Review: Sanyo SCP-8400 entertainment phone: Part 2

Calling - Very good

Call quality was very good on the SCP-8400. Voices sounded clear and accurate. Sound was a little muddy on the receiving end, but background noise was suppressed, and there was no audible static. The contact list looks good and is easy to edit, but while-typing lookups are not supported, so be prepared to scroll if you have a long list. The phone has enough fields for contacts, with the ability to add numerous phone numbers, but naturally isn't as robust as an Outlook-style client. Three-way calling is not difficult, but requires a step or two into the menus to make the final connection. Reception was always good, Power Vision, Sprint's EV-DO, seemed to always be available. Finally, Sprint's Ready Link service should appeal to anyone looking for push-to-talk chatting.

What's positive:

Smooth video streaming; 20 channels of Sirius radio; GPS navigation with points-of-interest database; above-average call quality.

What's negative:

Tricky keypad; too easy to sign out of the for-purchase IM client.

Conclusion:

The Sanyo SCP-8400 makes for a fine addition to Sprint's Power Vision EV-DO line-up. Streaming video looks great full-screen on the phone, and Sirius radio sounds so good you'll wish there were more channels to hear. Unfortunately, Web browsing is clunky, which is unfortunate because the phone is obviously fast. Though Sanyo tries hard to make the camera worthwhile with innovative features such as a macro mode and loads of imaging settings, ultimately, mediocre image quality and a confusing interface hold it back. Happily, calls on the phone sound great, a nice reminder that Sanyo hasn't forgotten the ''phone'' in ''mobile phone.''

79%
Very good

Specifications

CDMA/EV-DO
Sprint Power Vision support, plus Sprint Music
Store and TV
Bluetooth
Dial-up networking
Integrated media player
microSD memory expansion (64MB memory card included)
1.3-megapixel camera
PictBridge support
Speakerphone
Measures 3.4 by 1.8 by 1; 3.6 ounces

10/4/2006 8:41:30 PM
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