Sony/Ericcson K750i - worth getting?

[pulsewidth947]

So my contract is up at the end of next month, and I'm researching what handset to get next. I'm really after one with Bluetooth to enable me to sync with my Powerbook, and I've come to the conclusion that I quite like the K750i.

I did a search here about the phone and it seems people had trouble using iSync with this phone. It seems that an update to iSync may have cured the problem, so can I ask what people think of this phone?

1. Does it sync with iSync well?
2. Can you SMS from Address Book with it?
3. How about backing up my phones Address Book onto Mac?
4. Can you transfer your jpg's using iSync?
5. Can you transfer your MP3 ringtone over Bluetooth?
6. Is the USB cable connection still crashing your Mac?
7. Is the phone loud enough? (when ringing/listening)
8. Is the vibrate strong enough that you actually feel it (and not the strange phantom vibrate that I feel all the time!)?
9. Is the camera OK quality? I know its 2mp, but that doesnt mean a lot if the lens is rubbish!

Basically I'm sick of my POS Samsung phone and I want something nicer, and the general consensus is that this phone is the best around at the moment.

Thanks for your time

 

[Abstract]

Well firstly, I don't know a K750, but I have a friend who does, so I can only tell you some experiences.

Firstly, it looks much better than my K700i (the phone I lost last week ), and it feels a bit more solid as well. However, I don't think SE's are that solidly built. Nokia's feel as though they may take more of a drop. Also, the software feels a bit "slow" right now, although that will get better as the firmware is improved.

And you're right about camera phones......don't bother, even if it's 2 MP. Well, that is, don't bother until they put a proper lens into the camera. Plasticy ones don't cut it, and the photos would end up horrid even using a 5 MP camera phone.

It Address Book and iCal should all sync well, if it doesn't already. It did with my K700i, and since the phones are so similar, I expect this one to as well.
There is something that doesn't sync over BT, but I don't remember because it's a very minor thing. The point is that iCal appointments and To-Do lists, along with Address Book syncs well.

 

[y0zza]

Does it sync with iSync well?

Yes. Just make sure it's iSync 2.1+.

Can you SMS from Address Book with it?

Haven't tried it, but should work. I prefer BluePhoneElite.

How about backing up my phones Address Book onto Mac?

Yes, works fine with iSync.

Can you transfer your jpg's using iSync?

Not that I'm aware of. I just use Bluetooth.

Can you transfer your MP3 ringtone over Bluetooth?

Yes.

Is the USB cable connection still crashing your Mac?

Not sure. I use Bluetooth.

Is the phone loud enough? (when ringing/listening)

Depends on the ringtone. The default Sony Ericsson one is very loud. The phone volume is generally fine, but could always be a little louder.

phantom vibrate that I feel all the time!)?

Depends how tight your pockets are. Seems ok to me.

Is the camera OK quality? I know its 2mp, but that doesnt mean a lot if the lens is rubbish!

The camera is generally acceptable and good enough for casual snaps. Currently the best quality phone camera on the market. It actually has auto-focus and the optics are reasonable provided you don't get a lemon.

Check out the sample pics at MobileBurn.com

 

[pdpfilms]

One thing to be aware of... a bit of a sob story, actually.

I ordered a K700i to use with Cingular. Cool, fine, got the phone, got the SIM card, and tried using it..

No service. After hours on the phone with cingular and SE, they came to the conclusion that i had to update my software in the phone. Righto, I said, and went online to do it.

Denied.

You need a PC as well as a proprietary cable (which i convienetly have not yet been able to locate on any of Sony's websites, or anywhere online for that matter. Aparently Bluetooth cannot be used to update the software.

So i have an unusable K700i here, and it makes me mad. Hopefully you wouldn't run into the same issue with the K750, because according to my (not so intelligent) customer service rep, there is no way whatsoever to request development of apple software.

BS, i tell ya.

 

[SpaceMagic]

Right, well I got this phone last Monday and I'd thought I'd help. Using Mac OS 10.4.2:

1.Does it sync with iSync well?
Very well. Got the phone, went to iSync and set up new device. Couldn't be easier. I have been adding calendar appointments (e.g. in work) and when I get home iSync merges my iCal and my phone, warning me if I have any overlaps. All os x's Address Book get copied to phone as well. There is no intervention needed. It's great.

2. Can you SMS from Address Book with it?
I didn't know you could do this at all! So I just looked and it said it would use the K750i but then nothing happened.


3. How about backing up my phones Address Book onto Mac?
Yes. Goto Contacts -> Options -> Advanced -> Send all contacts -> Via Bluetooth. Saves it as one file which can be imported into OS X Address book.. why iSync doesn't do this, I don't know! But regardless, it works.

4. Can you transfer your jpg's using iSync?
Not through iSync. That's no fault of SE though, just Apple's iSync.

5. Can you transfer your MP3 ringtone over Bluetooth?
Yes. Go to the Bluetooth menu -> Send File -> choose your Mp3. The phone then asks where you want to save it.

6. Is the USB cable connection still crashing your Mac?
The USB cable which is in the box is a great addition, which other manufacturers usually make you pay for. The K750i will ONLY sync via bluetooth, however when you plug in the phone to the USB port, iPhoto shoots open thinking the phone is a camera. It then imports your taken videos and your photos straight into iPhoto as if it was any other digital camera. However, I have noticed that if I Unplug the phone and just leave the cable in my G5, it has kernal paniced once or twice, forcing me to restart! Not great, but just remember to take out the cable and all should be fine.

7. Is the phone loud enough? (when ringing/listening)
Yes. The volume can go quite loud.

8. Is the vibrate strong enough that you actually feel it (and not the strange phantom vibrate that I feel all the time!)?
Yes it's startled me a few times.

9. Is the camera OK quality? I know its 2mp, but that doesnt mean a lot if the lens is rubbish!
I'm amazed by the camera personally! I'll attach an unedited straight export from iPhoto for you to see and judge for yourself.

(PS. Please don't copy these photos elsewhere, as my sister may have my head.)


Photo 1 - Sister
Photo 2 - Me
Fish n Chips

 

[pulsewidth947]

Thanks for the replies. I think I'm gonna go for it. The thing is, I wanted a Nokia again, as I've had 2 nokia's and they have been solid - I've dropped them, kicked them, dropped one in some juice, and they've always carried on working. The menus work really well, and SMS is really straightforward with it. The best thing is the vibrate.. you KNOW when your phone is going off as your whole pocket vibrates!

One more question I need to ask (that I cant find out from the Flash demo) is something regarding SMS. Does it use T9 dictionary? I'm sure it does but I'd better check

Thanks for the sample pictures, they arent that bad actually are they?

 

[WinterMute]

I got a K750i last Friday after my venerable T610 gave up the ghost, so far it's been very nice, syncs to iCal and Address Book over BlueTooth, sends pics and videos over BT without a problem, is plenty loud enough (especially with my custom "Spirit of Radio" loop as a ringtone...!) and holds it's signal well.

I don't use my mobile for email or browsing, I have a PowerBook for that, and I very rarely text. The USB cable caused kernel panics in the PowerBook after I disconnected the camera, been using BlueTooth ever since.

The pics aren't bad either, here's one of the new studio...

(resized to hit 100Kb limit, auto settings.)

 

[Applespider]

There is a fix for the k750i kernal panic disconnect bug

It's here

I haven't tried it yet - I just read about it since I'm also considering whether to upgrade to it.