Nokia 5160i
Oct 02 '00 (Updated Oct 14 '00)
It had been several years since I upgraded my cell phone. I had been getting by with an old analog model, which had served me fairly well, but then I seldom used it. I never learned even 10% of its functions, or even how to lock the darn thing. It was intimidating, complex, and I rationalized that I should avoid learning the thing on the notion that that technology would soon be out dated.
But I have had more need of it lately, and knowing that I should upgrade (analog service is anything but private), went to my Cellular service provider, (with about as much enthusiasm as I have for, say, going to the dentist) to see what was there.
I talked with a salesman for a bit, gave him my needs, asked a few questions about reliability and so on of the various models on display there, which ranged from free (with service) to $200. I asked him what he thought was best, and his response surprised me: He recommended a mid-priced Nokia.... specifically a 5160i. He said that it was solidly built, reliable, easy to use ("Yeah, right!", I thought to myself) etc. After further yak and so on, I left the store with the new phone, discounted to from $99 to $49 for an agreement to purchase another year of service, and coupons and rebates that totaled another $75.
Well, my first concern, the size of the buttons, turned out to be not a problem. I had had trouble hitting them right on my older (and substantially larger!) phone. But with this one, somehow the design is such that pushing the correct buttons is much easier. Too, it's smaller size makes it more convenient to have and carry around. It charges (and it came with a charger, of course) quickly too ... in 4 hours or less ... the old one demanded, according to the manufacturer, a wearisome 12 hours. Then just today, I dropped the thing on the pavement. Aside from the battery popping off (it was easy to slip back on), it was still as sound as ever.
I had had no hope of learning to use the thing well. I am just not motivated by all the "ooo-ahh!" functions. Guess what? It turns out that it is so easy to use that I am learning its functions without even trying!
Technology for the millions! At last!
In sum then, though I have only had a week, I feel comfortable with the phone, and comfortable recommending it (if anything changes I will update here!) to any that are in the market for a cell phone. (I should say that I did not do exhaustive comparison shopping, There may be better deals out there ... but it just isn't worth my time to search them out if I have something that is "good enough", and this is definitely good enough!)
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Epinions.com ID:
SkipKK
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Member: Skip Kildore
Reviews written: 5
Trusted by: 1 member
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