Amazon.com Product Description

Compatible with Sprint cell phone service, the Sanyo PM-8200 includes a built-in VGA digital camera with an LED flash, push-to-talk capability, voice dialing, Internet capability, and much more, all displayed on a 1.8-inch, 65k color LCD screen.

See a detailed view of the phone's features

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the PM-8200's features include vibrating alert, voice dialing, call screening, a dedicated speakerphone and voice mail button, push-to-talk, and a 300-entry phone book capacity with picture-ID capability. It also supports mobile-to-mobile (walkie-talkie) direct link for up to 6 simultaneous users. This phone supports TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) devices.

Messaging and Internet
This phone provides SMS two-way messaging, conventional email, and predictive text assistance, plus picture sharing and voice-memo picture attachment. The PM-8200's Internet connectivity also lets you access online services such as stock quotes, road directions, airline information, entertainment, and more. You can download Java applications (version J2ME) to add additional capabilities to your phone, and high-speed data transfer and download round out the package. The PM-8200 is GPS capable.

Organizer

Multishot feature: Take up to 8 rapid shots in sequence

The PIM organizer included with this phone provides programmable reminders for holidays, birthdays, or other significant dates, an event calendar, to-do list, call alarm, alarm clock, calculator, world clock and more.

Fun and Games
For fun, the PM-8200 sports a built-in VGA digital camera, outfitted with a flash, digital zoom, self-timer, multi-shot capability, plus fun frames, color tones, and a security camera lockout feature. The PM-8200 also features 32 chord ring tone capability, and the usual downloadable ring tones, screen savers, wallpaper, and games, in addition to the ones built in to the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sanyo PM-8200 weighs 3.64 ounces and measures 3.34 x 1.85 x 1.02 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 3 hours talk time, and up to 12 days standby time.

... Read more

Features

• Feature-packed with VGA camera and flash, speakerphone, and dual displays
• VGA camera features auto-focus lens, zoom capability. flash and 640x480 resolution
• Dual LCD/TFT displays offer crisp images in 65,000 colors
• Speakerphone and voice dialing make communication a breeze
• Includes phone, rapid travel charger and user documentation

Reviews (28)

Superb phone with great features!
I have had this phone going on a year now and can faithfully say that I have very few complaints!! First of all the phone has NEVER and I mean NEVER failed me! This will be the 5th Sanyo I have owned, starting with the faithful 4500, and have never been let down. I have seen numerous complaints about sound quality, but short of the volume being a little low on occasion, I cannot see too much fault. The speakerphone is only half-duplex, but most cell phone speakerphones are only HD at the moment. Also you cannot expect board room sound out of a tiny micro-sized speaker! It does very well for its size. Ready link performance is top rate, as well. All in all another great Sanyo product!

Going on 5th bad phone in 5 months...
I bought this phone for FREE in dec 2004. (special)

2 months later the head set wouldn't work anymore. (the head set to plug in the jack and speak hands free, and i have a few plantronic headsets that work great, the big ones.)

Store would not give me a blue one, only silver. 2 months later the head set wouldn't work anymore.

Given the run around at the sprint stores and tech and made to drive over 500 miles going back and forth (in 35 mile increments).

Given 3rd phone, got to my car and started to make a call, head set wouldn't work right out of the box. That's less than 90 seconds after leaving the store.

Given 4th phone the same day (not working this same day, 2 bad phones in the same day) and would keep beeping, the icon for battery would blink from full charge to BEING recharged (not in need of, but being), while half muting the person on the other end of the phone call.

After 4 hours in the store this day, even though they saw it was not working, refused to replace because their tech guy went home and he was required to say it's broken before they change it out.

My previous phone was the sanyo 4900 which i had to replace in the first week, but has lasted for the last 2 years, very dim screen and big, but worked great.

The 8200?, I got it free and it's cost me so much money in time and gas and trouble, feels like It's cost me $1000. By far the worst quality phone I have dealt with in the last ten years.

emailed sprint and they have agree to allow me to take any of their phones and they will credit the 229 list price.
Did not offer to compensate for all the BS their store reps have put me through. Worst people in the world at the sprint store in Asheville, NC... patton ave. Hendersonville road and mall is where you should buy if your in this town.

I've liked sanyo alot, but now I'm almost scared off of them. My old samsung wasn't as strong in reception and battery life, but I'm using cnet to investigate phones that have the same problem with everybody.

I do have a few friends that have not had AS MANY problems as I have had and they are hard on phones, my 4900 still looks new. I'm very easy on my phones.

If I had not gotten 4 bad phones....
just rating the phone on the features and the like, I'd probably rate it 3 stars at best.

The phone is average, imo. The worst thing about the phone, from all the phones, is to listen to a conversation on the phone, you either have to turn the volume down to the lowest, if you turn it up so that you can easily hear the other person the sound becomes very distorted and choppy.

Based on that one thing, I would not suggest buying this phone. Add in the problems I've gotten with the 4 bad phones, I can not give this a good review.

what's up with the hissing on sprint phones?
I got this phone after switching over from Verizon.The first thing I noticed was an audible hissing when I'm talking on the phone.I went to 3 different sprint stores and tried out all the models that were available and there was noticeable hissing on almost all the phones.But most notably on Sanyo models.The phone that had the least background hissing was the LG 325, but I wanted a flip phone.The PM 8200 also has a horrible speakerphone (it's loud, but very distorted and cuts out when there is cross-talking).The PM 8200 also distorts the caller's voice slightly.If you've never had a good cell phone like an LG, (my previous verizon phone was the LG 4400 and callers sounded crystal clear), you may not notice the relatively bad sound quality of most of the Sprint phones.I returned the 8200 within the 14 day period and instead got the Samsung RL-A760.The sound is much clearer on this phone with less hissing, but is slightly larger and does not have a camera.the speakerphone on the Samsung is much better and does not cut out during cross-talking, at least on my end. overall, the PM8200 is a good phone if you can stand the hissing and distortion.

What a great phone...
and it does everything that I could ever imagine (web, pictures, alarms, downloads, speaker phone) - except streaming video, which the newer version (PCS Phone Sanyo MM-7400 (Sprint) has.

One great buy!

GREAT!
This is a great phone! It has all the features such as camera with flash, calendar and other stuff. I have no problems with it except for one. The metallic seems as if it is prone to scratches and it feels awkward when I handle it with extra care. ... Read more

Features

• E-mail, text and picture messages
• User-changeable front and back color covers and keypads
• Send up to 9 picture messages to any compatible Nokia wireless phone
• Internal antenna, internal vibrating alert
• Includes, hands free headset, travel charger, and user manual

Reviews (8)

sturdiest phone i ever owned
dropped it about 200 times over 2 years, last major drop chipped the replaceable front cover. great battery life. i also dropped it getting out of the car into a puddle where it was completely submerged for about 2 hours, where it recieved calls and vibrated, and was still on when i found it. still had no problems after i dried it out thoroughly. this thing is a tank. get it for your kids. beats the hell out of the new blackberry 7290 work gave me. don't get a 7290, so many problems i want to throw it quite vigorously towards the RIM president's face for releasing it too early.

If you're sticking with TDMA for now, give this phone a look
I upgraded to this phone from the Nokia 8260.I've been very happy with its convenience and performance.It's had hard use from me; I've dropped it at least a dozen times and it's been banged around in my carry-on through many flights.It has good reception--noticably better than the 8260, and I like Nokia's intuitive operating system.People complained a lot about the offset keys when this phone first came out, and sure enough, I found it took getting used to.However, once I grew accustomed to the key layout, I found it easier to use without looking--mainly, while driving--than more "standard" keyboards.All in all, this is a light, compact, durable phone, and well worth consideration if you're sticking with TDMA for now.(I've decided to switch to GSM because it's lately giving better reception in the area I often travel to.)

Great Little Phone
This phone is great for people who want their phone to be... well a phone.I got the best range coverage and I never got cut off in the middle of a call.Even with all of my traveling I never had a problem.The battery life is terrific.I could go days before I had to recharge the battery even whan I used it for calls.The internal antenna was a great feature.No more broken antennas from an accidental drop.The phone proved very durable.

This was the best phone I've had.I wish I didn't haveto switch to the GPRS system, it's not nearly as efficient yet.

the best non-GSM phone in a GSM/GPRS world
This is my third Nokia phone with AT&T wireless in 5 years.Previously I had the 6162 and the 8260.I've had this one for nine months now and here are the highpoints.

1.Awesome battery life - a color screen would be nice but the battery life is more important to me.Also shows up better in the sun than a color screen would.
2.Compact size (fits in my pocket)
3.Excellent Coverage.GSM/GPRS phone network is still under construction and will be years before it's close to the size of the older TDMA network.I'm looking forward to being able to take a GSM phone anywhere in the world, but not at the expense of coverage right now.
4.Nokia has the best user interface.
5.Solid but light construction.
6.No Internet crap.I'll use my laptop for that, thanks.Text messaging and short emails are all I need for my phone.

The cell phone sales people are trying HARD to sell those GSM phones but stay away from that for another year or two.I got a good deal on this phone as a longtime customer by threatening to leave and go to another provider if they didn't at least come close to the deals offered to new customers.

Hey, and where do I find that Star Wars Imperial March for a US phone???:-)

the hulk
best phone ive ever owned, and ive had about 7 phones in the last 2 years(i work for a cellphone company).its the most user friendly phone ever. always has good reception, and battery life is awesome, not to mention how sturdy it is. i call it the hulk, ive dropped the phone about 63 times and it still works like brand new. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Compatible with TracFone prepaid cell phone service, the Motorola V120T is a sturdy, midrange phone that features voice-activated dialing and memo recording, text messaging, free voice mail, free caller ID, free call waiting, and much more, all displayed on a backlit grayscale LCD screen.

Calling Features
Used simply as a phone, the V120T features include call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, voice activated dialing, any-key answer, auto-answer, auto-redial, dual-tone multifrequency, roaming indicator, speed dial, linked (credit card) dialing, phonebook look-up, phonebook scroll, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, system select, usage alert, vibrating ring, and a phone book capacity of 500 entries. There's also 32 different ring tones to choose from and a special TracFone airtime balance display so you always know how much time you've got until the next refill.

Messaging and Internet
The phone's wireless Internet browser provides data transmission capabilities, two-way text messaging with iTap predictive text input, and access to news, sports, weather and more on the Wireless Internet. It also supports digital TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf).

Organizer
The Motorola V120T's organizer features include a calendar, calculator, alarm clock, voice memo, and more. Using the included TrueSync software and a handy USB connection, you can also quickly sync up data from your phone's organizer with your PC.

Fun and Games
This phone comes with three games, plus access to more via the Internet. You can also swap out the faceplates for others (sold separately) if you wish.

Vital Statistics
The Motorola V120T weighs 4.5 ounces and measures 5.0 x 1.77 x 1.1 inches. Its batteries are rated at minimum 240 minutes talk time and 242 hours standby time. It runs on TDMA service.

In the Box
Motorola V120T cell phone, manual

... Read more

Reviews (1)

Not bad when it actually works
The V120 worked well when I first purchased it but within 2 weeks it started to turn off by itself. After the third week it refused to turn on again...at least the batteries were salvageable. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Compatible with T-Mobile cell phone service, the Nokia 3595 prepaid cell phone is at the top end of Nokia’s entry-level 30-series phones, offering the basic Nokia features plus a digital wallet, voice dialing, data capabilities through its Java support, and advanced messaging. The Nokia 3595 phone comes in the familiar slim Nokia package, but has a larger and unique keypad design and a full 4,096-color display.

Calling Features
For calling, this phone provides a dedicated voice mail button, as well as a voice mail indicator, call timers, redial, missed call indicator, call log, voice activated dialing, any-key answer, auto-redial, speed dial, mute control, no-answer transfer, vibrating ring, differential ring, and a phone book capacity of 500 entries. For hearing-impaired customers, the 3595 offers TTY/TDD (Telecommunication Device for the Deaf) compatibility with the phone adapter.

Messaging and Internet
This device also supports messaging via SMS and MMS, enabling you to create, send, edit, and forward messages with text and images to compatible phones. You can also receive messages with text, image, and sound, and instant message from friends or business associates. The GPRS connection ensures high-speed data transmission over the phone's XHTML browser, providing users with quick access to Internet. The 3959 is also compatible with the many downloadable, Java-based business applications available online. The digital wallet feature allows you to make credit card payments online securely.

Organizer
Organizer features include a 100-event calendar, calculator with currency converter, and an alarm clock that works even when the phone is switched off. The phone book, calendar, and to-do list can be synchronized with a PC using SyncML software over the WAP connection.

Fun and Games
For fun, the Nokia 3595 provides preloaded polyphonic ring tones, wallpapers, animated screen savers, and picture messages--plus the memory to download more. The device also features four games (Backgammon, Sky Diver, Air Glide, and Bowling), and supports changeable covers in various colors (available separately).

Vital Statistics
The phone weighs 3.77 oz. and measures 4.68 x 1.95 x 0.87 inches. Its extended Li-Ion battery is rated for up to 5.5 hours of digital talk time and 10 days of digital standby time.

In the Box
Nokia 3595 prepaid phone, charger, battery, and hands-free headset ... Read more

Features

• T-Mobile To Go is the hassle-free way to stay connected. No long-term contract. No credit check. No deposits or monthly bills.

Reviews (11)

Great Phone, Best Performance!
I bought this phone several months ago because my old (...)cell phone had no reception in the office where I work. I choose this phone because it has an exceptionally high rating for performance on the CNET cell phone reviews (...). This one has at least half the bars all the time and it has never lost signal where ever I have taken, including places where most other phones don't work, even in a basement! It is also a very loud phone with a brightly lit color screen. Although the screen resolution is a little lower than the more expensive models, it is easy to read.

It comes with all the basic features including some nice ones such as wallpapers and screensavers and a nifty feature called timed profiles which means that you set your ring tone and alert preferences and they will revert to normal at a time that you specify. It also includes a basic organizer and comes loaded with 4 games (Sky Diver, Backgammon, Bowling and Air Glide). You can download additional ring tones and graphics but the prepaid plan does not support game downloads. By default it comes loaded with a nice variety of ring tones and most users will find one that appeals to them. Yahoo!, MSN, AOL and ICQ instant messengers are also included.

The keyboard layout is rather strange and that is the only real shortcoming of this phone. However, once you get used to it, it is not a bother. Overall, this is a great little phone which offers exceptional performance and all the basic features. I bought it directly from the T-Mobile website where it was selling for less, so you may want to check the price there before buying. T-Mobile recently increased the minutes that you get from some of the prepaid cards and lowered the limit for Gold Rewards program participation to $100 which makes it an even better deal.

I wasn't that impressed with signal strength
I had this phone with Tmobile. I didn't get signal in a number of areas. My keypad became faulty after 3 months and I couldn't dial certain numbers.My friend had a tracfone and got signal in way more places than I did.(he has the v60i-cdma vers.) I bought a tracfone, had him send me a referral through tracfones promotional referral deal, activated the phone and got 100 free minutes for the referral.I'll send you one if you think you are going to get a tracfone instead,just email me(before you activate phone!). I have the v60i now too and I'm so much happier with it. They also have GSM phones, nokia 1100 and 2600.

3 1/2 Stars...And it's Not Bad
I got this phone free when I signed up for Cingular almost 2 years ago.It's not a bad phone.The ringer can be very loud if you don't set it to the lower volume, which can be a plus if you're in a noisy area, but a minus if you work in an office!

My biggest complaint is because it's not a "flip" type phone, if I have the phone in my purse, it tends to get hit very easily on the number pad and ends up calling a speed dial that I've programmed...not good when someone is listening to you and you don't know it! :0)

It's a little bulky since they can make phones so thin now, but overall, especially since I didn't pay anything for it, I'd give it high marks as far as cell phones go.I don't need a lot of "extra" gadgets, so if they're missing from this phone, I don't miss them.

T-Mobile Nokia 3595 Prepaid Phone
The phone is great and the sound is EXCEPTIONALLY LOUD. If you were in an auditorium or movie theater and want to sneak a game in with the volume at its LOWEST, forget it! Keep this phone in silent mode if you don't want to be embarassed - at the same time, now that the audio quality is pretty good. Reception-wise, the phone can only be as good as the service will let it and within the Washington DC Metero area, I would say that it is a notch below Sprint. Don't expect it to work in every building you go into even if other carriers do. Blame it on coverage, though, not the phone itself. Overall, it's very much so worth it (and cheaper at T-Mobile's website as of this review).

3595 nokia
it has the best signal my mom has a virozon phone and my phone, unlike hers, has color has a strong signal where hers has none and its cheap noexpenive phone bills just puyt 10 dollars in to it and get thirty minutes. best of all no overgages ... Read more

Amazon.com

Nokia's new 5165 phone is a worthy successor to the company's hallmark 5160i, one of today's most popular phones. Like its predecessor, the new Nokia is a lightweight personal phone with impressive talk and standby times that's loaded with classic, simple-to-learn features. Its changeable faceplates, 30 different ringers (and room for five downloadable tones), and an expansive world of accessories add up to a fun general-purpose phone. The addition of predictive T9 text input, wireless business cards, and e-mail capabilities make it a business communications tool as well. The 5165's dual-band/trimode operation ensures you'll be able to receive cellular service anywhere it's available. Like Nokia's other AT&T phones, this model does not support Web browsing.

Weighing in at 6.2 ounces (including battery), the highly portable 5165 measures 5.2 inches high, 1.85 inches wide, and 1.2 inches deep, not counting a stubby antenna that extends another 0.7 inches. Extremely rugged, it should stand up well to being thrown into bags and briefcases or occasionally dropped.

Four buttons handle most menu navigation: a hefty "Navi" key in the middle, up and down arrow buttons that control volume during calls, and a key marked "C" for "clear". Menu navigation is very intuitive. A tap of the Navi key brings up the first of a series of graphical menu items. Hit Navi again for additional menu options, or tap the up or down arrow keys to select a different menu. Top-level menu choices are a phone book, messages (SMS and voice-mail alerts), call log, settings (for calls, phone, and security), system, games (Memory, Snake, and Logic), clock, tones, and keypad lock. The brightly backlit display works well with the control keys to simplify finding and making choices. In text mode, the phone provides five 16-character lines.

The 5165 lets you choose from 30 preprogrammed ringer tones. You can also download an additional five from your service provider's Web site, if applicable. Although there's no internal vibration mode, an optional vibrating battery is available. You can store electronic business cards in your phone book. Any friend or associate can forward his or her name, number, and e-mail address to your phone, and you can automatically store the information with some deft menu navigation.

One caveat regarding faceplates: In theory, all 5100-series faceplates should work with this phone, but in practice, only Nokia-brand faceplates seem to work. The problem is the keypad, the thin rubber pad inside the phone on which the actual keys are mounted. We tried several different faceplate models (both Nokia-branded and after-market models) and found the 5165's original keypad will not accommodate non-Nokia faceplates.

The 5165 supports the usual array of call and messaging features. If the services are supported by your carrier, you can use this phone with caller ID, call waiting, call forwarding, and voice-mail alerts. A call history stores the last 10 numbers dialed, the 10 most recently received calls, and the last 10 missed calls. The phone supports two-way SMS text messaging, but isn't WAP- or Internet-enabled.

The 5165 offers four basic security features: an initial security code, a keypad lock, call-restriction modes, and a lock code that can activate or deactivate memory and menu options. The lock-code feature lets you store numbers in a secret unlocked location, allowing you to make calls even if the phone is locked.

The 5165's NiMH battery is rated to last up to 180 minutes of digital talk time and 200 hours of digital standby time. In our testing, we achieved 180 minutes of digital talk time and over 225 hours of digital standby time.

Overall, Nokia's 5165 is a noteworthy and reasonably priced addition to its 5100-series phones. Choose your favorite faceplate color and ringer tone and start dialing! --Brown Consulting Associates & Thom Arno

Pros:

• Changeable faceplates
• Portable; intuitive to use
• 5-line screen
• Huge range of Nokia and third-party accessories

Cons:

• Lacks standard vibration mode
• Not Web-enabled

How We Tested Battery-Talk/Standby Time

When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery-charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile-phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery-life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode.

Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital-carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we simply recorded the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and restarted the test. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. It's worth noting the talk-time performance of several phones significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings.

To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. As no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing, and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier-signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• Simple-to-use navigation buttons and graphical screens
• Large 5-line screen
• Changeable faceplates allow personalization
• E-mail and wireless business-card capabilities
• Up to 180 minutes of talk time and 200 hours of digital standby time; includes NiMH battery, charger, and headset

Reviews (3)

Nice old-fashioned cell phone
It's a little unfair to compare this phone to the latest and greatest, since it's a very old model at this point.I wanted to say that I used this phone for several years without changing to a new phone or getting a new battery, despite the huge leaps in technology.Only this last year did I finally cave in to get a tri-band phone so I could use it on vacation in another country.That is because if you don't need the new-fangled bells and whistles, this phone is extremely durable (dropped innumerable times and kept on ticking) and very easy to use.You can lock the keys so that accidental presses don't dial a number when you least expect it.The navi key and other shortcut keys perform every function with the least amount of key presses possible and it's easy to remember.My new phone is the Motorola V300 and its menu system is much too complicated and cumbersome in comparison to my old Nokia, a result of trying to accomodate all the features in too evenhanded a manner.

The Best Cell Phone In The World
The Nokia 5165 is without a doubt the most sturdy and reliable phone on the market today. The 5165 has won numerous awards for reliability and durability. The cell phone industry has rated the Nokia 5165 "as one of the best cell phones out there." The 5165 is highly recommended.

this phone blows chunks
so this was my first phone received last summer and since then ive wanted to throw it into the ocean everyday.it constantly husts off while you're talking if you move the phone just slightly.things crack and snap way too easily-ive gone through several faceplates beacuse the phone couldnt even withstand a drop form my bed to my carpeted floor.it has no features whatsoever,its impossible to hear even with the volume all the way up, and just recently it has started fluctuating between headset and test mode (???), allowing me to be unable to make nay sort of phone call.AVOID THIS PIECE OF GARBAGE AT ALL COSTS!!! ... Read more

Amazon.com

Overview

Compatible with Nextel cell phone service, the ultra-durable Nextel i305 packs all the really necessary features of a modern cell phone into a weatherproof frame that's so hardy, it actually meets military standard durability specs. You'll also get speakerphone functionality, two-way radio capability, voice recording, voice activation, and more.

Durability

In our tests, the i305 proved an excellent, practical phone; a serious communication device for users in a rugged work environment, living in harsh weather climates, or just about anyone who needs a sturdy, no frills mobile phone. Hard rubber encasing and interior linings and seals protect the phone’s antenna, speaker, keys, battery door, and accessory connections against water intrusion from rain, sleet, and snow. Further, the Military Standard 810 F certification means that the i305 can also withstand blowing rain, humidity, salt fog, dust, shock, vibration, temperature extremes, low pressure, and solar radiation.

Testing durability

We powered up the i305 and gave it a few casual drops on to a cement floor. It showed no cosmetic damage, and continued to function normally. Next, we took the phone outside and chucked it about 100 feet onto a wet, sandy sidewalk. The phone bounced and skidded, and continued to function flawlessly. Used with a pair of medium-duty work gloves, the i305's tough keys proved perfect in their size and resistance to depression, and the dedicated volume and push-to-talk buttons were well-placed on the side of the phone.

The i305 also cleaned easily--after use with the muddy gloves, we simply ran it under an outdoor tap. Nextel has wisely provided enough space between the keys and phone body so that dirt rinses out instead of getting stuck in the cracks and jamming the buttons. The i305 also sports an appropriately straightforward and easy to read 6-line, green and black screen, which did not fog or show discernable wear under our damage tests or the water bath.

Testing calling features

Used simply as a phone, we found that the i305 provided clear reception, even when used in a closed-off basement with its extendible antenna retracted. We were also able to intuit our way through most of the menus without the manual, using the 4-way scroll key and two command keys for relatively easy navigation. The speakerphone function, important for the outdoor/industrial user, was plenty loud when set at top volume, and easily accessible with its own little button at the bottom of the set. The phone can also be set to connect to the last Direct Connect call or to a previously assigned Direct Connect contact, by pressing the PTT button. Other calling features include vibrating alert, downloadable voice activation, a two-way radio (walkie talkie) feature, customizable ring tones, a 600-entry phone book, keypad lock, voice mail, call forwarding, call hold, recent calls list, 3-way calling, and a small degree of display customization. The i305 can even be used as a modem.

Testing messaging and Internet

The i305's Mobile Internet connection was relatively fast. Some of the preset Web favorites included menus for Business Tools, Text Messages (read-only), e-mail, and the Web. The Web menu included links to news, weather, travel, finance, entertainment, and a few other handy sites (including MSN, AOL, and MBN Audio portals), all providing content that scrolled out nicely on the clear, uncluttered screen. While navigation was generally quite good on the i305, one very annoying exception was that there was no clear way to go back to the main menu from the Web site areas; we were forced to disconnect from the Web just to perform this function. To add to the confusion, (at least for the uninitiated) use of the Mobile Internet can be a bit obscure, and none of the included documentation covered this topic. That aside, other Web-related features include a variety of okay-sounding ring tones with the option to download others, and the always-handy GPS function (non-Java), which a!llows map downloading and emergency location determination.

Testing Organizer/Fun and Games

The phone's organizer capabilities are limited to time/date, memo, and voice recording capability with additional downloadable software. The usual phalanx of games and optional extras are essentially ignored. Users get Web access to a few minimalist, downloadable games, but again, accessing the games and information on them is not addressed in the included manual. However, in making a buying decision, we found this to be a non-issue. As if it wasn't obvious before, this phone provides function over form, and is not trying to replace your PDA or Gameboy. The one game we did try out was from the Nextel Arcade site; a primitive little game called Bubble Blast, which seemed like something out of a home computer circa 1984.

Conclusion and Vital Statistics

The Nextel i305 is large, weighing 6.63 oz. including the battery, and measuring 5.0 x 2.3 x 1.4 inches. Overall, we found it to be an excellent choice for just about anyone desiring a highly durable, practical cell phone. Unlike most of its contemporaries, it is not designed to appeal to users through its diminutive size, or complex graphic or organizational features. The phone comes with an OEM standard Lithium Ion battery (750 mAh) rated at about 215 minutes talk time and 90 hours standby time. Display language settings include English, Spanish, and French options. A high capacity battery door and a Black Rapid travel charger are also included. --- Erik Hammen ... Read more

Features

• The i305 is designed to withstand exposure to rain, sleet, and snow. Rubber encasing, interior linings and seals protect the phone's antenna, speakerphone, keys, battery door, and accessory connections against water intrusion
• Hands-free cellular conversations are always available with the built-in speakerphone
• Assign unique ring tones to contacts for audible notification and caller identification during incoming calls
• Discrete vibrating call notifications in quiet or noisy environments
• Change a setting to read phone menus and options in English, Spanish, and French

Amazon.com Product Description

The Sony Ericsson T637 features a built-in digital camera, Bluetooth, multimedia messaging, polyphonic ringtones, and tons of ways for you to personalize its look and feel. Quality materials and a large and super-clear color display give this phone its sophisticated personality. It's the perfect complement to Cingular wireless service.

Design
The phone features a bright, clear 128 x 160 screen with 65,536 colors. It offers high contrast, saturated colors, and a fast response time that's optimal for displaying games and other moving content. The stylish candybar form factor of the phone will turn heads and get attention, while the quick camera buttons and easy-to-use center control toggle make it a snap to operate the T637. Charging and data connectivity are provided on the bottom of the phone, while an infrared transmitter for synchronizing contacts and data is housed on the top of the device. Meanwhile, the phone's CIF-resolution (352 x 288) camera is housed on the back panel.

Calling Features
When you're calling, you'll enjoy essential features like redial, vibrating alert, speed dialing, and side volume keys, as well as choice extras like sleep mode, menu shortcuts, keypad lock, SIM card lock, voice control, and status view. Create your own ringtones with the built-in MusicDJ using a library of pre-loaded instruments, rhythms, and melodies. Further, the phone's 32-voice polyphonic ringtones make your incoming calls sound like music to your ears. Use the ringtones that come with your phone or download new ones from Cingular's MEdia mobile Internet service. And because the T637 has Bluetooth built in, you can use a wide array of Bluetooth-compatible headsets for total wireless freedom.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The T637 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, graphics and sound via messages. Multimedia messaging (MMS) lets you compose your messages using images, sounds and text. Sony-Ericsson's QuickShare feature, meanwhile, lets you share content with other devices, other phones, even your computer--just drag and drop pictures from your PC to your phone. Instant messaging is also supported and the phone ships with a built-in email client (Cingular messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet is easy with the T637, as well. It supports the GPRS protocol for speedy downloads and wireless Web access. Cingular's MEdia service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get sports scores, download games and ringtones, and more.

The T637's Bluetooth capability lets you connect, wirelessly, to a laptop, a PDA, or another Bluetooth phone, and users of Apple computers can synchronize their calendars and contact information with the T637 using iSync, Apple's free synchronization software.

A number of handy tools come with the phone, including a memo pad, a calculator, business card exchange, a calendar, and a tasks list. There's also a full-featured clock, which includes a stopwatch, an alarm, and a handy timer.

Imaging and Entertainment
The camera T637's camera couldn't be easier to operate, with just one click to activate it and another to take a picture. Want to view your pictures on your computer screen? The T637 can automatically enlarge pictures to VGA size (480 x 640 pixels). Software included in the phone recalculates picture size without sacrificing quality.

Mobile gaming has never looked better than on the T637's high quality screen. Force and sound feedback guarantees full-throttle fun. The T637 comes with a variety of embedded games, including the legendary racing game V-Rally 2, and many more are available for download.

Vital Statistics
The Sony-Ericsson T637 weighs 3.26 ounces and measures 4.02 x 1.69 x 0.67 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 9 hours of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 800/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
T637 handset, SIM card, battery, charging cord, user's manual, and warranty information ... Read more

Features

• The T637 features a high-resolution screen with 65,536 colors
• With a built-in camera, you take pictures and store them on your computer or send them to friends all in a few simple steps
• Supports the Java and Mophun platforms, making the widest range of mobile games and applications available for you to download
• Update your calendar and transfer files to your computer using Bluetooth, infrared, or USB connections
• Comes with standard battery and a SIM card

Reviews (41)

Pretty good phone!
I purchased this phone after the screen on my Nokia 3200 cracked :(.This is a great phone and works really well with Cingular's GSM Network.I wish it had a speakerphone but the clarity between the jabra bluetooth headset I got and the phone is excellent.AIM on the phone is sloooow but I had the exact problem on my Nokia so I think it might be Cingular's network.Another thing is that I stored all my numbers on my SIM card but this phone cannot read them straight off the card.You first have to copy the numbers to the phonebook and that was a little tedious.However it only took about 10 minutes to copy 20+ numbers to the phone's memory.

The calendar and calculator are excellenty designed and are very easy to use.The alarm clock is also great in that you can schedule a recurring alarm for each day of the week.

The camera does take grainy pictures and requires just the right amount of light so things do not look washed out or like an ultrasound.

Cingular's phone service is excellent as well.I haven't had any dropped calls or calls that have gone straight to voicemail.Cingular's customer service, like some carriers, is almost hit and miss.Sometimes I call and get someone extremely knowledgable and helpful and then sometimes I will get someone who does not understand what I'm asking.While those situations have gotten better it does seem that a few reps could use more training about the data capabilities of Cingular phones.I was having trouble sending pictures when I first got the T637 and I was transferred to a Tier 1 tech then a Tier II tech.It turned out to be that my phone needed a download but it took over an hour for them to figure that out.

I am pleased with this phone, and Cingular, but I wish it had a speakerphone and that Cingular would improve the speed of the AIM service.Tmobile's AIM was always quick, when I had coverage that is.

yixin li do you know how to use a cellphone?
this is just a quick response to lixin li who dissed the ericsson T637 for the big internet m-mode button that charges you when 'accidently' hitting it. well if you knew anything about the phone you would turn on the automatic keylock and not have this problem. well, what do you know? there...no more charges. thanks sony for a great phone. [i had to clear this up because its people that lixin li who diss a great phone they dont even know how to use]

Awesome phone
This is a great phone with excellent battery life.I can usually go four or five days without having to recharge the battery.That's just awesome.The ringer volume is loud and the screen is bright.You'll never have to pay for a ringtone or game again thanks to the excellent Bluetooth support.

Performance of Java games is sluggish - that's my only complaint.You may want to spend some time searching for Mophun games, as those are much more responsive and smooth.

A lot of the negative reviews here make reference to the 'online' button being too-easily-pushed.That may be true, but let me tell you something.This isn't a flip-phone.This is a 'candy-bar' style phone.Non-flip-phones usually have a mechanism that 'locks' the keypad when the phone isn't in use so that random buttons don't get pushed when they're in your pocket or purse or whatever.

If you're too stupid to turn this lock on when you're not using the phone (or to enable the auto-lock function) then you don't deserve to own a mobile phone, period.

Didn't care for it.
I had this phone through Cingular, and I had alot of problems with it.
First of all, the small size and crammed arrangement of the buttons made it hard to type a phone number in. The keys are slippery, and thus my fingers were always "missing".

Second, the "online" button on the side is way too easy to push, and my phone was always connecting to the internet when I was least expecting it, and running up charges.

Third, Cingular doesn't make it easy to see if you're roaming or not on this particular phone, which accounted for $3,000 in spurious roaming charges being accrued over a course of 3 months. This, combined with Cingular's really bad customer service (they kept shutting my phone off, and the regional director finally had to personally intervene in my case) made for one BAD experience. Translated: DON'T buy this phone if you live near the Canadian border, cuz this phone won't tell you if you're roaming or not.

Better yet, steer clear of Cingular as well.

Great phone...but not for everyone.
First of all, let me say this is a great phone. I will note a few important things:

1. It is a smaaal phone. The buttons are small. If you have a large hand or fingers, its going to be hard to grasp the phone properly. I have average hands and it was hard for me!

2. No Speakerphone...this is a huge downside.

3. There is an online button 'conveniently' accessable which can be mistakenly pressed and you'll never know you went online and you were being charged.

4. Camera sucks. It is a VERY BASIC one,... you have to be standing within 2 feet of the subject to get a recognizable picture.

Pros:
1. Crisp, Large display
2. Sleek looking
3. Lot of great personalization tools within the phone
4. Bluetooth
5. Better reception than most phones ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

With a vibrant, full-color screen, support for SMS text messaging, a speakerphone and voice-activated dialing, the 6016i is an affordable, entry-level phone with top-level features. It's a great companion for Sprint PCS users who want simple PCS voice functionality.

Design
The 6016i follows the tried and true Nokia candybar style with an extendable antenna mated to a dedicated internal antenna. The phone includes a 2.5mm headset jack, a USB data port, and a standard Nokia charging connector. The 96 x 65 color display boasts 4096 colors. Detachable faceplates are available for the front and rear of the handset so you can dress up your phone to suit your mood.

Calling Features
The 6016i's built-in address book can store up to 250 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers. Choose from 30 built-in ringers, including MIDI ring tones with up to 16-chord polyphonic sound, as well as a vibrating alert. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. You can also speak up to 25 numbers with the sound of your voice. The 6016i's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911. Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the 6016i is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Sprint's digital PCS network, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
If you need basic messaging capabilities, the 6016i has you covered as support is built-in for sending and receiving SMS text messages (Sprint PCS text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built-into the unit-- a plus for text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the 6016i including a calendar, a calculator, a voice recorder with 30 seconds of recording memory, an alarm clock, and a to-do list. The 6016i lets you carry these tools wherever you go so you can create appointments and view your schedule at a moment's notice.

Entertainment
The 6016i is Java enabled, meaning it supports games written on the Java platform. Turn downtime into fun time when you play one of three built-in Java games-- Air Glide, Bowling, or Sky Diver-- right on your phone's display. The phone also features customizable colors and screen backgrounds so you can make your phone reflect your personality.

Vital Statistics
The Nokia 6016i weighs 3.87 ounces and measures 4.26 x 1.97 x 0.91 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 360 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Nokia 6016i handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• It's easy to access the features you need with the user-friendly Nokia menu structure
• Download applications, such as stock tracking programs and city guides
• Attend to other tasks while you talk using the integrated speakerphone
• E-mail messaging allows you to stay in touch with friends, family and coworkers
• Predictive Text input(T9)

Reviews (3)

My Nokia 6016i rocks!
This phone is great! (...) It totally rocks! :):)

Very Good Voice Phone
I've had this phone for 2 weeks now. I love the speakerphone and the battery life. However, I wish Nokia had a dedicated on/off speakerphone button so I wouldn't have to activate the speakerphone on every call I make or receive. Don't get me wrong here: it is quite simple to activate the speakerphone. But the less buttons I need to press while I'm driving the better. Moreover, the clarity of calls is quite good on this phone in the NYC area and suburbs. This is a very simple phone to operate and I appreciate the fact that I can place a home or work address for every person in my contact list, in addition to a host of other phone numbers. The voice tags work quite well on this phone and are simple to activate. Nokia did a very good job on this phone in regard to voice dialing.

I press a lot of buttons on this phone as I call in for stock quotes during the course of the day. Once in a while the button doesn't register when I press it and I have to press it harder for it to work. Furthermore, I have already received 2 spam SMS Text messages. Part of the reason I bought this phone was because I was no longer interested in the Sprint Vision Service.

With the exception of the initial charge, be sure you do not charge this phone overnight. Nokia warns against this specifically in the manual and says that if you do this, you will reduce the phone's battery life. So, I charge it during the day for about an hour. Battery life is real good.

This is a phone for those who just want a real good voice phone without any of the multimedia or web surfing services.

Best Cellphone EVER!!
I recently recieved this cellphone for Christmas this year and i love it!!! As a 12 yearold this phone had coolest look with out following the new trend flip phones and camra phones.This phone gets exclent reception evern wnen in the car and in the mouants....I recomend this phone fore kids of all ages and for adults who are still kids at heart!! ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Get ready for the power of Verizon's exciting V Cast service, which allows you to download or stream full motion video and 3D games, all on your handset. A service like that requires some horsepower, and luckily, the Audiovox CDM8940 is up for the task. With support for Verizon's EV-DO high speed data network, a megapixel camera with video capture, dual color displays, and expandable memory, the CDM8940 is the perfect companion in a new era of high-speed wireless content.

Design
The phone features a traditional clamshell design with a very large 176 x 220 color display and support for a whopping 262,000 colors-- plenty of room for V Cast content. There's also 64 MB of memory built in, so you'll have plenty of space to store your videos and photos. A miniSD memory card slot is located on the left side of the phone, so you can expand available storage. A generous, full-color 128 x 96 supplementary display on the outside of the cover displays incoming call information, battery life, signal strength, graphics, photos and more. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad. The CDM8940 also features a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets and up/down keys are located on the left side of the unit. The megapixel (1280 x 960) camera unit is housed on the rear of the unit, and USB data connectivity is available via an adapter cable.

Calling Features
The CDM8940's built-in address book can store up to 300 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. The phone comes with built-in polyphonic ringtones plus a vibrating alert. More ringtones can be downloaded via Verizon's Get It Now service. Ringtones can be assigned to specific callers so you don't have to look at the phone to know who's calling, or you can match pictures with callers to identify them. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names, while a speakerphone makes it easy to talk handsfree. The CDM8940's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
With support for the EV-DO high-speed data standard, the CDM8940 is fully compatible with Verizon's V Cast service. With V Cast, you can download and stream high-quality video. Need news and weather? Get the latest Accuweather forecast delivered right to your handset, or stream CNN news headlines. ESPN sports updates, entertainment news from E!, and even Sesame Street content for the kids, are all available. V Cast also serves as a portal for enhanced 3D games. Have more fun with a new breed of realistic games.

The CDM8940 has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging, with support for sending and receiving text, picture and video messages. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet anywhere is easy with the CDM8940. Verizon's Mobile Web package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your e-mail, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater. Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with the phone. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.

The CDM8940 ships with a number of handy tools including a calendar and a voice memo application. An alarm clock and calculator are also included.

Imaging and Entertainment
While the CDM8940 is a great platform for watching V Cast video content, it can also capture video that can be shared with your friends and associates via video messaging. The video unit can capture clips up to 15 seconds in length. Of course, you can also use the camera to capture still pictures, too. In addition to megapixel resolution, the camera features an LED flash, macro shooting, a self-timer, and brightness and contrast controls.

The phone supports V Cast 3D games, as well as other 2D-based games, which are available from Verizon's Get It Now service. You can also customize the phone's wallpapers and screensavers to give your CDM8940 a look that suits your style.

Where It Works
Covering over 75 million people in 30 markets:
Atlanta, Austin, Baltimore, Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Columbus, Dallas, Dayton, Houston, Jacksonville, Kansas City, Las Vegas, Los Angeles, Madison, Miami, Milwaukee, New Haven/Hartford, New Orleans, New York, Orlando, Philadelphia, Phoenix, Pittsburgh, Providence, San Diego, Tampa, W. Palm Beach, and Washington, DC.

Expanding markets in 2005

Vital Statistics
The Audiovox CDM8940 weighs 3.89 ounces and measures 3.56 x 1.82 x .92 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 190 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
CDM8940 handset, lithium-ion battery, home charger, stereo headset. ... Read more

Features

• Beautiful clamshell handset with dual color displays
• Crystal clear megapixel camera with video capture
• Enjoy entertainment or stay up date on the news and sports with streaming video playback
• Utilizes miniSD memory card slot to store all of your pictures and video
• Go handsfree or conference call with built in speakerphone and voice dialing

Reviews (2)

Could have been Better
I've had this phone and verizon for a week.
Pro:Very sharp screens, Good battery life, Good reception.
Cons: Speaker phone is useless.

VCast isn't available yet in my area.

Great phone!
I was a little hesitent about ordering this phone but I have not been disappointed.The camera and mp3 player are pretty good, particularly when you consider that these are bonus features of a wireless phone.RF performance seems respectable.The unit is nice and compact, the keypad and screen are very good, and the menus and displays are excellent.Navigating through the icons and setup options is very intuitive, I've hardly needed to look at the manual.

The miniSD card is somewhat "crippled" but this is easy to overcome.mp3 files can be transferred to the card via a PC reader.The built-in reader of my HP OfficeJet 7310 works just fine, as the miniSD card shows up as a separate drive to which I can copy or delete files at will.The pictures are a little more work to move off the card, but a $23 Radioshack cable (part #17-760) and a free driver download will do the trick.There is a post on the Phonescoop.com forum for the CDM-8940 that explains the process in detail.Ringtones can be transferred in the same manner as pictures, I believe.

The negatives of the phone are the quality of the speakerphone and lack of Bluetooth.I don't use either feature so these are no matter to me, but if you rely on one or both a lot this isn't the phone for you. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

The 8610, a Virgin Mobile exclusive, features a large color display, a speakerphone, support for Virgin Mobile wireless Internet services, and much more. This sporty companion keeps you in step with the latest mobile technologies at a great price.

Design
The phone features a traditional clamshell design with a large 128 x 128 color display with 65,000 colors. A monochrome 96 x 64 pixel supplementary display on the outside of the cover displays incoming call information, battery life, signal strength, graphics and more.Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad. Meanwhile, the top right side of the unit houses an extendable antenna while the combined charging/USB data port is housed on the unit's bottom edge. The phone also features a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets. Up/down keys are located on the left side of the unit for quick volume control.

Calling Features
The 8610's built-in address book can store up to 300 entries for quick and easy management of your contacts. The phone comes with built-in Virgin Mobile "superphonic" ringtones plus a vibrating alert. Superphonic ringtones feature real music tracks and more are available via Virgin Mobile's VirginXtras service. Ringtones can be assigned to specific callers so you don't have to look at the phone to know who's calling. A built-in speakerphone lets you talk handsfree while you're on the go.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The 8610 covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text messages easily and quickly (Virgin Mobile text messaging charges apply). T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

The phone fully supports Virgin Mobile's wireless content service, VirginXtras. Use the pay-per-use service to download superphonic ringtones from Hip Hop songs to movie themes. Get content and vote in TV-based polls via the MTV area of your phone, or get jokes and updates from Comedy Central. Pick a celebrity voice to answer your voicemail, or get a Sponge Bob thought of the day. Need to jog your memory? Use Virgin's wacky song ID service. Press the Song ID command, point your 8610 towards a song that's playing in the room, and within minutes a text message appears identifying the song's title.

The 8610 ships with a number of handy tools including a calendar, a calculator and an alarm clock.

Imaging and Entertainment
The 8610 features custom Virgin Mobile graphics-- screen savers, wallpaper and menu icons-- that let you dress up your phone to suit your personality. Two pre-loaded games come with the phone, Blackjack and Magic Hexa.

Vital Statistics
The Audiovox 8610 weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.5 x 1.90 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.0 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 1900 frequency. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Audiovox 8610 handset, AC charger, lithium-ion battery, user's manual. ... Read more

Features

• Works with Virgin Mobile pay-as-you-go service
• Stylish flip-open format
• Full color screen for optimum display
• Comes with Superphonic ringtones and downloadable ringtones
• Enables text-messaging, custom graphics, and more

Reviews (66)

Can be good but can be disappointing
The Virginmobile payment non-plan plan can be good for those who use a mobile phone infrequently, which I do.It could be terrible for those who use it most days. After getting used to the interface, this can be a likeable phone.If you happen to be where the signal is strong, clarity can be excellent.However, even well within the service area I have had weak signals and broken calls. That's not surprising in the building where I work.It is surprising in my apartment. The voice volume is low, even when set to level 5.It can be fine in quiet surroundings, but it's a struggle to hear in moderately noisy environments.
There are no roaming fees, because there is normally no connectivity outside Sprint's digital service area.According to the manual 911 calls can connect in the roaming areas. I have not tested this.
Battery life is disappointing.In standby the 1000mAH battery supplied is only good for about two days between charges.I bought the optional 1700mAH battery from Audiovox.It's twice as thick as the standard battery, and it extends standby to three days between charges.
The minimal features of this phone don't bother me, but deficient signal strength, volume, and battery life make me covet a real phone from another company.

Great phone, BEST COMPANY I've joined with so far.
Hey I'm Rebecca (rcitykitty)
That other review above about the "warning of the customer service" is ridiculous. Once I had my phone stolen and customer service helped me through it, were quick in replying to my order for a new phone, and even paid for the minutes the thief used! It's the best customer service I've seen for any company, hands down. This phone has great features, and cool ringtones. It's a great deal for it's price and it has cool color screen backgrounds. I would give this phone the best rating possible!

Pleased So Far...
This phone and Virgin Mobile as a whole are obviously targeting an age group other than my own. Quite frankly, I don't care. I dropped traditional land-based phone service in February, and went with AT&T CallVantage VOIP service instead...a tremendous savings, but when the power goes out, VOIP phone service goes as well. Also, with CallVantage as of this date, 911 calls do not provide the answering call center with your phone number and location automatically.

The Audiovox 8610 phone, coupled with Virgin Mobile, seemed like an inexpensive supplement to CallVantage, filling some very unpleasant gaps...and E911 service is provided. Features such as speed dial, caller ID, and even a speakerphone are included, and I'm extremely pleased with the voice quality. It's almost indistinguishable from a corded phone.

For the age bracket that this phone is marketed towards, there are also two games included, and several wallpaper designs. A ton of downloadable ringtones are available at the Virgin website, provided that you don't mind spending $2.00 to $2.50 apiece for them...want to hear the "Meow Mix" ad when a call comes in? It's available for download at the Virgin website, as are ringtones involving such oddities as bodily functions, none of which will be discussed in detail here.

Per minute pricing is high enough to keep me from ever using this phone other than when it is absolutely necessary (25 cents for the first 10 minutes each day, 10 cents per minute afterwards), but that's okay with me. Unexpected emergencies were the sole reason for making the purchase, and the added peace of mind that it brings more than makes up for the airtime that must be purchased from Virgin every 90 days to keep the service active...and I'm still saving money each month over traditional phone service.

I would recommend the Audiovox 8610 phone and Virgin Wireless to anyone who needs a cell phone for similar reasons.

Vos 8610
Great phone.....virgin mobile service can be a little better...however, I guess that is sprint's problem.

Great but eeehhhh
This is a great phone if your looking for the flip style, or a coloured screen, but the only problem with Virgin is ringtones cost up to $2 and the real sound ringtones are distorted. And The minutes go up like Wildfire.

Try finding this phone through another company. May I suggest Tracfone? They have a new phone with colored monitor, however its not a flip. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

This stylish, tri-mode clamshell kicks the fun up notch with enhanced messaging capabilities that let you send graphics, animation and sound with your text messages. It's also compatible with Verizon's wireless Internet services, making it a great mobile companion.

Design
The phone features a traditional clamshell design with a large and vibrant 128 x 160 pixels color display with 65,000 colors. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad. Meanwhile, the top right side of the unit houses an extendable antenna while the charging port is housed on the unit's bottom edge. The phone also features a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets. Up/down keys are located on the left side of the unit for quick volume control.

Calling Features
The A650's built-in address book can store up to 500 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. The phone comes with 15 built-in polyphonic ringtones plus a vibrating alert. More ringtones can be downloaded via Verizon's Get It Now service. Ringtones can be assigned to specific callers so you don't have to look at the phone to know who's calling. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names (up to 20 voice dialing contacts supported). The A650's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911. Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the A650 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Verizon's digital networks, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The A650 features enhanced messaging with support for sending and receiving text, sounds and graphics in messages. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

Getting on the Internet anywhere is easy with the A650, as well. Verizon's optional Mobile Web package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your e-mail, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater.

Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with the A650. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.

The A650 ships with a number of handy tools including a calendar, a to-do list and a voice memo application that can record up to 4 minutes of speech. An alarm clock and calculator are also included.

Imaging and Entertainment
The A650 features customizable screen backgrounds and screen savers so you can make your phone reflect your personality. The phone is also BREW enabled, meaning it supports games written on the BREW platform. Games are available via the Get It Now service.

Vital Statistics
The Samsung A650 weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 3.30 x 1.80 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 2.8 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

What's in the Box
Samsung A650 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, holster, user manual, welcome CD-ROM, quick reference guide. ... Read more

Features

• The Samsung SCH-a650 phone is compact, easy to use, and loaded with features.
• The a650 speaks your language with stylish messaging and download features that can’t be beat!
• Make a call with just the sound of your voice.
• Always be in touch when on the go with the built-in organizer that manages your calendar.
• With Enhanced Messaging Service you can send animation and sound with text messages.

Reviews (8)

TOO HOT TOO HANDLE
I got this phone the other day, thought it would be a good basic phone, and the first problem was the volume settings. Just because you use the volume control on the side, it does not adjust all of the settings with sound; like you have to individualy set the ringer volume, than the speaking volume, etc.

Another major problem was that it would burn up when talking on the phone about 2 min in the conversation. It would heat to about 100 degrees F. It was hot enough to cause burns to the cheek and chin. Doing research, I relieze that all Samsung models (a610, a650, a670, etc.) have this same problem.

The phone is not pre-loaded with any games, nor any good ring tones, except the 10 pathetic tones and bells.

One more thing, the reason Verizon is offering the "Buy 1, Get 3 Free" is because they know there are flaws, plus this phone has been availible on the market for years and they need to deplete their supply for new models.

I recomend the Kyocera KX1v!

Bad Model...
Initially the phone worked fine until 5 months later.Without dropping the phone (which Verizon accused me of) the screen turned black.For $50 I received the same model replacement phone. This 2nd phone gave me problems 6 months later with call reception.I either couldn't hear the caller or the caller was coming in and out.After much complaints to Verizon, they exchanged my phone with another one (same model).Now this 3rd phone is giving me problems also.The reception is fine, but now no one can hear me.My voice comes thorough very low, faint, and with the complaints from my friends that I sound like I'm far away.I have had it with this phone and with verizon.Very poor customer service and handling of this problem.I can't wait for my contract to be up.

Many Features Yet Average Satisfaction
This flip phone replaced a non-flip phone.The smaller size is convenient but comes at the price of losing almost an hour of talk time compared to larger phones.(The A650 gets about three hours.)It performs well and Verizon service is very reliable.

The color screen is sharp and there are a lot of nice features like a monthly calendar display and easy to set reminders and alarms.The voice dialing is easy to set and use.Entering text is easier than my old phone.Unfortunately, Samsung's taste in graphic styles is not very svelte (a la Nokia).The fonts, colors, menu layouts and background pictures are not as attractive as many other phones I have seen.

Two very irritating things about Verizon's treatment of customers using this phone: First, Samsung's website shows the phone is capable of accepting messages with photo attachments that can be used as screen savers or backgrounds and Kodak's oPhoto site offers an easy way to send such messages but Verizon restricts this feature to camera phones.Second, the generic black ear bud offered on Verizon's web site is terrible.I had one like it for my previous phone and it fell apart a week after I started using it.Again, Samsung's website shows how far below potential is the service Verizon is offering by selling a Samsung ear bud in silver that matches the phone, adds a send/end button on the cord feature and costs almost ten dollars less than Verizon's inferior offering.

Good and reliable phone.
I've had the Samsung Sch a650 for about 10 months and my service is with Verizon Wireless and it's really a solid and reliable phone. Ijust use my cell phone for talking and nothing else...no Internet, videos, organizer...etc. And I've owned a Samsung cell phone before and I really liked the previous phone I had with Sprint. I think Samsung phones are well designed, sturdy (dropped it a few times) and provide good quality voice.This phone is no exception.What I liked was that it's relatively slim and compact. Has excellent audio quality. Samsung's UI is also really simple and easy to learn. Talk time is good. And combined with Verizon Wireless service -- it's the best cell phone/plan I've ever had. What I don't like is the way Samsung designs the charger port at the very bottom of the phone.This port is relatively unprotected and can get very dirty and wet (which destroys the phone). My wife has destroyed 2 of these phones b/c our 12 month old son decided to use it as a teething toy (her own fault). It initially comes with a plastic cover which you can place there but it's really impractical. I wish they designed a plastic pieces that stays attached to the phone. For me, I've had no problems since I keep in my pocket and pretty dry.If you're looking for a solid basic phone with easy to use features and good quality...get this one.

Don't quit your day (or night) job
This phone has 2 problems: 1.) The screen is impossible to read in daylight, 2.) The keys are not back lit so you can't dial in the dark.

If you make all of your calls from indoors under non-natural lighting, this phone is a good basic model.I use it as a calculator and an alarm and there are tons of other features I don't use.Supposedly you can download games using the Get It Now feature - I saw another reviewer complaining about lack of games.

I do like the ability to set multiple phone numbers for a single entry, the speed dial options, and the voice options which are mostly accurate when I don't have road noise in the background.

The only other complaint I have is that there seems to be no one way to universally set the volume of all the sounds the phone makes.When you want to turn it to silent, I found I had to not only set the volume of the ringer, but the volume of the voice mail notification, the alarm, and the service area indicator all separately.But maybe I just couldn't find it on the menus.

I ordered a leather case with the phone.The clip spring quit working within 2 weeks and the car charger quit within 2 months.

In summary, for a basic phone that you are not playing games on or taking pictures with, you are better off with a high-contrast monochrome with backlit keys. ... Read more

Amazon.com Product Description

Looking for an affordable phone with a generous touch of class? The c225 delivers with a large color screen, support for instant messaging and wireless media downloads, as well as a voluminous phone book. It's all wrapped up in a sleek candybar form factor that will turn heads.

Design
The c225's sporty candybar form factor sports a large, 128 x 128, 65,000-color display. Meanwhile, most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button above the handset's dial pad. Up/down keys are provided on the left side of the handset.

Calling Features
The phone's built-in address book, which supports up to three numbers per entry, can store up to 1000 contacts for quick and easy management of your friends, family and associates. Forty-chord polyphonic ringtones, plus a vibrating alert, are built in and more ringtones can be downloaded from T-Mobile's t-zones service. Picture ID and ringer ID allow you to set graphics and ringtones for specific groups of callers. Like all T-Mobile phones, the c225 also supports voicemail, caller ID, conference calling, call forwarding, call waiting, call hold, built-in paging, and access to T-Mobile's 411 service.

Messaging and Internet
The c225 has robust messaging features designed to keep you in touch wherever you roam. In addition to basic text, picture and sound messaging, the phone features support for instant messaging from Yahoo, AOL and MSN (T-Mobile messaging charges apply). There's also a built-in web browser for MEdia downloads and mobile web browsing. T-Mobile's t-zones service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the c225 including a voice memo recorder, a calculator with currency conversion, a to-do list, a calendar and an alarm clock.

Imaging and Ent