Current and potential Sprint customers will be interested in Palm’s latest Smartphone. The Palm Treo 755p is an updated version of their Treo 700p which was released last summer. Running Palm OS, the 755p includes the same physical restyling that came with the 750 and 680 GSM phones which were released last fall. Is the smaller form factor and various software changes enough for 700p owners to justify an upgrade to this new model? Hopefully this review will help answer that question…
Hardware Specs
Operating System: Palm OS 5.4.9
Memory: 128MB (60MB persistent user storage)
Processor: Intel 312 MHz processor
Display: 320 x 320 pixel TFT touchscreen with support for over 65,000 colors
Wireless: Dual-band CDMA2000 1xEvDO, 1XRTT, Bluetooth 1.2, Infrared (IR)
Digital Camera: 1.3 megapixels with 1280×1024 resolution and 2x zoom
Expansion Slot: miniSD card
Battery: 1600 mAh Rechargeable lithium-ion, Talk time: up to 4.2 hours, Standby time: up to 240 hours
Size: 4.4 x 2.3 x 0.84 in (113 x 59.3 x 21.3 mm)
Weight: 5.64 ounces (160 grams)
Package Contents
Palm Treo 755p smartphone
Rechargeable battery
AC power charger
USB sync cable
Headset
Stylus
Palm Software installation CD (with User Guide and desktop synchronization software for Windows and Mac)
User documentation
This new model is available in both Blue (like the 750) and Burgundy. I was sent the Burgundy version for review. Like the 750, the 755p has a slightly rubberized coating over the case which really helps you keep a grip on the phone.
Do you notice anything missing on the face of this phone? You don’t see a status LED for battery charging. Don’t worry, it’s there, you just don’t notice it until you actually apply power to the Treo for charging. Then it lights up. It also blinks Green when you have a notification or alarm.
In hand, I feel no difference between this phone and my 750v. Same weight, same size and it passes my now famous Gadgeteer creak test. If you’re new here, the Gadgeteer creak test is where I squeeze a gadget to see if the casing flexs, creaks, or cracks. I also like to give it a shake to see if it rattles. Yes, it’s these types of highly scientific tests that have made The Gadgeteer one of the most popular review sites on the net ;o)
Screen and button layout is identical to the 680. The keys are also the same size and all have the same good tactile feedback. Flip the phone over and you’ll see the speaker grill, camera and self portrait mirror that you also find on the 680 and 750.
Volume up/down buttons are located on the Left side of the phone along with a user customizable button below them.
On the opposite side of the phone, you’ll find the IR port and a miniSD card slot. The 755p matches the 750 (Windows Mobile Smartphone) with this configuration instead of the 680 which has a full sized SD slot. miniSD cards are pretty popular and as cheap as regular full sized SD cards these days, so I don’t see this as an issue as far as program and data storage.
If you look at the top edge of the phone, you’ll find the handy speaker mute switch. I use this all the time on all my Treos and feel lost when I happen to be using another phone that doesn’t have this convenient feature.
On the bottom edge there’s the 2.5mm earphone jack, charge / sync port and microphone. Nothing new here.
Also not new is the lack of WiFi. Web surfing, emailing and similar activities will have to be accomplished using a data package and EVDO or 1XRTT. A lot of people complain that Treos lack WiFi, but I’ve never found this to be a problem for me as I almost never find myself in an area with a hotspot anyway. Surfing using 1XRTT (EVDO isn’t in my area yet) doesn’t feel that painful to me as it is about the same as EDGE on my 680. I conducted a speed test using http://www.dslreports.com/mspeed. The 200k test yielded the following results in 3 back to back tests:
| Treo 755p Tests | Treo 680 Tests |
| 113 kbit/sec, 1.721s latency | 91 kbit/sec, 1.397s latency |
| 100 kbit/sec, 1.216s latency | 91 kbit/sec, 1.698s latency |
| 89 kbit/sec, 1.33s latency | 90 kbit/sec, 1.41s latency |
As far as hardware goes, not a whole lot has changed between the previous model (700p) and the new 755p. Same OS version, same processor, same amount of RAM, same camera resolution and Bluetooth version. The main physical changes are a smaller form factor, no antenna and a smaller battery. Yes, you read that right. The 755p has a smaller capacity battery than the 700p. This new model has a 1600 mAh, while the 700p has an 1800 mAh. That’s still better than my 680 which only has a 1200 mAh battery, so I’m not complaining!
Let’s check out what’s new on the software side of the equation…
Software
Installed in ROM
Blazer Web Browser
Bluetooth Manager
Calculator
Calendar
Camcorder
Camera
Card info
Contacts
Documents To Go 8.0
Google Maps
HotSync Manager
Memos
Messaging
MyTreo
On-Demand
Phone
Pictures and Videos
PocketTunes
QuickTour
Sprint TV
Tasks
VersaMail v3.5.4
Voice Memo
World Clock
Software on CD-ROM
Audible
Bejeweled 1.0
Documents To Go (desktop version)
eReader
Hotsync Manager
Palm Desktop software
Palm Files
Remote File Access
Solitaire
Traffic for Treo smartphones
Treo Voice Dialing – Trial version
Hmmmm, not a whole heck of a lot is new here either, but let’s go over the highlights.
First of all, let me say Yay that Palm didn’t go with the new tabbed calling interface like on the 680. They have stuck with the same interface that the 700p had. Some might say that it’s old and tired, but it’s easy to use and gets the job done.
Google Maps is in ROM which is cool. Oh look, there’s my house. Let’s zoom in!
Like to chat via AIM, MSN Messenger and/or Yahoo Messenger? If so, you can now keep track of all your buddies right on your phone even when in other applications.
Remember Handmark’s Pocket Express? It’s called On Demand now, but does all the same things. It’s an easy to use finger friendly portal for news, weather, sports, etc.
I actually like using this application better than the built in web browser.
If you’re a TV addict, you’ll love that the 755p has SprintTV built into it. You can view all kinds of video clips from entertainment to news and weather.
There are tons of free choices as well as some premium content that will prompt you for payment.
Check it out, you can watch full length episodes of shows like Lost and Ugly Betty. Two of my faves. :o) I tried to get screen shots, but my screen shot software just captured solid black images when I tried… Quality is so-so with non-EVDO access. Sometimes I would have timeout errors while the Treo was trying to buffer the content. But if you have a fast connection, this feature could totally make waiting in line at the grocery or doctor’s office a lot more fun!
Another new software feature that I didn’t test is the new Outlook email Microsoft Direct Push Technology. Think Blackberry…
And that’s about it for software… So like hardware, there really isn’t THAT much new here. Seems to be the norm these years with Palm. Some might say that they don’t need to mess with a good thing as Treos are probably the most popular smartphones on the market. But for gadgeteers like us, I can’t help but feel a little disappointed with the 755p. It’s another good product from Palm, but it’s not going to make you drool. Sprint folks already owning a perfectly good 700p, might want to pass on this new model. But, if you’re new to Sprint or looking for a new phone, then sure, go for the Palm Treo 755p as it’s a solid phone with all the great Palm features we’ve come to appreciate.
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Thanks for the review of the Treo 755p. I’m a 700p owner. Palm is supposed to release a patch for the 700p sometime soon. If that works ok, then the 755p doesn’t seem like much of a reason to upgrade.
BTW.. the top of the review is dated May 23, 2007. Thats next week.
I’ve been rocking the Treo 650 since it first came to Sprint, and this is the first phone that makes me inclined to upgrade.
My real question is whether the 755p’s Bluetooth is better than the 650’s. Any impressions there?
Thanks as always for the review, Julie.
mogulman:
What all is the patch supposed to do add to the 700p?
ratbastid:
Bluetooth on the 755p is better than 650, but it’s still not as good as most non Palm phones. It’s a definite improvement though!
I think the main things are Bluetooth issues, Lag when switching apps, and skipping when listening to music. Supposedly these are already fixed in the 755p. Last I heard, the patch is supposed to be released at the end of May.
The only other new things between the 700p and the 755p are:
Form Factor is nicer without antenna
Mini SD rather then SD
Battery is different/Smaller
Slightly lighter then 700p
Instant messaging app (People have hacked this to get on the 700p)
Mobile Voice Control (available on 700p also)(made by nuance, server based, $6/month fee vs. Treo Voice Control on the 700p for $20 one time.)
Google Maps (available for 700p as download)
Improved Versa Mail with Push (Available on 700p already)
So really the main advantage for 700p owners would be the form factor. Not a real big reason to switch. For 650/earlier or non-palm owners, I would get the 755p or 700p. They would be a big improvement in data speed (EVDO). Probably the 755p would be a better unit to get now, since it has a better form factor.
When I switched from the 650 to the 680, I actually found that I missed not having the antenna. It made a great ‘handle’ for pulling the phone out of my pocket 😉
The 755p looks very cool, and looks like it has some great options. The big option that I want to know about is whether or not I can use the “M” from Mercora on it. Through that, I get my music wirelessly, my friend’s, and thousands of music channels. Being able to use the “M” on there would be a deal-breaker on getting this phone if I can’t.
JimmyJackFunk21:
From what I could tell from a brief visit to the Mercora website, M is a Windows Mobile app. The 755p is a Palm OS device. So no, you can’t use M on the 755p. However, there are lots of free streaming radio stations available through the Sprint TV app on the phone. Sirius radio is available too, for an additional monthly fee.
This model is more of a negative for users (mini-SD, new cases to buy, irrelevant apps over the 700p).
It seems to basically be released for the sole benefit of Palm. The have consolidated all their Treos into slightly slimmer casing (with the reduced battery life that comes along with it).
It also distracts from the fact the 700p has been out a year and still has no fix for the bluetooth and other problems. Apparently Palm will EOL the 700p without addressing even one of the major problems with the phone, and possibly after the warranty is up release a firmware patch that “might” fix some things that many people spent $650.00 on the phone a year ago promised it would do.
After being burned on the 650 *AND* the 700p, it’s amazing how many of us are lining up to beta test their 755 too. Hope springs eternal, I guess.
BTW – where’s the affordable 4GB+ miniSD card to replace all the 4GB SD cards we’ve acquired to make up for the paltry internal memory of the Treo (and admittedly to store music, movies, backups and such)? IMHO the miniSD direction is an extremely bad move except for resellers and manufacturers of these slightly smaller and much more expensive cards. Now if I want to email a photo from my “real” camera to my phone, I need to lug around an adapter and be sure to shoot anything I want to send onto a miniSD card so it fits in the Treo. How much space did Palm really save by making this “bold” move to miniSD?
Didn’t you know that all Gadgeteer reviews are written in the future and then passed back through time? How else can Julie run this site *and* work a full time job 😉
But on a more serious note, I’ve been hanging on to my 650, primarily because I don’t want to leave the GSM world *and* rebuy accessories.
I have a 700p and I’m very tempted by the 755p form factor, but the battery is holding me back. The standard battery may be only slightly smaller (1600 vs 1800 mAh) but I have a Seidio 2400 mAh battery in my 700p which fits under the standard battery cover without any modifications required. So far I haven’t seen any aftermarket batteries that improve on 1600 mAh for the 755p.
Meredyth:
What accessories do you have for your 650 besides cases? I’m still liking my 680… I don’t use a case for it and the only accessory that I use with any frequency is a USB retractable hotsync cable. 🙂
JOAD,
I think that the bean counters over at Palm intended this 755P to be for new users or users who have way older generations of the Palm OS Treo platform, and not a trade up for existing users of the 700P. I really think you are close to figuring that out.:unsure:
I agree with the opinions that this 755p is not meant as an upgrade for the 700p users but targeted for new Treo users, similar to the 680 and 650, but the 650 is no longer around now.
Although I like the idea of having an entry level Treo, it seems way too long of a wait for existing Treo owners for an upgrade. I’m still waiting for a true upgrade for my aging GSM 650. But then, I am very curious about the 750 and are getting more interested in maybe getting a WM Treo or just a WM device.
Then, I’d get the best of both worlds.:D
Julie,
When you watch the TV shows on the treo, is there an option to turn on captioning/subtitles? :unsure:
BlondAngel:
I don’t believe there is such an option for captioning / subtitles. I no longer have the phone, so I can’t verify…
How do i add songs to my palm treoo 755p??