Orange SPV M3100 vs. Orange SPV M700 vs. XDA Orbit - Best of the Bunch?

[professor_k]

Hello there,

I'm in a dilemma as to which one of these phones I should upgrade to next. I'm currently with orange, have been for a number of years and am due for an upgrade. I really want to get into smart phones and I am willing to change network if the deal is right.

I like the fact that M3100 has the sliding QWERTY keyboard which I could see could be of huge benefit in texting, email and MSN. I like the design as well.

However, the newly available M700 and XDA orbit have built in GPS which eliminates the need for a bluetooth GPS device to be carried around for sat nav, which I'd like to do as well.

All have WiFI I believe which is another requirement of mine.

I am concerned with the reports of the paint on the M700 flaking off, this is not good. It also seems quite bulky and not as attractive as the other two.

The XDA orbit would seem to be the best choice and would be perfect if only it had a slide out keyboard. However, that may not be a biggie so for those of you that use an XDA orbit for email and MSN, how easy/difficult have you found text entry to be?

I would also appreciate views from owners of the M3100 (HTC Hermes) or the M700 (HTC Trinity).

Many Thanks in advance,

Professor K

[bcopping]

I have the M3100 and never use the keboard. the onscreen keyboard is easier to use as there are more buttons on it and dont have to mess about using the shift (blue button) keys so often. If the same phone was available without the keyboard i would go for that one!

[DVD-Man]

Text entry on the orbit is easily done using onscreen keyboard and stylus.

Most Orbits IME are unlocked anyway so maybe no need to change provider.

Liam

[professor_k]

Hi there DVD-man and bcopping. One of my main concerns was the ease of text entry on units without a keyboard but from what you say, it appears that this is simple and intuitive.

My comment about perhaps changing network provider is that I may be able to get the XDA orbit free with a better tariff from O2 than I am on with Orange whilst still keeping my number, instead of paying £300-£400 (?) for an unlocked unit.

Orbit in the lead so far !!

Cheers guys

[professor_k]

I had a look in the Orange and O2 shops today at the M700 and the XDA Orbit. I must say I was impressed with both of them. I think the XDA orbit looked the better out of the two, slimmer and I liked the rotating jog dial mouse thingy.

Camera didn't seem too hot but that was a minor. The finish on the M700 seemed ok, can't see how the paint would flake away, it looked good in white and was quite light.

Still confused though, I want both!!

[woody67]

I have narrowed it down to the Orbit or M700 too. The P990 is off the list

The Orbit is definately the smarter one, and the issues with the M700 paint peeling seem to relate to the black (buisness) version, and it flakes off near the side/bottom at the edge of the front/back shell joint. Apparently its a recognised manufacturing fault, and should be replaceable under warranty if it occurs.

I'm with Orange currently, and it would be cheaper to get the M700 - even cheaper on a buisiness tarrif, but no stock.

The Orbit is free on O2 on a £40 or higher tarrif, and the cheapest other tarriff, is an 18 month cashback from e2save or 'one stop phone shop' - works out about £28 /m

I do prefer the Orbit though

[Autopilot]

I have had a Vario for almost a year. One of the reasons i went for that particular model is because it had a keyboard.

However, when i plan to upgrade to another HTC based device, a keyboard wont be on my list of prerequisites this time.

There are three reasons i am not bothered about a keyboard;

1) Size, it adds a huge about of bulk - almost doubling the thinness.

2) The sliding keyboard on my Vario does not slide completely closed any more. Bad design as i have heard of many people having this problem with both the Vario and Vario II. As it does slide al the way back any more, it wont 'click' in a fasten in place, making it open in my pocket. Its just another thing to go wrong.

3) Text entry is just as fast via the screen input methods when you get used to them. At first, the keyboard seems quicker because we are al used to QWERTY keyboards. But now, partly due to the small bunched up buttons, i find myself not using the keyboard more and more.

[professor_k]

It's good to hear your experience of using PDA phone with a built in keyboard. I almost convinced myself that this was one of those "must have's" in a PDA phone but the since I made the post I'm getting the imnpression that having the keyboard is more of a hindrance rather than an advantage!

I think I may opt for the M700 depending on what deal Orange will negiotiate with me. I do have a soft spot for the Orbit though !!

Thanks for your input autopilot

Professor K

[woody67]

Orange offered me an m700 for £149 today but I could not take advantage of this bargain as none were in stock.

So I asked for my PAC, and got transferred to retentions who magically reduced it to £24.99. I was about to say yes, but then asked how long, and yes, it was on an 18 month new contract - so I will lose some free texts and data. The girl said they "can't really offer" any 12 month contracts for upgrades anymore, and it has to be a new plan, not just an extension of my exisating one.

So I may be leaving them after 10 years, unless their business section can do any better tomorrow

Oh, and I've used a PDA and P900/910 for the past 4 years without a kepad, and they are not really necessary.

[professor_k]

I didn't get to ring them last night but from your experience it doesn't look too good! I had a feeling they might try and chuck the 18 month contract thing in. Plus their plans aren't really that competitive anymore. Tis a shame....

I too have been with them just over 10 years, looks like I could be leaving them too.

[mouseymousey]

I recently upgraded from a XDA Mini S (with the sliding keyboard) to an XDA Orbit.

I have to say that I miss the keyboard, but the smaller size of the Orbit is really nice and probably makes up for it. Text entry is ok but you have to bear in mind that using the on-screen keyboard and stylus is a 2 handed job.

There is an application called Full Screen Keyboard from SPB which gives a soft, full screen, QWERTY keyboard which is close to being excellent. Text entry is still a 2 handed job but you don't need to get the stylus out. I have a few issues with it but generally it's pretty good.

The Orbit has a better "out of the box" button setup, i.e. you get a Windows button and an OK button, which I had to map to other keys with the Mini S, and along with the wheel and trackball I find it's a much nicer phone to use without having to keep getting the stylus out.

Call quality is much better on the Orbit, but that could be because I had a dodgy Mini S.

I haven't used the GPS yet so can't comment on that but overall I'd say that the Orbit is the better phone, and if only it could have 3G and a slideout keyboard without increasing the size it would be perfect!

[professor_k]

Not having a slideout keyboard was really my niggling concern but I suppose it's like if you never had it in the first place, you can't really miss it !!

My initial thought too was that the ultimate device at the moment would be an Orbit type device but with 3G, slideout keyboard, faster processor with Windows Mobile 6.

[professor_k]

Spoke to Orange yesterday and they offered me a free M700, unlimited texts and 500 anytime x-network minutes for £30 a month on an 18 month contract. I didn't 'negotiate' with them at this stage, just wanted to see what their opening gambit would be. It doesn't seem too bad a deal but it is 18 months.

I'm going to try and get this down to £25 a month. Has anyone got the same sort (or better) type of tariff deal for the price?

[woody67]

They phoned me back for some 'feedback' as to why I wanted to leave. After explaining, I was offered a fee m700 on the raccoon tarrif of £25 per month - 18 months but could upgrade phone after 15.

He said they could not negotiate on tariff prices - any discounts are with the handset or some free services for a while, and are trying to get all old contracts to swap to the new ones

[professor_k]

I called them again last night to see if they could move on the deal. They basically didn't, said it was really the best they could do, but the pleasant customer services guy explained how they provide the offers that they do.

Apparently you accrue "loyalty points"when you are with Orange based on the time you are with them, your monthly spend etc etc. When it comes to upgrading and negotiating deals, they can use these points against certain elements to give you a deal.

For example, for the band you are in, you may be offered a phone for a particular cost. They will then use your accrued loyalty points to deduct the value of the element, for example, give you the phone free, give you extra minutes/texts and/or reduce your tariff cost or a combination.

Don't think I am gonna get a better deal on this especially as the phone is only available on Orange at the moment. Still out of stock, but was told they were expecting some in about a weeks time.

I hope !!