Palm’s Centro is a Winner!
Click any image to enlarge it.
I must admit to having had a negative attitude towards the Palm Centro from the first rumors. I didn’t understand the point. But after a mere fifteen minutes with a Centro I was totally won over. Using words like “cute” and “adorable” is unfair to such a powerful device. Nonetheless, there are no words to better describe Palm’s newest offering.
I got a red one, and it’s glossy and shiny, and just plain beautiful. It feels good in your hand, although it doesn’t have the rubbery feeling of the 680. I’m sure eGrips will be available for the Centro soon. The stylus, on the other hand, is rubbery and matches the color so you hardly know it’s there. Of course, since the Centro is really just another Palm OS Treo, you may never need to use the stylus.
So what is the difference between the Centro and its larger siblings, the 700p and 755? In a nutshell: it’s smaller. I can’t find a single thing my 700p can do that the Centro can’t. And did I mention it’s cute?
Size Does Matter
I originally bought a Treo 270 because I couldn’t see a thing on the screen of any cell phone I’d used. I figured that nice big screen would be just the ticket for my weak old eyes, and I was sure this would be the very reason the Centro was not for anyone…of a certain age. But the screen isn’t really that much smaller at 2.2″ (diagonal) as opposed to the 700/755’s 2.4″ (diagonal). All the icons and text still show up crisp and clear. Watching movies with TCPMP on the Centro is as awesome an experience as watching on the 700p.
Of course, you may not be able to carry around as many movies or as much music on your Centro as on your 650, 700, or 680 as it uses the micro sd expansion cards, and they only come up to 4GB at present. But to be clear, 4GB is a tremendous amount of data.
I’m not a big fan of micro SD cards. I find them barely big enough to hold without tweezers, and getting one inside a Centro is tricky! On the other hand, once you put your micro SD card into the slot, you’ll never lose it. You have to remove the battery cover to open the little door covering the card slot. On another highly positive note, Mobile Stream’s Card Reader works great with the Centro, so there’s really no need to remove the card once it’s in there.
One thing that sets all Palm devices apart is Palm’s awesome design for its physical keyboards. I have handed the Centro to a few friends with large hands, and while they were initially skeptical of the Centro’s small keyboard, they all agreed that typing on the keys was easy. As for me, the tiny nearly flat keys makes typing an even better experience than on any previous Palm smartphone model. I can hold the device in one hand and type with my thumb nail effortlessly. One handed operation of my 700p is sometimes a stretch (quite literally), but my thumb reaches across the entire keyboard of the Centro quite comfortably. Awesome!
Performance
Part of Palm’s new design includes internal antennas to keep devices small and rounded. This does not affect reception at all. The signal is strong, and reception is execellent. And on a related note, the volume on the Centro blows away anything you’ve seen from Palm to date. Not even the hardest of hearing will have any complaints with this baby.
I was able to successfully pair and use every Bluetooth device I own with the Centro. It’s a shame A2DP wasn’t built into it, but SAG works well. There is a slightly newer version of Bluetooth on the Centro: v 3.3A, which fixes some of the common issues found on its predecessors.
The camera is the same 1.3 megapixel found in previous models. It takes sharp photos that are adequate for most people. I’ve included a sample here.
I’m hoping our friends at Seidio will come out with a replacement battery for the Centro ASAP. The 1150 mAh battery isn’t going to be sufficient for the power user. The spec sheet says 3.5 hours talk time, and that’s about right. After having the device on all day (with Bluetooth and IM on), talking for 90 minutes left me with 56% battery. For me this is a very acceptable trad eoff for the small form factor. I am rarely away from charging sources for long, and if I’m going to be gone long, there are spare batteries and Medis Power Packs.
Included Apps
Palm likes to tell us what applications are necessary, and always includes some on the ROM which we cannot remove or update. Included on the Centro’s ROM: Documents to Go version 10, PocketTunes 4, Sudoku, GoogleMaps, IM, Sprint Mail (in addition to Versamail which just won’t go away), and the trial for Nuance voice (my comments on it can be found in my 755 review). There are also bonus applications, mostly trials, available on the installation CD.
Conclusion
I want one.
As usual, it’s a shame that the good prices are being offered only to entice new cellular service plan customers.
Pros
- New Access powered logo!
- Smaller, slimmer form factor with internal antenna
- Choice of ruby red or onyx black
- Everything you find in the larger Palm os Treos
- Awesome volume
- Uses the same chargers (cradles, cables) as the 650/700p/755
- Beautiful
- $99 after rebates for new Sprint customers
Cons
- Micro SD cards are so small they are hard to handle
- Versamail
- Small battery
- No A2DP
- $399 for existing customers
- Your friends may get jealous!
Related Links
Join the Treo Discount Club and save up to 60% on all your store purchases!
Purchase Bluetooth accessories for your Centro
Compare the Centro to other Treo smartphones
Filed under: Editorials
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Sounds like a winner…Thanks for the review. I will order mines tomorrow
I think I’m gonna take mine back!
PSYCHE!
God review Alli!
I was impressed by the volume of the device and how good the tiny keyboard really is.
My biggest gripe that you didn’t address was that d*** creaky battery door. Palm could have done better with that. Over all though, I’m very impressed.
Interesting. The battery door on the loaner I have doesn’t creak (probably why I didn’t address it). I have problems with the battery doors in all of the Treos I’ve used so far. Removing them and replacing them is always problematic. Oh well.
Love my Treo again!!!!! Its definitely a Treo. No complaints however VolumeCare and Butler’s LED control isn’t working for me.
Love my Treo again!!!!! Its definitely a Treo. No complaints however VolumeCare and Butler’s LED control isn’t working for me.
I really like the size! I had to buy a small dumbphone when I didn’t want to lug my 650 around - as it is ungainly to put in a jacket pocket and too big and thick to carry in a trouser (or jeans) pocket.
But I will not get this one until Palm releases a USB driver for Vista x64.
2.5mm or 3.5mm audio jack?
Alli,
Consider me a dinosaur with my 600. The cost and pain of Carrier switches keeps me from upgrading but it may be wise before mine just goes kaput.
The age old question - 680, 755p, or Centro? Or wait till ‘08 and a new OS?
I’m not a power user but like the address book and overall usability of Palm. VERY afraid of ever using WinMo. Any suggestions??
Alli,
Consider me a dinosaur with my 600. The cost and pain of Carrier switches keeps me from upgrading but it may be wise before mine just goes kaput.
The age old question - 680, 755p, or Centro? Or wait till ‘08 and a new OS?
I’m not a power user but like the address book and overall usability of Palm. VERY afraid of ever using WinMo. Any suggestions??
Alli, you briefly noted you watched movies on your Centro using TCPMP. I looked up an old article on MTDN explaining the process to transfer DVD movies onto a Treo, but some of the necessary software mentioned is no longer available. How do I movies from a DVD into a format I can use TCPMP to play?
PM, I switched from a GSM carrier to Sprint a year ago cause I had to have a 700p and couldn’t wait for the 680 to arrive. I have not been sorry. EVDO is sweeeeeeet. Go to your nearest Sprint store and take a look at the Centro. Then check out the SERO plans.
chuckg, Fairusewizard is still available on fairusewizard.com. I highly recommend it (or a Neuros.)
got mine…(black) so far so good. except the stylus, and the battery cover very cheap quality. just ordered for micro SD card.
anyone want my treo 650? =)
if I have te treo 700p..will all my programs transfer over to the centro cuz I need em for my marketing shortcuts????
Ali…
What ringtone software did you test on the Centro?
Alli
Not fair!! You’ve made my 600 jealous. It was fully charged this morning but within 2 hours it was dead :( Same thing happened about a week ago and I had to cold-start and recover through sync.
If this continues it may expedite my trip to buy a new handset :(
just played with one….not impressed, the screen is tiny…keyboard is ok…..looks fake, i do like the name centro not treo.
I really think this is a great device. Everyone’s always complaining that there are slimmer phones and prettier OS’. We’ll the beauty of Palm is that it just feels right. I think the Centro feels very solid and fits very well in the hand. I looked at Q’s and BlackJacks, they are thinner, but it seems flimsy to me, plus no touchscreen, bleh. Yeah Palm OS is ugly…but it does exactly what I need it to and there are so many skins out there that you can buy. I think people just don’t see the great utility of Palm products because it doesn’t have bright shiny things everywhere.
oh, your cat looks kinda crazy btw.
I do not remember a product going from WTF? to I want one in such a short period of time. Being an ATT costumer I cant wait till the 90 days runs out so I can get one from my carrier.
It’s just another el-cheapo crap plastic fantastic does nothing no wifi, no hope, piece of crap tghast Palm have been dishing out for years now. With the Centro release I’ve jumped to a WIFI out of the box E61i and my only regret, not getting one sooner. The Palm makes a really cherap plastic sounding crack when you throw it against a brick wall -it (the Palm’s) best feature by far.
I tested out Lightwav. I’ll be happy to try anything else while I still have it (another week or so).
I’m still not sure why anyone in the US wants WiFi. I’ve never found a free WiFi connection, yet the data connection is free with my cell plan. Just my 2 cents.
k, now i’ve had my centro for three days thought i’d give a brief review for those who are debating on buying one.
so far it’s been really impressive! i was bit turned down at first because it seemed fragile and key board felt a bit cramped. but i’ve already gotten used to the keyboard and the fact that it weighs like a feather compared to my old treo650 and the internet being soooo much faster,(most of the time) it’s definitely worth it. i could actually put my phone in my pocket and not have to look like i’m happy to see everyone everytime. =)
Cons.
1. not getting the auto ‘apostrophe’ during typing on ‘messaging’
2. it keeps on trying to connect to the internet every so often, and i can’t figure out what program is trying to do this…
3. i loved the KGT. software on my treo, not sure if it’ll work on centro (gives me a warning when i tried to install it) dont want to mess up my new phone already…
cons.
1. it’s a size and weight of a normal phone now, not a laptop.
2. cool apps. including, radio, google maps, TV, youtube, can stream videos. fast internet(compared with treo600,650)
3. small upgrades, such as u can now choose ringtones for individuals, sudoku,solitare, better camera!
4. Price! and again, SIZE AND WEIGHT!
i have done an upgrade because i already have sprint, paid $200 for the centro, and i’m supposed to be getting another $100 back. for $100 bucks, this phone is a definite winner.
HOPE THIS HELPS SOME OF YOU.
Thanx for the reply Ali, but I’ll be testing on my own Centro now :)
So far LOVE the phone, even though some older apps that bareley supported the 5way do not support the Centro’s 5way. Oh well bout time to upgrade those anyway.
The centro is a sweet litttle number. my wife would love it but I’m a power user and I can’t deal with the smaller keys and zero battery life. I’m sticking to the 755 until the new OS comes out in 2009.
The Centro sucks. I just got it yesterday and it powered off while on the net. Its made of all cheap material and that’s why it costs less than the 700 and 755. Everything on this device is plastic including the screen. The only thing good about it is the size. I’m returning mine for a 755p or I will just keep my 700p until Palm step up there game. They need something like the Ty Tn II made by HTC.
I just picked up my Centro yesterday - coming from a Treo 600 (!) that I’ve been nursing along for the past six months the Centro seems to be a great, low cost replacement…of course I’ve had it for about 20 hours and it’s slept for 9 of those…time to wake that baby up.
hi byuntae25!
How much do you want for your treo 650?
luchi, hmmm… hard to say why don’t you offer something reasonable… e-mail me, byuntae25@yahoo.com