Features:
- Quadmode TDMA technology
- Superb 10-line indigo-backlit screen
- Web enabled
- Balanced design and construction
- Up to 120 minutes talk time and 120 hours standby time with standard battery; includes NiMH battery and charger
Description:
Although we have a slight quibble about this phone's overall performance, the Mitsubishi T250 is still a suitable phone for Web use. Its generous 10-line screen (8 lines of text) and quadmode technology, combined with AT&T's PocketNet service, makes for good surfing. And with a tap of the Mode button, you can toggle between Web and phone features. While the phone's processor seems a bit sluggish and its battery life isn't the greatest, if you are looking for data phone, the T250's Web features may whet your appetite. The T250 operates as a quadmode TDMA phone for voice calls, and it provides access to Internet and data services over the CDPD network, a packet-based wireless IP network. It measures 5.6 by 2.2 by 1.0 inches and weighs 7.1 ounces including battery. Even though its design is reminiscent of earlier cellular phone models, the T250 is well balanced and highly portable. The battery clips on and off easily, and the headset jack is located on the right side. The Menu and Express navigation keys are located right in the center of the phone. The Express key is also doubles as a shortcut to voice-mail and text-message mailboxes. As you scroll through menu options, prompts appear over the Left and Right Softkeys. You use these keys to execute any action displayed on the screen. Press and hold the Mode key to power the phone on or off; or press it lightly to toggle back and forth between voice and data modes. The T250 also provides Send, End, and Clear keys, and features a generally well-designed keypad. The T250's 10-line, backlit-indigo screen is better than that of any phone we have seen, and it allows you to see your entire range of options without much navigation. The menu provides a standard set of options: You can log on to the Web wirelessly, set caller preferences, check on your phone's status, enable a variety of security features, access your phonebook, and more. While the menu itself is set up well, the phone's processing speed seemed surprisingly slow. We experienced sluggish reaction times with almost every task we tried, from scrolling through phonebook entries to navigating the Web. The phonebook holds up to 99 names and numbers. You can manage your phonebook entries by assigning any of the four ringer melodies to them. (This way, you know who's calling by the sound of the ringer.) When we updated our phone book, we noticed the T250 alternated unpredictably between standard alphabetical entry and a T9 entry mode. Also, the T250's ringer was barely audible even at full volume. If secure usage is one of your hot buttons, the T250's authenticated and encrypted data transmission, wireless fraud protection, and electronic locking features are sure to please. To enter this menu, you are required to enter your security code. Then, you can set different call restrictions, lock codes, clear any phone-book or call-log numbers, and reset your browser cache. The T250's data port is located at the bottom of the unit. Using a standard data cable, we found it simple to tether the T250 to our PC. The modem installation procedure, handled by our computer, took less than five minutes, and the user manual is designed to walk even a first-time user through all the steps without fail. Once we were in sync, we could swap phonebook information, text messages, and e-mails back and forth. Except for the phone's generally slow response times, navigating the Web was enjoyable. The T250's NiMH battery is rated for 120 minutes' digital talk time and 120 hours' of digital standby time. Our own battery testing produced somewhat mixed results. We could not confirm the talk-time rating, as we never got a call to hold longer than an hour despite testing in an area with strong AT&T service. The phone did last for five days in standby mode, but we noticed significant battery loss if we performed the simplest functions, and everyday calling drained the battery quickly. If you are serious about owning this phone, we highly recommend purchasing an additional battery for your peace of mind. Unquestionably, the phone has the best screen we've seen and some technically advanced features, but the T250 seems to have as many quirks as it has advantages. --Thom Arno Pros:
- Best screen available today
- Web access
- Quadmode TDMA technology
Cons:
- Inaudible ringer
- Sluggish processor
- Comparatively fast battery drain
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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