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New Phones on 3??
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bingledee
11-10-2005
Hi all, this may have been covered recently though i havent been able to find a thread, but does anyone know if there are any new phones coming up on the 3 network, looking for an upgrade soon but might be tempted to hang fire for a litle while if I knew there was something better coming up, nothing worse than being tied into a 12 month contract and see all these new phones come out 30 seconds later..
wavejockglw
11-10-2005
Doubt if it'll make the user experience any better but here is the list of models planned for lauch before Chritmas 2005.

Motorola V3X (3G Razr)
LG U880 (New Clamshell)
LG U8380 (More of the same LG)
Nokia N70 (Upgraded 6680)
Nokia 6280 (Slider)

Also a cheap Chineese 3G handset for revamped ThreePay.
tekmobile
11-10-2005
Im personally waiting for the Motorola RAZR V3x ive heard that its due out this month but not seen anything yet to prove it

Just wonder what it will cost me I recon around £150 since im only 6 Month into my current contract

The v975 was supposed to have cost me £50 for 6 month in but when they charged my CC for it I recieved a £50 credit to my bill and 3 month half price line rental so didnt have a bill to pay for 2 months and the 3rd month was only about £8 so essentiolly it was still free.

I like they way 3 let you upgrade handsets after 3 months I usually get a new one every 6
bingledee
12-10-2005
Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“Doubt if it'll make the user experience any better but here is the list of models planned for lauch before Chritmas 2005.

Motorola V3X (3G Razr)
LG U880 (New Clamshell)
LG U8380 (More of the same LG)
Nokia N70 (Upgraded 6680)
Nokia 6280 (Slider)

Also a cheap Chineese 3G handset for revamped ThreePay.”

Is this the same one thats out on T-Mobiles Web N Walk package as well, looks quite good.. I am starting to get bored a lot quicker with the phone ranges so am always looking for a new one (problem is I'm also stingy so dont like to pay unless I have too)
Mr Cable
12-10-2005
Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“Doubt if it'll make the user experience any better.....”

Zzzz.

Bearing in mind that three on the new Nokia 66xx series & Sony Ericsson is like a different network compared to that experienced by owners of the the crappy NECs, original LG handsets and other budget dogs - then I'm sure these new phones will provide the continued excellent service that anyone who has taken a contract out with three in the last 6 months will have experienced.

ANYWAY, back on topic, there is a 'Ministry of Sound' branded handset coming too, another black clamshell, but I don't believe any tech specs have been announced as of yet. The Chinese budget handset (VFK, or something like that) does look a bit generic and nothing special....
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
I'm afraid that several 6630/6680 users are reporting call dropping here in the West of Scotland, so the better handsets don't appear to have been a complete solution in all areas of the UK. I am quite pleased I did not listen to the initial euphoria about these and went with a different 3G network. Sure it's dearer than 3 (what is'nt) but it works perfectly and mobile communications are pretty worthless if you cant make and complete calls which I could'nt do with 3, and still can't.

3 are a compromise, the price is cheaper (like for like) than others but the service levels are poorer and customer support is accepted as the worst in the UK by those who have had experience of it. You pays your money and takes your choice.... pay the going rate and get reliable seamless communications or buy a cheap 3 deal and put up with the known issues. There are some who appear happy to do the latter and live with the drawbacks and as long as they are content with a service that is less functional then that is fine, but I have bought the tee-shirt etc and have now moved on.
Mr Cable
12-10-2005
I have 5 members of my family in Paisley on 3 with either The Motorola A1000 or the New Nokias and they never have any problems. Perhaps that isn't West enough for the problems you suggested.

Meanwhile, the umpteen people here on these forums who have trialled and accepted the New Nokias, Sony Ericssons & 1000 series Motos are recommending three to their friends and family and they are taking the 14 trial and finding out how good three are for themselves. They are also finding out that three is more than good enough for them. Perhaps we never stray out of the 85% coverage area often enough for switchover call drop (which is still occuring on existing 3G networks, even though it shouldn't) to bother us. With the exception of missing www access, I'm certainly not putting up with a lesser service and anyone who suggests otherwise has no first-hand experience of three on one of the above mentioned handsets.

The initial problems with 3 were 95% handset related. Now three have turned a corner in the UK by introducing good handsets and they continue to be the fastest growing network in the UK, even once churn is taken into account - churn which will plummet when time comes for the Very Happy Nokia Users to upgrade.

This thread is off topic enough. I'm off.

The new phones on three (which I have to admit, I'm a wee bit disappointed back the lack of choice) have been discussed.
tekmobile
12-10-2005
The problems that 3 have are normal the people that use other networks obviously never used then when they were new.

3 are ironining out there problems faster than all the other previous networks after all 3G is new technology but with vodafone etc having a 2G network in place for many years this provides a fallback to which there 3G calls can drop to

3 was build on 3G from thr ground up with no 2G coverage there 2G coverage comes from roaming in the O2 network which is why the calls can sometimes drop in weak signal areas.
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
"The initial problems with 3 were 95% handset related. Now three have turned a corner in the UK by introducing good handsets and they continue to be the fastest growing network in the UK, even once churn is taken into account - churn which will plummet when time comes for the Very Happy Nokia Users to upgrade. "

02 are the fastest growing UK network and have been for the whole of this year. 02 have managed to put on an additional 600,000 customers whilst 3 have managed only 200,000.

I suspect the problems folks have with 3 are in some measure down to the siting of masts etc which in the early days were simply placed on existing 02 shared sites. Do not doubt for a moment that calls drop pretty regularly on ALL 3 handsets in Glasgow and in Paisley for that matter. It is down to your tolerance level as to whether you consider the service acceptable, as stated above having now sampled other network's implimentation of 3G I dont consider it is a good choice for my needs.
tekmobile
12-10-2005
Im not sayong that I dont get dropped calls because I do
My phone works perfect outside, at work etc (actually at work its the best network to be on as its the only one that DOESNT cut out and can make/recieve calls around the full factory and in a few places is the only network that can get a signal) but at home its works fine apart from one room where it can cut out pretty regular.

Personally I would rather pay 3 £40ish a month and get a few dropped calls than pay Vodafone £150-£200 a month
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
"Personally I would rather pay 3 £40ish a month and get a few dropped calls than pay Vodafone £150-£200 a month"

I suspect you have not looked at the current offers around. There used to be big differences in terms of pricing but now when you consider all the benefits the gap has never been narrower.

When I looked around I found that with my calling pattern i can get Vodafone quality of service cheaper than with 3! You have to look at things like 'Stop the Clock', 'Passport' and other incentives built into recent contract deals. Headline prices dont always paint an accurate picture. My last 3 contract was Talk & Text 600 and at £30/month it is OK but I can make the same (in fact more calls) across all the networks using Vodafone's on-line 200 deal. It gives me 200 anytime minutes which explodes into thousands of off-peak minutes with STC and 250 SMS's compared with 3's 500 X/Net mins and 100 texts. 02 now offer exactly the same deal (500 X/Net mins and 100 texts for £30/month).

Other networks also offer 1/2 price line rental deals too now, but 3 will be cheaper but as stated there are drawbacks (no seamless switching and poor customer service), you have to judge for yourself if you want to pay for the peace of mind established networks provide.

You can get both quality and value if you shop around.
lalaland
12-10-2005
I am at the end of my second year of contract with Three next month, so am in a similar situation to you.

The V3x (here) certainly looks nice, but I wasn't a fan of the 2G V3 to be honest and everyone that I know who's had one very quickly gets bored of them once they get over the novelty of it's design. The only person I know who's happy with theirs and keeping it is my Dad, everyone else is trying to Ebay or swap them.

Based on that I wouldn't bother with the 3G one as it's not showing many new features or anything that would be of interest to me compared to the 2G one.

The upgraded Nokia soon to be released looks good, may be worth waiting for. I guess it would be annoying to take out an upgrade with the current Nokia now and then next month see a new version released.

But do keep one thing in mind. If these new Three phones do appear, even if you are at the end of a 12 month contract they will still not give you them for free. New handsets on their network are always charged for with upgrades, so you may have to upgrade your price plan or pay some amount for the new handset.

I am seriously considering moving networks at the moment though. Not because I am not happy with Three, I think they are great, but because they don't have any handsets that I want.

This may sound daft to some of you, but I look at the handset as a large chunk of the experience with a mobile phone network, especialy in this day where the phone does more than just make calls.

I want a Sony Ericsson W800i (as does the rest of the world it appears, there's a huge waiting list for them now ) and Three are never going to offer this, so I am seriously considering leaving the network to find another that will offer a similar tarrif and that phone.
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
3 normally do just about anything to hold onto customers - they need to!!!

Lately I know of folks who have remained with them and got Nokia 6680 upgrades from LG's and with 3 months 1/2 price line rental as well!!!

O2 should be able to provide a SonyEricsson W800i on their '3 busting' 500 X/net + 100 SMS contract. Its now available from 02 stores apparently.

Happy hunting - nice choice of handset BTW.
lalaland
12-10-2005
Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“3 normally do just about anything to hold onto customers - they need to!!!

Lately I know of folks who have remained with them and got Nokia 6680 upgrades from LG's and with 3 months 1/2 price line rental as well!!!”

They've been doing the cheap line rental for a while. I was told it's because they are trying to make people upgrade with themselves instead of all these online stores that are offering loads of cashback deals etc.

Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“O2 should be able to provide a SonyEricsson W800i on their '3 busting' 500 X/net + 100 SMS contract. Its now available from 02 stores apparently.

Happy hunting - nice choice of handset BTW.”

O2 have offered me 400 any network anytime minutes and 150 texts for £30.

With Three I get 500 minutes and no texts for £25.

I would be happy with O2s tarrif and it's the phone I want.

They cannot do me the deal through a shop though, it's online tarrif only meaning I only get online support and can only order it online.

There's also a minimum of 14 working days waiting for a W800i on the O2 network!

I called Orange to see if they'd match it under their policy, but they said they cannot, so it looks like O2 may win my custom, we shall see.
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
Pretty sure the 500 X/Net & 100 SMS deal is available in 02 shops for £30/month. Might be worth either dropping in or calling them to see if they can better the on-line deal you have been offered. When shops have targets to achieve almost anything can be offered, never say never!!

Anyway good luck with it whatever network you get it from, looks like something that will sustain interest for a while.
Mr Cable
12-10-2005
Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“Do not doubt for a moment that calls drop pretty regularly on ALL 3 handsets... in Paisley”

Wrong. My family who LIVE IN PAISLEY, one with an A1000, one with a 6630 and three with a 6680 don't have any complaints.

One had an NEC over a year ago and wasn't for trying three again, but after seeing the Nokias stability and because they took the trial for themselves changed her mind.

That's the great thing about the 2 week period, is that many many people are using it to discover the quality network that three is when used with a good handset and finding out just how wrong outdated opinion of them can be.

They still need more handsets, mind....
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
I think we are going to have to agree to disagree re Paisley. I live pretty close to there myself and have had nothing but problems with 3, as have a number of friends and collleagues who also live there and have bought (and some have returned) Nokia 66XX series handsets.

I suspect having read the almost fanatical attempts at supporting 3 in the last few months here that it is unsurprising that your entire family have all the latest 3 handsets and they all perform perfectly, one could never have imagined anything else!

Truth is there is nothing to be gained by inventing stories about the poor performance of 3. If it worked well and compared favourably to the rest of the networks everyone would be singing their praises and laughing all the way to the bank.... but they are not. There are a few vocal 'contents' that strive to counter every negative experience that 3 users post about here and elsewhere, which is admirable but one look at the consumer forums clearly exposes the current alarming levels of dissatisfaction amongst 3 customers. The reason folks buy 3 is generally price but they dont realise that often they end up with a fabulous spec handset on a network that just is'nt like as useable as the 2G one they left. Its a bit like a Ferrari that you are only allowed to drive on bumpy dirt tracks!

Checkout the latest comments about 3 from genuine (non-phone/tekkie) customers at http://www.reviewcentre.com/reviews12640.html
lalaland
12-10-2005
You are right!

I called the shop instead of customer services and it would appear the tarrif DOES exist!

The only problem is that it's selected handsets only and yes, you've guessed it, the W800i isn't included.

You can have any 3G handset on it, but not the W800i.
wavejockglw
12-10-2005
lala... you need to get down there and negotiate a deal.

I'm pretty sure they will do something if you are prepared to pay some cash to get the handset you want. Offer them £50 and see if they will budge!
Mr Cable
12-10-2005
Originally Posted by wavejockglw:
“
Checkout the latest comments about 3....”

Or take the 14 day trial and find out for yourself.

Don't take my word for it, or that of anyone else, let yourself be the judge.
lalaland
12-10-2005
I went to the O2 shop tonight in Meadowhall.

Got a decent tarrif with them as follows:

1,000 any network any time minutes!
200 text messages

For the first 6 months followed by

500 any network any time minutes
100 text messages

for the last 6 months

£35 per month!

It's a 12 month contract and I got a Sony Ericsson K750i free.

I had a look at the W800i and the K750i next to each other. Played about with them both and decided the K750i is the one for me. I already have an Ipod so I didn't need another dedicated MP3 player (although this still plays MP3s) and I prefer the look of the K750i. The only thing I prefer on the W800i is the lens slide compared to the one on the K750i.

The are pretty much the same phone too.

Ms Lalaland's due to leave Three soon now she's seen my new phone and wants one herself! Woops, sorry Three.

I was really happy with Three, but like I said the handset is part of the experience.

I don't have a bad word about the Three network, just the customer service team. The interesting bit should be now trying to explain PAC code to them, wish me luck
Garyo2
12-10-2005
Seen a few people with the o2 500 (limited edition) tariff. Seems a bargain as for the first 6 months you get a double bundle 1k mins for £35. Think its time i bought a new phone.
wavejockglw
13-10-2005
I forgot about the double talk and text deal for the first 6 months on 02. Not sure how long that promotion will last nor did I know it applied to the '3 busting' 500 X/Net mins + 100 SMS deal. All things considered one can appreciate why 02 are Britain's fastest growing mobile network in 2005. Nice to see they have not spoiled the deals with extended contracts either.

With great value 12 month deals and a rapidly expanding 3G network and i-mode I might be tempted to look their way also when it comes time to upgrade.
lalaland
13-10-2005
It's a limited edition tarrif, to mark the launch of the 3G and I Mode service.

The person in the shop yesterday said it will remain for a bit longer on the 3G and I Mode phones, but is a temporary managers special with 2G phones such as the K750i, so if anyone's thinking of getting this then get a move on.

I got the 12 month option, but you can also get it in 18 month form too and get 750 minutes per month instead of 500 for £35.

I called Three this morning and got my PAC code to take my number with me and this is where anyone staying with Three should take notice (and brings us back on topic ).

When the woman asked why I was leaving I explained that O2 had offered me a free handset, 1,000 any network minutes and 200 texts for £35 per month. She then said they have a new tarrif for renewals where they also offer 1,000 minutes to any network for £4 per month!!!! and a free phone of my choice off the Three network.
(the £4 per month is for the first 6 months and then it's £25 from then on for the other 6 months. This offer appears to be for renewals that are about to leave only, not for new customers from what I can make out).

Wow, I was impressed. The only thing stopping me doing it was that I don't like any of the phones currently on offer except the A1000 and I've already got one of those (now spare), so it's time to leave sadly.

But if you are renewing with Three tell them you've seen the O2 offer and get them to offer you the above. If they don't mention it say " a mate of mine got offered it " and I am sure you will soon be offered the same.
wavejockglw
13-10-2005
"When the woman asked why I was leaving I explained that O2 had offered me a free handset, 1,000 any network minutes and 200 texts for £35 per month. She then said they have a new tarrif for renewals where they also offer 1,000 minutes to any network for £4 per month!!!! and a free phone of my choice off the Three network."

Does the word 'desparate' come to mind when you hear of this type of stuff. They are simply covering the cost of the handset £174, to retain a customer. Great if the service works well enough for you but its does'nt for me sadly.
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