Netgear SPH101 Expert Reviews

This attractive Skype WiFi Phone from Netgear is okay for the gadget fiend who has plenty of disposable income and doesn't mind a very short battery life and limited connectivity options.

Attractive iPod-like design. Good audio quality. Easy to set up and configure. Works well on personal home or small-office Wi-Fi networks where you have access to the configuration and/or security settings. Clear, bright color screen. Intuitive Skype ...

Expensive. Poor battery life. Network must be completely open and not require browser authentication to work with a public Wi-Fi network (a rarity). Difficult to enter passwords and WEP keys using phone keypad. Lacks USB-to-PC connectivity.

This attractive Skype WiFi Phone from Netgear is a nifty toy for the gadget fiend who has plenty of disposable income and doesn't mind a very short battery life and limited connectivity options. Everyone else should hold off until the next release.

Now this phone is sexy. And its tiny candy-bar formfactor, shiny, white fascia, and knobby plastic buttons make it not only attractive, but easy to use-plus its sound quality was noticeably better than the SMC phone's. Battery life is roughly the same ...

The only problem we had with the SPH101 was in compatibility with certain post-802.11g Wi-Fi hardware. Despite our best efforts, we just couldn't get the phone to connect to a Linksys WRT54GX4-a router that was eventually deemed incompatible by ...

It may not be Sunday! Sunday! Sunday! but the big showdown between Netgear and Belkin is going down today, via their respective WiFi Skype phones. Who will walk out of the arena bloodied, but victorious? And who will lie there, clutching their gonads ...

netgear sph101 wi-fi skype phone review: If you're hopeless Skypeaholic with a home Wi-Fi router, the SPH101 is your dream product. If you're a budget minded VoIP fanatic, maybe not.

Easy Wi-Fi set-up, No need for a connected PC, Good audio quality

Much more expensive than a set of headphones, Bland visual design, Battery life could be better

If you're hopeless Skypeaholic with a home Wi-fi router, the SPH101 is your dream product. If you're a budget minded VoIP fanatic, maybe not.

There are a number of Skype phones that use the same basic design as the Edge-Core (including models from Belkin and Netgear) and the biggest problem with all these phones is simply that they're so expensive.

Neatly designed handset, lets you make calls without using your Mac

Expensive, the printed manual could be more thorough

The one big drawback is the £125 price tag €" after all, using Skype is supposed to save you money€

Just not your Skype

Free Skype calls via Wi-Fi without the need to turn on your PC

Can't be used on most public hotspots; Handset's not exactly feature-packed; No instant messaging; Edge-Core is cheaper

This is flawed and pricier than its rival. We'd love to see a Skyper from a "proper" phone manufacturer like Nokia, though

Ease of use and setup, No need for a PC, Stylish design for a VoIP handset, Up to 200 Skype contacts can be stored

Price, Phone forgets log in details when battery is completely drained, Battery life

The SPH101 is clearly for those who want the latest technology and are prepared to pay for it. Although it's convenient for regular Skype users, it's still costly and doesn't offer as many features as it potentially could. If you want to use Skype on ...

Netgear throws its hat into the wireless Skype phone ring.

If you're in the market for a Skype phone then the SPH101 warrants closer inspection as Netgear scores highly on build quality, design and call clarity. However, it does have a few niggling faults and the level of call related features on offer simply ...

Make Skype calls without your computer switched on

Use Skype without computer switched on, Use Skype without computer switched on, Wireless handset, Generally good call quality

Expensive, Expensive, Won't work with hotspots, No conference calling

A good cordless home telephone but still needs the PC switched on to make Skype calls

To date you've been very much PC-bound if you wanted to use Skype for making VoIP calls, something that has limited its appeal to a degree.

The SPH101 is an excellent device. You're limited to using Skype and Skype only as your VoIP service, but as long as you're happy with this and can afford the cost, then this is a top-notch VoIP phone, despite its limitations. ®