Features:
- Dual-band digital and analog phone
- Internet enabled
- Up to 150 minutes talk time, 96 hours standby time, with standard battery
- Simple operation
- Slim and lightweight
Description:
If you're looking for a phone that covers the bases without costing too much, and is easy to use, the Qualcomm QCP-2760 is a good bet. This dual-band (800 and 1,900 MHz), dual-mode (digital and analog) phone can keep you in calling range in most of the country, and it will also let you receive pages, text messages, and voice mail alerts as well as access the Internet. You can even add an optional data cable and use this phone as a digital modem with a PC or PDA. Battery performance isn't a strong point, but you can use the phone for several days of typical use between charges. The QCP-2760 measures 5.5 by 2.1 by 0.7 inches and has an antenna that collapses to 0.75 inches. It weighs in at 6.6 ounces with its standard battery. The battery is screwed in place and it isn't intended to be popped in and out like most phones. A clip-on supplementary battery is available as well. The five-line, 12-character backlit display and a minimum number of navigation buttons allow for simple operation. It fits nicely in a pocket and its robust construction will provide resistance to rough handling. The QCP-2760 supports caller ID, call waiting, voice mail notification, one-way text messaging, and Internet access. Our test phone, provisioned by Sprint PCS, included all these features, but your particular rate plan needs to support them too. A 30-number call history of outgoing, incoming, and missed calls is automatically maintained. Simply tap the message key (it has an identifying envelope icon) to check voice and text messages; hold the key longer and it automatically dials your voice mail access number. The QCP-2760 doesn't support voice dialing. Software for phone book maintenance and an Internet minibrowser are provided. Security features include keypad locking and restricted dialing. At 131 minutes, our QCP-2760's talk time was shorter than the manufacturer-rated 2.5 hours. You should realize that your mileage will vary depending on local conditions (see How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time below). We achieved 91 hours of standby time, while Qualcomm rated the unit for between 72 and 96 hours. For normal usage, we suggest checking on battery life at least every other day. Easy to use and carry, the Qualcomm QCP-2760 won't strain your muscles or your budget, and it offers some nice pluses not necessarily found in far more expensive handsets. --Testing and evaluation by Brown Consulting Associates, edited by Thom Arno Pros: - Web-enabled
- Slim, lightweight design
- Easy to use
Cons: - Moderate battery talk time
- No vibrate mode or standard headset jack
How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode. Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings. To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.
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