Sanyo hit a home run with the 5300
Written: Apr 04 '03 (Updated Apr 22 '03)
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Pros: Excellent reception, vivid color screens, solid feel in your hand,and a quality low-res camera.
Cons: Dimly back-lit keypad, and it is a little large for a folding phone.
The Bottom Line: Pricey, but if you tend to stay with the same phone for a while and want a quality camera phone with great features then this is it.
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| acdc1174's Full Review: Sanyo SCP-5300 Cell Phone |
Ok, I admit it. I am a techno-geek. They say that admitting you have a problem is the first step toward recovery, but so far it hasn't helped me. So, for now I still clamor for newer, cooler sleeker gadgets and my newest purchase (aside from my DVD recorder...review to come) is my Sanyo 5300.
I was impressed from the moment I opened the box. The unit struck me as very aesthetically pleasing with it's large front screen and matte silver finish. More impressive was the fact that both a standard life (approx. 2 hours talk time) and an extended life (approx 3.5 hours talk time) battery were included. Once I transferred my number into the new phone and powered it up, the fun really began.
The screens are nothing short of gorgeous, offering the user a rich color experience. Holding true to form, Sanyo's menu interface is easy to navigate but not as intuitive as it could be. Previous Sanyo users will know what I mean. If you aren't a previous Sanyo user, don't worry, there isn't much of a learning curve. Sanyo's use of color graphics to enhance the menus make it enjoyable to click through and see what the phone has to offer.
The 5300 includes a calendar, Personal Information Manager, calculator, PC synchronization (with additional cable that is not included), and a world clock. It also offers "voice services" such as the ability to record voice memos for later use (18 seconds each), a call screening feature (to see if you REALLY want to talk to that person calling you), and voice activated dialing. The biggest and most unique feature however is the camera.
The 5300 is the first camera phone introduced in the USA by Sanyo. It includes a VGA quality camera for taking and sending e-mail quality (I stress E-MAIL QUALITY here. 640x480 is the best it will do. Perfect for sharing and viewing, not so good for large printing) photos via the Sprint PCS Vision service. The camera is very easy to use- just point and click. It allows you to adjust the picture quality (high, medium, and low), color, white balance, and even has the ability to take black and white or "antique" finish pictures. The built-in flash is perfect for low light conditions where your subject is within 3 feet of the camera and works quite well. It is a high output LED and isn't intended to light up a room like a full featured camera's flash would.
The phone also allows its user access to the web via Sprint PCS Vision. This web experience is good, or I should say as good as it can be on a phone. Basically, the internet developers need to now catch up with the phones. What content that is available out there looks good on this phone's color screens. The browser is quick and easy to use(by wireless phone standards) and the phone has plenty of storage memory for you to customize it with screen savers, ringers, games, and applications.
The most important feature though is the phone's performance as, well, a phone. Sanyo once again has produced a phone that gets excellent reception in less than ideal conditions. Sound quality is great, though there are reports of some units having very poor volume on the earpiece which is corrected via a software update. My phone shipped with that updated software so this has not been a concern for me. Like all cell phones, the 5300 does get warm after extended use, but not so warm as to make it uncomfortable. The batteries provide more than adequate talk time and do so without adding significant weight to the phone.
My biggest gripes about the phone are relatively minor. First, I find that the green LEDs used to illuminate the keypad are not bright enough. This is bothersome at night or if you NEED to make a call while driving and don't have the number set for voice dial. There are aftermarket LED conversions you can pay to have done, but they cost about $100 and void your warranty. My other complaint is one of size. Simply put, it is a little too big. When you consider all the features it includes though, this is not a big concern. Besides, it is still significantly smaller than my old Sanyo SCP-4500 (also a great phone) and it clips right to my belt.
In closing, let me say this: This is a wonderful phone, but it is not the ideal phone for everyone. It retails for $399.99 and (only) NEW customers get a $50 rebate. if you are looking for a camera to play with as a toy, you may want to hold off for the Sanyo 8100 being released this summer ( a lower-end and less expensive version without a flash). If you have a work-related need (and can write the phone off on your taxes) or don't mind expensive toys, then I think you will be very satisfied with the 5300.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 300.00
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Epinions.com ID:
acdc1174
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Location: FL,USA
Reviews written: 3
Trusted by: 0 members
About Me:
Consumer electronics aficionado and all around smart guy (just kidding)!
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