New phone SPV/E200/C500

[Guest arnespv]

So, it's that time again. My orange contract of 1 year has expired and i can pick up a new phone and continue the contract again. So, what should i do. I have had the SPV classic for a year now, and am actually pretty happy with it. But i reckon the E200 would be a bit better with all the little software and hardware tweaks. But what about the C500? My current contract is for 30 euro monthly which is fine, but 20 euro would be fine as well.

So, my options:

- An SPV Classic with a 1 year 20euro for 0.00

- An SPV Classic with keyboard with a 1 year 30euro for 0.00

- An SPV E200 with a 2year 30euro for 0.00

- An SPV C500 with a 2year 30euro for 49.95

I think i'll leave the first two alone, as i would really like a new device. But how about the choice between the free e200 of the 50 euro for the c500. Can i just swap all my stuff (SD card included) onto either of them? Are there any problems i can expect when either migrating to the e200 or c500. And is it worth the extra 50 euro?

Any thoughts on this are more than welcome.

[Guest meatgrinder]

well, imo, the c500 beatst eh e200 hands down - only faults (imo) is the dust under the screen and the lack of multi-keypresses

Dave

[Guest arnespv]

Just did a bit of more browsing around the forum and noticed there really aren't that much upgrades to the c500. There's still no radio, no real software or hardware (apart from it's very nice small size) upgrades. What kind of things made orange bring out this phone. Is it quicker? Is the screen sharper? Has the software undergone huge updates?

And how about compatibilty with my sd card. For now i have used a standard 128mb sandisk on my spv with no problems at all. Anything available on that on the e200/c500?

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

no real software or hardware

No hardware yet as it's only just been released but there are hundreds off applications and games available for the the phone.

What kind of things made orange bring out this phone. Is it quicker? Is the screen sharper? Has the software undergone huge updates?

Yes Yes and Yes

And how about compatibilty with my sd card. For now i have used a standard 128mb sandisk on my spv with no problems at all. Anything available on that on the e200/c500?

The C500 uses miniSD not standard SD so you will need a new card whereas the E200 uses atandard SD. The good news is miniSD saves

power and can be bought for cheaper than standard SD.

[Guest ah5150]

where can u get apps for the c500 or even infact for the E200?

i ain't got a smartphone as yet and was just wondering cos i'm gonna get one

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

freeware is www.monolithix.org and paid apps can be found at

www.handango.com

Just look for Windows smartphone apps ie ones for SPV, E10 and E200 etc

[Guest arnespv]

Awarner, in what way does the software differ from the E200 version? It's still the same OS but with different apps or a complete update of the OS. And how about CPU speed, is there any difference?

To be honest i never heard about minisd, but i always loved how the sd card could be used in my camera as well as my phone as well as my pda as well etc. Is the minisd still backward compatible with SD?

And, most important of all, do you reckon it's worth the extra 70 bucks?

[Guest arnespv]

Pretty cool, minisd... not. It seems here in Holland there isn't a proper shop selling them at a reasonable price. Did see it in the modaco shop, uk only and possibly the transport is more expensive than the card itself :)

[Guest arnespv]

Might have to come back on that one. Found some good deals on Sandisk 256mb minisd's, and if im correct these things come standard with an adapter so you can still use them in other devices. Still, it's a pitty, i loved the 1 one 1 swap.

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

ebuyer.com gives free delivery

There are a few games that do not work correctly on the c500

at the moment but Orange are looking into this.

The biggest downfall is the keypad hardware fault on the C500

this makes the C500 a non gamers phone. :)

[Guest]

ebuyer.com gives free delivery

They don't to the UK btw :)

The biggest downfall is the keypad hardware fault on the C500 this makes the C500 a non gamers phone. :P

I've not heard of this, can you be more specific?

Does Doom work on the C500?

Thanks

[Guest arnespv]

It was on the frontpage. It seems the C500 cannot deal with two buttons at a time or something. Well, that's not a real problem because i don't really use it for gaming. It's still a bit of a shame they didn't get this error out before bringing it on to the market especially that it can't be patched.

But, i'll check out some sites a bit more and think i'll get me the C500.

[Guest jbrare]

E200 - bit buggy

SPV Classic (with latest rom) - bit buggy

C500 - Starting to show a few cracks = bit buggy

Still, I love smartphones so get the best one you can which at the moment seems to be the C500............Until HelloMoto!!! :) :P

JB

[Guest arnespv]

Well, it seems the 'market introduction' buying peak has started over here in Holland. Just wanted to renew my contract with the C500, every last one sold out... Now of course, that is a good sign, but i have to wait until wednesday for my phone.

[Guest]

How quickly do Orange release Operator ROM's?

It may be worth waiting for Orange to release one before buying, there is no point being a guinea pig IMO.

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

There is no set times for ROM updates as they have to go through a testing period before release.

[Guest]

Thanks. I meant is there an average time? Maybe from past experiance?

[Guest awarner [MVP]]

Not really, you hear rumour of one being released soon etc and then you have to wait quite a few months.

[Guest]

Thanks

[Guest arnespv]

Well, an update: i got my C500 yesterday and i am STUNNED by it's compactness and very robust build quality. The nav key takes a bit of getting used to, but that screen is just SO bright and very nicely integrated into the device. It's now a proper 'designed' phone with all the advantages of the smartphone and without the disadvantages the old SPV had. I've already come across a few small software bugs, but nothing to big. Camera function is so much smoother, and the device is a lot more responsive to key input. Also, the battery just keeps on going. Straight from the box it's now still at over 50%.

Also a very nice thing is, that altough the cradle has gone, the usb cable now also loads your battery. No more loose cables, just one from your pc to your phone to load and sync. Also, bluetooth does work fine, but has some trouble with some devices. Overall i'm very pleased with both the hard and software upgrades and i think it's worth the 45 euro i paid for it.