I'm a no-nonsense kinda guy. I want a phone that works, rings people, texts, and won't get damaged in a Laserquest arena. 2 months and a few tokens later, and I've got meself an A1018S. No regrets.
The main reason I got the A1018S is because it is solid. Really rock solid. I've dropped it down two flights of stairs, stood on it, and had my cousin try ripping it to pieces. It isn't even scratched. Which fits my lifestyle as a teen perfectly. I run around, I climb things, and I play Laserquest devoutly.
The second reason I got an A1018S is because of it's size. Now, most people nowdays are very vain. They want the small, fashionable one with the cool cover and the massive price tag. Not me. I've got big thumbs. Really big thumbs. Big hands, too. I like to be able to dial and walk without needing a dialing wand, so I got a phone big enough to cope with.
The last main reason I got an A1018S is becuase of it's functionality. It doesn't waste it's time with stuff it doesn't need. You don't need Snake to call a friend. You don't need that customised bad boy logo. You don't need the 'send me' ringtones and all that crap. They'd only get in my way. I got the A1018S because it works, and it works well.
For something many people regard as basic, the A1018S has a hell of a lot of functions. If you really want to customise it, you can create a welcome message, and a built in ringtone editor allows you to make one of those for yourself, if you see fit and have any musical ability at all. I programmed in Tubular Bells on mine, just cos it sounds so ace!
There are menus, and submenus, and bits of the phone I haven't even explored yet. Set a keylock if you don't want it dialing in your pocket. Switch networks at the touch of a button. Change phone numbers just as easily. Set an alarm to remind you of something, or just to wake you up in the morning. Volume controls, easy peasy text messaging, etc. This phone's got everything I need.
My mum just bought one of these newfangled super-phones (no names given - *Cough* Sagem! *Cough*), but she doesn't have a clue how to work it. I gave her mine for a day when her battery was dead, and by lunchtime she could work it like a pro.
Yes, it's size is s little more than most, but this is easily managed: buy a belt clip. Wonderful invention, belt clips. I just slap it onto the edge of my trousers, and then I forget it's there. I run, climb and shoot, and it's still there to bleep when I need it to. I got a handsfree kit too, dontcha know? Never used it, but I plan to.
And the size of the phone does make for one great pro of the phone - it's battery life. Once charged, if not actively used, it can easily last for a week without yelling at you for a recharge. And even if you do use your phone quite a bit, it'll take a good few days to wear it out.
The ruddy great aerial also provides excellent reception. Even when the reception meter is at rock bottom (lead lined tunnels, nuclear blast shelters, etc) I can still have a conversation with very little interference. Put simply, it's good to talk.
Buying accessories for the A1018S is a little hard these days, but a bit of imaginative thinking helps. If all else fails, go online!
Personally, I love my brick, and I wouldn't swap it for any of the other commercialised crap currently available. It'd have to take a really good phone, a cheap price, some good marketing, and a really cool cover to make me even think about considering changing my mind.
If you're looking for a phone that's reliable, easy to use, and sturdy, the A1018S is for you. However, if you've got nothing better to do with your life than play snake on a screen small enough to make your reetina commit suicide, then you should look elsewhere.
How helpful would this review be to a person making a buying decision? Rating guidelines
its true it is a double hard phone and by undoing the aerial with the point you have a great weapon...however neat tricks like delivery reports and more missed called info would be better! do you know how to find out who your miss calls are off and how come text messages that i send suddenly appear in my inbox
kavita 02.09.2001 14:59
This is a great article....made me laugh too. It was refreshing to see another person who feels the same. at the end of the day, I just bought a fone to be safe. it calls everyone....everyone calls me and dont discriminate against it cos its a brick...so i'm happy. Keep loving ur brick! Kavita
TallTone 29.08.2001 17:38
Nice one! Totally agree that most phones are packed with features and gadgets that people just don't need. We've all been marketeered! TT.
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Advantages: Cheap, quite small and light, good functions and layout. Disadvantages: No fascias, some problems, no games, putting money in is sometimes difficult.
Mopemaster 05.11.2000 ·
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Ciao members have rated this review on average: very helpful
Review of Ericsson A1018s
Advantages: plays tunes, changeble face, small, easy to use, text name function Disadvantages: looks a bit outdated now, faces hard to come by, tone not very loud
kerrypiper 13.07.2000 ·
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Review of Ericsson A1018s
Advantages: Quick access menu and in call menu, robust, reliable. Disadvantages: Poorly laid out menu system, too big, only 1 or 2 extra features, 11 rubbish ringtones
matttheman3 01.01.2001 ·
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Review of Motorola M3788
![Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s Battery [ BAT_E62 ]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/76780452.jpg "Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s Battery [ BAT_E62 ]")
![Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s UK Mains Charger. [ MCH_E10 ]](http://picnica.ciao.com/uk/76783164.jpg "Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s UK Mains Charger. [ MCH_E10 ]")
![Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s Battery High Capacity [ BTH_E62 ]](http://picnicb.ciao.com/uk/76782645.jpg "Elekra-Tek Ericsson A1018s Battery High Capacity [ BTH_E62 ]")
Aug 29th, 2001
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