I got this phone for Christmas. I chose it myself after my Motorola Pebl was no longer working efficiently (I was charging it everyday and it didn't have enough power to make a phone call!)
So far I really love this phone. I have never had a sliding phone before so this is still a novelty and I like the fact that it is pink (exclusive to Orange).
~ Getting Started ~
It took a while for me to get used to the way the features were on this phone. I kept closing the phone to try and start again but the same screen was there. (I actually like this feature now) I began to get in a bad mood with my new phone but eventually I found the back button (there's an arrow on it lol - I probably should have read the manual) I also found the phone difficult to switch on but I eventually found the button after referring to the manual.
The manual is fairly easy to follow but I have had easier instructions for things. I have learned most of what I know from using my phone and discovering new things as I couldn't really be bothered with the manual.
~ Keypad ~
The buttons on the keypad are quite small and took a little while to get used to using due to their size. They are fine for me to use but I think someone with large hands may struggle. There are also some buttons above the keypad, which are still accessible when the phone is shut. These buttons allow you to use some of the functions of the phone while it is shut. For example, you can access the Walkman or read a text.
~ Making a call ~
Making a phone call is easy, and since that is the main reason for a phone that makes this one pretty good, I reckon. You can dial the numbers straight into the phone or access your saved numbers through the phone book. You then just press the call button and your call is on its way. The service has been good on my phone so far (Orange) and when talking it is perfectly
clear. You can set the phone so that you can open it to answer and close it to end call. I didn't realise this at first and when I slid the phone shut it was still connected. Fortunately, I realised after only a few minutes so it didn't cost too much.
~ Receiving a call ~
Receiving a call is just as easy. When the phone rings (vibrates etc) you can press the answer button or slide the phone open. The quality of incoming calls is just as good an outgoing ones.
~ Messages ~
This is what I use my phone most for. If I top up £10 per month I get 300 free texts (with the plan I am on) and I text my friends and family loads! The messages have predictive text, which I love, and it makes it easier to type a longer message in a shorter space of time. I know lots of people who don't like predictive text though and I believe that you can turn this off.
You can save messages into the templates and I have several of these saved for when I want to send someone a quick message e.g "Happy Birthday" or "I'm on the bus on my way home" (to my parents so they know when to expect me home from uni :)
You can send text messages or pictures messages and I have sent and received both with ease.
If you are typing a message and someone phones you, you can answer the call and the message gets saved to your drafts. You can also easily save any messages you want to come back to.
I have loads of messages saved in my phone (inbox and sent items) as I hardly deleted any! About a week ago my phone was really slow when it came to opening a new message but I deleted quite a lot of my messages and this sorted the problem. There are still loads saved though and it's not slow at the moment.
~ Features ~
The phone has lots of features and I don't see much point in going through every single one of them (this would be boring for both you and I!) so I have selected the main ones that I think are best:
* Games - there are four demo games on the phone.
Monopoly - only lasts 1 minute but I don't think this is long enough to decide if you would want to buy the game
PGR - This looks like a racing game but I haven't played it.
Sonic the Hedgehog - one level only. This gives a good insight into the game that can be purchased in full for £5.
Zuma - this is a game in which you have to match coloured balls before they take over the screen. Demo lasts 1 minute and game can be bought for £1.50.
Also in the entertainment area, you can record sound (quite good quality), use the phone as a remote control (bluetooth), and play or edit videos.
*SettingsIn this area you can change settings such as time and date, language, home screen, create shortcuts or put the phone into flight mode. There is also an area to change ring styles, volume, and wallpaper. My favourite feature in the settings is the time and cost monitor as the messages counter counts how many messages you have sent (I reset this when I get my new free texts so I know how many I have left.)
Bluetooth connectivity is also found in this section. I have not had any problems with this the couple of occasions that I used it (to send and receive photos to and from my sisters phone)
*Walkman
I think this is one of the main selling features of this model although it did not impact on my decision at all. I have bluetoothed one song from my old phone and I have listened to this using this feature and playback is good. The phone comes with (matching pink) earphones but I haven't used these.
* Camera
I have taken a few photos using the camera. This is very simple to do. The lens of the camera is not in view when the phone is closed, helping to prevent it getting dirty. It's a 2 mega pixel camera, and although this isn't particularly high, its good enough for photos to save as my wallpaper.
*FitnessI like this feature as is has a pedometer. You don't need to set it up and as my phone is always in my jeans pocket anyway it counts my steps easily and effectively. I like trying to beat the number of steps I did the previous day and increase my daily average. You can also measure yourself running (though I haven't tried this as I don't run lol!)
* Memory stick
The phone comes with a removable 512mb Sandisk M2 card. It is quite difficult to take out with it being so small in size. I believe you can buy larger storage size ones to insert in the phone.
~ Battery Life ~
The phone takes 2.5 hours to charge and is easy to do. The charger plugs into the phone easily. The phone has a long battery life although I don't think I have found it to be as long as advertised. It states that talk time is 9 hours and standby time is 15 days. I use my phone everyday and charge it about 3 times a fortnight. I suppose this might fit with the times advertised as I don't talk on it lots but it is not completely on standby.
~ Other Information ~
The phone is light and only weighs 94g. The phone comes in other colours too.
When you touch a button on the phone (when on standby) it lights up (the screen, behind the buttons and the side of the phone) I think this is really nice and adds to the appearance of the phone.
When you slide the phone shut the keypad locks. To unlock it you can press the unlock button followed by 'ok' or just slide the phone open again. I like the way it locks as it means I can't do anything I don't intend to when it is in my pocket. Occasionally, however it doesn't seem to lock although this has only happened once or twice and sliding it up and shutting it again solves this problem.
There is a quick feature button and when you press it you can see your phone number and the remaining battery life. I think this is good as I can see the exact battery life remaining and remind myself on my mobile number when I need to (I still don't know it yet!)
When using the phone the battery power goes down (obviously) but if you shut it and leave it for a while (half an hour) it gains a little bit of power.
Some of the buttons (presumably the ones I use most) are beginning to crack but so far (touch wood) this hasn't caused a problem.
~ Advantages ~
· Great colour
· Easy to use
· Good features
~ Disadvantages ~
· Cracked buttons
· Screen easily get dirty
· Gets slow when lots of messages on it
~ Overall~
I really like this phone. It does everything I need it to, is a brilliant colour and has a good battery life. The screen gets dirty with fingerprints, though from my experience most phones do. Hopefully, nothing will come of the cracked buttons. I love this phone and would recommend it.
My parents paid £99.95 from Phones 4 u and they had to put £10 top up on it when they bought it.
by (10%):
05.07.2009 19:51
good review..
08.09.2008 21:03
beautiful......
08.03.2008 00:22
Lovely review, phone looks and sounds great