First Look: Sprint IP-830w Worldphone

I am suprised that no one seems to mind the fact that this device will not only be restricted to only certain GSM networks, worldwide, but will also, and more importantly to me and my clients, will be restricted to ONLY GPRS data speeds. (28-54kbps) =O.

Oh Dave, btw, yes, my phone would work in Boliva (850/1900) as it did in the French Polynesia (900) - due to the Quad band capability of the KJAM.

So given what has been said here by multiple people, I would like to know if this statement still holds true....

"This is the first Windows Mobile device that runs on Sprint's CDMA network and allows the end user to run on ANY GSM/GPRS network worldwide as long as they have a pre-paid SIM."

Thanks Mickey. That being said...it most certainly is not a "world" phone - unless of course your "world" contains a 900/1800 network.

Dave and Jerry:

The point of this device is that it can be used in the US on the Sprint CDMA network and other areas of the world. You can put any SIM card in, but there are areas that it won't work, like Bolivia because they use 1900/850 like the US. The marketing may be a bit misleading, but it sounds like having a quadband radio inside would have been a problem because then you could modify it to work on US GSM carriers. They probabally don't even want to get into that if you know what I mean.

Bottom line: For the majority of people that travel from the US to other countries, this phone will work. Notice I dindn't say all people...

Jerry, can you use your phone in bolivia? The idea is a business professional who travels to say Italy every month doesnt have to purchase two phones.. Just one and to be honest that is a big plus.

Wait...what am I missing here? Sprint's marketing this is phone as a "World" phone. However, the specs of this phone do not support 850/1900 which most of North America (US and Canada) and many countries in South America support.

So, I buy this phone as a Sprint customer and I travel to Bolivia, I can't use this phone with a GSM card since Boliva uses 850/1900?

So, perhaps Sprint's marketing is misleading? Maybe this should be marketed as a "Euro" phone? And even more important, it should be noted in your review that phone does not work on ANY GSM network, which can be very misleading to people reading it.

Jerry it can be used in other GSM networks.. You just dont understand Sprint's marketing play here.

Forget about Cingular, I am talking network frequencies.

"GSM-850 and GSM-1900 are used in the United States, Canada, and many other countries in the Americas. "

What about (all) those countries? Certainly not a "world phone" and most certainly cannot be used on ANY GSM network.

I would say, to be more accurate, that this device is the "only" choice for those who have "Sprint" as their carrier and want to travel outside of the US without having to purchase a new phone. Big difference between "only" and "ideal", being that the device is "only" compatible with "Sprint" carrier.

That is one of the reasons why I would not recommend it. In addition, I think to myself and say:

"Why would anyone want to use a device with EVDO speeds only to be stuck with GPRS speeds when traveling abroad?"

Let's not forget the only reasonable powersource which this device has, is the one that turns it into the H2 of the mobile device world, and again, it does not come with a dedicated external 'Start' menu key. The keyboard is also not relatively ergonomic.

I would say that if your desire is to have worldwide productivity while mainly residing in US, then sit back for a bit and get one of the HSDPA phones from a GSM carrier in US, so that you can have the same high speed productivity that one would invariably get used to on a high speed network from US (EVDO, HSDPA or otherwise) while outside the US. I believe the devices that I just spoke of will come out much sooner than devices from CDMA carriers which also have HSDPA capability along with EVDO.

Sorry, for me this device just reeks of low ROI.

Jerry I would have assumed why in the world would someone think Sprint would allow a US Cingular customer to use their phone? To me it just was obvious.

My point is you said ANY GSM network, which is incorrect.

Second, I really feel this a very small market made even smaller by the fact it's for Sprint customers only.

Guys why would sprint want GSM coverage in the US? I think you are missing the point of this phone. This is an ideal unit for those who travel outside the USA and dont want to purchase two different phones..

The extended battery turns this thing into a self-defense weapon. Much like that "Hummer" of a mobile device the Switchback. I mean at least the Switchback has a use for field engineering, warehousing, and construction type environments that warrant a rugged device. With the extended battery on the Samsung devices you get all the bulk without any ruggedness protection.

Also, it does not appear that a dedicated external 'Start' menu button exists either. This has pretty much become common place for most WM5 PPC devices out there. Looks like they also did not do anything much about the non-ergonomic keyboard.

Thumbs down in my recommendation book for these Samsung devices.

I guess that would contradict Dave's statement about "any GSM network worldwide". I would say that's pretty important to note.

900 and 1800 GSM only. No 850/1900 for here in the states. Sorry Jerry!

So, my question is what would prevent me from walking into a Sprint store and purchasing one and using it just with my Cingular sim?

Personally, I think it's a nice looking phone with some decent enough features. However, by locking it to Sprint, I think the market for the phone is extrememly small. Sure, some world travelers might select this device. But then the question is how many Sprint customers have a need for this device - especially since it competes with the Treo 700wx for the "non-world" travelers.

Yep..I see what you are saying.

Jerry the buttons are above the calendar and task button.

Jerry this device supports a left and right button without opening the keyboard. The battery issue I can understand but the extended battery addresses the issue.

I am a little wary as to the battery life with an Intel 520mhz. This comment is warranted by the almost pathetic battery life of the 6900. Plus, I am little disappointed that Samsung did not update the phones' exterior for WM5 to include right/left buttons, and specific OK and Menu buttons.