Three - alternative to E71

Geffen · 3 Jul 2009 at 20:38

I've just brought an E71 from Three and have been having problems with poor/no reception at my home. I've phoned up their customer service and they've told me the E71 does not have great reception and so they want to swap it for a different phone. I really like the phone and want to get something similar, (smartphone with keyboard). Has anyone got any suggestions - so far only the Blackberry Bold or the E63 seem to appeal.

grudas · 3 Jul 2009 at 21:09

what? nokia always has good reception.. 3 is very poor network... unless i go out in the garden i cant call from inside of the house.. on w910i SE and nokia e71.. 3 is rubish not the phone....

rmuir · 3 Jul 2009 at 21:15

yeah, not sure i would believe that excuse. 2 guys at work have an e71, one on 3, one has his on o2. Guy on o2 has reasonable reception all of the time, guy on 3 has to basically dance on one leg to get a signal.

Is the phone on contract or payngo?

Did ya check reception before purchase?

and, finally, where did ya bring it?

goujon945 · 3 Jul 2009 at 21:21

I've had an E71 on 3 for a month or so and my signal is great, much better than my old Vodafone signal. I guess it just comes down to luck really, local geography, cell towers etc

Columbo · 3 Jul 2009 at 21:41

Dunno what 3 are talkin about, my E71 is fantastic in terms of signal quality.

Geffen · 3 Jul 2009 at 21:50

I'm sure the issues down to the 3 have naff coverage rather than the phone but i will play the game and swap the phone if there is something reasonable to swap for. If that doesn't work then i will look to get the contract cancelled.

Aod · 3 Jul 2009 at 22:51

the E71 is designed with signal quality in mind - mine gets good signal EVERYWHERE. (vodafone & orange)

ergonomics · 4 Jul 2009 at 14:30

Whereabouts are you from? I was looking into an E71 with Three just today, but i've heard bad things about their signal quality.

Geffen · 4 Jul 2009 at 21:58

Ergonomics The three people suggested the E63 has better signal quality than the E71 and a few reviews i've read seem to be suggesting the same thing. So i'm going to end try out a E63 if that doesn'f work then i'm going to cancel the contract.

If your looking at Three it may be worth looking at their coverage checker http://www.three.co.uk/_popup/Coverage_checker

OspreyO · 5 Jul 2009 at 00:58

Theres lot of reports on thew web about poor reception with the E71. I have one and I think its poor compared to my previous phones.

chrisxuk · 5 Jul 2009 at 08:45

I've been looking at the E71 with 3 on the £20 contract but all the bad reviews are stopping me. Few people seem to be fine, whilst most have problems all the time.

One More Solo · 5 Jul 2009 at 09:10

OspreyO said:
Theres lot of reports on thew web about poor reception with the E71. I have one and I think its poor compared to my previous phones.

I thought that problem was only with the US version of the phone?

ergonomics · 5 Jul 2009 at 13:59

One More Solo said:
I thought that problem was only with the US version of the phone?

Apparently not, the UK one is just as bad. Something to do with the antenna at the bottom of the device.

Be interesting to see what happens with the E63 Geffen. I was originally going to shoot for the E71, but if i can't get that, i'm stuffed for a choice.

OspreyO · 5 Jul 2009 at 16:58

Think the metal body is a factor.

thehitmen · 5 Jul 2009 at 17:52

Keep the E71

Unlock it or get it sim free? for better Network provider who gives you better signal ?

eidolon · 5 Jul 2009 at 18:04

I think the problem is your crappy network, not the phone. I've got an E71, and know loads of others with it too and they're all fine.....apart from anyone on Three

thehitmen · 5 Jul 2009 at 18:55

I have had no problems with 3, but i do say i live in a well built town.

OspreyO · 5 Jul 2009 at 19:26

Perhaps you only get the problem where the signal is week.

Geffen · 8 Jul 2009 at 13:34

ergonomics - The E63 arrived and it does have marinal better signal quality than the E71 but that not really saying much. I now get reception down stairs in my house but have to walk upstairs to get clear reception. Overall i would go with the E71 rather than the E63, but pick a network with a strong signel in your area (not Three). There nothing terriable wrong with the E63 it just that the E71 is overall a better phone. Also you don't get a memory card or micro USB cable with the E63 mean you need to spend another £10 to £20 just so you can use all the function of the E63 properly while these are standard in the E71.

I'm currently try to cancel the contract as the signal is still not strong enough and i was mislead about the E63 having GPS built in. The Three customer service is proving to be as bad as people say and i would not recomend anyone buying a Three phone.

OspreyO · 8 Jul 2009 at 13:47

The E63 has some neat hard coded buttons for bluetooth/torch etc. I went with the E71 one because of camera. In fairness to the camera on the E71 while its not great, it can do ok, with a bit of effort. I'd say it would be possible to improve it with some firmware tweaks but I doubt they'll do it.