Cingular launches 3G-enabled 8525, sort of

It's still forwarding us back to the old-skool 8125's product page at the moment, but a tipster has managed to coax Cingular's site into giving up the goods on the 8525 -- Buy Now link and all. We're guessing it has something to do with region or Premier account status, we're not sure, but the point is that a select few are able to place their orders for Cingular's first HSDPA smartphone as we speak. Breaking out the wallet might be hard to justify for folks in 2G areas coming from an 8125, but if speed and power are top priorities, lick your chops as you read the full specs (highlights include a 400MHz Samsung core, 2-megapixel cam, and that fabulous 3G radio) after the break.

[Thanks, John]

Update: Judging from commenters' experiences, it's sounding like there's some buffoonery going on behind the scenes over at Cingular HQ -- the phone may not be shipping to anyone yet after all. In the meanwhile, enjoy the literature and imagery we've scooped, and we'll let you know what's going on as soon as we do.

NOW AVAILABLE -- THE CINGULAR 8525.
BROADBAND DATA SPEEDS. FULL-FEATURED PHONE.
WHAT COULD BE MORE CONVENIENT?

The Cingular 8525 is a feature-rich Windows Mobile Pocket PC providing access to your personal or corporate email, Internet, and your critical personal or business applications-all at broadband speeds. And with simultaneous voice and data functionality, you won't miss a call when surfing the web or responding to email.

Tri-band UMTS/HSDPA; Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE for global use
Microsoft® Windows Mobile™ 5.0 with Messaging and Security Feature Pack
128MB ROM / 64MB SDRAM
Samsung 400MHz Processor
Sliding QWERTY keyboard
2.8" QVGA 320x240 64K Color LCD Touch Screen
Push to Talk capable*
Bluetooth v2.0
Integrated WiFi (802.11b/g)
Micro SD expansion slot for greater storage and expansion
Take advantage of Windows Media Player 10 Mobile to take your favorite music and videos with you.
Log in to Pocket MSN – Hotmail, MSN Messenger and more!
Optional 2.0 mega-pixel camera with built-in flash and video capability

* Push to Talk software will be available in
2007 for the Cingular 8500/8525.

[Ben @ Oct 31st 2006 2:16PM]

Anyone know the physical dimensions and weight?

[Arnold @ Oct 31st 2006 2:30PM]

What zip code are people using. I would love to get this phone asap. I work in a 3G area and the zip code doesn't show the phone.

[Michael @ Oct 31st 2006 2:35PM]

Optional camera? How do they pull that off?

[Hugh Jass @ Oct 31st 2006 3:01PM]

*sigh* There are two different models. One with a camera and one without, just like every other business-oriented smartphone out there.

[Remmy @ Oct 31st 2006 2:46PM]

I wish they would just put the dumb thing up for everyone. My local store told me that "they hadn't heard anything about it yet, and that it will probably be March before it is available." Yeah right.

[Alcaron @ Oct 31st 2006 2:42PM]

How do you know if you have 3G in your area or not?

[Rod @ Oct 31st 2006 2:45PM]

How much better than the MDA will this be?

[haythem @ Oct 31st 2006 2:50PM]

""* Push to Talk software will be available in
2007 for the Cingular 8500/8525.""

so what's this 8500 model?

[DrTHE0P0LIS @ Oct 31st 2006 2:53PM]

The 8500 is the version sans-camera for the security-minded executive on the go.

[Ben @ Oct 31st 2006 2:53PM]

8500 model is most likely the camera-less model.

[Eric @ Oct 31st 2006 2:55PM]

It was the same for the 8100/8125. **00 is the camera free model, and the **25 is the w/camera model. It's mainly for biz's that don't like their employees taking pictures. I have friends that have a hard time finding phones that they can take to work, because they work for defense contractors.

[Ben @ Oct 31st 2006 2:55PM]

DrTHE0P0LIS: No for the people who can't bring camera's into the workplace.

I've got to leave my cell phone at my desk if I need to go to restricted parts of our building^^ . Fairly norm in DC.

[cocoaninja @ Oct 31st 2006 2:58PM]

This 8525 is very likely OEMed from Dopod's 838 pro.

http://www.dopodasia.com/Dopod/Singapore/En/Products/PDAPhone/838Pro/

[xman @ Oct 31st 2006 3:03PM]

The MDA lacked the following:

Samsung 400MHz Processor (only 195mhz on MDA)
Push to Talk capable* (not available on MDA)
Bluetooth v2.0 (1.1 on MDA)
Integrated WiFi (802.11b/g) (only b on MDA)
2.0 mega-pixel camera (only 1.3 on MDA)
UMTS/HSDPA (only EDGE on MDA)

[randy @ Oct 31st 2006 3:04PM]

No, actually its OEM'ed from HTC who make the TyTN and the 838pro for Dopod, whom they own and use as a distributor in Asia. Nice try, keep working on those Google skills, you were so close this time :)

[dLeet @ Oct 31st 2006 3:53PM]

Based on their pass model information, the 8500 would be the Camera-less version. Which also answers the question on the "optional" camera. Based on the current models that Cingular has, 8125 (with camera) and 8100 (w/o camera)

[Rod @ Oct 31st 2006 3:14PM]

Actually 802.11 g is available with a registry edit.

[jay @ Oct 31st 2006 3:20PM]

How does this compare with Eten Glofish?

[mlucas2006 @ Nov 1st 2006 10:01AM]

It doesn't have a horrible name. Other than that, can't help ya.

[Brien @ Oct 31st 2006 3:18PM]

I'm trying to buy one right now under my premier account and after getting bounced around the country talking to 7 ppl, I'm being informed that it still doesn't have a launch date or MSRP...

[Alex @ Oct 31st 2006 7:10PM]

I wish they would put this thing out already! My 8125 was stolen and my 3125 lost it's coolness factor after about 2 weeks!

[Steve @ Nov 1st 2006 5:21PM]

I spoke to Cingular today and the new expected release date for the 8525 is November 10, 2006.

[Lance @ Oct 31st 2006 3:42PM]

Guess no word on price yet, but I heard the data plan was going to be an extra $40 a month! Will I be able to tether into my laptop via bluetooth 2.0 at 3G speeds? In Dallas with the laptop 3G PC cards we are getting 1.4M down and 385 up!

[konadakine @ Oct 31st 2006 6:13PM]

Here i the scoop. Cingular has briefed it's business sales force that this is available today! But the it people have not updated the ordering screens as of yet. Orders will be taken later today or after midnight tonight. My bet is after midnight the business accounts will be able to get this sucker.

No front camera, and a two year deal! i guess you take the good with the bad. A tytn will cost you $750.00. $400.00 aint bad!

[TheDonAndMikeShow @ Oct 31st 2006 3:53PM]

I need a smartphone with the fastest internet possible, I will also use it for a bit of email, a little calander useage, plus some lite note taking(and i desire it be a very powerful phone which I hope will provide multi tasking and speed.) Money is no object. I am in a Cingular 3G area. Is this the phone for me or should I wait for the Treo 750.

[E Malave Jr @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:31PM]

Try the Sony Ericsson P990(available now) or Fujitsu Siemens Loox T830(coming soon). Neither is a Cingular phone but I use the 990 in NYC and it works well. You may want to check with your local Cingular 611 if your area uses the 1900 GSM band. The 990i doesn't have the 850 GSM band.

[ponomore @ Nov 6th 2006 9:29AM]

yes buy it.......works very well

[E Malave Jr @ Nov 4th 2006 5:17AM]

Let me correct my earlier post-the P990 and T830 will not function on Cingular's 3G network in NYC. Cingular is running their UMTS services exclusively on their 1900 band and possibly 850 band next year. Both the 990 and 830 have UMTS on the 2100 band. The TYTN/8525 mentioned is this post is the only one that can function on Cingular's current 3G. T-Mobile will have UMTS on the 2100 band in 2007.

[matt @ Oct 31st 2006 4:05PM]

Lance: Pricing is 559 retail, 450 with one year contract, 350 with two year contract (both contract prices include an extra $50 mail-in). There is no point in having a PocketPC Phone without a data plan unless you want to pay per KB. Unlimited usage goes for $39.99/month.

[Dr. Benway @ Oct 31st 2006 4:34PM]

I would buy one of these & switch to Cingular, if they hadn't removed the camera on the front for video calls. Does anyone know why they dropped it from the Cingular version?

Note: I know I will hardly ever make video calls, but I would feel bad buying a crippled phone. Is that bad?

[zuye @ Oct 31st 2006 5:23PM]

you wouldnt be able to make video calls anyways, the cingular network doesn't support it thats why they don't have the front facing camera and in reality, how many times are you going to use it anyways? Know anyone else that can make video calls?

[DonGeronimo @ Oct 31st 2006 7:47PM]

Regarding the difference between the Treo 750 and this smartphone, what about the data speed difference between Verizon and Cingular's 3G platforms, also Consumer Reports rates Cingular at the bottom of their carrier comparisons in almost every state they judged.....

[CandyMan @ Oct 31st 2006 9:57PM]

DonandMike, I have the HTC Tytn for several months now and it rocks in UMTS area. The 8525 is the Cingular version of it without the video camera in the front face which allows video phone calls. Battery life is great and signal and calling quality is wonderful. Hope everyone gets on the craze with this phone.

[randy @ Nov 1st 2006 12:32PM]

Cingular did the same thing when I ordered my 8125. I placed the order off the website and the next thing I knew the 8125 was gone from the site. What he heck? They have a few issues over at Cingular apparently. I am curious to see what kind of data speed they have to offer. I am also curious how the push to talk software would work once available.
http://electrogeek.com/blog

[vrf @ Nov 1st 2006 2:18AM]

I have to agree with CandyMan that this is probably the best smartphone on the market now. I love the speed, call quality and battery life.

[matt @ Nov 1st 2006 8:09AM]

It is NOT a SmartPhone. It is a PocketPC Phone.

[Michael @ Nov 1st 2006 9:06AM]

Question for the people who own the HTC Tytn: Can you use the included video cam for Skype calls?

[Brandon @ Nov 1st 2006 11:32AM]

My 2 cents:

This PocketPC is going to be an amazing device even without a data plan. With the built in WiFi you can surf the web and check your email at hotspots which have become fairly plentiful. Plus there are tons of other things it is useful for without being connected.

Don't forget that along with the Bluetooth 2.0 the 8525 is getting the A2DP Stereo over bluetooth profile which was missing in the 8125. Now you can actually use it as a portable media player too.

Don't get me wrong, if I had an extra $39.99/month I'd definitely get the data plan, but it's not necessary for the 8525 to be a great device!

[James McCracken @ Nov 1st 2006 12:53PM]

Actually the 8125 does support A2DP, I have been using mine as a media player since I got it, it was worth it to me to spend 120.00 on three high speed 2 gig cards then 199.00 on a 2 gig ipod.

[brent @ Nov 1st 2006 2:40PM]

The 39.99 plan might be needed at the startup but shoud be able to be swapped out to a 19.99 plan (Media works Unlimted is what i changed my SX66 to no problems) As far as the front video camera goes thats easy enough to fix, wait until broken units are available, and buy a broken unit scam the Camera and the front bezel and make a swap (again did that with my sx66 used a dead Verizon model and aded the camera and the application came up on the next boot cycle)

[Rony Mirzaians @ Nov 1st 2006 11:40PM]

I just clicked on the link and it went to the 8525 page. I have been on hold with Cingular business care for them to figure out how to take my order.. He sees the page, but it doesnt show up in the phones and devices section..

http://business.cingular.com/businesscenter/8525/

[kevin @ Nov 2nd 2006 2:46AM]

Gotta love how it's always the rest of the world and us. I wonder why they're using 1.9GHz as a carrier frequency when you could just use 2.1 and have the rest of the world's phones work with your network...

[David @ Nov 2nd 2006 11:39AM]

Has anyone been able to successfully order this phone? Just spent and unsuccessful 1 hour on the phone with various cingular people and ultimately told to call back next week

[Mike @ Nov 2nd 2006 5:20PM]

I spoke with a rep for about an hour today and eventually was informed that the page wasn't supposed to be live yet because they do not have the device ready for launch. No word on when to check back.

[Rony @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:54PM]

After talking to a rep last night and today I was told by a Cingular Premier support rep that the sku and part numbers are in the system but none in stock yet. He said it looked like Nov 6th to him.

[konadakine @ Nov 3rd 2006 12:37PM]

lets look at this phone with a little logic. Cingular in all of it's genius removed the camera. Why? Well I have a friend that works for Cingular in Paramus NJ and he tells me that Cingular will support video calling, but not on this phase of the UMTS/HSDPA roll out. Therefore they will be selling this item again with WM-6 and a front facing camera. The marketing team must make money! My next point is: Cingular has a new deal with Telenav Inc. They provide a GPS service. This phone has no GPS radio. GPS over UMTS/HSDPA is a maybe. In any event this unit will have to be upgraded in 4 months to take advantage of the GPS service. Maybe you don't need GPS. I got to tell you I now have the Ipaq 6925 and it is sweet. You can actually take pictures and the gps can locate where you took the picture on a map. If you need a faster 8125, overclock it. If you need gps get the ipaq! But this phone is an 8125 with UMTS/HSDPA.
when the 8125 is overclocked it is sweet. it is a free program on the internet that alows overclocking and clock management. If you want an 8125 w/high speed internet and don't mind spending $400.00+ good luck, but you will be upgrading that puppy in 3-4 months. WM6 is already out to developers. Windows Vista is out to developers. Stick with the 8125 and overclock it.

This thing would be awsome if they left the camera on front, and added GPS. But that model is soon to come from HTC! (Eten has already been selling a model like that for two years) This is the HTC TYtn an almost two year old unit. Cingular needs to get with it! And they will! This phone is the snack, the meal is comming!

[TopCat64 @ Nov 5th 2006 8:51AM]

Optional camera is in reference to the 8500 having no camera where as the 8525 does

[mlucas2006 @ Nov 5th 2006 5:37PM]

I just talked to a Cingular rep in the store today and he says the 8525 isn't coming out until December.

[Brien @ Nov 10th 2006 12:03PM]

Any word yet on support for BlackberryConnect from Cingular on this product? I see it for the Treo's but no word on this product. I know it exists: http://www.blackberry.com/uk/products/connect/windowsmobile.shtml

For Window's Mobile to get better purchasing support from IT departments they are going to have to encourage this function since many IT shops are married to their Blackberry Enterprise Servers... I'll buy this one if they can get that act together.