Hybrid/Powersource Phones

[Twelvoltz]

Does anyone know if Sprint plans on releasing any new Hybrid/Powersource phones? Without getting into too many details, I have gone from the ic502 (worked fine but no bluetooth), to the ic902, LX400, Renegade, and finally back to the ic902. The problems with each phone were many, including the ic902 but I have learned to live with it's 'quirks'. I need good 2-way performance for work and the sprint coverage on the standard voice/data is really good wherever I go. From what the Sprint 'rep' told me they have no plans on releasing new powersource phones, if this is the case, when the ic902 dies (as I know it will soon), I will have to ebay another, or just switch to another carrier (wife uses VZW and never has a problem).

[kasayu]

The renegade and LX400 aren't hybrid/powersource phones. They are DCS phones. Hybrid uses the Nextel iDEN network for direct connect. The direct connect on Sprint (dcs) phones use Sprint's EVDO data network for direct connect.

Powersource usually gives you MUCH better direct connect than DCS.
I have not heard of any new phones for either line, but i'm not in that department.

[Twelvoltz]

Thank you for the response, it is appreciated. However I know all too well that the new phones (Q-chat) use their data connection to 'pipe' the DC calls over to the iden network. Although it may work well in principal it does not work in the area I live. I tried these phones, and I guess if you have never had DC before it might be OK but for me the performance was pathetic. I also know that since the Hybrids use the lower frequency for iden and the higher frequency for sprint's side you technically have worse coverage but I never had a problem with either side of it on the 502. The 902 has so many software bugs it is also what I would normally consider unacceptable but there are no powersource/hybrid phones with bluetooth other than the 902. What bothers me even more is that they are releasing new iden only (the new i9, the newer blackberry, etc) phones that simply just don't have the coverage I need. On top of it, through boost (using nextel hardware) you can get a $50/Month plan that is unlimited without any contract. Meanwhile longtime subscribers pay $99/Month for it.

The real purpose of my earlier post was hoping that someone 'in the know' would read it and be able to say whether or not Sprint had any plans for new hybrid phones. If they do not have any coming out I can not see any reason at all to stay with them. The wife has been on verizon for years and has never had the problems I have. We carry two contracts and if Sprint doesn't release any new hybrids (that retain the real iden nextel connection) they will be losing another customer that has been a subscriber with Nextel since 1999.

OK, Rant Over...for now.

[jeepoffroad]

i switched to sprint after being with nextel for 5 years and i got the v950 that uses q-chat. and while it isnt as great at ptt as my old i880 or any other nextel for that matter. it has worked very good in my area, far better then i thought it would. It is as fast as any nextel, the only issue i have with it is the coverage, for now. but after being with vzw and using there ptt service i can tell you, and keep in mind this as been my experience. q-chat is the better service! i used 3 different vzw ptt phones and had issues with latency and missed dc calls alot. and gave up with the service along with my coworkers. now your area might be different. but q-chat at least for me and other people i know has been very good, so much so that i haven't thought about switching back to nextel. by the way i really like the iidea of the hybrids. But as you have stated they are way to buggy. And the fact that they cant roam is the downfall with them.