8200 vs. A680 & A760? PLEASE HELP!!

[davina]

I stumbled across this board & I am in desperate need of help...my head is spinning from reading reviews!!!!

Here's the deal:
I had been using a Nokia phone (through ATT) for the past few years....just switched to Sprint last week because I needed a new calling plan.

When I went into the store, I *thought* all I wanted was a cute little flip phone with an external caller ID. I thought a camera would be cool too (because I have a baby :))..but not really necessary.

To make a long story short (because I ended up making MANY trips into the store trying to figure out which phone to get)...I ended up with a Sanyo 8200...mainly because the day I was there they were offering it free with a 2 yr contract.

After bringing it home...I realized that I REALLY like having the speaker phone...especially while in the car..or if I am busy with the baby. But...I am sooooo disappointed in the sound quality when I use it as a regular phone. The sound seems so distorted! If I set the earpiece volume at the lowest level...it's too soft...but if I raise it only ONE notch...it seems almost too loud / distorted. SO FRUSTRATING!

I never had this issue with my boring, old Nokia.

So...I thought maybe I'd try the A680...but I am bummed that there's no speakerphone! Plus...from what I have read...it seems like the A680 has issues too...like a ringer that's not loud enough.

I looked at the Sprint PCS website...there is a Samsung A760 on there that I thought could be an answer to my problems (it has a speakerphone)...but when I called the store to ask about it...they said they never heard of it. What's up with that???

I really need some advice here...
Am I just being too picky about the earpiece, should I keep the 8200?
Should I forget about having a speakerphone & try the A680 or something else?
Are there other phones I should be looking at (can't spend tons of $$!)?
Does anyone know about the "A760"???

Please help me out!!

Thanks so much :) !!

[Matt]

The a760 has not been released yet, but should be soon. http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=489

It may be possible to pick one up via telesales.

[Deval]

I stumbled across this board & I am in desperate need of help...my head is spinning from reading reviews!!!!

Here's the deal:
I had been using a Nokia phone (through ATT) for the past few years....just switched to Sprint last week because I needed a new calling plan.

When I went into the store, I *thought* all I wanted was a cute little flip phone with an external caller ID. I thought a camera would be cool too (because I have a baby :))..but not really necessary.

To make a long story short (because I ended up making MANY trips into the store trying to figure out which phone to get)...I ended up with a Sanyo 8200...mainly because the day I was there they were offering it free with a 2 yr contract.

After bringing it home...I realized that I REALLY like having the speaker phone...especially while in the car..or if I am busy with the baby. But...I am sooooo disappointed in the sound quality when I use it as a regular phone. The sound seems so distorted! If I set the earpiece volume at the lowest level...it's too soft...but if I raise it only ONE notch...it seems almost too loud / distorted. SO FRUSTRATING!

I never had this issue with my boring, old Nokia.

So...I thought maybe I'd try the A680...but I am bummed that there's no speakerphone! Plus...from what I have read...it seems like the A680 has issues too...like a ringer that's not loud enough.

I looked at the Sprint PCS website...there is a Samsung A760 on there that I thought could be an answer to my problems (it has a speakerphone)...but when I called the store to ask about it...they said they never heard of it. What's up with that???

I really need some advice here...
Am I just being too picky about the earpiece, should I keep the 8200?
Should I forget about having a speakerphone & try the A680 or something else?
Are there other phones I should be looking at (can't spend tons of $$!)?
Does anyone know about the "A760"???

Please help me out!!

Thanks so much :) !!

If you really dont need the camera, the 760 might be a good choice for you. Just gotta wait a week or so for it to reach the stores. We are getting the accessories for it now.

[davina]

Oh...I guess I didn't realize that the A760 doesn't have a camera. Hmmmm, I am not sure what to do.

Let's say it's just between the 8200 & the A680...what would you all choose?

Do those of you with a speakerphone *really* end up using it much???

The 8200 would be perfect if I didn't have to keep saying "Huh?? What??...."
Maybe I'll get used to it????

What should I do??

[Deval]

well basically here is my suggestion...the a680 is a very nice phone...nice and tiny, and takes pretty nice pics, but the problem with it is the ringer speaker...its really really really really really really weak...I see phones daily with the speaker blown out, sometimes without even ringers downloaded on it.

The 8200 is also a good phone, but in your case, the earpiece isnt working out for you, and before someone else jumps in saying Sanyo's suck, you have to look at what features you will use daily. I have a speaker phone, and I find myself only really using it for voice mail and ready link. Other then that, I dont really use it, because I dont want my entire store to know what I am talking about.

[macaddiict]

Hi davina,

Sorry to hear you're not happy with your 8200 - a lot of people have similar complaints about the muffled/distorted earpieces on Sanyo phones. There's something about the speaker Sanyo uses that just sounds horrible to me. Some people don't notice, but it sounds like you and me are on the same page... I can't stand them.

If I were you, I'd go in the store and try out the phones and see what other options you might want to try. If you bought your phone somewhere that doesn't have working models (just dummy phones), drop by an actual Sprint store and they'll have working ones you can use to see what you like. I think you have 14 days "trial" on your phone and service, so if you're within that time you can usually exchange your phone for another model if you decide that is best.

Like Deval said, there's no camera on the A760 and another thing that seems to bother some people is that the external screen is not color (the internal screen is). From the reviews posted on this site the phone has some cool features - including "voice" text messages you can send to other phones, much better voice dialing than your Sanyo (it's amazing - search for Voice Signal for more info), and a full duplex speakerphone meaning you can talk at the same time as the other person without cutting in and out. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

Other phones to consider:
Nokia 6225 - not a flip, screen won't be as bright as your Sanyo... however, very small and compact, same brand you already know, has camera and web access, and has speakerphone (and can usually be had pretty cheap)

Toshiba 4050 - pretty large for a flip phone... has an amazing screen, speakerphone (that is much quieter than your 8200 - fyi), and a good clear (but some say too quiet) earpiece. I'm not sure how much this one runs in the Sprint stores right now, but my local Radio Shack had them for $49 when I was there yesterday (which is a steal!)

Audiovox 8910 - not sure about what kind of deal you could get on this one ... but it does have a (quieter than your 8200) speakerphone, camera, is a flip, and has had some good reviews on the site. Deval said they have some buggy ones though, and he knows, so that's something to consider. Plus, I think it's ugly. But hey, to each his own.

I'll let others chime in with their opinions. I personally would probably go with the Nokia 6225 if you can stand not having a flip because it shouldn't cost you much out of pocket and you won't have any surprises with the Nokia earpieces. The only phones I would avoid right now don't have any of the features you want so I think just going in and exchanging for another brand might be your best option.

[Matt]

Have you considered getting a headset to use with your 8200? Jabra, Plantronics, and Body Glove make nice headsets that will elevate the earpiece of the Sanyo.

[Deval]

Hi davina,

Sorry to hear you're not happy with your 8200 - a lot of people have similar complaints about the muffled/distorted earpieces on Sanyo phones. There's something about the speaker Sanyo uses that just sounds horrible to me. Some people don't notice, but it sounds like you and me are on the same page... I can't stand them.

If I were you, I'd go in the store and try out the phones and see what other options you might want to try. If you bought your phone somewhere that doesn't have working models (just dummy phones), drop by an actual Sprint store and they'll have working ones you can use to see what you like. I think you have 14 days "trial" on your phone and service, so if you're within that time you can usually exchange your phone for another model if you decide that is best.

Like Deval said, there's no camera on the A760 and another thing that seems to bother some people is that the external screen is not color (the internal screen is). From the reviews posted on this site the phone has some cool features - including "voice" text messages you can send to other phones, much better voice dialing than your Sanyo (it's amazing - search for Voice Signal for more info), and a full duplex speakerphone meaning you can talk at the same time as the other person without cutting in and out. Someone correct me if I'm wrong here.

Other phones to consider:
Nokia 6225 - not a flip, screen won't be as bright as your Sanyo... however, very small and compact, same brand you already know, has camera and web access, and has speakerphone (and can usually be had pretty cheap)

Toshiba 4050 - pretty large for a flip phone... has an amazing screen, speakerphone (that is much quieter than your 8200 - fyi), and a good clear (but some say too quiet) earpiece. I'm not sure how much this one runs in the Sprint stores right now, but my local Radio Shack had them for $49 when I was there yesterday (which is a steal!)

Audiovox 8910 - not sure about what kind of deal you could get on this one ... but it does have a (quieter than your 8200) speakerphone, camera, is a flip, and has had some good reviews on the site. Deval said they have some buggy ones though, and he knows, so that's something to consider. Plus, I think it's ugly. But hey, to each his own.

I'll let others chime in with their opinions. I personally would probably go with the Nokia 6225 if you can stand not having a flip because it shouldn't cost you much out of pocket and you won't have any surprises with the Nokia earpieces. The only phones I would avoid right now don't have any of the features you want so I think just going in and exchanging for another brand might be your best option.

Gotta admit, thats very good advice bro...but its the 8920, the MP one...8910 is for Verizon ;)... but yeah the Nokia is a very good phone, and it even has a radio built in!

[davina]

Okay...I am new here...I assume you work for Sprint??

Other things that are important to me...

Strong signal...with my old Nokia phone if I was at the mall, or in the grocery store...many times I couldn't make or receive calls.

Also (although I haven't tried it yet)...I plan to use the "voice activated" dialing.

Actually...today I was at Target & missed a call on the 8200...didn't hear it ringing (on the highest setting)...are you saying that the A680 won't be as loud??
I am only able to get my 8200 to ring AND vibrate at the same time on the lowest & highest setting...but not in between...is that the way it's supposed to be? Is the A680 different (I prefer to have it do both)

Is the battery really that much worse on the A680 vs 8200???

So...do YOU have an opinion 8200 vs. A680 as to which is a "better" phone??

I am tempted to try the A680...but I know if I exchange mine...the A680 will be a final sale & that scares me!

[Deval]

Well yeah, I work for Sprint. Basically, you cant compare the reception of your old nokia with ATT with the nokia for Sprint, its 2 totally different things. Yea the a680's ringer isnt so loud.

The 8200 is designed to have a ring+vibrate at level 1 and level 4. The a680 only has it ring+vibrate at highest level, and just vibrate at lowest level.

Do this, goto a RadioShack or something and get the A680 from there, and try it out, and see if you like it :)

[macaddiict]

Strong signal...with my old Nokia phone if I was at the mall, or in the grocery store...many times I couldn't make or receive calls.

That was probably just because you had AT&T which uses completely different technology than Sprint. Wherever your Sanyo works now, your Nokia with Sprint should work just as well. Come to think of it I haven't heard any terrible news about Sprint's current lineup as far as reception goes lately. They seem to all have good reception for the most part.

Also (although I haven't tried it yet)...I plan to use the "voice activated" dialing.
Samsung wins the Voice Activated dialing hands down. No one else can touch it. On Samsung, you just say the name of anyone in your phonebook and wham you're connected. I have an older Sammy and it works great, I'd say 95% accurate and you don't have to record yourself saying the names of everyone like other voice activated phones. With anything other than a Samsung, voice dialing almost isn't worth the hassle. Definitely try the Samsung voice dial out in the store if you're still interested when you get there... just open the phone and press the LEFT arrow key or hold down TALK until the phone asks you for a command.

I am only able to get my 8200 to ring AND vibrate at the same time on the lowest & highest setting...but not in between...is that the way it's supposed to be? Is the A680 different (I prefer to have it do both)
That is how it is with Samsung as well. Either just vibrate, or vibrate + highest ring. My Nokia 3588i (and older one) vibrates and rings at the same time, so I'd imagine the newer ones do as well.

Did you happen to check out the 6225 in the store? Not to be leading you away from the 8200 or 680, but I think it fits what you're looking for and won't be much larger than your 8200 even though it is not a flip.

Deval - are the A620s still problematic?

[Deval]

Not really, but its an older phone, with no mo-sms, which is annoying...and we do see issues with it from time to time, but the 8200 isnt perfect either.

[macaddiict]

Ewww... Shortmail. I forgot.

[Deval]

I would say the 680 would fit the bill, without the speaker of course, just watch for weak ringer....or the Sanyo MM7400 :hee:

[bytes2bits]

I would say the 680 would fit the bill, without the speaker of course, just watch for weak ringer....or the Sanyo MM7400 :hee:
Just curious...what do you guys do when someone brings in a 680 with the speaker blown out? Is it replaced/repaired with a better quality speaker? I mostly use vibrate on my current phone but now I'm scared to even turn on the ringer when I get the new phone (I should have my 680 in about a week and I'm really looking forward to it).

[Recluse]

The a760 has not been released yet, but should be soon. http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/phone.php?p=489

It may be possible to pick one up via telesales.


wrong, it has been released. you can pick one up on sprintpcs.com or call up telesales.

[Recluse]

ive had all three phones and in my honest opinion, the sanyo 8200 is the best deal. most of these people who complain about sanyos and their earpieces are full of it or they are samsung fanboys. not that being a samsung fanboy is a bad thing, but saying bad stuff about another phone cuz of so and so is ridiculous and stupid. most people tend to follow others in what they say about this phone or that phone. back to the topic tho. the a680 was a cool phone cuz of the size and the external lcd. the ringers are so dam low tho, so if you want loud ringers, pass on the a680. the a760 is a basic color phone and its speakerphone is full-duplex (which means you and the other party can talk at the same time). its earpiece volume goes somewhat loud, but i think you might have problems hearing the other party in a noisy environment. ive had the 8200 and its earpiece is as clear to me as other phones for sprint. what i like about the sanyo is that it goes very loud. although at higher volume settings, the sound will most likely be muddy and distort a bit. that is what happens to most phones that get really loud. from what ive seen and heard anyways.

pros of the 8200:

speakerphone (half-duplex tho, one person can talk at a time)
comes in 4 different colors
has good battery life
has a loud earpiece (you only need to keep it on volume setting 2 or 3 and youll be fine!)
good camera

pros of the samsung a680:

good camera
nice external lcd (even tho it shuts off and you have to hit a button to turn it back on, you always cant see the date and time when it shuts off, lame!)
small and slick looking

cons: no speakerphone
HORRIBLE BATTERY LIFE!!!
gets hot quickly
THE RINGERS ARE FRIGGING LOW EVEN ON THE HIGHEST SETTING AND THERE ARE 8 SETTINGS!

pros of the samsung a760:

sleek looking (to me anyways)
decent speakerphone (full-duplex)
you can send text messages with your voice on it
pretty decent color screen for a basic phone of its calibur
feels nice in hand

cons:

earpiece volume might not be loud enough for some

[ramoer]

Are Sprint stores gonna get the RL-A760 within the next 2 weeks?

[Deval]

Just curious...what do you guys do when someone brings in a 680 with the speaker blown out? Is it replaced/repaired with a better quality speaker? I mostly use vibrate on my current phone but now I'm scared to even turn on the ringer when I get the new phone (I should have my 680 in about a week and I'm really looking forward to it).

In my store if the phone has no other signs of damage, we order a replacement phone. Just be warned, that if you download 3rd party content, especially voice ringers, that increases the chance of blowing out the speaker

[jetmanva]

macaddict please get ready of that ugly avatar:)

they have runied a wonderful car with that ugly redsign sorry im just bored at work but i love my jetta just not the new one

[Matt]

wrong, it has been released. you can pick one up on sprintpcs.com or call up telesales.
umm okay. Back you go.

[bytes2bits]

In my store if the phone has no other signs of damage, we order a replacement phone. Just be warned, that if you download 3rd party content, especially voice ringers, that increases the chance of blowing out the speaker
I have no plans to d/l ringers at all. I'll stick w/ what the phone comes with. Having said that, do you think it's safe to have the volume all the way up on the standard ringers or would I be pressing my luck?

[tuolumne]

pros A680:

Clearer earpeice (to me)
Slightly better RF (mildly)
Bigger/better looking external LCD
bigger status LED
better looking menu's (animated)
can record video
can set video's as screen saver
is much smaller, and it looks a lot better (to me)
Mirror on external LCD (when idle)
Voice Signal voice dialing
chrome accents, color chaning logo's, cool to the touch alloys, much emphasis on design

pros 8200:

speaker phone (only half-duplex though, not good for long coversations)
Ready Link
slightly better battery life
slightly bigger internal display (bigger phone=bigger screen)
flashlight feature

cons A680

ringer speaker (don't put QCP files on it, and you should be ok)
worse battery life
external screen shuts off when in idle (conserves battery and turns the external LCD into a mirror)
no speaker phone
no RL

cons 8200

built like a domestic car with exposed screwheads, no chrome accents, no cool to the touch alloys, no color chaning logo's, and not much emphasis on design (to me)
little plastic button determines if flip is shut or not (Samsung uses internal magnets), mine would always get lodged in my 8100...
Plain menu's
redialing bug (rare)
no video camera
no advanced, no training voice dialing
earpeice is muffled, and although it gets loud, it gets distorted past level 5-6 (to me)




For me...I would rather have the small size, advanced voice dialing, clearer earpeice and superior refinement of the Samsung over the half-duplex speaker phone and ready link over the Sanyo...

[Jaggrey]

I have no plans to d/l ringers at all. I'll stick w/ what the phone comes with. Having said that, do you think it's safe to have the volume all the way up on the standard ringers or would I be pressing my luck?
It's a toss-up..... I've been through 3 A680s all because of the ringer speaker. The last 2 I didn't download anything onto and within 48 hours the speaker was completely dead. I usually keep it on the highest setting cuz I can't hear it otherwise, and I want the ring+vibrate option.

On the other hand, my 2nd line (my girlfriend's phone) has been completely fine, with all kinds of downloaded content on it. I think she's had it about 1.5 months now.

At this point I'd rather have a Sanyo.