Upside: On the design side, the vivid 65,536-colour TFT display is light-years ahead of the 600's low-resolution screen and is much easier on the eyes. The QWERTY keyboard has a brighter backlighting, with bigger buttons, and the dedicated Talk and End keys are much-needed additions. Furthermore, there's a handy "quiet" switch that gives you a simple way to silence all of the handheld's functions without having to fumble around in menus. But that's not all--many of the PalmOne Treo 650's biggest improvements are under the hood. You get the sorely needed Bluetooth, an integrated VGA camera with video capability, a built-in MP3 player, a speakerphone, an infrared port, support for POP3 and IMAP 4 e-mail (with syncing), and an expansion slot for MMC/SD memory cards. Moreover, the Intel 312MHz processor offers faster speeds than the Treo 600's 144MHz processor, and the removable battery and flash memory mean there are fewer chances you'll lose your data. Globetrotters also will be pleased, as the GSM version will be a quad-band world phone (GSM 850/900/1800/1900).
Downside: For a device that promises everything but the kitchen sink, the Treo 650 comes up decidedly short in available storage. With just 23MB in the device, you'll no doubt have to use expansion cards for any decent file saving. Also, we were disappointed that PalmOne didn't boost the camera to megapixel quality--a feature that is becoming increasingly common on higher-end handsets. Though the company claims its camera is better than the rivals', a higher-quality model would have been a nice touch for such an action-packed device.
Outlook: Given the widespread success of the Treo 600, we have little doubt the PalmOne Treo 650 will win major accolades. Internet hype aside, decidedly loyal Treo fans have been waiting for an improved device for some time, and they're sure to snap it up, though the 600 will continue to be sold. That said, the Treo 650 won't be without competitors. Smart phones such as the O2 Xda IIs and Sony Ericsson's P910i could give the 650 a run for its money. Once we get a device in hand, we'll make our formal assessment.
Mark
12/02/2008, 11:11 AM
rating
4/10
Great functions.
Easy to use
Hopeless reception
Pros: Software great.
Good keypad.
Cons: Really lousy reception despite being in an area with strong signal.
Freezes up often.
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drummoyne
14/01/2008, 02:58 PM
rating
3/10
After 10 years with Nokia I have tried the 650- Big mistake
Pros: Palm dairy
Cons: It seemed that Palm is not the right choice for telephone. Not user friendly, a lot of technical problems
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21/09/2006, 03:52 PM
rating
8/10
The hugely configuable interface makes up for some reliablity andhardware shortcomings
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CMP
27/08/2006, 12:40 AM
rating
9/10
Very good for buisness
Best of the best, Very cheap, Best value and peformance, Easier to use than Window products
Pros: Great camera+Video, Memoery slot (SD), Store your Music, Videos and pictures, easy to use, large display, good coverage, great battery life compared to other PDA's, Easy hot Sync
Cons: For more features you have to download them eg. Voice recorders, Sketch pads, turn off the LED, games and a few other little things forgoten
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tracysurf
10/08/2006, 06:47 AM
rating
8/10
Must have business tool, but you should get the support
I love mine and it's an essential business tool, but I've had to have it replace several times. Make sure you get extended warranty and a good carrier. Bluetooth headsets were unusable. recommend not going cheap on a wired headset.
Pros: Can't beat the connectivity and really fast to type emails. works good as a phone.
Cons: unstable like a PC. buggy, but still highly usable. Had a lot of problems, so make sure you have a carrier and a plan that will support it and replace it.
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29/03/2006, 01:39 PM
'really a smartphone!...
though i must agree with the battery (poor!) and the looks is kinda 'jurassic'coz of it's antenna...i just wish it is also wi-fi capable but nothing is perfect in this world!;)...so in general, Treo 650 is still the smartest in the market.
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newman
18/02/2006, 03:26 AM
bad memory, slow to get it fixed
I had my phone 3 days the touch screen didnt work properly, the screen cracked now i have sent it in to get fixed and it has been 2 months now and still have not heard anything about when it mite get back. paid $500.00 for it from telus mobility and still without my phone
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08/02/2006, 12:07 PM
Only 1 month old
This phone is not working buying. Had phone for 1 month now the headset speaker is not working.
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Ben
31/01/2006, 09:40 PM
Palm Treo 650 Hands very often
My Palm Treo 650 is less then 6 months old and it hangs at least once or twice a weeks on its own. The Agent told me they cannot do anything about it as they have to send the set to Philippines for repair.
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jonnie
23/12/2005, 01:14 AM
Great phone ever made.
tero 650 is the nest generation phone. when you always on the move this the phone you need.great features and all. thanks to palmone.
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