Review / Pics: Sanyo VM4500 vs Samsung A680

[RussPath03]

I purchased my new Samsung A680 off ebay to replace my current Sanyo VM4500 / 5500. Due to the fact my Sanyo has the redial issues that I am sick of, even after the software update (we know its hardware), I decided to try the new Samsung everyone says is great!

Review:

Quality: The quality between the Sanyo and the Samsung is night and day. The Samsung feels better built in your hand. Less cheap plastic. Though the Samsung seems to scratch easy, so make sure you get a case!

LCD: The LCD between the 2, Samsung wins. It's better quality inside and out. The Samsung display is smaller however which can make it look better as well.

Camera: The Photo mode on the Samsung takes better quality pictures overall than the Sanyo. The video mode however isn't as good. But I do not have a need for video often.

Signal: Here is where Samsung has a bad history. But this Samsung so far has worked better than any of the phones I have had on signal quality. Even though when sitting next to each other my Sanyo had more bars on the tower, the Samsung still seemed to hold the calls better / longer than the Sanyo did in my work building.

Battery Life: Sanyo seemed to only last a little longer, but the Samsung so far has shown a great battery life. With many uses during the day, and no charge, it still showed a full charge by 12 midnight from 4am that morning being off including roaming a few times on a 200 mile drive I took.

Size: The size is a big difference and one of the main reasons I purchased it. It is much smaller than the Sanyo, and easier to put away in a pocket and not know its there. Much lighter in weight as well.

Ear Piece / Sound quality: Perfect! I can actually understand people now! The Sanyos compared are junk. Seriously. But when you turn up the volume really loud, it can distort, from the person talking to you to the ringers.

Conclusion:

This phone is definitely much better than previous Samsung phones and I believe it will be a keeper for now. I would recommend it over the VM4500 any day!

Pics:

http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell1.jpg

http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell2.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell3.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell4.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell5.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell6.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell7.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell8.jpg

[Cnorwapo]

Thanks, it was a very good picture quality compaqrison of the two phones...great job.

[mrvid]

I did the exact same thing, but my 4500 was having no problems just wanted an a680 to try and I can only use one phone at a time. Very good review right on the money. The sound quality alone was enough to change.

[Chris Hylton]

Great pics!

[jetmanva]

yeah i did the change also a680 hands down i do miss the speakerphone but love the smaller phone and better earpiece

[NONAME]

I did the exact same thing, but my 4500 was having no problems just wanted an a680 to try and I can only use one phone at a time. Very good review right on the money. The sound quality alone was enough to change.Me too ;) , I totally agree. Btw great pics..Thanks

[Matt]

Yepp I changed the the a680 from the VM4500 too. As others, not because I had problems with the VM4500, but because I wanted something different. I have no regrets. The a680 is an awesome little phone. :)

[pdx77]

Hey! That's my comforter you have on your bed.

[nilsm]

I swear it looks as though the Sanyo VM was making a move on tha A680 while on the bed. I don't blame it. One sexy phone! (A680)

[Cnorwapo]

Had the A680 for a week and returned it, VM 4500 better built.

[RussPath03]

Had the A680 for a week and returned it, VM 4500 better built.

Hmm one negative comment, but everyone else agrees that the A680 is better.

[RussPath03]

Hey! That's my comforter you have on your bed.

Hehe, I stole it from you. :)

[AnthroMatt]

I tell ya, if the A680 had a decent browser and louder ringers it would be perfect.

[Cowboy8467]

I know the ringers can be a pain in the ass, but if you get them from places like 3gupload.com then you have the option of making them louder when you download them

[yeahson]

HI,

I was wondering if I could get some Advice, I am a first time user of this service and could not figure out how to post a new thread (just reply). Anyhow, I want a "top of the line phone" to last me for a good year and a half, and I'd like to buy it right when it comes out.

The VM4500 has all the features I want, I think its a hot phone, and I hate Samsung (I have a VGA 1000). Yet the VM4500 has been out for some time, and I've heard there is going to be a new 5600 or 7300 for X-mas time?

Does anyone think I should wait or does anyone know when those phones actually will be introduced (i.e. Sept or more like December?). What price would those phones go for, and would there be a 150 rebate? Thanks!

[NONAME]

I tell ya, if the A680 had a decent browser and louder ringers it would be perfect.Yep..and dont forget a speaker phone ;) then it would REALLY be something.

[tiggerlove]

I have the VM4500 with the new hardware and I haven' t had any problems so far and I have the A680. I use the A680 more than I do the 4500. Great phone I love it.

[NikkiRox1]

Although, I have never owned the Sanyo VM4500, I do now own the Samsung A680. I bought it because my Sanyo 8100 died on me. I am not impressed. Although some of the things aforementioned are better. I am still not impressed. I want my louder ringers back, I want my better signal strength back, I want my slightly longer battery life back. I recall being able to get some of the downloaded wallpaper to fit the whole screen on my 8100, I cannot with the A680. Also, on my Sanyo if I missed a call from a person for whom I have their pic associated with their number. I would still see their face, but on the A680 all I see is the number if I miss the call. I liked being able to see exactly who I missed the call from. One other thing I miss is when I close the flip and external flip light dims on the Sanyo 8100 it would still display the time but on the Samsung A680 it just goes completely blank. On the 8100 when I pick a speed dial location and there is more than one number for that person I can choose the number I want to call and I am not forced to call whichever the first number that was added for that person.

However I will admit there are features that I am pleased with, such as: Voice dial that doesn't require any training. SMS need I say more. Blue backlight on the keypad is a great improvement over the weak green backlight on the Sanyo 8100. On the A680 you are able to choose the external lcd clock display unlike the 8100. There are more than 9 speed dial locations than on the 8100.

[Quill]

HI,

I was wondering if I could get some Advice, I am a first time user of this service and could not figure out how to post a new thread (just reply). Anyhow, I want a "top of the line phone" to last me for a good year and a half, and I'd like to buy it right when it comes out.

The VM4500 has all the features I want, I think its a hot phone, and I hate Samsung (I have a VGA 1000). Yet the VM4500 has been out for some time, and I've heard there is going to be a new 5600 or 7300 for X-mas time?

Does anyone think I should wait or does anyone know when those phones actually will be introduced (i.e. Sept or more like December?). What price would those phones go for, and would there be a 150 rebate? Thanks!

How long are you willing to wait? It seems the trend with the 5000 series by Sanyo is to come out around the holidays, late November. At least that is what I understand for the past two generations of phones.

If you are willing to wait until then for the 5600, it might be worth it. If not the mm7400 I think is coming out sooner, IIRC, September I think.

Don't get me wrong, I love my phone, but I've had it a while now. If I was in the market for a new phone and like you, wanted the newest hottest thing available, I would hold off just another month or two and see what comes down the pike.

Having never used the vma680, I can't comment on it, but I do think it's a hot little phone. I just wish it had a speakerphone. I would have tried one out in that case.

Anyway, it's always interesting to see people's opinions. I hope you enjoy your new phone, RushPath! :)

[regulator]

I need to know about 2 things with the 680.
#1- how is the t9 text...I remember when I tried to use it on the a600 it would not let you select different words. EX- if you typed in "of" but really wanted "me"...it would not let you select it unlike the sanyos.
#2- 3 way calling...When I had the a600 it was impossible to figure out 3 way calling on this thing...it doesnt let you flash the other person off the line if they do not pick up! The sanyo is heads above the samsung here.

Any help would be appreciated

[Matt]

#1 - T9 works pretty much the same on all phones. Some phones have different default words. "of" is default on Samsung, but Samsung will learn that you mean "me" It's not hard to press the "next" button.

I had the a600 for several months and made many 3 way calls. and yes the a600 lets you "flash" the other person off the line, It's the talk button. From my experience with 3 way calling on Sanyos and Samsungs (I have used all of them) they all work the same.

Don't get mad at Samsung just because you cannot figure out what buttons are for.

[regulator]

Matt,
I tried everything to get "me" instead of "of" it was like 6 months ago...but I couldnt figure it out. I KNEW there had to have been a way!!..what button is the next button on samsung?

typically on sanyos, the menu button will pull up the 3 way calling menu...hitting the talk button flashes...but how do you know when the third person is off the line? there would be nothing worse than carrying a business conversation and having the 3rd persons VM recording the thing! I hate having to tell people "ill call you right back, I dont know if we hung up with ____"

Im not mad at samsung, just not used to the phones. I needed answers for my questions before I tried the 680.
Speakerphone is something that I am not ready to give up so maybe the next gen samsungs will work better for me.

[Matt]

Matt,
I tried everything to get "me" instead of "of" it was like 6 months ago...but I couldnt figure it out. I KNEW there had to have been a way!!..what button is the next button on samsung?
The 0 button is the next button.


typically on sanyos, the menu button will pull up the 3 way calling menu...hitting the talk button flashes...but how do you know when the third person is off the line? there would be nothing worse than carrying a business conversation and having the 3rd persons VM recording the thing! I hate having to tell people "ill call you right back, I dont know if we hung up with ____"
The display on a Samsung will tell you who is on the line. IIRC the Sanyos do the same thing. Once you disconnect the the 3rd person, the display will no longer display "3-way calling". [/QUOTE]

[rudeeagle]

I Had Gotten My A680 As A Replacement.wasnt The Same Phone That Ihad.but I Gave The A680 A Try .its A Pretty Cool Phone .but Im Gonna Get The Samsung Mma7oo Or The Sanyo Mm7400.

[senior05]

Size: The size is a big difference and one of the main reasons I purchased it. It is much smaller than the Sanyo, and easier to put away in a pocket and not know its there. Much lighter in weight as well.

When I first got my a680 I had put it in my coat pocket. Later on when I reached in my pocket to take it out...I couldn't find it! I thought I had lost it already. But I searched DEEPER in my pocket, and found it. That's why now I keep the "string" on it.

[evoi]

I switched up from the vm4500 to the a680 and I never looked back. I loved the features and design of the sanyo, but quickly got turned off by the earpiece, calls straight to voicemail, reconnecting, etc. I haven't had any issues with my a680, reminds me of my Samsung 3500, 8500, and a500 days.

[PotsosRCC]

As a rep, I'm confounded by this thread. While the 680 seems to get the least returns of any of the recent Samsung models, it is my opinion that the high end Samsungs can't touch even the entry level Sanyo models. For all of the things that Samsung does better than Sanyo, (Advanced voice dial, Display brilliance, font/layout, size) the 680 is no different than the 460, a500, 660 or VGA1000 when it comes to lacking where it really counts: RF strength. The phones just don't pick up as well in identical areas and I hear about it ALL the time. ;)

[SaNyO911]

Hey! That's my comforter you have on your bed.

Mtied, where did you get your avatar??? That is friggin awesome!!! :D

[SoloDogg]

As a rep, I'm confounded by this thread. While the 680 seems to get the least returns of any of the recent Samsung models, it is my opinion that the high end Samsungs can't touch even the entry level Sanyo models. For all of the things that Samsung does better than Sanyo, (Advanced voice dial, Display brilliance, font/layout, size) the 680 is no different than the 460, a500, 660 or VGA1000 when it comes to lacking where it really counts: RF strength. The phones just don't pick up as well in identical areas and I hear about it ALL the time. ;)

wow, isn't that amazing. i've had tons of sanyo phones, 4900, 4920, 5400, 2 5500's, and now the a680...and the best signal strength i've had on any phone is the A680. none of the sanyo's could touch it. hell the only sanyo i had that didn't drop calls constantly was the 4900. explain that one?? my only complaint with the a680 is the loudness of the ringers.

[tuolumne]

As a rep, I'm confounded by this thread. While the 680 seems to get the least returns of any of the recent Samsung models, it is my opinion that the high end Samsungs can't touch even the entry level Sanyo models. For all of the things that Samsung does better than Sanyo, (Advanced voice dial, Display brilliance, font/layout, size) the 680 is no different than the 460, a500, 660 or VGA1000 when it comes to lacking where it really counts: RF strength. The phones just don't pick up as well in identical areas and I hear about it ALL the time. ;)

yes, the Samsung's generally are higher in the UI and design departement, but the SPH-A680 has rf performance higher than that of Sanyo's...

[slffl]

Hmm one negative comment, but everyone else agrees that the A680 is better.

Here's two. I like the Sanyo better.

[rlm22b]

Here's two. I like the Sanyo better.

And a third

[RayRay07]

heres a fourth

[ajmoney]

i love the sanyo 4500 this is my all time favorite phone the upgrade for this phone i dont like but i think im gonna have to get it (F****) my flip hinge broke sprint said that its a known problem and happens alot but have to send it in to repair and if they cant then i get an upgrade and i dont want it...my vm4500 is BAD ass if i could choose any phone in the market it would have to be this one

[JoMamma]

do you want to NOT bring back old posts please?

[suneeboyboy]

I can't see the pics

[Willie_Esco23]

I purchased my new Samsung A680 off ebay to replace my current Sanyo VM4500 / 5500. Due to the fact my Sanyo has the redial issues that I am sick of, even after the software update (we know its hardware), I decided to try the new Samsung everyone says is great!

Review:

Quality: The quality between the Sanyo and the Samsung is night and day. The Samsung feels better built in your hand. Less cheap plastic. Though the Samsung seems to scratch easy, so make sure you get a case!

LCD: The LCD between the 2, Samsung wins. It's better quality inside and out. The Samsung display is smaller however which can make it look better as well.

Camera: The Photo mode on the Samsung takes better quality pictures overall than the Sanyo. The video mode however isn't as good. But I do not have a need for video often.

Signal: Here is where Samsung has a bad history. But this Samsung so far has worked better than any of the phones I have had on signal quality. Even though when sitting next to each other my Sanyo had more bars on the tower, the Samsung still seemed to hold the calls better / longer than the Sanyo did in my work building.

Battery Life: Sanyo seemed to only last a little longer, but the Samsung so far has shown a great battery life. With many uses during the day, and no charge, it still showed a full charge by 12 midnight from 4am that morning being off including roaming a few times on a 200 mile drive I took.

Size: The size is a big difference and one of the main reasons I purchased it. It is much smaller than the Sanyo, and easier to put away in a pocket and not know its there. Much lighter in weight as well.

Ear Piece / Sound quality: Perfect! I can actually understand people now! The Sanyos compared are junk. Seriously. But when you turn up the volume really loud, it can distort, from the person talking to you to the ringers.

Conclusion:

This phone is definitely much better than previous Samsung phones and I believe it will be a keeper for now. I would recommend it over the VM4500 any day!

Pics:

http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell1.jpg

http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell2.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell3.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell4.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell5.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell6.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell7.jpg
http://www.g35world.com/g35/cell/cell8.jpg

I also flipped my vm4500 for a vm-a680 last year. Picture quality is far better with the samsung then the sanyo. the 5500 had like a yellow glow to all it's pix and were as bit fuzzy.

[suneeboyboy]

The A680 has more features and a better UI. But I don't like the screen, and the choppy video. Also the lack of a speaker phone or having your screen saver show on the external ID sucks. I would recommend the 5500 over the A680, but you really can't go wrong with the A680. Speaker phone, and more fluid video make it an ''upgrade" over the A680. Did I mention I can't see the pics? :) :) :)

[macaddiict]

Did I mention I can't see the pics? :) :) :)

That's because this thread is over a year old. :)

[RayRay07]

kool

[jaytv]

Holy ancient thread, Batman!

[jokstr77]

I just bought the A840 and I dont think I like it. Is it supposed to go completly dark while on calls and after it dims? If I set the backlight to 8, 15, or 30 seconds it dims after that for about 5 seconds then goes entirely dark as if it is off. And while the phone is closed the time is not continuously displayed. If I want to know what time it is I need to press a button. I took it into the Sprint store and was told this was normal - even though a friend just bought the same phone a couple of months ago and the time is always on. And yes I have gone through everysingle setting and power save is off. Is that normal?

[cutter2668]

Sanyo had a problem wiht the first hardware version of the 4500, that changed with the 201 hardware I suspect that was your issue with the phone. As for sound quality....the vm 4500 is far better than ANY samsung offering and can hardly be called junk.
The vm 4500 is also a very small phone, any smaller and you delve into the realm of impractical for daily use.
If you like alot of bling, then samsung is for you, if you like a phone that works, get a sanyo.

[SoloDogg]

holy bringing back the dead batman! btw...680 kills the sanyo in size, and voice quality. sanyo kills the samsung in ringer volume and not being able to hold onto a damned call (my 680 NEVER dropped a single call!)