Teen Girl Gets 1st Cellular - Kyocera Phantom KX414 - Verizon Get It NOW Color
Written: Apr 29 '04 (Updated May 26 '04)
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Pros: Sleek Design, Acceptable Ring Tones
Cons: Didn't Include Games
The Bottom Line: The Kyocera Phantom KX414 is an excellent option for teens, students and adults that don't want a flip phone. Our teen daughter really likes it!
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| Lisa_J's Full Review: Kyocera KX414 |
At the same time that I purchased my new cellular phone, two additional phones were obtained, including the Kyocera KX414 – for our teenage daughter. It was obvious to her Father and I that time had arrived for her to be armed with a cellular. She has various extracurricular activities and is a competitive hip-hop dancer. Dance competitions require travel and the classes for such sometimes require her to utilize a combination of bus transportation and walking. I want her to be able to dial "911" and for her to be able to reach us and vice-versa. Our cellular phones are on a America's Choice Family SharePlan with in-Network Calling. She is a responsible young adult, so this works well for our family unit. Naturally I wanted her to be included in the phone selection process, yet conflicting schedules made it necessary for me to select the phone. The Verizon representative suggested the Kyocera Phantom KX414 - a Get It Now Color Phone. Her immediate reaction was favorable, unlike the raised eyebrow (of dislike) that she gave toward the Nokia 3589I that her Father obtained (which she thought was 'too big').
The Kyocera Phantom KX414 has a Color Display, Polyphonic Ring Tones, Changeable Facemask, Voice Activated Dialing, and several other features. I agree with the sales representative, who stated that this phone is functional and fashionable. This phone is primarily silver with an accent of blue, via the facemask. These masks are easy to change. This phone has a stub antenna. The phone is small (4.45 in x 1.89 in x .91 in) and lightweight (3.52 Ounces) enough to fit in her purse or jacket.
Because my daughter was slated as the primary user, I felt it was important for her to program the phone; however I sat beside her. She glanced through the Quick Reference Guide and then used the User Manual and Welcome CD to familiarize herself with the phone features. She quickly grasped how to program the phone book, customize the color display and select rings/tones. My daughter programmed in contact names. The contact directory is sizable, allowing you to store up to 200 contact names. Each contact name will hold up to 6 phone numbers, 2 email addresses, 2 websites and a 200-character comment section. Unlike my Audiovox CDM8900 this phone offers a nice selection of normal business like ring tones, music tones, and – of course – additional ring/tone selections can be purchased. This phone can be set to ring, vibrate/ring, or just vibrate. The vibrate only mode is a good option for school hours or during other times in which she doesn't want 'noise' interruptions.
I will mention that I thought this phone included a couple games, but realized after purchase that you have to utilize Verizon's Get It Now service (extra charge). Certain other features require use of Verizon's Get It Now service. We have utilized this service to add games and browse ring tones. Charges for this service vary, depending on the application and you are charged airtime. This service is easy to navigate/use and the connection speed/download time is impressive.
Although I have used this phone several times, my daughter is the primary user. Her initial positive reaction has continued. She really likes this phone! It is my view that the Kyocera Phantom KX414 is a good option for teens, students and adults that don't want a flip phone. However I want to mention that my husband doesn't like how this phone fits his hands, claiming that the phone feels small and the buttons are awkward.
It appears as though this phone will be durable, as it has already survived a few drops. The battery charges quickly; although I haven't timed it, I know that my daughter plugs it in every third evening and unplugs it in the morning. Product specifications claim that the included battery will hold a standby charge of 180 hours/7 ½ days or 3 ½ hours of talk time. It is hard to judge precisely how close actual time is because my daughter also uses this phone to play games. The conversation clarity is good and we haven't had any challenges with reception, even in some areas that previously challenged my old Nokia 5185I or Qualcomm 2760. The LCD – 104x80 pixels - is acceptable. My daughter really likes the animation feature. Also the blue back lighting for the keypad makes it easy to see the alphanumerical keypad.
This phone offers Text messaging and has predictive text-input (20 templates*). Auto-text templates allow the user to quickly input and send common messages such as:
Have a great day
I'm going…
I'm at…
Where are you?
What are you…
Busy
Please call me
What's up
Running late
Need directions
What should
What are you
I love you
Got your message
Will call later
Thank you
Hi there
Recently when our power was out the alarm clock was an appreciated feature. Other features include a calculator and calendar options.
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Included With Purchase:
Kyocera KX414 Phone
Standard lithium Ion Battery
Power Adapter
User Manual
Welcome CD Rom
Quick Reference Guide
Manufacturer Claim:
"Say hello to your new comrade in communication. A phone as unconventional, unconstrained, and uninhibited as you. Here's what we're talking about: optional user-changeable mask so you can match your phone to your mood, or your mood to your phone; an optional sport clip to attach your phone to your backpack or purse; text messaging with funky animation; downloadable screensavers and enough built-in polyphonic rings to satisfy even the most boring situations. And with voice-activated dialing, a calculator, an alarm clock, a stopwatch, web access and e-mail capabilities, living your life, planning your weekends, and calling to extend your curfew just got a whole lot easier."
Features:
Weight: 3.52 Ounces
Dimensions : 4.45 in x 1.89 in x .91 in
Standby Time: Up to 180 hours
Usage Time: Up to 3.5 hours
65K STN Color Display
Brilliant-blue backlit display and keypad
Optional user-changeable masks
CDMA2000 1X technology: download data at speeds up to 153 Kbps
Up to 25 ringer types plus vibrate alert
- Choose your own song from built-in polyphonic ring tones or simply download something new.
Contact directory stores names, addresses, notes and phone numbers
Supports multiple language options
Headset jack
TTY and TDD enabled for the hearing impaired
Contact cartoon alert for incoming calls, games and downloadable screensavers
Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) capable so you can spice up text messages with cool animation.
Predictive text-input software for rapid text entry
Voice-activated dialing: Press a button, say a name - and you're connected.
Web access and the ability to send and receive e-mail.
Built-in contact directory, scheduler, calculator, alarm clock and stopwatch.
GPS locator
(As per product brochure)
Additional Information:
http://www.kyocera-wireless.com/phantom_phone/phantom_feature_benefit.htm
*"Text Messaging templates provide pre-set text that can be used to quickly send common text (SMS) messages without typing the message itself."
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Family Affair
Audiovox CDM8900
Nokia 3589i
Other Phones
Nokia 5185i
Qualcomm 2760
Verizon Mobile Phone Service in Seattle/Tacoma/Everett
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Thank you for reading!
©2004 Lisa_J
Recommended:
Yes
Recommended for: Stylish Trendsetters - Hip and Trendy
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Epinions.com ID:
Lisa_J
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Location: Pacific Northwest - Washington State
Reviews written: 1010
Trusted by: 668 members
About Me:
Mom of two wonderfully spirited daughters. Childcare Director. Spectator fan of dance.
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