The new triple threat in networked handhelds, the hefty Siemens SX66 packs Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, and a phone into a Pocket PC PDA that should fulfill most of your wireless data needs.
No, you're not crazy if you think you've seen this device before: It looks exactly like the Sprint PPC-6601 and the Verizon Audiovox XV6600 (all three products are actually made by a Taiwanese company called HTC). The SX66 has the same 400-MHz processor as those two devices, uses the same slide-out membrane keyboard, and performed just about the same on our Pocket PC benchmark tests. It's fine for office applications and e-mailing, but like its fellows, it's among the biggest, heaviest PDA/phones around.
The major difference with the SX66 is in the networking. Sprint's model has cellular and Bluetooth, allowing cellular data connections up to about 110 Kbps. The Verizon unit has Bluetooth and EV-DO cellular data, the latter of which we clocked at up to about 670 Kbps. This Cingular version has poky GPRS (expect 40 Kbps—useless for Web surfing, but okay for text e-mails) but speedy Wi-Fi, as well as Bluetooth. Though the 802.11b Wi-Fi can allow for up to around 6 Mbps of useful throughput, Web surfing in Pocket Internet Explorer felt about the same as on a strong EV-DO connection with Verizon's unit. The SX66 also works on European GSM networks, albeit with high per-minute roaming charges; the Sprint and Verizon devices don't work in Europe.
During testing we found that SX66's different mix of networking technology affected the its battery life. In our standard-use test we got 5 hours and 28 minutes of PDA-only time. Turning on Wi-Fi dropped that to 3:41. With both Wi-Fi and Bluetooth turned off, we managed a spectacular 11:19 of talk time. The actual battery life you'll get will depend on how much you use the power-sucking Wi-Fi.
Initially, we had some problems connecting to Logitech and Nokia Bluetooth headsets with our SX66, and some trouble configuring the Wi-Fi, but a firmware update from the Siemens Web site fixed both of those problems. You can surf the Web over Wi-Fi and make calls over a Bluetooth headset at the same time, but you can't effectively use a Bluetooth headset and a Bluetooth mouse at the same time, and you can't pipe non-phone-call audio (such as music or voice prompts) over a Bluetooth headset.
None of the HTC-sourced phones balance PDA and phone capabilities as well as our Editors' Choice in this category, the PalmOne Treo 650. They're all much more PDA than phone. But the Siemens SX66 is faster and more powerful than its Wi-Fi/cellular competitor, the HP iPaq h6315, and unlike the iPaq, it has a built-in keyboard. If you spend a lot of time in hot spots, choose the SX66 over Verizon's XV6600. If you'd rather roam free with EV-DO, go for the XV6600 instead.
SPEC DATA :
- Operating System: Windows Mobile 2003
- Screen Size: 3.5 inches
- Flash Memory Type: Secure Digital
- Bluetooth: Yes
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