5300 vs. 8100, but not the same old question

ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i didn't
realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all of
the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each phone....the
camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just want
a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and these
two seem to be the newest and the best...

so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical comfort,
options, things like that....are there any differences between the phones
that aren't related to the camera?

--



---
John Salerno

---

› See More: 5300 vs. 8100, but not the same old question

I have the 8100, not the 5300 so I'll tell you about my experiences with
that phone. For the most part I like it except for the volume. I have a hard
time hearing the ringers on the phone, they aren't load enough except in a
quiet room. I have to keep it on high volume with the vibrate on. I also
don't like the limited ringers that are on the phone so I tried to download
some and install them. None of the ringers I downloaded, when converted from
midi files to the supported file type work because the tempo is not
supported or certain notes are not supported by the phone. If I would have
known this prior to purchasing the phone I probably would have gone with
another phone.

"John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i didn't
> realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all
of
> the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each phone....the
> camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just
want
> a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and
these
> two seem to be the newest and the best...
>
> so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
> camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical comfort,
> options, things like that....are there any differences between the phones
> that aren't related to the camera?
>
> --
>
>
>
> ---
> John Salerno
>
>

I have had the 5300 for a short time, but I love it. I have been through
numerous phones over the past couple of years, and this one is the best one
I have ever used. The reception is terrific, and I have yet to have a
dropped call in 3 months.

The only thing I wish was better was the volume on the handset. Sometimes,
not always, it is hard to hear the person at the other end.
Enjoy...


"John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i didn't
> realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all
of
> the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each phone....the
> camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just
want
> a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and
these
> two seem to be the newest and the best...
>
> so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
> camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical comfort,
> options, things like that....are there any differences between the phones
> that aren't related to the camera?
>
> --
>
>
>
> ---
> John Salerno
>
>

"John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i didn't
> realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all
of
> the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each phone....the
> camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just
want
> a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and
these
> two seem to be the newest and the best...
>
> so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
> camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical comfort,
> options, things like that....are there any differences between the phones
> that aren't related to the camera?

Other than the camera, not much difference. Both are great phones. Best
thing you can do is go to your local SPCS store, and hold and use both of
them.

Bob

Sounds like you have software version 1.114SP on your phone, which you can
find out by going to Menu/Phone Info/Version. If so, take it to your nearest
Sprint PCS store (not an Express store) and have them do a software upgrade.
After it's upgraded, the volume and ringer issue will be resolved. A word of
advice though...take the phone in when the store opens, since some stores
may take up to 2 hours to do the update.

"Peterbilt" <amazon-*****@REMOVETHISeudoramail.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
I have the 8100, not the 5300 so I'll tell you about my experiences with
that phone. For the most part I like it except for the volume. I have a hard
time hearing the ringers on the phone, they aren't load enough except in a
quiet room. I have to keep it on high volume with the vibrate on. I also
don't like the limited ringers that are on the phone so I tried to download
some and install them. None of the ringers I downloaded, when converted from
midi files to the supported file type work because the tempo is not
supported or certain notes are not supported by the phone. If I would have
known this prior to purchasing the phone I probably would have gone with
another phone.

"Bob Smith" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news[email protected]...
>
> "John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i
didn't
> > realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all
> of
> > the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each
phone....the
> > camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just
> want
> > a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and
> these
> > two seem to be the newest and the best...
> >
> > so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
> > camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical
comfort,
> > options, things like that....are there any differences between the
phones
> > that aren't related to the camera?
>
> Other than the camera, not much difference. Both are great phones. Best
> thing you can do is go to your local SPCS store, and hold and use both of
> them.
>
> Bob
>
>

But remember, if your SPRINTPCS store is like mine, don't make reception
judgments there. Mine runs and in-store 'repeater'. so EXCELLENT signal
level is ASSURED!

Also, I go back to one of my premises on buying the 5300.... The 5300 came
out first and was 'pricey'.... They stripped it down 'a little', sped up the
browser a little, cut back some photo features a bit (in my opinion) to get
the phone to a desired 'price target'... and voila the 8100 was born!

> Also, I go back to one of my premises on buying the 5300.... The 5300 came
> out first and was 'pricey'.... They stripped it down 'a little', sped up
the
> browser a little, cut back some photo features a bit (in my opinion) to
get
> the phone to a desired 'price target'... and voila the 8100 was born!

i may use the web a bit, so is the 5300 particularly slow, or is it just
that the 8100 is a little faster and the difference is hardly noticeable?

> Also, I go back to one of my premises on buying the 5300.... The 5300 came
> out first and was 'pricey'.... They stripped it down 'a little'

so would you say that even though the 8100 is newer, the 5300 actually has
more features to it (not counting the camera)?

I have version 1.115SP, I think that is the latest firmware version but I
will do what you suggest. Thanks.

"Evil_Ernie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gzjGb.12958$Fg.12295@lakeread01...
> Sounds like you have software version 1.114SP on your phone, which you can
> find out by going to Menu/Phone Info/Version. If so, take it to your
nearest
> Sprint PCS store (not an Express store) and have them do a software
upgrade.
> After it's upgraded, the volume and ringer issue will be resolved. A word
of
> advice though...take the phone in when the store opens, since some stores
> may take up to 2 hours to do the update.
>
> "Peterbilt" <amazon-*****@REMOVETHISeudoramail.com> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> I have the 8100, not the 5300 so I'll tell you about my experiences with
> that phone. For the most part I like it except for the volume. I have a
hard
> time hearing the ringers on the phone, they aren't load enough except in a
> quiet room. I have to keep it on high volume with the vibrate on. I also
> don't like the limited ringers that are on the phone so I tried to
download
> some and install them. None of the ringers I downloaded, when converted
from
> midi files to the supported file type work because the tempo is not
> supported or certain notes are not supported by the phone. If I would have
> known this prior to purchasing the phone I probably would have gone with
> another phone.
>
>

"John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
> > Also, I go back to one of my premises on buying the 5300.... The 5300
came
> > out first and was 'pricey'.... They stripped it down 'a little'
>
> so would you say that even though the 8100 is newer, the 5300 actually has
> more features to it (not counting the camera)?
>
>

I would leave that to your judgment after reading:
http://www.freecellphonesguy.com/fre...sanyo-5300.cfm
(make sure to get the whole url above... it ends in .cfm !)

It maps the features, basically side-by-side. Look at them, decide what you
value..
Also ask questions here too!

IMHO, of course,,, the 5300 has is far better.... I just replaced 3 3500's
on my account with the 5300 and also add a 5300 to the account.
I probably would have replaced the A460, but it was not at the end of
contract yet.

But it is 'bulkier' than the 8100...

When I was looking, in the store, they also had me look at something like a
VGA1000 or something like that from LG.

You may also want to look out on CNET.COM for opinions

Also Epinions.com
http://www.epinions.com/Sanyo_5300_Cellular_Phones
(Note you will see 'negative comments' about earpiece volume. That is FIXED,
I believe as current SW levels. Note the date on negative comments!)

Also, just don't get into 'analysis paralysis'....

Also, a little realism/cynicism.... WHATVER you decide... 3, 6 mos later...
a better phone with slightly better features more to your liking / needs
will come out.... Such is life in the technical world!!

But remember my experience with the 3500's (3 of them, 2 at 1 HW level, 1 at
another) I could never sustain a call at home. Phones tested fine. One phone
was even replaced. After 3+ years of service. I replace all 3 phone with the
5300's and POOF .... no more dropped calls....
My conclusion: 3500's had some sort of basic design flaw!! YMMV.

Also, I really get a lot of use out of VISION services....

In article <[email protected]>, amazon-
*****@REMOVETHISeudoramail.com says...
> I have the 8100, not the 5300 so I'll tell you about my experiences with
> that phone. For the most part I like it except for the volume. I have a hard
> time hearing the ringers on the phone, they aren't load enough except in a
> quiet room. I have to keep it on high volume with the vibrate on. I also
> don't like the limited ringers that are on the phone so I tried to download
> some and install them. None of the ringers I downloaded, when converted from
> midi files to the supported file type work because the tempo is not
> supported or certain notes are not supported by the phone. If I would have
> known this prior to purchasing the phone I probably would have gone with
> another phone.
>
> "John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > ok, i've been searching google for posts about these two phones (i didn't
> > realize there was such a debate over it! and it seems like almost all
> of
> > the ones i've read so far are centered on the camera of each phone....the
> > camera is something i'll probably use very little, if at all....i just
> want
> > a new phone, preferably a sanyo for the supposedly good reception, and
> these
> > two seem to be the newest and the best...
> >
> > so my question is, which of these two phones is better *aside* from the
> > camera? as far as reception, software, volume, clarity, physical comfort,
> > options, things like that....are there any differences between the phones
> > that aren't related to the camera?
> >
> > --
> >
> >
> >
> > ---
> > John Salerno
> >
> >
>
>
>
I too have the 8100. I don't have any of the problems I've read about.
My ringer is extremely load, enough that in my parka pocket in a crowded
loud bar I can still hear it. I have even converted clips of MP3s to
midi to upload to my phone via a few different free websites as I'm not
paying for that cable and THEN the software to do just a few things.

I don't notice the "sweet spot" when trying to listen while talking on
the phone. Many people have a problem getting the speaker over their
ear in just the right way to be able to hear.

I don't have any problem seeing the buttons in low light. Mine are
nice and bright.

I didn't buy the phone for the camera and have only played around with
it a few times so I can't say much about it.

I do play around with the web browser. I find that I have to power
off the phone a few times a week to browse. Either that or I have to
manually login. I've heard there's an update that resolves this, but I
haven't had time to get to a FULL Sprint store to get it done.


Two things I don't quite like. 1. I don't like that to disable the
audible ringer and leave only a vibrate I have to go through the menus
and can't simply use the side buttons. 2. I REALLY wish there was a
quick way to adjust the brightness. The display is EXTREMELY bright at
night.

Yes 1.115SP is the latest build. Weird that you're still getting the volume
problem though, but yeah let Sprint look at it and see what's up.

"Peterbilt" <amazon-*****@REMOVETHISeudoramail.com> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
I have version 1.115SP, I think that is the latest firmware version but I
will do what you suggest. Thanks.

"Evil_Ernie" <[email protected]> wrote in message
news:gzjGb.12958$Fg.12295@lakeread01...
> Sounds like you have software version 1.114SP on your phone, which you can
> find out by going to Menu/Phone Info/Version. If so, take it to your
nearest
> Sprint PCS store (not an Express store) and have them do a software
upgrade.
> After it's upgraded, the volume and ringer issue will be resolved. A word
of
> advice though...take the phone in when the store opens, since some stores
> may take up to 2 hours to do the update.

On my wife's 8100, I'm pretty sure she can use the side key to reduce
the ringer to 'vibrate only'. I don't know why yours can't. She has a
lavender/pearl 8100 with software 1.115SP. I don't have her phone handy
right now to verify this.

Stromm Sarnac wrote:

> Two things I don't quite like. 1. I don't like that to disable the
> audible ringer and leave only a vibrate I have to go through the menus
> and can't simply use the side buttons.

--
Frank Harris in San Francisco with an A620

thanks...you've been a lot of help...i think i'm starting to get held up on
this decision for no real reason, since they seem to both be great
phones....as long as the volume on the 5300 is not too loud but not too soft
(i hear the 8100 is very loud, almost uncomfortably so), then that's a
plus...i find my TP2200 very difficult to hear when i'm on the street, or
anywhere that isn't my quiet room....but while in my quiet room, i don't
want to be deafened by the 8100!


"Joe Gill" <joegill@[email protected]> wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
>
> "John Salerno" <[email protected]> wrote in message
> news:[email protected]...
> > > Also, I go back to one of my premises on buying the 5300.... The 5300
> came
> > > out first and was 'pricey'.... They stripped it down 'a little'
> >
> > so would you say that even though the 8100 is newer, the 5300 actually
has
> > more features to it (not counting the camera)?
> >
> >
>
> I would leave that to your judgment after reading:
>
http://www.freecellphonesguy.com/fre...sanyo-5300.cfm
> (make sure to get the whole url above... it ends in .cfm !)
>
> It maps the features, basically side-by-side. Look at them, decide what
you
> value..
> Also ask questions here too!
>
> IMHO, of course,,, the 5300 has is far better.... I just replaced 3 3500's
> on my account with the 5300 and also add a 5300 to the account.
> I probably would have replaced the A460, but it was not at the end of
> contract yet.
>
> But it is 'bulkier' than the 8100...
>
> When I was looking, in the store, they also had me look at something like
a
> VGA1000 or something like that from LG.
>
> You may also want to look out on CNET.COM for opinions
>
> Also Epinions.com
> http://www.epinions.com/Sanyo_5300_Cellular_Phones
> (Note you will see 'negative comments' about earpiece volume. That is
FIXED,
> I believe as current SW levels. Note the date on negative comments!)
>
> Also, just don't get into 'analysis paralysis'....
>
> Also, a little realism/cynicism.... WHATVER you decide... 3, 6 mos
later...
> a better phone with slightly better features more to your liking / needs
> will come out.... Such is life in the technical world!!
>
> But remember my experience with the 3500's (3 of them, 2 at 1 HW level, 1
at
> another) I could never sustain a call at home. Phones tested fine. One
phone
> was even replaced. After 3+ years of service. I replace all 3 phone with
the
> 5300's and POOF .... no more dropped calls....
> My conclusion: 3500's had some sort of basic design flaw!! YMMV.
>
> Also, I really get a lot of use out of VISION services....
>
>
>
>
>
>
>

> (Note you will see 'negative comments' about earpiece volume. That is
FIXED,
> I believe as current SW levels. Note the date on negative comments!)

if i buy the 5300 now, would i have the updated software, or would i still
have to have them do it?

also, how is an update done in a sprint store different than an update that
occurs when you call sprint CS? i don't know if they do this anymore, but a
long time ago i would get a message saying my phone needed to be updated
(after calling *2 or *4, i forget which) and it would update whatever it was
it was updating....