Summary: probably the best new smartphone you'll get for less than $150.Today's little review is on a much-maligned smartphone, the Sierra Wireless Voq. I say much-maligned, because while "official" reviews have generally been positive, let's just say that the user comments in said reviews tend to be less forgiving. I've been using one for months now and thought it was time to post my experiences.
I'd have to say that I actually like this phone: it feels solid, it does what I want it to, it's a great intro to the whole smartphone concept, and it's cheaper than most other unlocked phones you'll come across with half as much functionality. What more could you want?
Other than WiFi, Bluetooth, etc. Still, it's a good office phone for this very reason. Without all that connectivity, camera, and other gewgaws, the battery life is better than some other smartphones too. I won't lie to you though: you will get looks using this phone. I convinced my boss to pick one up a while back-his experience has been that gawkers peg it as a phone from the 90's. Until you open the keyboard and start typing, that is.
The Voq was cancelled in 2005 due to lack of consumer interest. Back then it was a pricey little number ($600 U.S.), and if you do any searching on the Voq most reviews you'll come across will say something along the lines of "Nice, but not for that price." So any Voqs you find today are leftover stock. The good news is that they're very inexpensive for a smartphone-Tiger Direct frequently runs rebate specials that put it under $100 U.S. and Amazon is currently selling it for $119 U.S. Consider that new unlocked RAZRs are still in the $199 category, and you're in the right frame of mind to look at this phone.
The highlights:
- It is a little on the chunky side for a phone, but it doesn't bother me to wear it on my belt because it isn't very wide. In fact I notice the RAZR more than the Voq in the same situation.
- Accessories can be hard to find, but eBay searches are usually productive.
- As far as connectivity goes, forget Bluetooth and WiFi, it's not going to happen. It has a SD/MMC slot but it won't support SDIO cards so I hope you're ok with IrDA (infrared port) and USB tethering.
- The fold-out keyboard is a little cramped compared to other smartphones, but other smartphones tend to be wider as a consequence. Once you're familiar with it though the Voq's keyboard is very easy to handle.
- Sound quality is excellent and cellphone reception is terrific, much better than my RAZR.
- Battery life is fairly decent for a smartphone. I tend to need to recharge about once a week or so with fairly minor call times but with push email activated.
- Internet (GPRS only) connectivity is quite good, something of a headache to set up with your provider but not much worse than setting up any other unlocked cell phone.
- Push email works great and works with a lot of different email clients and applications. I can't believe it works with Groupwise-nothing ever works with Groupwise!
Closeup of the fold-out keyboard:
Size comparison with a standard RAZR phone:
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