Palm Treo 650 (GSM)
Average Ratings
Great Product
I've had this phone for a few months, and thought I needed to add some positive feedback for this product. Cingular is my carrier, and I utilize most of the included features in this phone.
Pros:
So easy to use with the bright large display and touch screen PDA application style. There are so many aftermarket and add on products for the phone. Use mytreo.net for all kinds of aftermarket software and products. I've even installed TomTom Navigation 5 software and it works great.
Wonderful Upgrade
I recently upgraded to the Treo 650(GSM) from a weak flip phone. I must say I am very pleased with the overall capabilities of this smartphone. I am currently using it on the T-Mobile network (unlocked Cingular model) and I must say the service quality is a definite plus. I have been upset lately with my service quality with some of the more basic flip phones and decided to splurge. The only major issue I had with it is that there are some pre-set capabilities in the menus, designed to make life easier if you are using Cingular, but I am unable to use these features as a T-Mobile customer and I am unable to customize the short-cut buttons for things I would find more useful. All-in-all a great phone by Palm, powerful and versatile as you can find and download many applications to suit your needs.
Pros:
- Versatile
- Bluetooth
- Reception/service quality
- Organizes messages in an instant message chat format
- Compact design with lots of power.
Cons:
- Limit on customization --> Cingular :(
- Reported weak screen that can easily crack (pssst... it's a Palm w/ phone, not a phone with organizer capabilities)
Treo awesome device for the Tech-friendly
As a sales rep for Cingular and a treo user for over 8 months now i can say this device has more potential than any other but caution from the wise do not buy this device unless you are tech friendly. Keeping the software up to date and the ram from being used up will keep the device from rebooting itself on it's own. Built on a palm OS platform means there's tons of programs available most of which a crack can be found for making them free. the reception is fair but improved once the CNG 1.15 upgraded software. speakers are fair but with a 10 dollar stereo headset courtesy of ebay the music is awesome. tcmp video player along with the palm dvd ripper makes this device the ultimate multimedia device. with the ability to rip straight from dvd to the treo. not bad throw on the tom tom navigation kit for a mere 250 and you've got it all for under 600 bucks. gps, bluetooth, palm OS, media player, email, activesync (thru goodlink is just plain sick), or the easy to use versamail, dataviz, the list goes on. if you want one device that can do it all the treo is for you. be ready to tinker with it to get it right
Treo Has Bugs
I HAD A TREO 650 AT FIRST THE PHONE SEEM TO WORK GREAT BUT ONCE I'VE GET A PHONE CALL IT RESTARTS ON IT SELF..REALLY PAIN AND AT TIMES I WOULD HAVE THE PHONE JUST SITTING THERE IT WOULD RESTART ALSO.SPEAKERPHONE SUCKS VGA CAMERA IS NOT TO BAD BUT BLUETOOTH SUCKS.
DO NOT MAKE THIS HORRIBLE MISTAKE
this phone is the ABSOLUTE WORST!!! i had 80% dropped calls. the phone power cycled constantly and every time i used my bluetooth it would powercycle. it would also freeze up everyday and one day it froze for half of the day. i work for CINGULAR WIRELESS and we get a numerous amount of people calling in complaining about this garbage...don't waste your time and money!!! take it from the cell phone specialist...dont buy this equipment!!!!!
TREO 650 GSM Phone
Design - The deisign of the phone is awesome, not to large, and the keypad is small but still very easy to use. With the screen being 320px it's large enough to see anything just fine.
Features (Text Messaging, Multimedia Messaging, Ringtones, Games, etc.) - This phone is packed with features. Anything I basically want to download I can put on this phone. Anything that a computer has, my phone can get. I use Text Messages, and Email the most.
Battery Life - The battery life isn't so bad, due all the features on the phone. You would think that the battery wouldn't last a day. Although i do charge it every night, it will last 2 - 3 days without needing charged. Even if i watch a movie with the SD card.
Call Quality - This could be improved, but I am sure it is with the update that i have not done yet. I get great reception at times, but then it just drops.
Overall Opinion - The phone is great. I can't wait for the windows version to come out. Right now it's only available for Verizon, but hopefully Cingular will pick it up.
really bad phone
I bought this phone for business, since it had a calender for appointments, on hold capability. This is the worse thing I have ever owned. After 3 months it drops calls, freezes, turns itself off and on for no reason. Circular will only let me turn the phone into warranty and they will send me a refurbished phone even though I bought and paid for a brand new phone. The lag time with the blue tooth is at minimum 5-7 seconds before it answers, so callers hang up. When you put a caller on hold to answer another line it drops the first caller. This phone simply sucks. Do not buy one, you can not use the keypad, and if you are using it like a regular phone without the blue tooth you will push buttons and disconnect your call, it dials even though the lock is on. Again do not buy this phone, the software is not that good either.
Great multitaking device, just a bit buggy..
Before this review even begins, let me start with the most important things:
1) The review is on unlocked Treo 650 recently (11/25) purchased directly from Treo with their most updated firmware and software
2) This is a PDA with a phone attached to it. It is NOT primarily a cell phone. If what you're looking for is a cell phone with e-mail/internet/bluetooth/mp3 capabilities, you will likely be better off looking elsewhere.
So the review goes a little like this:
PROS:
1) Awesome feature set. The device, out of box, is not buggy. The problem is the software that accompanies the device. It did not do a good job of updating my new PDA with files from my old PDA. In fact, Hotsync crached on me multiple times the very first time I tried. I then just had to start fresh with a new user name and device ID and import information and programs. Once I got it up and running, the Treo is fantastic. The feature set, which includes DocumentsToGo, RealPlayer, Bluetooth, and a processor fast enough to run Madden 2006 for Handhelds is amazing.
2) Decent reception. I had an LG 1150 (not hard to beat) and the reception is much better, but still with AT&T sim card, so still having problems switching towers when driving.
3) Battery life
4) Screen
CONS:
1) Software. The problem is NOT with the device (I've figured out after hours and hours). The problem is with the desktop software that is included. The hotsync crashes with certain programs that try to update themselves with each hotsync. It takes a little work, but once you have it running it's great. But be forewarned, it's still got a lot of bugs in it!
2) Headphone jack -- not standard 3.5, but rather 2.5.. WHY!!??
3) Reset button is hidden under battery cover..
Honestly, if what you want is a PDA with a cell phone, and you know how to work software, this is definitely the device for you. It is beautifully built and runs like a dream (once you get it working).
OK... Here's the Skinny
I am one of the few who has never used a Palm product before using the Treo 650. It definitely took some getting used to. I have honestly tried just about every Cingular GSM out there. No manufacturer has ever made the "perfect" phone, but the Treo is the closest I have ever seen. I have disregarded all of the negative postings on this web site because I have found them to be false. However, it is possible that I got the one "bug-free" PDA out there. I've had my Treo for a couple of weeks now and wonder why I went so long without one.
PROS
*Excellent reception (best stock antenna ever)
*Speaker phone is loud
*Adequate selection of ring tones
*Best color display on the market (I sometimes use as a flashlight)
*Bluetooth, Personal organizer, camera, quad band, supports WORD doc., music (tons of apps)
*Looks professional, yet functional, and just plain "badass" looking
*Touchscreen is extremely useful (you can use stylus if wanted)
*GPS equipped
*Fully charged in 1 hour
*Syncs with OUTLOOK flawlessly
CONS
*VGA camera (but since it has so many pixels on the screen, can't really notice difference)
*Heavy -- definitely not a lightweight like a standard flip phone
*No insurance offered on this phone (BE CAREFUL!!!!)
*PALM software does require patience in learning if you've never used a PALM device
*Buttons are small and sensitive, but it's something your fingers will adapt to after use
*No protective cover for photo lens
*PALM or Cingular needs to offer a soft cleaning rag in the box for the screen.. easy to get fingerprints on when using touchscreen
*Games/software-- the PDA does not come with games, but you can buy game software through PALM, but it's $30 a game!!!!!! expensive
AS you can tell, my CONS are minimal.If you don't have a TREO 650... go get one now. It will change your life!!!
This is $450.00 Junk
I purchased this phone in April 2005. I have since had 6 replacement phones and am waiting on the next one. Always the same problems. I didn't start calling about problems until late August, but have had problems since the beginning. I have filed a complaint with the better business bureau against Palm and Cingular, neither have been willing to do more than send me another junk phone. I want a different brand, I am going back to Nokia. Before anyone asks, I do not go on line and have no third party apps. on this thing.
Pros: camera takes good picture's
Cons: 1. Phone screen freezes
2. Power cycles all the time
3. phone turns on and off by itself
4. speaker is hard to hear
5. blue tooth drops signal
6. takes forever for media to load
7. The phone signal strength is next to nothing
The list goes on and on. My best advice, DON'T BUY THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE!!!!!!
