Amazon.com

In terms of performance and functionality, the Sanyo 4500 is arguably the best phone we have encountered. The sleek, well-designed 4500 has plenty of features, including voice-activated dialing and a voice memo recorder, that aren't available in most premium phone models.

Out of the box, we were impressed with its sleek, robust construction, alluring silver finish, and intuitive controls. The 4500 also boasts dual-band/dual-mode electronics, unsurpassed talk and standby times, and sophisticated functionality including Web access, e-mail and two-way SMS capabilities.

At 5.3 (H) by 1.7 (W) by 1.1 (D) inches and weighing just 5 ounces, the 4500 is sturdy and a bit trimmer than its competitors. We could easily operate the side-mounted volume controls while on a call, and we effortlessly placed calls and navigated the Web with one hand. The headphone jack, located just above the volume controls, allowed us to hook up a hands-free kit and stash the 4500 in our pocket while we conducted conversations. We aren't fans of retractable antennas--as they are prone to damage--but we used the 4500 for several weeks without any complaints or breakage. And while the 4500 doesn't have an infrared modem, you can sync it with your computer using a standard data cable connection kit.

The six-line screen (five text lines, one icon line) and blue backlit display allow for seamless navigation through the 4500's bountiful menu selections. Using the four-way navigational button, you can peg through the following menu selections: Call History, Messages, Phonebook, Roaming (where you can activate a safeguard against placing or receiving accidental roaming calls), Wireless Web, Calendar, Environment (so you can match the phone's alerts to your surroundings), Sounds, Display (enter your own personal greeting or adjust screen settings), Security, Setup, Special (access to the calculator and two weird games--Crab Catch and Slot Machine), Voice Service, and Keyguard. One caveat: The games, especially Slot Machine, gulp battery life. Fortunately, a travel charger, which fully rejuiced our sample model in about 45 minutes, is included.

The 4500's design is rounded out by a well-spaced keypad, OK and CLR buttons for menu prompts, Talk and End buttons to place and end calls, a lavender Speaker button (for voice-activated calls), and a speaker located on the back of the phone.

Hands down, the voice-activated features are the heart of this phone. It was a cinch to set up voice tags and establish a list of 30 friends and associates we could call with voice-activated dialing. While our sample 4500 handled single names better than full names, we never had trouble getting the phone to recognize first names. Once we set up voice tags, all we needed to do was press the Speaker button, say the name of the person we wanted to call, and the 4500 handled the rest.

The voice memo recorder was just as useful. Instead of scrambling for Post-it notes or our PDA, we saved our to-do lists, important numbers, and reminders in the 4500's memory. An added bonus: when playing messages back, you have the option of listening to them over the earpiece or main speaker. You can even attach a voice ringer to any number in voice dial memory. This was a little tricky to figure out, but we never had to crack the owner's manual for assistance.

And the minibrowser is just as functional and organized. The 4500 has quick access to all your favorite sites as well as news, weather, stock, and entertainment updates. Again, the phone's superb navigational controls made surfing the wireless Internet a joy, and we can't say that about all Web-enabled phones. One question that remains unanswered, though: Why do you have to go so far into the options to enter your own URL?

Like most phones of its kind, the 4500 supports carrier-dependent features such as caller ID, call forwarding, three-way calling, and call forwarding. And, with its 300-name phone book and 200 SMS capacity, the 4500 further cemented its status as an ideal business communication tool.

The phonebook also has labels for your different contacts. We tagged most of our phone book entries, whether they were our colleagues, friends' mobile or pager numbers, fax numbers, or roommates. Organizing short text messages was just as easy: We assigned a folder for each contact and stowed messages in their respective folders.

Other baseline features include a T9 predictive keypad; eight speed-dial locations; 10-number incoming, outgoing, and missed call logs; built-in vibrating alert; and 10 different ringer selections, including voice alert, which announces the name of the person calling.

With its event calendar, to-do list, calculator, and series of different alarms, the 4500 doubles as a PDA. And the phone has plenty of other noteworthy features to boot.

If the 4500 is unable to find a carrier signal after 15 minutes of searching, a power-save feature is automatically activated. Press any key, and the phone starts to look for a signal again. For your own sanity, whenever the phone is in power-save mode a message is displayed on the screen. Also, if you dig in the phone book, you'll find direct lines to 411, roadside assistance, and account info. You also find a pause feature that enables you to successfully preprogram voice mail or credit card call numbers.

The 4500 also offers advanced security features. You can lock both the phone itself (to prevent outgoing calls, except to emergency numbers) and the keypad (to prevent accidental calls if the phone is in your backpack), set different call restrictions, erase your call logs, or store numbers in a secret location. Furthermore, if your phone is lost or stolen, a special feature lets you erase personal information and lock the phone by sending a SMS message from your PC, PDA, or other device.

The lithium-ion battery is rated for up to four hours of talk time and 288 hours of digital standby time. Our sample 4500 (outfitted with a Sprint PCS account) sipped battery power; it held a call for four hours and 15 minutes and it lasted over 12 days in standby mode. You read that correctly: our 4500 was left on for almost two weeks before the battery gave out.

Whether you're a businessperson who needs a thorough mobile communications device or someone merely looking for a cool new phone for everyday use, the 4500 is ideal for people who aren't impressed by the norm. --Thom Arno

Pros:

• Excellent functionality and style
• Voice-activated dialing
• Voice memo recorder
• Web enabled
• PIM functions
• Organized, intuitive menus
• Unparalleled battery performance

• Retractable antennas break easily
• Supports only two languages, English and Spanish

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 in formation only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming a nd outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When han dset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers aboutvariable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, a nd in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers o f dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, because analog mode co nsumes 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 ph one's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital phone talk time, we turned the phone on, establish ed a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's ha ndset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple o f cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately an d continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming cons istent carrier signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' t alk-time performance 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. Because no outgoingor incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case stand by time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength. ... Read more

Features

• This high-end CDMA clamshell phone is the first to add Push-To-Talk functionality
• Equipped with a VGA still resolution (640 x 480 pixels) camera with flash and video light -- can also record video clips up to 15 seconds
• Includes LCD color display
• Features voice dialing, speakerphone, and call screening
• Phone book can carry up to 500 numbers total -- plus email and web addresses

Reviews (55)

PLEASE READ!! THIS WILL EXPLAIN LOWER REVIEWS!!
Quick review: ONLY buy this phone if it is hardware version 2.01 or higher. The original hardware version (1.01) is full of bugs and problems, and is NOT worth your money. It's JUNK. The NEW version (2.01) is AWESOME, and you will love it, and get good reception where others are searching for signal. This new phone is by far the best cell phone I've ever owned (no joking), and I've had 15-20 phones at least. The camera is good for a phone built in, the video camera is cool, and I love the unlimited Vision service. The PTT (radio/walkie-talkie) is cool to, but seems overpriced to me, but you don't HAVE to have that service just b/c the phone is ready for it. In all, I have NO COMPLAINTS about this phone. For more explanation, keep reading. If I've already answered you're questions, you can stop reading now. Ok, the first scp-5500 I had was a refurb, sent to me to replace a defect 5300. Keep in mind the scp-5500 and VM-4500 are IDENTICAL, no matter what anyone else says. Here's the main thing to keep in mind when deciding to purchase this phone: the original hardware version (which is usually the silver ones) are loaded with bugs. When I first got my original 5500, it was ok, but gradually got worse and worse reception over time, until it got to the point that I could not get signal unless I hooked up to an external antenna. I was at the point that I hated the phone and was ready to disconnect service with sprint. I had the handset into a sprint store to have it serviced by a sprint technician 3 times within a month, and all they would tell me was that they reflashed the software, and the phone should be better. Never hapened. Even though the phone was under warranty AND I had the additional handset insurance, they would do nothing but order me another REFURBISHED phone. The sprint representative I was dealing with told me they would normally give me a new phone in this case, but they were out of stock. Another customer next to me asked about the EXACT same phone, and it was magically in stock. I finally went to another store, and explained my problems and anger with Sprint in general to a representative there, who had my phone looked at by a sprint technician, and gave me a BRAND NEW PHONE a minute later. The NEW hardware version, 2.01 absolutely ROCKS!! I get signal where others have nothing, the phone has exceptional sound, I cannot complain about this phone at all except for the battery life. I use my cell phone A LOT however, probably much more so than most people, so I have ordered an extended battery. The normal phone user would most likely have no problems with this phone. Bottom line: under NO CIRCUMSTANCES should you buy a phone that is the original hardware version. ONLY get hardware version 2.01 or higher. You WILL love it!! I would highly recommend the holster from a Sprint store (yes, they're $20 instead of $5 at the mall, but they hold the phone much better), the car charger of course, and the data cable. You can hook the phone up to your laptop via the data cable, and if you have the Vision service (which you should), you can surf the 'net for FREE! I LOVE THAT!!!

Finally a Phone that Lasts
I purchased this phone up around Dec 2003, and as of Feb 2005 this phone is just as fabulous as it was the first day of purchase! I've had many phones over the years and I never considered myself rough or tough on my cell but somehow after 3-4 months the phone became utterly useless making me regret getting the "deal" phone. You know the phone that just happens to be on sale and is practically the same price as it would take for a pair of movie tickets.

I found with other phones dropped signals grew rampant shortly after purchase, and battery life decreased to about 2 short length phone calls. But with this phone, the standby power lets this phone last up to atleast 2 days full power, so I can actually make phone calls while not at home tied to the base or in the car connected to the charger!

I personally don't feel that I needed a camera or even worse video capabilities with my cell BUT I need a speakerphone. I'm not a fan of headsets, and since it's now against the law (in my area of the country) to drive with a phone in the drivers hand, the speakerphone option is excellent. This cell totally delivers with the speaker, and 90% of the time the person on the other side of the call doesn't even realize that they're on speaker! Plus they can actually understand what you're saying even if you're not close!

Sadly I wish they hadn't discontinued this phone. It's a beautiful phone with the crystal clear screen. Quite a preformer a year later!

Not Worth It!
The phone has a ton of features and if it worked as it is supposed to, it would be a great phone.I was pulled in by the blue color.However, the phone has major power issues.My first one kept losing power and cutting off as if the battery had been disconnected.The second, a refurbished replacement, would not take a charge...so after two days with that one, I'm off to get a third one.There are cheaper phones that are much more reliable, and that you will be more satisfied with.

Best Phone so far !!!!
In terms of performance and fun, the Sanyo 4500 is clearly the best phone I have ever owned (so far).
I am the "gadget" type of person who if forced to label my personal "bad habits" I would label the number one habit as being a "tech freak" , I have owned at least 10 cellphones over the past 6 years and the VM4500 is simply the best. This is the 1st phone that I have ever owned that I liked (nearly) everything about it,for the longest I have wanted a phone (since the old motorola startacs) with a loud ringer , my past 3 phones all had terribly low ringers on them (even after trying some of the ringer downloads).I believe the best feature on this phone is the speakerphone , it is a serious convienience to have this feature to simply eliminate having to have the phone up to your head (when put on hold or checking voicemails while driving) and like the other reader stated the speaker phone is nice and loud (no,I do not have a hearing problem :) I simply need the volume louder when in the car to get over the road noise).Personally speaking , I think the dark blue color is awsome !! The battery life is very good although I purchased a slighly heavier aftermarket battery that after frequent usage for several hours had lost only one bar of power. Personally speaking I love using the readylink feature (Sorry Nextel users , I have had both and Sprints is MUCH more user friendy).The camera/Video on the VM45OO I would rate as good to very good (but not excellent) the picture quality is much nicer than my previous Verizon Phone and Sprint's unlimited online storage site is awsome ! Signal quality I would rate as very good to excellent , after 4 months of (Heavy) usage I have had only had 3 dropped calls ,which in my opinion it is just as reliable as the Verizon service that I was previously with for 3 years , I might also add that I have noticed somewhat of a link between people who get a lot of dropped calls and lower priced phones , regardless of the carrier the cheaper phones tend to drop more calls. If I had to list something that I really dont like about this phone I would have to say the location of the earphone jack which is located on the lower left side of the phone (this works against you when you use an earbud and place the phone in your pocket) ,Thats it for now (Ive already got my eye on the MM-7400 by Sanyo) Thanks for reading !

Phone Okay, Sprint Not and Combined No Good.
The phone is okay, but for the price it is not. Many phones now a days have similiar feature to this Sanyo VM4500, but alot cheaper with better carriers.My experience with sprint has been terrible.Even with their new investment of improving their network and service, it is pretty much still no good.You hear hissing in the background and the connectivity bars are all misleading.You can have 4 bars and still have it "digitally roam" and the dropped calls are just annoying.I think it's always better to go with Verizon.
- tech saavy a.j. ... Read more

Features

• Highly customizable phone allows user to customize ring tones, graphics, and covers
• Large grayscale screen supports 96x65 pixels and 4 shades of gray
• Games include Space Impact, Bumper, Snake II, and Snowboard -- plus, user can download more via Java
• Phonebook stores up to 500 entries with multiple contact numbers
• Phone also includes Alarm clock, Calendar, Voice recorder (1 minute), Calculator, and Stopwatch

Amazon.com Product Description

Overview

Compatible with Sprint PCS cell phone service, the Samsung VM-A680 sports a high-end (for a cell phone) video and digital camera, full compatibility with the (optional) Sprint PCS ergonomic game pad, plus a WAP Internet browser, and plenty of phone and organizer features, all displayed on an easy to read, 128 x 160, 65K STN color display.

Calling Features

Used simply as a phone, the VM-A680 benefits from a 5-way scroll key for easy menu navigation and dialing. Primary calling features include a voice-activated phone book and dialing, call timers, redial, any-key answer, auto-answer, mute control, no-answer transfer, one-touch 911, vibrating ring, differential ring, and a phone book capacity of 200 entries. There's also picture caller ID, so users can attach pictures they take with the built in camera and attach them to corresponding phone book contacts. There's also 32-chord polyphonic tones and alerts, and the VM-A680 is TTY compatible for hearing- or speech-impaired users, with select TTY devices.

Internet

With a PCS Business connection, users can access e-mail and view full color versions of popular Web sites.

Organizer

Organizer features include an internal phone book calendar, to-do list, voice memo function, world clock, alarm, countdown timer, and calculator.

Video and Camera

The fairly sophisticated video-capture feature lets you take a 15-second video clip of whatever you like, then save and send the performance to your friends, family, or co-workers via the phone’s built-in e-mail. There's a self-timer, digital zoom, plus brightness and resolution controls, and even a little movie light for illumination during night shoots. The still camera can also take and send pictures via advanced text messaging, and it comes with brightness, color tone, black and white option, and a handy multi-shot feature that lets you, you can capture up to 15 images to produce albums of sequential action photos.

Game Pad Option

One of the more interesting things about the VM-A680 is its gamepad accessory, (sold separately), which is designed to provide an arcade- or home-gaming-like experience on the VM-A680's color screen. It allows players to execute simultaneous moves, like evading and firing at the same time. A variety of interesting game packages are also available for the phone, including Retro (comes with the games Ms. Pac Man, Galaxian Mini, Missile Command, Centipede, Q*Bert, and more), Kids Games (includes Disney‘s Lilo and Stitch--Space Escape, Pooh‘s Honey Pot Challenge, Ice Cream Man, Drop ‘N‘ Find, and Bubble Blast), and many more.

Vital Statistics

The Samsung VM-A680 weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.26 x 1.81 x 0.87 inches. Its Lithium Ion batteries are rated at up to 192 minutes talk time and up to 216 hour standby. The phone supports English and limited Spanish text prompts, and features an extendable antenna and headset jack. ... Read more

Features

• Tri-mode phone with Video recording capabilities, dual color display and VGA camera with flash
• 65,000 Color LCD displays give you life-like quality
• VGA Camera takes photos @ 640x480 resolution.
• Records video clips up to 15 seconds each in M-JPEG format
• Includes phone, rapid travel charger and user documentation

Reviews (21)

Would've given it a five, but...
I've had this phone for almost 4 months and I love almost everything about it. The only thing I don't like about it is when I talk to people, I can actually hear myself afterwards. People who have this phone might understand what I'm talking about. It's also hard to hear, too. But, I got this nice little blue headset and it makes things clearer. The phone is pretty good if you want to fork over about 50 bucks for a headset. Overall, it's a neat little phone. I don't understand why someone had a problem with the external camera button. The camera doesn't go off if the phone is closed inside your pocket. And the voice memo feature may not remind you when you open the phone, but if you use the text memo feature, it will ring and remind you on the exact time and date you set it to ring.

Worst piece of technology I've ever owned
The user interface of this phone is just awful.I can't believe how it is designed.Most features are completely non-intuitive. The first day I received the phone, I couldn't figure out how to get it to vibrate-mode.I looked in the manual and it referred me to page 29, but it turned out pages 28-32 were MISSING from the manual.I went on-line to find another manual, but page 29 had nothing relevant.I finally figured it out by accident.

Another example: I keep the phone in my pocket; every time I go to take a picture with the phone, it's memory is full.Of what?Of pictures of the inside of my pocket.The external buttons are constantly getting depressed in my pocket and I don't see any way to lock the buttons to prevent this.So I need a belt-mounted case I guess, but I hate things hanging from my belt.

Another example: there is a voice-memo feature which is GREAT to have. However, if you leave yourself a voice memo, you have to REMEMBER that you left yourself a voice memo: there is no indicator on the main panel to remind you.So it's a useless feature for me.

The voice dialing does not work at all; I did all the training and still it cannot find the simplest of names.I say "Ty" and it says, "did you say Bob?" I say "no" it says "did you say Rob?" I say "no" and it gives up.What a joke!I never use it.

Warning: you can take low-quality pix, which is great, but even with the low res, the camera is VERY slow, and you canNOT get
the pix off of the camera without paying Sprint for a special service to do so.And it ain't cheap.So I don't use the camera mostly because the pix have to stay on the camera (I refuse to pay the $5 to transfer them).

There are many many other useability problems... too many to list.

The biggest problem is that the phone book has a serious bug whereby it will crosslist numbers sometimes erasing other numbers.I have a phonebook now where if I change Andrew's work number to 123, it changes my wife's cell number to 123.If I erase one, it erases the other.Then I reenter the number and it changes Bob's home number to 123.It's crazy!I'm a computer science professor and the past owner of 4 diff cell phones... I know how to use technology.This product is simply awful.

Great little phone, would definitely recommend
I personally love everything about this little phone. I was first attracted to it because of it's size and design. It is very small and can fit in the palm of your hand. I also wanted a phone with a camera, which this has, and a good one at that. I have had this phone for about 6 months now, and I am still finding things that I love about it. Everytime I think to myself... I wonder if my phone has this feature... it usually does! I love the voice dialing, the sound is wonderful. I can always hear my ringer, and you have the option of vibrate just in case. All in all, I would say that this is the best cell phone I have ever owned.

Good Price Good Phone
Ive had this phone for over 4 months now and have been nothing but delighted with this phone. Good battery life, good sound, the ringers are loud. If you are out in the market for a good quality phone for a decent price you should really take a look at this phone. Its easy to use and the camera and video is so easy a kid can use it.

Feature-rich but poor audio
Yes, this phone is good in almost everyway except the main thing I bought it for: talking/listening.The speaker sounds distorted and muffled -- much worse than my 3-year-old LG 5250.I'm considering returning or exchanging the VM-A680. ... Read more