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More…If checking e-mail or surfing the Web is sluggish on your aging cell phone, the Cingular 8525--the first PDA phone that's compatible with Cingular's fledgling high-speed HSDPA network--might be the answer to your prayers. For the most part, the 8525 delivers the broadband data speeds you'd expect. But poor battery life is an Achilles' heel for this otherwise capable handheld.
Cingular Cingular 8525 PDA Phone
- Spec Navigator
- Processor
- Display
- Operating System
- Camera
- Form Factor
- Battery
- Storage
- Dimensions
- Carrier
- Cellular Frequency Technology
- Features
- Connectivity
- Included Hardware
- Included Software
- Media
- Messaging
- Sync
- User Interface
- Video
Display
| Diagonal Display Size | 2.8 inches |
| Display Resolution | 240 x 320 inches |
| Display Type | Color |
| Number of Displays | One |
Cellular Frequency Technology
| Cellular Technology (Voice + Data) |
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- Lab Tested
- How We Test Phones »
Pros
Delivers broadband data speeds
2-megapixel camera works well
Cons
Poor talk-time battery life
Bulky design
Bottom Line
The very fast data access offered by this PDA phone is undermined by poor battery life and a bulky design.
Cingular 8525
Cingular 8525 PDA Phone Review, by Yardena Arar January 17, 2007
The Windows Mobile-based 8525 is not for people who like their handhelds sleek and skinny. The chunky, 6.2-ounce, 4.4-by-2.3-by-0.9-inch business-oriented device costs $450 (with a two-year contract) and sports an oversize (2.8-inch) 240-by-320 display that slides sideways to reveal a QWERTY keyboard along its vertical length.
You must rotate the phone 90 degrees to use its keyboard for data entry or to dial a number. To initiate calls when the keyboard is slid shut, you must use either a software keyboard or the navigation wheel at the bottom of the display to access a contact. The physical rotation can feel awkward, but at least the Windows Mobile 5 software is smart enough to display the screen contents vertically when the device is closed and horizontally when the keyboard is available. Keys on the 8525 seem to have been cut from a single sheet of metal; they aren't domed or separated. But the keyboard is wide for a handheld, and I found it usable for thumb typing e-mail and instant messages.
Browsing on the 8525 was more impressive: Though I encountered latency problems on some sites--I'd type in a URL and nothing would happened right away--HSDPA's superior download speed was evident once a page began loading. The high-speed successor to GSM/GPRS/EDGE service, HSDPA is the competitor to Sprint and Verizon's EvDO service. Cingular rates it at 400 to 700 kilobits per second, and charges the same $40 for unlimited access as it does for EDGE service. The overall experience was noticeably better than the snail's-pace surfing I endured with my EDGE-based Treo 650. Things speed up even more when you're within range of a Wi-Fi hot spot, since the 8525 also supports 802.11b/g wireless.
The quad-band 8525 (ready for use worldwide) proved surprisingly capable as a phone. Voice quality was crisp and loud in my test calls; callers reported that I sounded good, too. The built-in 2-megapixel camera produced better images than most phone cameras, especially indoors (thanks to a built-in flash). Cingular outfits the device with a full complement of Windows Mobile productivity apps.
Alas, the battery life in our lab tests was exceptionally poor: It lasted just 4 hours, 21 minutes, which ranks among the worst spans we've recorded. Overall, I'd recommend the 8525 to business users who don't mind carrying a few extra ounces (and an extra battery) in return for top speed and great voice and image quality.
Yardena Arar
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PCWorld Lab Results
- Rating Breakdown
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52
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84
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89
- See Complete Lab Results »
Performance Comparison with Similar Phones
52
74
100
50
Performance
| Battery Life Average (hh:mm) | 4:21 |
| Battery Life Word Score | Poor |
User Reviews
Average User Reviews for Cingular Cingular 8525 PDA Phone
5 Reviews Add your own »
- Latest User Reviews 5 reviews
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Reviewed by: Rochester
Duration of ownership: 9 Months
Strengths: Easy to navigate, very intuitive. Keyboard has nice size keys (for small fingers anyway), much better than the Blackberry 8300, plus the touch screen is a great feature.
Weaknesses: Yeah, the talk time battery isn't great, but that doesn't matter if you have an extra battery and mobile charger.
Overall: Being my first personal cell phone I found the learning curve to be very short. This phone is easy to navigate and the features are extremely user friendly. Setup was a breeze, and the options are easy to utilize. I would recommend this phone to anyone that needs to be connected.
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Reviewed by: mpope
Duration of ownership: 10 Months
Strengths: Keyboard, Internet access, big screen
Overall: I picked out this phone because I use it to transmit news stories back to my office. I have filed stories from many cities around the country since I got it without a hitch. The keys on other PDA phones are way too small as are the screens. I have fast internet access, too. My battery life is so much better than most of you describe. Do you put it on the charger every night? If you are only gettting 4-5 hours, take your battery in the ATT store.
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Reviewed by: mirelly
Duration of ownership: 3 Months
Strengths: Windows Mobile, 3G, WiFi. Internet is very fast for a phone.
Weaknesses: Bulky, heavy and expensive
Overall: The phone is expensive and so are the data plans ($40/month is the one I have). It's bulky and heavy. I have to be extra-careful not to drop it because they didn't offer me an insurance plan. It freezes. It will appear to be on at times but the phone is actually off, you can't send/receive calls. You have to reset it/take out the battery and all. That's not what I expected after paying $650 including taxes.
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Reviewed by: jharol
Duration of ownership: 10 Days
Strengths: I love my 8525 -- my keys are separate and domed -- i keep finding new things it does and it's fast AND the touch screen is important to me -- I do a great deal with the tip of my finger -
Weaknesses: it's no slim jim - but then i'm moving up form a treo 650 - I'm having to adjust to sliding out the keyboard
Overall: don't use the stylus a whole lot it's my finger nail on the touch screen or the keyboard which is a joy to use now that I'm building speed with it!!
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Reviewed by: missallison
Duration of ownership: 2 Weeks
Strengths: QWERTY keybord, WI-FI, MS document viewing and editing, 3G
Weaknesses: Bulky, froze up, touch screen, WM5, expensive data plans!
Overall: I only had this phone for a little over 2 weeks and then returned it for a Samsung Sync. I wanted a QWERTY keyboard phone, and a phone that could practically do it all. The 8525 was a bit too much for me, I'm a college student and really dont have a need yet for all this. The phone is definitely geared to business professionals. Its kind of complex I dont think someone that isn't to tech savvy would be able to figure it out without reading through the manual once or twice. The phone was a very nice though, the 3G was awesome, and made for very fast transfers etc. The QWERTY keyboard was nice and spacious. The phone felt sturdy in your hand, but I wouldn't reccommend having long conversations without a bluetooth headset. One of the biggest problems I had with this phone was the touch screen. I am not real big on touch screen technology, the phone would frequently freeze up and I didn't even have third party apps on it. I had an occassion when the screen was non responsive and i had to do a hard reset. Of course since it runs off windows its bound to happen, its practically a handheld computer hence the name Pocket PC. Overall the phone was a nice device but definitely geared towards the power user.
Review Now! Already own it? Tell us What You Think
User Reviews From Around the Web
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Reviewed by: alicelyang
Strengths: Windows Mobile 5, 3G
Weaknesses: bigger and little heavier
Overall: I have owned about 5 mobile phones as of now. I can solemnly swear this is the best phone i have ever owned. The qwerty keyboard is spot on so is the display. It feels so comfortable in the hand. The internet speeds are really comparable to broadband speed. Only negatives i can muster is its little bigger and little heavier The call quality is very good, battery charge is about average
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Reviewed by: emmettricks
Strengths: Packs a lot of functionality into one deviceExpandableEasy to modifyBuilt toughLong battery life
Weaknesses: A little bulkyWindows Mobile OS is buggyRuns out of memory easily
Overall: Despite the weaknesses I mentioned, this has been a fantastic device. I've had mine for almost a year now and have thoroughly enjoyed it. If you are a tinkerer, this is the phone for you. I was able to upgrade and modify the software easily. Also, it has so many features and all worked as advertised. I use the bluetooth features of my car with it for hands-free calling. It paired easily with all of my bluetooth devices. Wifi range is decent. The camera quality isn't too great in low light but outside, it works great. Another nice feature is the flash for the camera. I use it basically as a flashlight at night. Also, the built in speaker is of excellent quality. Great for listening to music while working.
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Reviewed by: joysmahal
Strengths: wi-fi !, ms mobile applications (word, excel, powerpoint, Pocket Internet Explorer, downloadable apps
Weaknesses: Screen is horrible in direct sun-light, dialing contacts is not as easy
Overall: I wanted to keep this phone because of all the powerful tools and applications. I was able to watch tv and my tivo on it using my slingbox. However, I found it too thick and bulky. The screen was way too dark and unreadible in direct sunlight. Browsing the net on a pocket pc phone is not all that fun since most websites are not optimized for pocket pc or mobile phones.I would recommend this phone only to power uses who need all the features.
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Reviewed by: dporsche
Strengths: great all-in-one device, flash for camera
Weaknesses: thick, wifi a little weak
Overall: The at&t 8525 is a very convenient all-in-one device loaded with many features. I really like the slide out QWERTY keyboard. The camera is ok quality, autofocus would have made a big difference. The WM5 is a pretty good operating system but at&t will release a free WM6 upgrade for the phone soon, I'm looking forward to that. I do not like how thick the phone is. It is comfortable to hold and talk on, but forget about putting it in your jeans pocket. Overall I am very satisfied with the phone.
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Reviewed by: win_has
Strengths: Fast and responsive, nice screen with fully keypad. expandability. Other software available (gmap, gtalk) etc
Weaknesses: Weak Wifi signal, freezes occasionally
Overall: I have this cell phone for a bit over a month and i like the speed of this device, it is real fast and responsive. Great multimedia device. It also sports great screen and web applications like gmaps are great MS Windows Mobile 5 . I also am using it as a GPS device and good enough camera for casual pictures to capture moments in daily routine(office..;-)) for which you don't need a dedicated camera. Web browsing regular internet pages on this phone may be bit difficult, like i find on all mobile PDA devices. It easily connected using my home Wifi. Overall great all in once device except for the occasional freeze. MS Windows Mobile 6 is available for this device from HTC(make) but i have not yet tried it.
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