Palm Centro Reviews

Palm Centro Reviews

The Palm Centro, in many ways, is the little brother to the rest of the Palm Treo line. Palm has managed to create a handset that isn't much bigger than a regular Nokia or Motorola, but it could prove to be a lot more useful in managing your life than most standard phones.

Some of its more notable features are its 320 x 320 pixel color touchscreen display, 1.3 megapixel digital camera, full QWERTY keyboard, microSD memory card expansion slot, and the ability to synchronize your contacts and calendar with a desktop application.

User Interface and Operating System

The Palm Centro runs on the same Palm operating system (OS) that you'd find on the Palm Treo line. This smartphone software is similar to the ones you'd find with Windows Mobile or BlackBerry-type devices. What this means is that you have access to a wide range of interesting applications, including a to-do list, calendar, comprehensive contacts, and more.

When reading through some of the Palm Centro reviews, you should remember that the utility of the phone is nearly identical between the versions available through Sprint and AT&T. They are basically the same phone, except they operate on different networks.

Most of what you'll be doing on this PDA phone will be achieved through the square touchscreen display. Simply tap on the icon of an application to launch it, tap on a field to enter text, and so forth. There is also a basic five-way navigational pad in the center if you prefer that way of getting through the menus. Even so, the touchscreen is probably easier.

QWERTY Keyboard

Perhaps the best feature on the Centro is its full QWERTY keyboard. Unlike other cell phones that only have a numeric keypad, the Centro has a layout similar to that of a computer keyboard, making it much easier to send emails, type text messages, and enter items in the calendar.

Because of this feature, the Centro competes directly against the other QWERTY cell phones on the market. If you're interested in something like the T-Mobile Sidekick 3 or the LG enV, the Palm Centro might be worth a look too.

Compact Form Factor

Unlike the Samsung Blackjack and similar smartphones, the Palm Centro is remarkably compact. Part of the reason why many people dislike PDA phones is the added bulk, but the Centro is very small. Its dimensions are 4.22 x 2.11 x 0.73 inches, making it not much bigger than a standard bar-style phone.

It may not be quite as powerful as a BlackBerry or Motorola Q, but there's enough muscle here to get through your daily tasks, keeping you organized and on track. You'll appreciate the smaller size when you try sliding the phone in your pocket, your purse, or wherever you store your cell phone.

A Great Value

Some smartphones can cost you several hundred dollars and this is not an expense than the average consumer wants to absorb. You'll notice that most Palm Centro reviews will make mention of the pricing for this device, because it's probably one of the best cell phone deals available today. Assuming that you'll sign up for a service agreement with Sprint or AT&T, it's possible to nab a Centro for around $50!

Because of all the PDA functionality, this makes the Palm Centro a highly attractive buy, especially for people who want more out of their mobile phones. if you check to see what other handsets are available at this price point, you'll notice that most do not have the same amount of comprehensive organizer functions.

Is the Palm Centro for you?

Some have said that the primary target market for the Palm Centro is the prototypical "soccer mom." This is because "power users" and business associates seek an even higher level of functionality than what the Centro is able to offer. At the same time, they also have a higher budget than the average consumer.

If you're not as interested in taking pictures and listening to music on your phone, but you want to keep your life organized and you appreciate the appeal of a QWERTY keyboard, the Palm Centro might be for you.