Let us start first before letting you all know about this new mobile phone called the 3 Skypephone WP-S1 by saying a big thanks to the guys from 3mobilebuzz.com - they kindly sent Phones Review two of these phones for us to try out on a 3 month trial basis. The two phones they sent us are on the pay as you go setup and we will be doing a few hands on reviews in parts, today is the 3 Skypephone WP-S1 hands on review part 1: Out of the box – do not forget we will be doing more parts to this review such as how it feels, to usability and maybe some more.
Right lets start shall we, these two 3 Skypephone’s got delivered to us in just 1 day which was a surprise to us to start with but hey we are not arguing so thumbs up there, when we got the package which you can see in the picture below we opened it and it revealed two smallish 3 (Three) boxes containing the 3 Skypephone mobile model WP-S1 in each of them, for now we have just opened one.
In the box contained the 3 Skypephone, 1150mAh Battery & cover, Personal stereo hands free kit headphones, USB cable, Charger, CD–ROM for PC sync, 256MB micro SD memory card which is already in the phone (no adapter for it though), 3 (Three) user guide and last but not least a Quick start guide for Skype.
Did the word SKYPE just get mentioned? Of course it did this is a mobile phone that basis itself not as a normal mobile phone but also a Skype phone, below we have taken a number of pictures of all angles and what you would get in the box (make your judgments in the comments area).
3 Skypephone Lowdown – This is without a doubt a very cool phone and for the price of only wait for it, only a mere £49.99 on PAYG and of course you can get this on contract if you please. This is the first fully integrated mobile phone that uses Skype, come on you run out of credit so you just use your Skype to contact your Skype friends totally free by either chat calls or messaging. Oh yeah talk for free with 3 (no pun intended).
I have personally used this mobile phone for about 3 hours now and so far pretty impressed, I will be personally using this phone for the next 2 months and of which will be giving you the lowdown how I personally feel about it.
For the time being please do go and visit our friends over at 3mobilebuzz.com who have plenty of information to wet the whistle plus links of where you can buy the so far pretty cool 3 Skypephone WP-S1 mobile phone. PLEASE check out the photos we took below let us know what you think of the styling/looks.
Please remember we will be doing other hands on reviews parts, Why not subscribe to the Phones Review Newsletter (free) for email updates on our 3 Skypephone coming soon installments, just enter your email and you will receive an email as soon as we have published it. CLICK HERE
3 Skypephone WP-S1 Personal Photos -
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Is 3 skypephone locked to a specific network or it comes unloced…
Please send answer to my email… thanks
dax_hr@yahoo.com
Two things about this phone -
1) Free Skpe? No! To use Skype you have to top up £10 a month on PAYG. I put my old sim in with money on it but cannot register for Skype without topping this up.
2) Text entry. It has a predictive text mode but it only tries to predict the word. So “you” comes out as “xou” and there is no selection process as on all other phones I have used so you have to erase it and go to abc input to change it. Can you tell me what is the point of having predictive text at all?
Response to Phyll Moore:
ref point 1. Are you seriously expecting to get something for nothing from a commercial business? I think the skype option is a great way to supplement what is an already excellent deal from 3. I like the handset and the purchase price is very reasonable for a well spec’ed phone, paying £10 every 30 days is cheap for 4000 skype minutes and 10,000 IM messages (which are all on a fair use policy anyway!!)
ref point 2. Read the manual, to scroll through predictive text options you have to use the * key.
how do i get themes, do i have to download ones just for the phone because none of the other ones i out on there work
Thanks for pointing out the use of ‘*’ in predictive text modes.
Still, where was I supposed to read about it in the manual?
All the details I could find on the different text entry
methods are in section 1.3, which doesn’t mention this
use of the ‘*’ key at all. Are you sure you got it from
the manual, rather than remembering it from some other
and more helpful set of instructions?
Good Point Bernard, I have checked the manual and it isn’t in fact there. I must have fluked it and assumed it was in the manual.
:0D
Features I love:
1)Skype Obviously
2) The fact that Skype contacts feature in the phone’s contact list as well as the skype contact list giving you the choice to use either method.
3) Predictive text that prompts words you personally use regularly making texting so much easier.
4) Skype IM Chat, which is not currently available on the other mobile versions of Skype.
5) TV function, when I’m in strong range of a strong signal.
BUGS I hate:
1) Sometimes the unlock function does not work very well. On occasions I have found that I needed to press the ‘C’ Key or end call button to reset the lock before I could unlock the phone.
2)Skype occasionally launches when the phone is locked for no reason.
3) When you receive an incoming skype call it says it is from ‘Skype Service’ rather than the individuals name, although 3 telecom state on their website that this feature will be added soon.
4) Sometimes despite refreshing the skype contacts list, contacts that I know are online and logged into skype do not appear as available on my contacts list.
5) Camera too slow to take decent pictures of a daughter who won’t sit still long enough to pose properly!
can i get my wp_s1 phone unlocked to another network
can i unlock it
Does any one know where to buy a replacment battary from mine only lasts a day - less if I use skype!!!
Does any one know where to buy a replacement battary from mine only lasts a day - less if I use skype!!!
The reception on it is rubbish, the battery life is terrible (around 2 days) and no way to sync with the Mac as far as I can tell.
The Skype is really, really cool though. I love the way that it is integrated right into the phone and especially with the contacts.
A great prototype but it really is only that.
I bought 2 phones from HK - one for the uk and 1 when I am away. One phone will find the uk 3 network but the other phone cannot find any networks. Any help greatly appreciated
I have a problem with Skype. Have a friend with a Skype address which contains symbols but it appears that I cannot enter any so I cannot make her a contact. Is this right?
I don’t have an issue with my phone at all. The coverage is fine and I live on the coast. Skype works fine, planet 3 works fine, The camera is great, I’ve bought a 2GB memory card for it for well under £10 that also has an adaptor, I can easily get things on and off it on my mac (but the PC sync is for windows only) non the less with the cable and bluetooth I’ve got 100 odd mp3s on it now AND the battery is good- I charged it properly as stated in the manual before the first time I used it and wait till its dead to recharge now. All good 10/10. And on contract only 5,000 mins are free on skype- just so u know.
Hi does anyone know how to turn off the keypad beep sound, I couldn’t find out how in the manuel and I find it disturbing especially when I want to use it in quiet areas.
Plus I’m confused how the video calling works, if the camera is on the back, how can you talk see some one and let them see you at the same time- I mean with the screen on one side and the camera on the other? I haven’t been able to try that out yet.
And I agree with others it is abit disappointing that it doesn’t scync with Mac’s, I’m hoping that will be made available.
your a bit nerdy
I love this phone, no problems with it, only thing that bugs me is nowhere does it say what file types are compatible with it, so i have to convert videos over and over till i find a good file type thats compatible, so far only 3gp works which isnt to awesome as 3gp is lame. Other than that its sweet, i can stay in contact with all my friends abroad for £10 a month
I was given the phone as a present for christmas,
there are so many good features its amazing and its leaps and bounds beyond my old phone. It say’s
on the software provide,”that it allows you to connect your pc to the internet using your WP-S1
phone as a modem” thus far I have had no success
in making a connection. With the the introduction
of paygo broadband, I thought, it would be
brilliant, Alan.
‘Sam’… it only supports a 1Gb card!,
anyone with half a brain would have known the * changed the word in texting,
i got my one yesterday for £39.95 cant complain,
Finally its a fone made by a sane person, no pointless voice activation that you will never use, solid feel and stylish design!! (mines is white and blue)
Value 10/10
Bought this phone for 39.99. Looks like a bargain so far. Wanted a phone that doesn’t look like you’re carrying a video tape in your pocket! This seems ideal - its small and thin, but not too small.
One thing I’m looking for is the keyboard lock!! Can’t find it at all, I know it goes to auto after about a min but is there a manual key lock on this? Apologies if this is obvious!
where can i download, or get a german usermanual
wo kann ich eine deutsche Gebrauchsanweisung downloden?
i need unlock 3skype wp-s1. help me pleas.
Steve: for manual keypad lock, just press the unlock combination in reverse - * followed by the left soft key. It took me a while to figure that out as well!
For those wanting to unlock, you do realise that’ll render Skype useless, along with all the built-in 3 Planet things? The Skypephone’s great integration with the network and services are probably its best point.
As for battery life, I wouldn’t call 2 days “terrible”. Ok, so it’s not great, or even good, but I doubt you can find another 3G phone that can go for much longer. Anyway, mine’s lasted 5 days so far with minimal usage, but if it lasts 2 days once I start some serious Skyping then I’ll be satisfied.
Overall I’m pleasantly surprised. Lovely quick interface, easy-to-use and no nonsense. Let’s hope Skype keep up with the idea and maybe we’ll see improved Skypephones in the future.
Sawyl,
Many Thanks!! You’ve just made a good phone great!
Cheers.
there’s something wrong with my phone then because I’ve got nearly 2GB of pics and recordings on it at the moment.
hi i got the phone and think its good how you can use msn as well as skype but the phone only reeds my memory card when it feels like it the memory card is 2gb is that to big to work on the or what can someone help to find solution i need
Brilliant phone have my now 3 months use to it call girlfriend through skype in England for free, I live in Ireland, also use it as modem pay as you go, modem and phone works in the UK also
Gavin: I don’t know about the maximum size, but this phone works a little different from others in that it doesn’t seem to keep checking the memory card automatically. Whenever you add any new files, select “Update” by using the left soft key in the “My stuff” folder.
Hopefully by doing that you’ll see all the files, not just those which the phone found last time it accessed the card.
ive had my phone for about a month and it was great but now when i switch it on i get the 3 logo and thats it it wont boot any more tried cleaning sim battery an memory card to no avail any1 have any ideas please ps does it have some sortof reset button
To unlock the skpyephone, visit ebay.com and search for unlock codes. Costs about 15-20 pounds.
I just got it but the memory is really rubbish ere.
It can tak about 20 pic and 5 songs nd one video ona ll phon nd memory card.
Does anyone else find it that bad?
hi can anyone tell me if i can buy a broadband topup for this phone as it gives you the option to on planet 3. the 5 pound internet is great,but a little slow and not consistatant. overall, what a great phone for the price. i am one happy customer cheers grillman.
Have the same problem as Alec…. phone is great but has developed this repeating 3 logo message on boot… how do you get out of it? Is there a hard/soft reset? Please help. The phone is useless otherwise!
Hi,
i have my skypephone since 6 month, i acctually have 2 but the second was for my wife, but she want have a new one yet.
I like this phone very much, not only because it´s cheap. It have all i need, java, memo internet, camera. It´s also easy to use, without having the manual in front of me. But i have to say, i hade many cellphones before, so i know how to get to things.
Many people think they need many stuff inside a mobile, but they only call or send sms. They think it should be cheap, but should have all a computer have. That´s not possible!
I bought my second for the price of 90 USD including shipping and 15 USD units on the prepaid card.
The Skype function works only in your Country and with the provider 3 (so far). If you leave your country, skype don´t work. I know, coz i tried it.
Many people have a problem of missunderstanding. They acctually don´t care what kind of cellphone they get. They always get angry coz they can´t do this or that.
Many people don´t read the advertisment on the webside to the end and more less the right text.
If you read the skype advertisment correct and to the end, you will be the real skypephone user. And you will stay with it for a very long time!
Steve: did you try to fix it like this:
Menue, settings, Phonesettings, Screen, Welcometext and shutdown?
I´m not sure it is the right one… so just try.
I´m not in need to fix my phone… like many other.
God luck!
grillman: No way! And want be in the future eighter.
pippabobby: Normally you can save much more on the memory card, depend on the size. I have a 1 GB and i´m not on the limit yet. The internal memory is only 16 MB, and for use only 11.5 MB. This is not much for pictures and/or music. Might be your memory card is demaged?
Unlock skpyephone: Don´t think this is true!
It´s not working with unlocking the 3 Skypephone. The only way is to call the 3 provider to get it unlocked!, Really no joke. Someone tellling you that you can doit like this guy, is just a fraud.
gavin: Both working, skype and MSN, checking your files starts when you go to the folder. Like mine for example: I write many notes, when i shutdown my phone in the evening/night and start it next day, it seach not automaticlly when you start the phone, but when i start the program “Note” or however it´s called in english. My is in swedish language….
alex: i´m not sure if i understand right, when you start the phone it hangs and then you cleaned all electric stuff? or might be also before?
Did you do anything before with the electric stuff what is not good for it?
heya anyone knows if the phone can take 8GB micro SDHC card? 16mb is quite nothing…
hey umm i have the same phone just wondering can u delete your multimedia messages because i cant delete mine and its bothering me.
great phone! the only thing is that the earphones are no good!! and with the usb connection you can’t even buy a good set!!
darren:
What kind did you get with the phone? My earphones are top notch. Great sound and the wire is very, very good. Doesn’t tangle up like normal, cheap wires usually do.
Very good phone. For the price it really, really rocks. Very okay camera and the sound when playing mp3 is considerable over the average.
I like this phone a lot. It’s small and robust.
Phone has a few small things that annoy me. For instance, you can’t use a very long sms tune. The phone cuts it short. And you can only send small images trough mms. Also there seem to be a max limit to how big an sms can be.
Grade: 8/10
Bought this mobile in 2008 february when saw the commercial about it.
I’m beyond satisfied with it. For this price it’s something i never expected to get. 2 MP Camera, images can get blur if not careful, overall i dont complain. awesome phone, i don’t need miniature PC, this phone is practical, it’s small…. hell, you can even use it as mp3 player on long trips.
You need strong network coverage for this phone to browse internet, only needed on rare occasions.
Can use MSN, calender can be practical. o well…
Rate this 9/10
Is it possible to download apps and games in the internet for this phone??? I can’t find anything for this model, do you know if I can download for some other phone and it will work???
Felipe:
some java games will work of course. You can look for java games made for Nokia 6630 for instance.
Otherwise, find out what operative system it uses and search for games made for that or similar systems.
I got the memory card fixed there was a problm with it.
One thing is it’s not as strong a phone as others I had. I expect the usual scrapes with all phones when they fall on hard surfaces but the screen, dents and mini holes are quite annoying too.
Same problem as Alec and Steve. When phone switches on I only see the 3 logo briefly before it goes dead. Battery and Sim connections all ok.
Must be inherent fault with this model.
Leon,
I’m afraid its a trip down to the 3 store for you matey. Had to get mine flashed/new firmware or whatever they do but seems to have rid the problem now. Shame but don’t think there is anything you can do about it….