[videian28]

anyone know when this is due? or does anyone have one already?

it is the update to the t610/616

[maxintosh]

Should be out early next year.

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by videian28:
anyone know when this is due? or does anyone have one already?

it is the update to the t610/616

According to this Sony Ericsson press release, it should be available in US Q1 2004.

If you can't wait, then go to China and get the T628 now (same thing, except the model number is a lucky number).

T630 is an update of T610, with a TFT screen, software updates and a (more or less?) attactive exterior looks.

[Eug]

Hmmm... The only one available locally with my provider (in Toronto) is the T616, for about US$400. Is the T616 exactly the same as the T610? How much is the T628, and is the Chinese version in English too? (A friend of mine lives there.)

I not very impressed with the build quality of the phones these days though. I'm still using a Nokia 6190. Although archaic, in comparison to the T616 it's built like a rock. Much more sturdy feel than current phones.

I'm not sure I want to bother buying a phone now though. I'd be inclined to wait until fall 2004, when I get a G5 PowerBook with built-in BlueTooth.

EDIT:

How long does Sony Ericsson usually wait before updating the phone? If a year or more I could consider just getting the T628, but if every 6 months then I could probably get the T628 earlier than later. The only thing is I'm worried iSync won't support it. Anyone using the T616 with iSync?

[Severed Hand of Skywalker]

Originally posted by Eug:
Anyone using the T616 with iSync?

Lots of threads here about it. It works perfectly, Nokia's are spotty.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by Eug:
Hmmm... The only one available locally with my provider (in Toronto) is the T616, for about US$400. Is the T616 exactly the same as the T610? How much is the T628, and is the Chinese version in English too? (A friend of mine lives there.)

I not very impressed with the build quality of the phones these days though. I'm still using a Nokia 6190. Although archaic, in comparison to the T616 it's built like a rock. Much more sturdy feel than current phones.

This has been answered many times here before, but here goes...

The T616 runs on 850/1900 MHz bands, while the T610 runs on 900/1800/1900 MHz bands. In other words, the T610 is a better world phone, but the T616 is ready to support AT&T and Cingular's 850 MHz GSM networks which are basically just updated CDMA towers.

You can get new T610s on eBay for right around $200USD. If you want a flip phone, the Z600 is basically the same (albeit with a better screen), but it's so new that it's much more expensive.

The 6190 is a TANK! I used to have one of those. I think that the T610 has great build quality, although the case smudges and scuffs pretty easily, the entire phone feels heavy and high-quality. It's also survived a few of my klutzy drops.

It works great with iSync.

[Eug Wanker]

Thx, Max.

BTW, what about the Nokia 6230? Or Samsung, or Panasonic?

BlueTooth is a must.

[Landos Mustache]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
BlueTooth is a must.

Then forget about anything working properly other then Sony Ericssons.

[veryniceguy2002]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
Thx, Max.

BTW, what about the Nokia 6230? Or Samsung, or Panasonic?

BlueTooth is a must.

If you look at the Nokia 6230 web page, it says Q1 2004 (i.e. sometime March the earliest in real terms)

I thought that Samsung hasn't release any Bluetooth capable phone yet Same for Panasonic??

I would say have a look at Motorola v525. Quad band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900), camera, bluetooth. I think it is slightly cheaper than Sony Ericsson Z600, but it has an external antenna.

Edit: I think Motorola v525 is Vodafone exclusive at the moment.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by Eug Wanker:
BTW, what about the Nokia 6230? Or Samsung, or Panasonic?

The 6230 looks really, really nice. It might be my next phone if Sony Ericsson can't beat it by the time my T-Mobile contract is up for renewal. It has everything the T610 does, except with a better camera, memory expansion slot, video recording, EDGE, FM radio, MP3 player, MP3 ringtones... it also supports SyncML over Bluetooth so syncing should be flawless. Mmm.... I like my T610 for now. I'm going to the boonies (North Shore MA) today, so it will be interesting to see how the T610 holds up reception-wise. My 3650 could barely pull in a signal there.

[Eug]

Originally posted by maxintosh:
I'm going to the boonies (North Shore MA) today, so it will be interesting to see how the T610 holds up reception-wise. My 3650 could barely pull in a signal there.

Be sure to post your results here.

As for the 6230, I'd be willing to wait a few months if absolutely necessary, but not if the phone is going to cost US$700 or something.

[maxintosh]

Originally posted by Eug:
Be sure to post your results here.

As for the 6230, I'd be willing to wait a few months if absolutely necessary, but not if the phone is going to cost US$700 or something.

The reception is about the same. It works only sitting in front of the TV at a certain angle and when lying diagonally across my bed... just like my old Nokia. It works fine outside, though, and calls are clear. It just stays at one "red" bar. Ah, well. I was hoping T-Mobile built a new tower while I was away, but that's more than wishful thinking

[Eug]

My friend in Beijing says the Sony Ericsson T628 and T630 are currently unavailable there. They guy at the store claimed the Nokia 6230 is out already (but not in stock).

The Sony Ericsson T618 is about US$280 IIRC. AFAIK the T618 is just the T610 with Chinese language support. And, Samsung phones are much cheaper in China than they are in Korea.

I'll just wait a few months. It turns out my service provider doesn't have any roaming in the country I'm going to visit next anyway, so it's irrelevant what phone I have for the time being.