In the red corner: the Wi-Fi- and HSDPA-enabled 8525. In the blue corner: the dual-mode CDMA/GSM IP-830w. Which of these slider smartphones is still standing when the dust settles?
Round 1: Design
Both the Cingular 8525 and the Samsung IP-830w are sliders, a rarity in the smartphone world. Physically, they are both about the same size, and both sport 2.8-inch, QVGA screens, though the antenna-less, tightly designed 8525 feels less bulky. We prefer typing on the 8525, which has a wider keyboard that allows for easier typing than the small keys of the IP-830w. The slide mechanism itself feels more solid on the 8525, though it's not spring-loaded like on the IP-830w.
Winner: Cingular 8525
Round 2: Messaging
Both of these Windows Mobile-powered smartphones function similarly in terms of messaging, utilizing only MSN Messenger for instant messaging and the Outlook Mobile client for e-mail. Each handset has difficulty with screen layout in the MSN Messenger app, leaving a bit too much white space for our taste. The 8525 has the benefit of Cingular's easy-to-use Xpress Mail service for setting up personal and corporate e-mail accounts, which is just enough to give it the edge, though we weren't fond of the required desktop client software (and Xpress Mail itself may be unnecessary for Exchange users). Both phones could use more IM protocols, and perhaps even BlackBerry Connect support to win some BlackBerry converts.
Winner: Cingular 8525
Round 3: Productivity
Though both phones include the mobile version of Office for document viewing and editing, the Samsung IP-830w goes a step further with the bundled Picsel viewer. Though Picsel does not allow you to edit documents, viewing files through Picsel couldn't be easier, with its intuitive (and fun) gesture zooming and clean layout abilities.
Winner: Samsung IP-830w
Round 4: Calling
Even though we couldn't get great reception on Cingular's HSDPA network during our tests in New York City, we were more impressed with call quality of the Cingular 8525 than we were on the Samsung IP-830w, which suffered from a poor microphone. In the long run, though, the flexibility of the IP-830w's dual-mode CDMA/GSM radio -- perfect for true global calling, as well as the ability to use EV-DO in the U.S. and then switch to EDGE access while abroad -- struck us as an impressive (and, in the end, decisive) plus.
Winner: Samsung IP-830w
Round 5: Scheduling
Both phones use a slightly dated-looking version of Outlook Mobile for scheduling and calendar apps. In portrait mode, both phones have screens that can show plenty of appointments at once, even on the Today screen, though the 8525 is a bit more compacted in landscape mode. We won't give extra credit to the Cingular phone for Xpress Mail's calendar app, as we found it much less useful than Outlook.
Winner: Tie
Round 6: Connectivity
HSDPA or EV-DO? That's the choice you'll be facing when deciding between the EV-DO-enabled IP-830w (the dual-mode phone only has 2.5G EDGE access on the GSM side) and the HSDPA-packing Cingular 8525. In terms of sheer speed, HSDPA is faster than EV-DO, and allows you to make a call and use data functions simultaneously. Also, globe trotters will appreciate the fact that HSDPA coverage is strong in South Korea and Japan, where most users will enjoy access within the next year. Here in the U.S., however, the EV-DO coverage provided by Sprint and Verizon Wireless is much more pervasive than Cingular's still-growing HSDPA network. It's a tough choice -- but the Cingular 8525's support for 802.11g Wi-Fi helps it pull ahead by a nose.
Winner: Cingular 8525
Round 7: Laptop sidekick
Both the Cingular and Samsung smartphones allow for tethered modem support, and while HSDPA is potentially faster than EV-DO, we found download speeds to be about equal between the two networks. Setup for Sprint and Cingular's respective connection manager software was easy, and both phones synchronized smoothly through ActiveSync. All square so far, but Cingular's 8525 charged through our USB connection, while the Samsung IP-830w required an additional charger, a convenience that's just enough for the 8525 to eke out a victory.
Winner: Cingular 8525
Round 8: Multimedia
Cingular offers MobiTV and MEdiaNet on the 8525 for streaming audio and video content, while Sprint's Power Vision video and music content is absent on the IP-830w. But while streaming video looks good over the HSDPA network, we suspect most business users are more concerned about mobile Web browsing than watching clips from "The Sopranos." The mobile Internet Explorer on both the 8525 and the IP-830w is certainly capable, but again, the IP-830w gets a leg up with the excellent Picsel viewer, which delivers a mobile surfing experience that's second only to Nokia's top-notch Symbian S60 Web browser (see our full review of the Nokia E62 for more details).
Winner: Samsung IP-830w
And the winner is...
Though the Cingular 8525 won more categories in our duel, the Samsung IP-830w is certainly no slouch. With both phones running Windows Mobile 5.0, most of the mobile functions we tried were similar, and picking a winner may depend more on which network provides better coverage in your area. The excellent Picsel software gives the IP-830w a real advantage in Web browsing applications, essential functions for a smartphone. However, with its better design, faster network, and Wi-Fi access, the Cingular 8525 is our smartphone slider of choice.
Champion: Cingular 8525
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Cingular 8525
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Score: 67% When: November 2006 Worth: $400 Carrier: AT&T
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HSDPA support, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth -- they're all present and accounted for in Cingular's new Windows Mobile powerhouse. Does the 8525 steal the 3G smartphone crown?
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