HTC 8125 / 8100 / MDA (USA) / K-JAM / P4300 (Wizard)
Phone Scoop Review
May 3, 2006 by Eric Lin
In-depth review of T-Mobile's feature-packed MDA Windows Mobile PDA phone, AKA the HTC Wizard. With Video Tour. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
Goodbye "CrackBerry" Hello MDA
There is really no comparison, because they are two entirely different instruments; however, after using a Blackberry for a number of years, (last one a 7100t), I decided to attempt an upgrade to the MDA, primarily for better web access and better email which I have definitely obtained with the MDA.
Pros: Very easy to read and use, even in sunlight. Very good screen. Easy Windows usage with Mobile 5.0. Have downloaded several new programs, with no problem and had seamless integration with existing programs. Better Bluetooth operation, using same exact apiece, than I had on the B.B. Great web access and better email than I have previously had.
Cons: I really, really miss my Blackberry Wheel and one-handed dialing and address finding while driving; but I am beginning to use the voice activated feature on the MDA which will eventually replace most of the one handed wheel searches for commonly called clients. Carrying case is very cheap and is really almost unusable. Product is too new for after market product availability, i.e, carrying cases, charging cables, etc. Have always purchased my cases from Nutshell, out of New Zealand, and believe they have one that will work. Having never used a phone camera before, I don't know whether this camera is any good or not. I would say it's mediocre at best, but I didn't buy the unit for the camera and will rarely use it. Speaker phone is NOT near as good as the one on the B.B.
I know that Tmo is coming out with the Blackberry 8700c but believe that if I was going to enter "CrackBerry" rehab, it might as well be with an MDA as I am stuck on TMo for service and pricing. The Palm stuff is not for me.
If you can find an MDA, then I recommend you try one. Once you are beyond the learning curve, it really is a very nice combination phone/pda. I will give it a "7" out of "10" and am going to keep it beyond the "buyer's remorse limit" of 14 days.
Former Cingular Treo 650 user very impressed!
I was a Palm Treo 600 and Treo 650 fan for the last few years. A couple of weeks ago, I gave up the Treo 650 that survived countless parking lot drops over the last year for a new 8125 from Cingular wireless.
My early complaints about the 8125 were mostly adoption problems that were resolved my other 8125 users. For example, I was going nuts trying to use the 8125 without touching the screen. This was something I was able to do on the Treo 650 and I really got quite used to thumbing my way through most functions. After voicing my frustration about this problem, a member of my team pointed out that the "ok" button on the keyboard and the "red phone" button and the center button on the five-way control would open, close and navigate just about any screen.
The 8125 has much better voice quality than the Treo 650 from Cingular. I have a personal viewpoint that any mobile device with a phone feature should work very well as a phone above any other functions. The 8125 performs very well as a phone.
Overall, I find the 8125 a worthy replacement option for Treo 650 users. Take the time to read the user guide. This device is rich in features and functions and a little time with the user guide will likely teach you enough about the device to comfortably complete basic tasks with great efficiency.
I'll post more at http://www.craigmackinder.com as I use the phone over the next couple of months.
My PocketPC
This phone is excellent. I had the MPX220 & the Treo 650. I had all type of problem's with the MPX220 from the volume & not hearing. The Cingular 8125 only problem is that they don't have any accessories at any of the store's around my area. I have a friend that just got the Verizon XV6700 & the car charger works for the 8125. Overall I'm happy with my phone/pda.
Hard to come by But......
Never had a PDA before but wow, all I can say is this device is amazing. Usability of the WiFi then edge when I'm out is outstanding Coverage is great. I have been an avid Nokia fan but decided to try a different device. The processor in the device is outstanding and has been rated one of the best. No slowness nothing less then the Nokia's I've owned. It's all around an outstanding device. I couldn't find one in Sacramento for the life of me and Customer Care did not have any. I found it at Fry's for the same price out the door as if I went to Cingular store. Being on the tech desk at Cingular....a little trick when setting up e-mail it's cwmx.com for the outgoing SMTP server, a common mistake and frequent call I get. My Treo loving friends are all on the move for this beauty. HTC has done good. Also, if you have problems with it check forums online. Oh an if you change the camera setting to BURST it isn't as blurry when taking pictures, that was the one and only complaint I had was if you arent perfectly still when taking pictures, the picture comes out kind of blurry
Windows??
I had the phone for about 2 days and wow its truly a POCKET PC. Even to load the camera it took some time... Its very cool phone but not for me. Docks a lot of features but i guess you would have to load them up!!. Also i own a MAC so it was a bad idea in the first place. Also the phone is no easy to use while multi-tasking. If you want to make a phone call you better sit down and do it! As for me the phone is way to big, maybe I'm just to active. Ride a bike so it could never work out...
So overall the phone was truly a Pocket PC very cool Features like Bluetooth, keeping your ass organized, WI-fi, and reception was good. Just a pain to use the pen that it comes with. So i returned it and got the SAMSUNG D600.
Great but one negative
This phone is great... I was waiting for it for a loooong time. It pretty much does everything you want it to. You can surf the web... play music... receive email... text like a maniac.
Camera is ok...
Bluetooth great...
Voice dialing great...
keyboard great...
The one major downfall.... the battery is horrible!!! I mean I am barely on the phone all day.. all I do is text and it dies before I get home from work. Get a charger for work or your car
Aside from that.... Great
Best combined phone/mp3/camera/pda so far.
I have to give this phone a 5, it's something i been waiting for in months. If you are longing for Nokia n91, this one is as great but the price is a lot more reasonable. I got 1 last week and can't get enought of it. The wifi and mp3 function are excellent. T&C Wireless(609.434.0060)has it for only $100.00.
Very nice indeed
Well I have never used a PDA before so I can not compare it. What I do know is this is one fun little device. Coming off of a V330 the transition is taking some time. This is not the simple cell phone that you can just whip out and go. It will even seem tedious to some people to use as just a phone. The MDA however is a very nice package. Win Mobile 5 is great. I was going to send it back because it was over kill for a simple cell phone that I could text using a keyboard. Well... after a couple of days messing around with it I don't think I can part with it now. Yes it is a little slow to respond but Motorola phones have the same issue. What it does do is give you alot in a very nice and small package that can do many things. Running the bluetooth and WiFi and playing the music player and txting does seem to run the power down quickly so turning of things that you don't need is a good idea for battery life if not plugged in. The camera has many thing to play with but is still a phone camera. The phone it self is not the best but it works. The MDA does a lot of things making it multi tasking but not doing any one of them really good. I would recommend the MDA. It is fantastic and useful for its intended purpose. If you just need a phone, think twice and check it out first.
This Phone is awesome!!!!
After getting use to this phone, I am loving it more & more! The only draw back on this phone, is the Bluetooth can be temperamental
Very Functional
After using this PDA now for two days, I'm finding it's really hard to beat the functionality this phone/pda has. Although it is a little on the thick side, it doesn't take much time to get past it. So far, I have had no problems with reception or lock-ups. No problems with Bluetooth or Wi-Fi either. Battery life seems fine and the vibrate function is very strong. Screen is very bright and clear, and it takes wonderful pictures and videos. The hideaway keyboard is great! Buy it.