Sunday, February 7, 2010

SPICE MOBILE QT-55

This is a pretty old blog post. If you are searching for some new phones, then I would recommend Flipkart as they always come up with some awesome offers.



I checked out this cellphone of SPICE three days back.
Model No: QT-55
Came home and googled for customer feedback and surprisingly found no mention of this model, not even on the SPICE mobile website. The features were however appealing, considering that one can get it for only 3.5k (MRP is 3699/- but can be negotiated to 3.5k or more if you are good at it).


I fell in love with it at first sight, not when I first saw the model but when I first saw the MRP! :P
Finally I bought it and have been using it for past two days and it feels great to possess it, especially when people who know, that you have been using an old fashioned nokia 6020 model for past 3.5 years suddenly start staring at you! It looks great, at least to my eyes. And buying the cellphone out of my own 'hard-earned' stipend, makes it even more special :)

As far as features are concerned, I would say, they might slightly fall short of NOKIA (E63 costs 11.4k) or SAMSUNG (Corby costs 6.7k) but considering that the cost is just 3.5k, features provided are cool... Point is this difference in price I would attribute more to the fact that NOKIA has better brand name than SAMSUNG and it in turn has better brand name than SPICE.

Salient Features:
1) Qwerty keyboard \m/
2) Dual simcard (now onwards both my simcards are active); well this was my primary motivation to buy this phone
3) Mobile tracking if cellphone is lost (recent high end models have this feature wherein if your cellphone is stolen and the thief inserts his simcard, then his simcard sends sms to 5 numbers you had stored before, which makes tracking it easier)
4) Inbuilt FM antenna (means you don't have to carry your headphones everywhere), plus FM recording (scheduled FM recording also), which is also great quality to a non-critic's ears
5) Awesome speakers (loud and clear)
6) Motion games (rolling dice on shaking)
7) Ebook reader (But only .txt format)
8) Torch: quite powerful
9) Long battery life (1200 mAh, 5 hr talktime or 12 days on standby mode, normally lasts for 5-6 days as I use music player often)
10) Two slots for expandable memory (I am using a 2 GB card that cost me extra 300 bucks).
11) 1 year warranty
12) Bluetooth
13) Screen display is cool :)
14) Camera (well can't zoom while clicking photos and it's not high resolution, about this feature I would say "just fine")
15) Videoplayer (plays only few formats, I am yet to figure out which all formats work). In audio files, most common formats like mp3, wav are supported.
16) Screen display is cool :)
17) Melody composer, which used to be provided with only low end cellphones is present. We also have some stuff which is of not much use to me: Ibibo, Nimbuzz, mGurujee, email2sms, rueters, spice gang, job search, weather, cricket updates and mms.

18) What is lacking is USB file transfer, you have only bluetooth to transfer your files. But I already had a card reader, so I thought I could manage the limitation of USB. I had heard from my friend, that USB connectivity is bad for most SPICE cellphones, so I guess they removed this feature completely in this model
19) Also no Wi-fi connectivity, but I hardly use my cellphone for browsing, as I can use my lappy when I am at home. It's GPRS enabled though!
20) If you are looking for GPS or touchscreen, then these features are absent. Finally few minor features like keypad password protection, when you unlock your keypad, are absent. Also I am unable to figure out how to insert smileys in smses yet!
21) Speed is not as good as nokia phones, but still manageable.
(Obviously you can't expect everything in 3.5k)

So overall, based on my needs, I would say this phone \m/

But I can't comment about the reliability/ durability until I have used it for a few months. Also this is not an advertisement for selling this model, they are just my personal opinions. I don't take the responsibility for any kind of dis-satisfaction caused to you if you purchase this mobile. Please check the features yourself before buying. And also don't comment saying "bakwaas phone hai!" Rather suggest a cellphone with better features for same price :P

59 comments:

  1. This article was very useful to me. My friend's phone once got locked and she unlocked that Nokia 9300 phone using unlock instructions available at http://www.unlock-free.com/nokia-master/nokia-9300.html.

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  2. "They might slightly fall short of NOKIA E63"
    Seriously???First check the features in E63 & then talk!

    Ders a lot of difference between "features of Nokia E63" & "features of Nokia E63 which you might want"!

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  3. slightly is a thing which can't be measured! :P it's ok dude... u have E63 so u r furious.. understandable.. i might also buy E63 one day, who knows.. but right now (with current stipend) QT-55 is best for me.. :)

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  4. Can you tell about this phones battery backup? How much day it going practically with one charge? I also see it in local shop, and it have 1800 mah battery ....

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  5. I have used this phone for just 4 days now. I had charged my battery on first day, (5th feb) i.e. when I bought it. Within three days (i.e. by 8th feb) half the charge had been used up. So I guess the battery will last for about 6 days in one charge. I had used FM, music player a lot during these three days. The very fact that battery takes more than 4 hours to charge up fully means that it has good storage capacity.

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  6. I thot it runs on solar & lunar power combo....So never runs out :P

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  7. Yeah when sun, moon and earth come in a straight line, i.e. during solar or lunar eclipse

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  8. That time its powerful sensors pick up starlight & twilight na? :P

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  9. Hi,
    i need some info ....
    1) do you using both sims from first day?
    2) does it support JAVA & GPRS?
    3) can we use OPERA MINI to surf net on phone?

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  10. @techmasti
    1) yup.. no problems faced till now.
    2) no java. but phone has WAP and supports GPRS. no Wi-Fi. there isn't some standard browser, but you can surf net.
    3) I haven't tried but since it's not java enabled, i guess the answer is no. (As I don't use cellphone for surfing, I haven't enabled my GPRS through service provider).

    You can't expect everything for 3500/- :P

    If you need to surf net a lot then I would advice not to buy QT-55, best is to check out at a nearby store before buying.

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  11. guys also check out features of QT-44 and QT-66. Not sure if they are released. Spice mobile website has listed them

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  12. what is the bluetooth version of your phone.what is the extra features like scheduled swiff offf etc on the phone

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  13. I have bluetooth on my phone and also scheduled switch on/off feature. Also scheduled sms feature is there. And if i get a call and i am busy, with one press button I can send sms to him/her saying I am busy, call later etc.. basically by choosing from a few pre-saved text templates :)

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  14. But I am not very happy with the display screen. I believe it has moved a little since I purchased it, about 1mm on top and 1mm towards the left. :(
    Otherwise fine till now ...

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  15. QT-55... i got this "cutie" as a gift.... and for someone who has used simple phones like nokia 1100, 2100 all my life.. this is amazing....!! looks like a PDA with amazing features but very simple and doesnt cost a bomb! :)

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  16. hey i m very interested in buying this....i know all the features...just few queries...all over the net the price being mentioned is 3200/- and on ebay it says 3699/- and ween i enquired to my spice dealers they claim it to be 4000/-...i m puzzled as the phone is not popular so not firm prices...i m satisfied wit spice phone,nice durable n good....no issues used a m5252 model before for 3 months...simply loved it.....this will be my secondary phone and so my budget for secondary phone is approx 2500/- but if it is spice,qwerty,wireless fm,dual-sim thn i may extend it 500 to 700rs....so for 3200/- it will be good buy for me or else good bye from me....many websites quote 3200/- but those are just for information n donot entertain trading...SO IF U JUST CAN HELP ME WITH THE PRICING AND FROM WHERE I CAN BUY THE SET WITHIN MY BUDGET...
    Ishan shah from mumbai
    ishan2468@gmail.com
    plz reply thru the mail...
    THANX A BUNCH.....TAKE CARE.....GOD BLESS.....

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  17. the features are quite good. it would be better if they give USB and good quality camera. I wouldn't have any problem of paying 1000 bux more.

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  18. @Ishy: MRP is 3699/- Don't buy above that. I negotiated to 3500/- I bought it from a store in Koramangala, Bangalore.
    As this is new model, I think you won't be able to find cheap online dealers for few weeks at least. Online costs may be around 3200/- if you wait till then.


    @Abhi: Check out features of QT-66. It has 2 MP camera. I am not sure if it is available in the stores though. You may consider waiting for a few weeks. My guess about its cost is around 5k.

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  19. i m very much attracted by this phone.i hve already purchased this phone everything is good in this set but i m satisfied with the quality of the vedios.vedios while running stops a lot.. (sumit.).

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  20. plz tell me about performance of qt66 n feedback plz do reply

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  21. hi Chinmay.....maine tumhara review padhne ke bad ye phone kharidne ki sochi ...maine kal hi ise kharida h aur abhi tak sari chije acchi samjhme aa rahi h(except video quality)....overall its a very good mobile in very cheap price...maine ise 3200 Rs(delhi) me kharida hai....
    thanks for this review

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  22. @anonymous: i dont know much about QT-66, but the price is higher.. so features will obviously be better.. It has 2 MP camera, QT-55 has poor quality camera..

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  23. @rajesh: achha hai ki 3200/- mein bargain kar li tumne.. i have used only 3GP files so far. they are small in size and play fine. if you are able to play any other format, do let me know :)
    have fun with QT!

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  24. Dear chinmay, aapka info@QT maine padha..bt i cn't undrstand dat micromax, maxx, gfone, spice etc all companies ne QT 5,6,4 yahi same nam,same features,same design k fone q launch kiye he? isi design me bahot sare china mobiles bhi aye hue...i m totaly confusd...rply

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  25. @anand: QT= Qwerty (keypad) has become the fashion today, so in order to stay in competition all companies had to launch their own QWERTY keypad cellphones. Features are almost same but reliability and prices (also looks of the cellphone) will differ from company to company...

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  26. d above info has been very usefull 4 me ... just wanted 2 know 1 more thing ....since this handset supports mono bluetooth can we hear songs n talk through bluetooth headset ??????(avinash )

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  27. yes we can hear songs...

    go to settings --> connectivity --> bluetooth --> settings --> audio path --> forward to bluetooth headset

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  28. Hi chimu..hw r u? ya u r rite..QWERTY kpad iz fasion of new generation..n hw much v xpect in rs.3500..ur info is most useful 2 me 2 buy same..chimu wt @ qt 44 n 66...tx

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  29. Hi ...chimu...i hv noticed ur review @QT 55..Its nice fone in just RS.3500....i hv decided 2 buy betn 2 options dat micromx QT 5 n spice qt 55...can help me to decide better one...rlpy

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  30. hey chimu ..thnx 4 such a wonderfull review it was after raeding ur review i decided 2 buy this phone ...homwever Airtel GPRS is not working on this mobile. I've called airtel GPRS personnel several times and after doing manual settings it is not working.
    do u know d setting for Airtel MO - ???(avinash)

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  31. hey chimu..thnks for this gr8 post...but can u post me same for QT66...
    1.i was getting it for 5000rs...... and i am willing to buy it...
    2. i am not sure abt spice mobiles durability and reliability so plz help me abt this...
    3.Is this (qt66) also supports theme???if yes..which format??
    4.is the wifi of phone gr8??
    5.or tell me anyother best phone in the range of rs 5000 ....n it must had wifi in it...n it must b qwerty...thnks...


    regards.....
    ROHII

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  32. hey check out the price in global access tey r costing 3.2k with a pouch great price, i enquired the price in frazer town Bangalore

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  33. Dear chinmoy
    Read your review of Spice QT 55 in your blog.I have also bought the set recently. Now I have certain questions regarding the set. Hopefully you hav answers to them:
    #1. How can I improve gprs/wap performance? I am using airtel.
    #2. Is it possible use gmail, facebook, orkut in this set?
    #3. how can I install mobile dictionary on this phone?
    Please write to me if have answers to these questions.
    regards
    Pritam

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  34. Dear Mr. Chinmay,

    Congratulations on the lovely review. For the last few days
    I've grown quite interest in this QT-55 model. I feel it will
    definitely fit my "Rough Use"-style.Please let me know
    whether this model has call recording facility or not.
    Additionally, if you can mail me a picture(Pref. someone's
    close up) clicked with this phone I'll remain highly grateful
    to you. My mail id is : dbasu08@gmail.com
    Though I know that the camera is of very low resolution still
    I would like to check out the same.I want to check out that
    whether the pix could be printed out and the same looks somehow
    good in printed form or not.
    Expecting a quick reply from you.

    Regards,
    Dip Basu

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  35. Dear Mr. Chinmay,

    Congratulations on the lovely review. For the last few days
    I've grown quite interest in this QT-55 model. I feel it will
    definitely fit my "Rough Use"-style.Please let me know
    whether this model has call recording facility or not.
    Additionally, if you can mail me a picture(Pref. someone's
    close up) clicked with this phone I'll remain highly grateful
    to you. My mail id is : dbasu08@gmail.com
    Though I know that the camera is of very low resolution still
    I would like to check out the same.I want to check out that
    whether the pix could be printed out and the same looks somehow
    good in printed form or not.
    Expecting a quick reply from you.

    Regards,
    Dip Basu

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  36. @Dip Basu: No Call recording facility, and sorry i don't have good close up pics of the phone. The best one I had, I already uploaded on my blog. but u can search for google images of this phone. you will get good ones.

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  37. Thanks Mr. Chinmay, actually I asked for some images clicked by the help of the phone. Plz mail some of the pix you had taken with the phone. Wanna check out the resolution.
    Regards,
    Dip Basu

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  38. @Dip Basu: Mailed you the pic.. :)

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  39. Hi..I have same mobile. It seems great but would like to know about following...

    1) I tried playing java game (jar file) but the instrument could not recognized the file, so whether it supports java or not ??? if yes how.

    2) Can I write/receive SMS in hindi or other language?? when I tried, I failed.

    I search on net, but could not find much.

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  40. @Sanjay: 1) no QT-55 doesnt, QT-66 does
    2) No

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  41. hi can i use headset bluetooth in spice qt 55 for listen music

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  42. go to settings --> connectivity --> bluetooth --> settings --> audio path --> forward to bluetooth headset

    i haven't tried it, you can try and let me know

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  43. i also purchased QT55 but unfortunately it lakes JAVA thus u can not run many applications and softwares.U can not use internet explorer like Opera Mini etc.
    but atlast in just 3300Rs it is Good looking phone.

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  44. Hi,does this phone play music videos and show pictures in full screen?

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  45. Hi friends ,

    I just brought a spice mobibe qt66 for 5k ,
    but can'nt able to do effortlessly the GPRS &
    opera mini/java .Though voice quality & other features are very good . If any body having the same set and satisfied with the data connection please pass the configuration .
    please pass the

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  46. videos only in few formats like 3GP

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  47. Hi friends,
    The basic features of QT 55 are quite attractive, but it is failing in GPRS support, the camera quality is also not so good because of which I had to dump my phone. I was looking for a phone where I could access to my mail accounts (official), but after approaching to both the service providers (different service provider as its having 2 SIM card options) & Spice but was dissappointed with no help....So please check the GPRS compatiblity before buying this phone.

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  48. hi....
    Thanks for the comments
    im also having the same mobile
    i need to know whether this will support Nokia Bluetooth to listen songs i tried many a times but it is not working

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  49. videos only in few formats like 3GP and i like this mobile

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  50. I like Mobiles with 3.5mm Headphone Jack.
    does it has ????

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  51. I too have bought this QT55 phone , all is fine except one thing and that is it records video for only 9-11 seconds and then displays msg "size limit reached". i dont understabd whats the problem. I am using a 2 gb card and have changed the default storage to memory card but the problem still persists. can anyone please suggest some solution to the problem? Thx

    regards

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  52. i gt this phone from home shop 18 for a cool Rs.1999

    ;-)

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  53. any extra charge in home shop 18 ?

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  54. no.. they deliver it for free.. cash on delivery.. :)

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  55. HAs anyone noticed that this phone has an antena ... i discovered it yesterday...

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  56. ya i also buy this ph. 4m hs18 nd can any1 tell me that what type of aaplictions nd games we install in this phone nd 4m where we get all that applications nd games 4 qt 55 phone..... ??????

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  57. hey,i also have bought this phone 4m hs18 ...but m having a big problem with it as it is not showing any content in any memory card either..now what should i do....even video recording is also very poor..

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  58. yes video recording quality is not good. About memory card, please check those memory cards in some other phone to confirm that they are not faulty. Which memory cards did u buy? I have had no problem with memory card till now and I had bought it from the same dealer who gave me the phone. So he knew which memory cards were compatible.

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  59. "Advertising has us chasing cars and clothes, working jobs we hate so we can buy shit we don't need."
    "The things you own end up owning you."
    -Fight Club

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