[ian13550]

I've had my 7100t for over a year now and one of my biggest gripes with the 7100 has been that there seems to be zero noise cancellation in the microphone (not speakerphone). On top of that I find the earpiece volume is not very loud either and I'm continually turning it up to the max. I've been diligent in applying the latest OS updates to my 7100t as they are released but I do not think the improvements (if any) are noticable.

I'm hoping the 8100 addresses this fact as everything else about the phone looks pretty sweet.

I've been poking around the forum the past week or so and haven't seen anyone comment yet on whether the call quality is better on the 8100 than the 7100.

Has anyone compared the two? Or more importantly, been on the receiving end of a call from a 8100 vs the 7100t?

Thanks,
Ian

[JeffAUV]

I went from the 7100t to the 8100 and the 8100 is vastly superior as a phone and as a BlackBerry.

[rarexxx]

I've compared the two and the 8100 has MUCH better call quality and is loud. I normally have it one or two notches below max even in noisy enviroments. Low volume has always been a major gripe of mine from every phone I've had except the Pearl. Its the best sounding and loudest phone I've ever had. The best thing to do is go to a T-Mobile store and call the same number (like a voice recording) from both phones and directly compare. You'll definitely notice the difference.

[ralliart22]

Originally Posted by rarexxx

I've compared the two and the 8100 has MUCH better call quality and is loud. I normally have it one or two notches below max even in noisy enviroments. Low volume has always been a major gripe of mine from every phone I've had except the Pearl. Its the best sounding and loudest phone I've ever had. The best thing to do is go to a T-Mobile store and call the same number (like a voice recording) from both phones and directly compare. You'll definitely notice the difference.

yeah i would do the same, i work for T-Mobile, most of the stores have a live version of the phone with an inactive sim in it so you cant call out but you can still call 611 which is our customer service line and test the quality. I'm recieving mine tomorrow but ive been playing with our demo pearl and the voice quality is wonderful compared to the 7100 and to many other phones we offer.

[krad]

Originally Posted by JeffAUV

I went from the 7100t to the 8100 and the 8100 is vastly superior as a phone and as a BlackBerry.

couldn't be said any better.

[paulyras]

I'll take it a step farther. I have a moto bluetooth headset (I can't remember the model and it's not in front of me right now), and it's not only WAY better when using it as a phone, but it's WAY better when used with a headset than my 7105, with one exception...

The bluetooth is great, as long as it's got clear line of sight. The range of bluetooth for my 7105 seemed better. If I've got the phone in my right pocket and the headset on my left ear, I get crackling, but not if they are on the same side.

There was another topic on the bluetooth issue, but I think it's worthy of being mentioned here as well. Either way, I'd take the pearl any day.

BTW- it seems to happen with both the original version of the OS and the rogers...

Good luck...

[jeffmcclan]

I agree with the previous poster. My 8100 is much superior to my previous 7100t (sound quality, microphone cancellation, reception, blackberry, edge speed, bluetooth tethering with notebook, camera, trackball for browser usage, much slimmer size, better looking device, and 512MB MicroSD memory added for pictures/data exchange). Superior in every respect.

[daraj]

Originally Posted by jeffmcclan

I agree with the previous poster. My 8100 is much superior to my previous 7100t (sound quality, microphone cancellation, reception, blackberry, edge speed, bluetooth tethering with notebook, camera, trackball for browser usage, much slimmer size, better looking device, and 512MB MicroSD memory added for pictures/data exchange). Superior in every respect.

I agree about everthing said above except for reception. Its not the best phone when it comes to reception.

[ian13550]

Thanks for the feedback!! Sounds like it's a no-brainer as far as call quality improvements.

Thanks again!

[dmoffitt]

the audio quality of the 8100 is incomparable, it's FAR better than any of the non-qwerty 7xxx series I've heard / owned.

[taiko19]

I've been reading the forums since I purchased my 7100t in May 2005. This thread is what finally compelled me to register and post.

The 8100 is far beyond then 7100. The 7100 is truly the worst excuse for a cell phone. It's like the most sensitive microphone in the world and the call experience for the person on the other end was horrible. It's only saving grace was that it really was an excellent data phone. The audio was so bad I seriously contemplated purchasing a separate t-mobile plan just to make phone calls on. A wired headset or bluetooth (while not moving in a quiet environment) was the only way to have an acceptable conversation. Bluetooth in a moving car was viturally unlistenable.

But now the wonderful Pearl ... The first call I made to my wife from the car, and she said she didn't even realize I was in the car. Same comment when using my Bluetooth BT 350. The other great thing is you no longer hear the annoying noises of my hand rubbing on the phone or cheek rubbing on the keypad. This was a major problem with the 7100.

The 8100 really has been great in the few days I had it. I always said that if the 7100 could just make better phone calls, it would just be about the perfect phone. That trait now lies within the 8100 and I'm loving it!

[ErnieH]

Originally Posted by daraj

I agree about everthing said above except for reception. Its not the best phone when it comes to reception.

I'm liking the Pearl too - including reception. I find it quite a lot better than my Moto and almost as good as my last Nokia. I'm rural with lots of weak signal areas.

[machiavell1]

Best phone I have ever owned without question. And I have owned an embarrassing amount of phones....

This even beats my v3i, my 6230i and my 8910i for both call quality and loudness (which were really my benchmarks for good quality sound amongst maybe 30 or more phones I have owned or used in the past few years). Really excellent. Notwithstanding that it isn't a clam, my girlfriend had no idea I was in a loud busy street when I spoke to her.

Speakerphone is quite tinny but acceptable but the in ear call quality, clarity and loudness is superb.