
Posted by Ben.Cook
@spikee_3D
Have you tried installing any JAVA apps/games on yours yet. I've tied to install some on mine over bluetooth and it always fails?!
Posted by Burgaz
And there was me expecting a couple of nice pics of the local countryside...
Still the phone do't seem too bad... The Pic quality ain't bad either!
Posted by Vipera ammodytes
k700 support browse files function
Posted by Ben.Cook
A few additional observations:
1. The phone book stores names surname, then first name, which is a bit confusing moving from a T68i
2. I can't find a way to silence the ringer when a call is incoming. There is the option to cancel, but I really like the ability to silence so the call just rings out, as you can do on all the SE's I've used
3. No programable softkeys, which would be very useful.
Posted by Leks
Shouldn't this be in review sect
Posted by spikee_3D
i er didn't know there was a review section!
never been able to browse files with me k700i. odd. ho well.
and i know what i'd prefer looking at over the countryside
hmy: !
edit: @ ben.cook yes i seem to have the same problem. only tried one jar file. will report back when i have a chance to have a good look.
[ This Message was edited by: spikee_3D on 2004-12-11 21:04 ]
Posted by sportsrus
thx for the review, sexy phone.
Posted by Atlis
Just a question - is it version with EDGE or not?
Posted by fatreg
Nope! no edge
fatreg
Posted by skillhata
thanks for the simple but informative review.
ne chance of the pictures of the phone itself ?
Posted by skillhata
thanks for the simple but informative review.
ne chance of the pictures of the phone itself ?
Posted by spikee_3D
dont have a digital camera sorry. but here's a little comparison shot between the camera on the d500 and the k700:
k700:
d500
Posted by TheWhizz_68
@ spikee_3D
Good review m8 but give your girlfriend back the phone she doesn't look very happy in that pic
Wow , makes the k700i pictures look naff indoors , nice one!!!
Posted by ori
cool review, nice pics, nice girlfriend
Posted by Ninjaturtle
Your GF is purdy..
Posted by Merovingian
your GF is sexy
Posted by Ninjaturtle
We need BengalBoy style pics of her.
Posted by blackspot
I notice a huge difference in the colors between K700i and d500. I'd like to know which one has the more accurate colors? I've always known K700i to be a little reddish sometimes but overall the colors are accurate, specially in good lighting.
Posted by spikee_3D
thanks guys. *gets pictures of phone placed inbetween clevage*
the colours on the d500 are alot more accurate i suppose i should show a better example than my room:
ok trees outside my room:
k700
d500
edit: ignore the shadow, its the phone pressed up against the window!
Anymore questions, just ask me
[ This Message was edited by: spikee_3D on 2004-12-14 12:42 ]
Posted by p900 lover
i think i will b getting this fone at the end of the week, the only 2 thinks that i didnt like in my E700 was
1) when u turn the fone off it forgets it was on silent
2)u get thos horrible little sounds when u send/delete or change settings
are these still on the D500?
Posted by spikee_3D
its like an elephant!!!!! it doesnt forget!!! ahem... it remains in quiet mode after you turn it off and on. and there is the option to turn off them sounds. personally i have no sounds on at all.
Posted by blackspot
@spikee_3D, thanks. hope you could get the chance to compare it with another 1.3MP cam. so when are you going to post that cleavage pic?
Posted by spikee_3D
i'm working on it
Posted by atomemin
Thats hell of a nice quality on those pics
and nice girlfriend
Posted by spikee_3D
one more of her, shhhh!
Posted by johnmcl7
Those pictures are really impressive for low-light shots.
John
Posted by skillhata
apart from the flash - is there a night mode ?
Posted by JiggyJaggy
Mate on those comparison photos alone im sold! Im getting another one again tom! lol
Posted by sehmis
Is it possible to sync phone numbers and meeting calendar with Outlook ?
Posted by joebmc
Sexy phone, sexy girlfriend
I want one (d500, already got one girlfriend and she's a hand full as it is
)
Posted by Ben.Cook
@sehmis
Yes you can sync with Outlook, but you need the Samsung s/w with you can d/l from www.samsungmobile.com
Posted by Rob_B
I've had t68>t68i>p800>p900>k700i and i'm 'upgrading' to a d500 now, it's not costing me much at all so compared to an s700 its dirt cheap, compared to a k700i if price wasn't a problem i'd say it wins.
-better screen
-better cam (even in vga)
-more memory
but...
-poorer mp3 quality through the speaker
-it's not an SE!
-4mb for java (not a problem though, never would i even use that much!)
i've tested the phone in work and it accepts files fine from my k700i (mp3s, pics) with IR and Bluetooth
So for me i'm please with my choice!
Posted by Rob_B
ok, cancelled my order with o2 as they didnt have any stock (told me they did when i ordered it!) think i'll wait for the new SE models, any ideas when they're out?
Posted by GoldFinger
Along time after they restock the D500, im guessing...
Im waiting for a D500 from orange should be three weeks. Then i'll be selling my P900 on ebay, seem tobe going for a tidy sum on there. Not bad as it was a free upgrade...
Posted by masseur
did you try carphonewarehouse?
I went in on Saturday morning for an upgrade for my wife (not that she really wanted it) without any idea of what I wanted and they offered a fairly good price for the D500 unbranded and unlocked on vodafone upgrade. I looked at a few other phones like the V3 (which was the same price but which I already have) but in the end after all the hype on here about the D500 I went for that
actually after playing with it since then I am fairly impressed and have only found a couple of minor niggles
Posted by amnesia
you could always try
http://mobile.oxygen-inc.com if you want to buy a D500
Posted by EMAGDNIM
I had to send mine back to the place I bought it at. the bluetooth was totally crippled and it would not connect with anything...
but thats just me STARTING on the phone. The actual software drivers on the phone are REALLY unstable. Mine wouls turn itself off numerous times, for no reason...
Oh well, they were going to send me another one but I told them to forget it. I will use my 6230b for now untill I order my V800 or P910 on payday...
Posted by liamtollan
Just a few comments on the D500...
I have had one on Orange for less than a week and am already planning on returning it. IMO it isn't a major improvement on my k700 so im planning on waiting to see what se plan on releasing soon.
My main gripe with the phone is with Orange's customization. I managed to play with a friends D500 on T-mobile (little or no customization?). Anyway, Orange have disabled the ability to assign shortcuts to key directions from the initial screen (ie similar to the k700). This is a major disadvantage, especially as you have to go through the menu to enable bluetooth. Orange have added their own 'toolbar' to the desktop instead. It offers 'quick' access to call list, messages (inboxes), calender and WAP. The toolbar isnt too intrusive, though combined with the lack of shortcuts it is very annoying. Overall, it seems a good phone, unfortunately spoiled by Orange (IMO).
On a similar note, why do Orange customize their phones in such a manner? (I think Voda do it as well?) What is the benefit to them?
Thanks,
Liam
Posted by glamour678
does anyone know how to get rid of the menu on the left hanside of the branded orange phones...really do not like it!
any guidance would be great
On 2004-12-11 00:01:33, spikee_3D wrote:
i'll review it now whilst my girlfriend is playing with it (the phone that is
)
for starters this is an orange branded phone with the menu on the left handside. its been discussed to hell above so just a quick conclusion: it transparent, its thin; its not a problem.
first things - whats in the box!
you get headphones/handsfree - nice stereo looking headphones, white with silver on the earplugs. manual, NO data cd, an external speaker that plugs in a port on the side that amplifies for mp3's, games, voice calls etc. on a side note you CAN use speaker phone without the supplies amplifier. oo, and a phone strap.
Next: Design.
love the slide action. semi automatic as was the e800. the dark grey design adds a touch of class to it. quite executive looking. little orange logo on the back, nothing much at all
Screen:
as you probably know, 265k tft screen, nice and bright, colours look really vivid. works perfect in direct sunlight (can you believe it, i got to test it out on a sunny day in WALES!!).
Menu:
uses a GUI. similar to that of the e800. easy to navigate.
keys:
bit small, but you won't need to get a tooth pick out to press them! i got big hands and have got to grips with it very quickly. got the up down left, and rigt keys with a central "ok" key.
Texting:
uses t9, has a dictionary (thank god! man has to keep his swears to hand). you can select large, medium, bold, normal and italic fonts.
Camera!
1.3 mp. 6 settings. 1152x864, 640x480,320x240,176x144,128x96,1280x1040. normal, fine, superfine settings. you can turn of shutter sound. picture quality in my opinion is excellent. it automatically adjusts to light situations. built in light, has to settings: one where it is constantly on, the other where it is on just before it takes the photo.
example of mega pixel mode (1152x864)
all in all i think you will agree its good quality considering these were in low light conditions.
Bluetooth:
it really is excellent. especially for the first attempt. full implimentation, send and receive features. bluetooth headsets comply perfectly. you also have the option to browse files on other peoples which is not available on the k700i. if your interested i'm using an msi bluetooth dongle and a motorola bluetooth headset (cant remember which model
, the cool one)
games,tones, etc:
3 games, penalty shootout one, some space fighter one, and some mini rpg. pretty good actually. plays mp3 for ringtones, 10 different sms tones (not custmisable, sadly
). all tones really loud
over all i would gve it 9/ 10.
pros:
excellent screen
good camera
nice loud ringtones
good blutooth implimentation
cons:
un-customisbale sms ringtones
er... my girlfriend wont give me it back?!
EDIT: i forgot tot mention the battery. had it on solid for a day now. made a couple of calls, sent some text, transfered a lot of stuff via bluetooth. 13hrs later the battery is full.
[ This Message was edited by: spikee_3D on 2004-12-10 23:09 ]
[/quote]
Posted by glamour678
doeas anyone know how to delete the shortcuts on the screen that orange put on there????
On 2005-02-13 19:57:35, liamtollan wrote:
Just a few comments on the D500...
I have had one on Orange for less than a week and am already planning on returning it. IMO it isn't a major improvement on my k700 so im planning on waiting to see what se plan on releasing soon.
My main gripe with the phone is with Orange's customization. I managed to play with a friends D500 on T-mobile (little or no customization?). Anyway, Orange have disabled the ability to assign shortcuts to key directions from the initial screen (ie similar to the k700). This is a major disadvantage, especially as you have to go through the menu to enable bluetooth. Orange have added their own 'toolbar' to the desktop instead. It offers 'quick' access to call list, messages (inboxes), calender and WAP. The toolbar isnt too intrusive, though combined with the lack of shortcuts it is very annoying. Overall, it seems a good phone, unfortunately spoiled by Orange (IMO).
On a similar note, why do Orange customize their phones in such a manner? (I think Voda do it as well?) What is the benefit to them?
Thanks,
Liam
[/quote]
Posted by AlfBaxter
@liam
IMHO Orange customise in this way to make sure you don't forget about services that use GPRS. On an Orange branded K700i you have two camera shortcut keys and two Internet shortcuts. The ones displayed on standby act as a constant advertisement for picture messaging and GPRS internet, both of which make Orange quite a lot of cash.
It's been posted elsewhere on a thread about the Orange customisations for K700 that following hundreds of complaints, Orange finally explained that the removal of the shortcut menu was 'a business decision'. I don't see what else, apart from encouraging the use of certain (expensive!) services, could motivate such a decision.
Posted by Stinger151
when u say this phone has a semi automatic flip what do u mean?has it got a button which u press, cause i dont see one on my d500.
Posted by Project
Posted by blackspot
It's not a semi-automatic flip - it's a semi-automatic slide phone. You just push the front up slightly and it will slide all the way up by itself, no buttons.
Posted by macca202
hmmm i just joined up to look at the example pictures from the d500, but it still says i need to register to view them, even though i am logged in.
hopefully it will work after this post...
nup i still dont see them
sorry i just realised this is a really old thread, but can someone give me some links to photos from the D500. Its one of the only phones in Australia that comes with a mp cam, and so im curious.
I saw another thread that showed the k700's photots and i thought they looked pretty shocking. They may have been 1200x10xx but it is more as though they have scalled up a 300x200 picture, and done it badly.
edit: i see the pics now hehe, although they seem to have been resized
[ This Message was edited by: macca202 on 2005-04-20 09:05 ]