It survived a fall in the river...
Written: Jan 11 '03 (Updated Apr 17 '06)
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Pros: Contacts, Calendar, Reliability, Volume Control & Clarity
Cons: No games, Wireless Web
The Bottom Line: I would recommend this phone if you are looking for reliability with excellent sound and volume.
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| innerpc's Full Review: Samsung SPH-N200 Silver |
This is my first review here, so I will make it about something I am familiar and very pleased with.
I purchased the original Samsung N200 phone when it first came out. The main purpose was for the contacts and calendar functionality, which were going to assist me with my day-to-day planning. I paid almost $200 for the phone, the data cable and the PC sync software. Connecting it and getting it to “work” I must admit was fun and easy. I say “original” phone because I am currently on my second N200 phone. My first phone fell into a river (actually it was me, with my phone attached). I thought the phone was completely dead and purchased a new one, only to find out the phone DID survive, but the battery did not. I purchased a new battery and was able to sell my original phone in working condition. I must say I was rather impressed.
Allow me now to describe the features of this phone along with the pros and/or cons of each:
Flip Phone:
- Can close the lid and not have to worry about locking the keypad. Can rest in your pocket and not have to worry about your phone making unauthorized calls.
- Can lift the lid and immediately answer the call.
- Allows for a smaller carrying device.
Navigation Button:
Pros: Has a small button in the middle that can be moved up & down or left & right. This allows for easy navigation through the menus and allows you to view your contacts and calendar on quick demand.
Cons: If sand/dirt gets in the button, it’s not easy to clean out and it makes the button virtually useless.
Top Light:
Flashes when there is an incoming call or voicemail message.
Wireless Web:
Pros: Allows you to check weather, stocks, send and receive email and much more.
Cons: Can be costly at a per-minute charge, depending on your service carrier. It is a bit slow and not so easily to navigate through.
Phone Book:
Pros: Allows you to add a name and multiple numbers for your contacts and view them on your computer once synched. You can synch with devices and software, including Microsoft Outlook.
Cons: Contacts must be added in phone first, if you create them in your computer they do not synch over well to the phone.
Calendar:
Pros: Allows you to create a “to do” list and events for each day. You can also set yourself a reminder for each event. You are allowed to see by the month and each day that has an event will be underlined.
Cons: You can only view each event one by one and not by the entire day.
Countdown Timer:
This allows you to set a countdown for days, hours or minutes.
Alarm Clock:
Pros: You can set up to 3 different alarm clocks and set the tone for it, so that you don’t confuse it with your ringer. Can be set once or daily.
Cons: If you’re a heavy sleeper like me, where not even the train passing by is going to wake you up, don’t use the alarm for that. It goes for about 4 minutes then stops.
Ringer:
It has a variety of ringers/tones that can be set for your calls and alarms. Set them according to a contact, long distance, roaming, etc.
The Samsung N200 also has a variety of accessories than can be purchased. There is a desktop charger that will charge the phone and an extra battery. You can purchase various clips, headsets and an additional battery for this phone. And speaking of battery, the life on it is amazing; you can get about a couple of hours of talk time from one charge.
Finding a phone that has great volume control and clarity can be difficult. This one, however, is the exception. I must say the level of volume/clarity on this phone is outstanding. It would work great for a hearing-impaired person such as myself. The volume button is on the side, which makes it easily accessible during phone conversations so you don’t have to pull the phone away from your ear.
Overall I rate this phone a 9 out of 10. There are definitely more pro’s than con’s. If you are looking for something small, with a good display, battery life and clarity, this is the phone for you.
Hope this helps,
Michelle
4/17/06 **UPDATE**
I first wrote this review in January of 2003 and I just wanted to give an update. I still own the SAME phone, though I have had to replace the battery a few times because the OEM batteries seem to be a poor design. It's hard to come by an "original" battery. The OEM battery is comprised of two pieces that over time seems to wear down and eventually pull apart, thus causing the battery to loose contact with the phone. So don't waste your money on the OEM batteries, find an 'original' one. The reason I had to replace my original battery was because it got thrown against a a wall and the battery broke, along with the antenna. I was able to super glue the antenna and you can't even tell it was broken, still works great.
Even though this phone doesn't have all the fancy games, pretty colors and a camera - IT WORKS!! It's been banged up and dropped, opened and closed thousands of times(hinges still work great) - I have continued to have NO problems from this phone. I have had friends/family try to convince me to update to a NEWER model, with features. Yet, I see so many of them replacing their NEWER phones every 3-6 months because theirs broke. Their display went out, the hinge broke, the buttons don't work, the sound quality has faded - but I've had this phone for over 3 years and it still works. So when and if this one breaks down, I will buy another N200. I don't know about you but I need a phone that works - I can't be without a phone for a few days while it's in for repair/replacement.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 200
Recommended for: Adventurous Technophiles - Tough and Durable
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Epinions.com ID:
innerpc
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Reviews written: 2
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