O2 xdaIII v. T-Mob MDAIII

[nforsans]

Hi all

I've been using a pda for the past four years, currently use HP IPAQ 5550 with bluetooth and wifi etc. Separately I've got a Orange 3G phone. I am tempted to go for the Blue Angel with the keyboard, sold in the UK on O2 and T-Mobile, so that I've got a connected device, without having to apir the phone with the pda.

I understand the devices are the same, so is O2 any better than T-Mobile in terms of mobile data, gprs, etc? Or in terms of support? Restrictionjs re internet, off- walled garden browsing? Or in terms of upgrading to WM2005? I know that T-Mobile will eventually offer affordable data bunddles under the web'n'walk concept (in september), which may attract me to TMob.

Also, does any of the network prevent you from downloading additional softwares, such as avantgo, pocket informant, etc? I read that the sim lock -on orange pda devices?- prevented downloads of softwares by so-called non-approved third parties.

Is there anything I should know before choosing one or the other networks?
Thanks for your help.

[joey jojo]

there isnt much difference within the different providers of a blue angel. they are the same apart from there networks minor tweeks, software etc. the o2 rom isshit, i not sure about the orange or t-mobile one tho....

[Lewisham]

Just buy whoever is cheapest overall for you. Coverage across the UK is roughly the same (ie whoever you get it will work everywhere *but* your house :) ) and the phones are the same too. T-Mobile doesn't install a lot of crap, but I highly recommend upgrading the ROM anyway (although it takes a while to get your head around it, if you're as retarded as me). If it goes to hell you can put the old ROM back again.

I *have* read bad things about O2 on these boards; I got hit with the noise problem (have a search for it), but after my 7 days courier return (still in my 28 days store return). I phoned them up, told them what was wrong and that the nearest T-Mobile store was 50 miles away, and they dispatched a courier anyway. O2 told the guy who had the same problem as me that he dropped it and charged him 150+ quid to get it fixed. That's a load of rubbish, and I bet they know it too.

All mobile phone operators are greedy, but only some of them are charlatans as well.

T-Mobile will also give you the MDA III for 80 quid if you sign up for 18 months at 30 quid a month (you can drop the price plan down afterwards if you like). Last I saw, O2 and Orange wanted 250 per handset.

Personally, I prefer Orange because at least you can talk to a real human being easily. T-Mobile make it difficult, but I'd rather save £170 :)

HTH
Chris

[ipoh]

Going to get the O2 XDA 2i tomorrow morning at O2 shop....hopefully can get it at £60 with £35 12 months contract. The cheapest I saw on internet is £69.90 with £35 12 months contract.

Will anyone of you feeling regret after you bought the XDA 2i?

[Lewisham]

The XDA IIi appears to be a better specced machine all round; with less chance of a keyboard to get loose...

If I'd known of that deal (I bought my phone online, but the O2 store didn't work and the other dealers like Carphone Warehouse didn't stock it), I would have gone with that :oops:

Chris

[nforsans]

Lewisham and Joey

Thanks a lot.
:P

Is there an application lock on any of these devices? I guess all of them are sim-locked anyway... :(

Cheers

[Lewisham]

The SIM lock can be removed with an application on these forums, so that also answers no to app lock :)

Chris

[ccsnet]

T-Mobile will also give you the MDA III for 80 quid if you sign up for 18 months at 30 quid a month (you can drop the price plan down afterwards if you like). Last I saw, O2 and Orange wanted 250 per handset.

HTH
ChrisHi, been lurking for some time now and about to buy one of these units.... quick question though - how long did you have to wait before you where allowed to drop your contract down ?

Cheers

T

[marcelol]

So let's say...an enterprising individual happened to acquire both an

Orange SPV M2000

AND AN

O2 XDA IIs

both in identical condition ( New ), which one would you recommend this individual keep, and which one should he sell. An inquiring individual would like to know.

Marcelo

[Lewisham]

It's the same phone.

Whoever is cheapest.

If both cheapest; Orange has better customer service.

Chris

[ccsnet]

It's the same phone.

Whoever is cheapest.

If both cheapest; Orange has better customer service.

ChrisLewisham - did you see my question above.... I'm wondering if know of a get out clause that dont - ie take a 18mth high contract and your allowed to move down 6mths later ...

Cheers

Terran

[Lewisham]

No, you can't do that. Your contract is fixed length. All you can change is the price plan you pay.

At least, I don't think you can. I might well ask them tomorrow.

Chris

[marcelol]

It's the same phone.

Whoever is cheapest.

If both cheapest; Orange has better customer service.

Chris

I was speaking from the stand point that I ALREADY have both of them, new, and I can only keep both. They're NOT under contract. Which in people's opinion makes the better "keeper".

[marcelol]

It's the same phone.

Whoever is cheapest.

If both cheapest; Orange has better customer service.

Chris

I was speaking from the stand point that I ALREADY have both of them, new, and I can only keep both. They're NOT under contract. Which in people's opinion makes the better "keeper".

[ccsnet]

OK cheers.... I thought that was the case, just wondered cos of what you posted before....

T-Mobile will also give you the MDA III for 80 quid if you sign up for 18 months at 30 quid a month (you can drop the price plan down afterwards if you like).

Terran

[Lewisham]

OK cheers.... I thought that was the case, just wondered cos of what you posted before....

T-Mobile will also give you the MDA III for 80 quid if you sign up for 18 months at 30 quid a month (you can drop the price plan down afterwards if you like).

Terran

Yeah, you can drop to say a 15 quid a month price plan, but AFAIK, the length cannot be changed, because of the way they calculate the subsidy of the phone. But I will try tomorrow.

I was speaking from the stand point that I ALREADY have both of them, new, and I can only keep both. They're NOT under contract. Which in people's opinion makes the better "keeper".

Well they are the same phone aren't they? It's like saying I have a Sony Ericsson P900 from Orange, and a Sony Ericsson P900 from O2. Which do I keep? The one you haven't beat up the most? The one that looks prettiest after they put the operator badge on it?

You tell me :)

Chris

[marcelol]

Well they are the same phone aren't they? It's like saying I have a Sony Ericsson P900 from Orange, and a Sony Ericsson P900 from O2. Which do I keep? The one you haven't beat up the most? The one that looks prettiest after they put the operator badge on it?

You tell me :)

Chris

Not really, but I hear what you're saying. I wasn't thinking of "stylistics". Apparently their construction isn't all the same, the quality control in building them apparently hasn't been the same, and the software packages built-in, certainly aren't the same. I was talking about all those in the process of deciding. Not just because one is black and other is bronze-ish silver.

[Lewisham]

The build construction is the same; the hardware is identical, all that changes is the software preloaded.

But I would highly recommend installing 1.40, so the software is going to become whatever ROM you put on it, so it really does end up coming down to the hardware, and all that changes is the aesthetics.

Keep them both, and run them for a little bit. See if either develops the whistling screen.

Chris

[Nostrils]

Hi All, New member and new to PDA's....

I have just order my T-Mobile MDA III on an 18mth contract with 100 txt for £33/mth - 1/2 price line rental for 6mths?? They said that if I do not change tariff or upgrade, the 1/2 price line would be for life! after 18mths is complete.

They are out of stock at the minute, so will be waiting with bated breath!