The killer Candybar
Written: Feb 24 '05
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Pros: Clear sound, long battery life, simple to use, small size
Cons: Front face plate scratches easily. Slippery back plate.
The Bottom Line: When you have no though and in need of a small cell with clear sound, the A56 will stand by your side.
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| janika's Full Review: Siemens CT56 Cell Phone |
Introduction to the Siemens A-56
The Siemens A-56 / C-56 Cell phones belong to a wireless phone category; we call “candy-bar phones” Why? Because it looks like a candy bar and it does not open like flip phones do. These phones do not have a sticking out antenna on them either. There are folks out there whom use only this type of phone due to its ease of operation and portability. I am one of them. Currently I use a Motorola V-400 Flip Phone as my company’s communication gateway. Let me tell you, I am less than impressed with it. Please check out my review on the V400. Back to the Siemens A-56, when you have one of these phones on you, people would not know or notice, until you start talking on it. You never have to worry about how you place it in your pocket, or weather the antenna is sticking out or up or down. Just like a candy bar! The German company Siemens have been around for a long time and they are known for their high quality products. Especially in the medical field. MRI machines, sterilizers, etc. They currently rank number # 2 on the wireless market for quality and popularity. Perhaps not so much in North America, but more in Europe, Africa and Asia. Yes #2, and this means ahead of Motorola, Sony-Erickson, Samsung and LG. Nokia is still number one.
First look
When you see this handset on a picture, like a Web- page or such place, you’d never realize how small this phone is. This is only until you actually hold it in the palm of your hand. I can hold this phone in my hand and close my fingers around it. Voila. The phone is gone; I mean you don’t see it because it fits in my hand closed. By the way I don’t have very large hands. Most A-56 models in North America were released in two colors. Blue and silver / gray combination. I have the silver one and still using it once in a while until I receive my brand new Siemens A-65. Another review is to follow this one after I received my A65, which will be a World phone and have color screen. Ok, about the A-56, yes. A small phone with tons of features you actually use. How nice, ha? When talking on the A-56, it sounds like if I was talking on a landline. This is due to the phone’s superior earpiece. Outstanding performance when it comes to sound quality. The ringer sound is not as powerful, but provides adequate loudness to hear it even in noisy environment. If that’s not good enough, than please use the vibrate alert, combined with sound. The buttons are rather small on this phone, but easily operable by anyone. Even with folks with large fingers. The screen is backlit with orange background color and black letters / characters. There is also some animations in the phone. Quiet nice from an affordable, often free with a plan handset. The A-56 also supports MMS Multimedia Messaging System. This means, that besides regular SMS, you can also send animations to another GSM phone, perhaps attach it to your message. We have this set activated with the Microcell Communications (FIDO) service. Now merged with Rogers / AT&T Communications. Each time I switch phones; I just take my Smart card (SIM) out of my phone and install it into the new one. This way the phonebook and message logs remain on the card and I can continue normal operation on the new phone without having to re-program all the phone numbers all over again.
This phone has all the basic features most wireless phones have, like alarm clock, calendar, phonebook, games, time & date, call display, call waiting support, SMS, MMS, changeable Face & back plates. Speed-dial for fast access to your most important numbers.
What to like about it
Gotta like the small size. Very easy to use and learn menu system. Long battery life. Fast battery recharge, Removable face & back-plates, GSM network capability allows you to roam from other countries while abroad. Alarm clock can be setup to wake you at certain days of the week. MMS Support in messaging. Crystal clear earpiece sounds like landline. This phone is also cheap. Meaning cost very little. I got mine for $15- as replacement for a Nokia 3390 which had a weak battery after about a year of usage. Many times your wireless carrier provide you with this handset for no charge at all, when signing a contract with them. You also have to like the weight of the phone. Just a few ounces. Can’t even notice it’s in your hand.
Dislikes
Well, not too many things here other than a list of the things this phone doesn’t have, but hey what do you expect from a phone that’s free or costs just a few dollars? Just to list a few things that would be nice on this set: Polyphonic ring-tines, color screen, blue tooth, camera, tone composer, infrared access, and maybe a larger screen.
Here are a few things that can be improved on this phone without adding more features to it. #1 Different screen material. The screen scratches easily on this phone, so you have to be careful with it. #2 the material the phone’s back plate is made of. Why am I saying this? Well, you place this phone on an uneven place and the thing will slide right down and fall on the ground / floor. Siemens should of thought of this when designing the unit and they could of install a small rubber button sort of slide stopper at the back of it. I’ve seen this on other phones. #3 is the face and back plates. They don’t line up evenly when on. You can tell by looking at the phone from the side that this phone has a front and back plates separate because the plates don’t line up well. I never had mine come off or anything. This is just one more thing, which can be added to the little annoyances most electronics come with.
Conclusion
This review also applies to the Siemens C-56 mobile phone because the two are very identical in shape and features. I highly recommend this GSM phone to those who require a reliable wireless communication device and can’t afford one. When sound quality and battery life is crucial to you, look no further than the Siemens A-56, C-56 and their brothers & sisters for that matter. Many folks prefer a cell that can easily slide into a purse or any pocket. Well this is one of those little wonders for you. Thank you for reading and rating this review.
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 10
Recommended for: Stylish Trendsetters - Hip and Trendy
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Epinions.com ID:
janika
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Location: North America
Reviews written: 33
Trusted by: 7 members
About Me:
A hardware Gürü who likes computers, cars, travel & digital photography.
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