Sharp Hiptop 3 / Sidekick 3
Phone Scoop Review
Jun 19, 2006 by Eric Lin
In Depth review of the sleek new Sidekick 3 for T-Mobile, with Video Tour and side-by-side comparison with Sidekick II. read review ›
User Reviews
Average Ratings
great at what it does
i actually love mine its the best at what it is for which is texting and browsing the web. i have two phones the posting for the texting is great god its fun.
Sidekick 2.5 Upgrade???
Wow. I was amazed when I purchased this phone, the look, the size, and the comfort of keypad. Once i turned it on, I was hoping for a brighter screen, better screen resolution. To my suprise, resolution is the same as SK2. Why would you make a "follow up" (if you even call it that), with a lame low resolution (same as sk2). Come on sidekick makers...they are making phones now with 1million-10millions screen resolution, and you come up with a washed up screen?
I wouldn't spend 300 bucks on this phone (now dont be a hypocrite and judge me for my negative comment, cuz its my prerogative)! Everything else works great. Keypad a little stiff.
I had to take the phone back after 4 days of using it. I just couldn't take looking at the low screen resolution. Pulling up websites with a resolution of a cellphone that came out 4 years ago...really is a down. I'd rather save a few more bucks to get me a laptop.
5 Day Sidekick 3 Review
I am a previous Sidekick 2 owner so I'm aware of the sidekick 3's new features and I am providing my feedback on my first 5 days of owning the Sidekick 3.
The battery depends on how often you use the SK3 and for what. My battery dies very quickly because I'm always on it, mostly texting, my phone calls are minimal.
The flash on the camera makes pictures bright white. But if you don't use the flash, the pictures come out great! A nice upgrade from the SK2's vga camera.
The removeable memory is awesome! I can save so much on it!
The speakerphone sucks compared to the SK2's and the ringtones come in clear, but not as loud as the SK2's.
I started having trouble with the new trackball on the third day of use. It seems like it doesn't go in the direction I want it to. But sometimes it does....
The web browser is an exciting new uupgrade! It's powered by the Edge technology, which depending on where you're using the phone, is way faster than the SK2!
I have no problems with the keypad/texting, emails, or the web browser.
Overall, the Sidekick 3 is worth the retail price tag of $429.99 as the features are jam packed! And we all know the new design is way cool!
I wish that the key pad wasn't the dull colored orange backlight though! And the lighting on the screen is still pale as was on the SK2, but they didn't upgrade the color quality on the screen.
If you have any questions, feel free to send me a message on here!
- Anthony
More Evolutionary Than Revolutionary
I've been using this phone FOR DATA ONLY for almost two weeks. I will not be reviewing the phone functions, but rather the data and other functions.
My first bit of advice is completely unrelated to the phone itself: Before you buy a phone, make sure you do plenty of research and find out what the phone is capable of doing BEFORE you buy it. This will save you some disappointment and maybe some money. For instance, one reviewer was sorely disappointed that the phone didn't have video, FM Radio, Real/Media Player, MMS, or voice memo. The phone was never advertised to have those features. Know what to expect BEFORE you buy it.
Now to the device.
Looks: The device has a much more professional look than previous devices. It's decked out in a nice black/grey color scheme that would look at home in a board room or a dorm room.
Ease of Use: This is where the device really shines. The interface is very similar to the previous Sidekick, so return users will be good to go. There is a new trackball that replaces the scroll wheel. The default setting, I found, was a little too sensitive. Fortunately you can adjust it to suit your preferences. The keyboard is also new, and it is easy to type on with few errors. It is harder to see the secondary functions of the keys w/o the backlight on, but that is pretty negligible.
Network Connection: I am in the Columbus, Ohio area and there is excellent coverage where I've used it. I do notice that occasionally my SK3 will disconnect from the network, but it always regains the connection immediately.
Data: The browser is pretty quick; a noticable improvement. Email is quick to send and receive. It has AIM, Yahoo and MSN Messenger. All connect quickly and are responsive.
Camera: 1.3 MP camera is just okay. One perk for Mac users is that when you connect to your Mac it will open iPhoto and download your pics automatically.
All-in-all a good choice for anyone desiring to stay connected.
Hey
I hear alot of people knocking the phone. I liked it when I messed around with it. I have cingular so I can't really give a review. There is a phone that I think people would like. If you're looking for wi-fi, bluetooth etc. same but more capabilities than the skIII. I would suggest the HTC Wizard. Look it up on here. I purchased mine with cingular. They offer one for T-Mobile users also. Wi-fi works great, mp3 and runs windows applications also. The phone is not just for office workers it's great for students. I put my presentation for my class on it, & used the IR feature to present it on the projection screen. This is just to help. By the way I'm 18. I recommend this phone I just spoke about.
amazing
ok wow anyone who feels that this phone isnt what it should be need to just take it back. t mobile has a 30 trial period that you can test the phone out. and if you dont like it then take it back. try and find another phone that is as good as the sk3 and does as much as it. i mean seriously what kind of phone besides the sda and the mda does what this phone does. and the mda is 400$. ok so what that the camera is 2.0 mega pixs but there arnt many phones that are. and so what that it doesn't have a video camera. and so what that it doesnt hold that many songs. and if anyone thinks that the camera on this phone isnt 1000 times better than the sk2 is stupid. this one is way better. and yeah about the music. stop being stupid and go to best buy and spend 73.99 on a min sd 1g card and it will hold 200 songs. ok so please stop. this phone is great.
Sidekick 3 Better with Looks then tech
the truth is that the sidekick 2 is better then sidekick 3 because it does everything else better and the sidekick 3 just looks better and for all you t-mobile and cingular fans, T-Mobile is better with everything from cheaper plans and better service and cingular is so bad that there getting sued for there lies of having the best signal and! they plan on add more fees to your bill just for having an ATT phone and not willing to upgrade and yes t-mobile can suck at getting signal at times but how its works is the better the phone the better signal!
What I was looking for! I have no complaints!
Ppl seem to trash this phone on just about every board I go on. I see this phone as a lifesaver. I am with Verizon wireless and have received excessive text msgn bills for the last three months. I was always with T-mobile when a new sk came out and now I am back. I have found no flaws with the sk other than reception in my house but that is excepted. I love the mp3 player on it, I have no complaints about the camera cause...well its a phone not a digital camera. Reception isn't too bad either. I got this phone as a play tool and it serves it's purpose. I had I don't know how many pda's/smartphones and after high bills for data when I have access to the internet all day I found I don't need them. In my opinion as a former user of the Motorola Q(a piece of trash, I have three of them), the Treo 700w( good phone just too many flaws as far as freezing goes and lag), several other Treo's, the XV6700( bulky phone that froze more than Cleveland during Lake Effect fronts) I am more than happy with my sk3.
Mine got sent back....seems everyone elses did 2
The sidekick 3 is a great phone to look @ play around with and touch but for 350 or even 400 dollars i HAD 2 send mine back!
PROS
mp3 player
bluetooth
trackball
CONS
signal always dropping!
battery life
catalog
price
no video
speaker phone not loud
ringtones not loud
for $400 dollars this phone should have been WAY better than what it was!
Sidekick 3 Let down.....
Remember the song Pimping all over the world by ludacris... Well you'll be pimping and that all... Pimping pimping. We I should explain.. I know all lot of bout wireless industry... T-mobile has great reception but this phone damn near kill all my bars... There are improvement made such as the internet speeds is very fast but you hardly get connections. Place were I get 5 bars my phone get none. I compare it with two phones. The camera is a let down in quality... I could get a 5 meg with 3 bills. The bluetooth cannot be used for data transfer so what the heck is it good for... One thing I could say about the bluetooth was it the easiest to pair. No enter codes... Keypads has improved.... Voice quality is good.. Mp3 is just for fun as no value to the phone. Track wheel is good. Size is smaller. The mainly thing is reception it is very weak. It doesn't pick up reception... It is a lastest gimmick I would say... It is just a tweek up sk 2 to get you to throw all your money away... Try get the E61 nokia on ebay it lot better.....
Pros: Size
Bluetooth for handsfree talking..
Battery life is a little bit better and removeable
Expandable memory
Track wheel
Better keyboard
Edge (web)
Good t-mobile rate plan 20 bucks for text and data
Cons: Reception
Camera
Price (300 2 yr 350 1yr 400 no contract)
All the hipe and it didn't step up to the plate....
