As useful as a Chocolate Teaspoon? (Ericsson T68i)

Member Name: soundman

Product:	Ericsson T68i
Date:	09/01/04 (351 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Tri-Band, Computer friendly, Small

Disadvantages: Poor Recption, Slow to operate

The Ericsson T 68i was the phone I had been waiting for, a colour screen, camera option, picture messaging, tri band plus good computer connectivity. Many reviews have been done but I felt an update after a year of ownership might be helpful to those considering it.

Background

Why did I choose Ericsson? Well, I travel abroad regularly and wanted a tri Band phone so that no matter where I went I could use my phone or be contacted (except Japan who seem to do their own thing). Additionally because I use a Psion PDA to collect e-mails on the move and this connects to a phone using the infra red port a phone with an infra red port was essential.

I have previously owned two Ericsson mobile phones the i888 and the T39m both tri band and both very good phones. The T39m probably one of Ericsson?s best.
The T68i offered all of the things I needed plus a few more frills and appeared to be the perfect choice as it was also a very compact unit. The only drawback for me was the open keyboard as I prefer flip phones which are harder to operate by accident. Additionally all the accessories I had bought for my T39m were compatible with the T68i so there was no need to replace them.

Experiences

Much as other users have reported I too was disappointed to find that I spent most of my time looking at a blank screen saver which told me nothing about the signal strength in the area. When I did take the trouble to bring up the display, all I found was a message that said, ?SOS calls only?. Ah! so that?s why I haven?t received any calls.

After consultation the phone was replaced by my service provider, unfortunately reception was no better and this time the Blue Tooth system which I was using to upload data from my old phone didn?t work. Another swap, another duffer. Next the phone was sent to the service agent who returned it with a message that the antennae had been improved. To be fair the phone is improved but reception is st


ill not as good as with other makes.

PROS

Tri-Band, compact, blue tooth connectivity and Infra Red. Super standby time around 5-7 days, with regular use at least 4 days brilliant.

CONS

The T68i looks good and has great battery life but to be of any use a phone must be able to make and receive calls. My phone didn?t make the grade on this level and others have had similar experiences according to reviews here. Until the company resolves the issue of poor reception this model is about as useful as a chocolate teaspoon. Despite being repaired tweaked or whatever I am still not entirely happy with the reception.

The key pad can be locked but anyone can pres C then YES to unlock it. Nokia have a much better key code lock that is more secure.

The screen saver stops you seeing important info at a glance and you have to press two buttons to clear it if you have activated the key lock. The phone software is slow to operate, it can take a second for the phone to react once you have pressed a button which is quite irritating.

The pictures produced by the camera attachment are quite poor.


Conclusion

Despite the phones reception being improved following a service I cannot really recommend it. However, perhaps I have been spoilt by the faultless performance of my previous phone the T39m also made by Ericsson. I would still give Ericsson a look when buying my next phone as Ericsson's computer connectivity is superior to other brands in my experience.

Summary: