As a new PCS customer I started off with the Sanyo 4500 which was a huge mistake. You can read my review of that phone of if you have an interest:

http://www.epinions.com/content_15345094276

I was given the Samsung SCH-8500 as a replacement for my Sanyo and life was immediately better. I love this phone! It's not a shining example of next generation technology at this point but it is a solid work-horse.

Here is a quick outline of what I feel are it's shining features and tragic flaws.

STRENGTHS:

1. LCD Clarity. The contrast and light were well balanced and adjustable based upon user settings (time/contrast). I like it as much or better than the indiglo-type backlighting I had on my Sanyo 4500.

2. Reception. I questioned the Portland area signal strength until I got this phone. I am never forced to put the antenna up though I do so as not to take chances. Don't get me wrong, I get disconnected on an infrequent basis but that's a fact of life with Sprint PCS.

3. Size. This phone isn't too small that you chance losing track of it, but it's small enough to comfortably fit in a pocket. It would be nice if the lanyard slot was located in the middle of the phone rather than on the side. When I try to pull it out of my Carhartt pocket it gets wedged.

4. Voice Memos. This function isn't perfect but it does offer five 60 second voice memos that can be named and stored. It would be nice if you could append a message.

5. Desktop Charger. It's bulky but does offer two slots: one for charging the phone and a second slot for charging an extra battery.

6. Volume Buttons. The rocker button that controls call volume is extremely well designed allowing you to make adjustments with ease (compared to individual recessed rubber buttons found on other phones).

WEAKNESSES:

1. Mandatory Flip. In order to see who is calling you have to flip the phone open to see the LCD. Logically, newer phones are coming with caller ID LCDs on the OUTSIDE.

2. Travel/Car Charger Port. If you want to use chargers other than the bulky desktop model, that comes with the phone, you have to expose the delicate pin bank in the bottom of the phone (it comes OEM with a rubber boot over it). A friend with an SCH-3500 left his rubber boot off and it eventually got mangled and now he cannot use anything but the desktop charger. You look at competitors car charger slots and they all seem to be a lot more burly.

3. PIM Fault. Since the phone does not have a built in clock, you are bound to being in a PCS coverage area. Otherwise calendar/alarm items you set won't work. On the other hand it is nice when the phone adjusts to the local time when you are travelling. 6 of one a half dozen of the other . . .

I am happy with it but I don't expect to use it forever. When my contract runs out I will probably switch to another carrier.

Good luck in your cellular quest. Hope this has helped.



Recommended: Yes

Amount Paid (US$): Replacement