An entry-level clamshell phone, the Samsung SGH-T139 doesn't offer much to begin with. Sporting an easy-to-use design, good call quality and functional feature set, however, it's also not bad - not bad at all.
Physically, it looks like a generic flip phone. In many ways, it is. The gray outside panel is about as industrial as you can get, punctuated by smooth lines and a compact shape. Everything about it is as basic as you can get, both inside and out. To its credit, the overall build, including the clamshell mechanism, feels sturdy.
It comes with two screens - a 1-inch external panel and a 1.75-inch internal display. Do both of those sound particularly small? Well, they are - even for a phone this size. The external monochrome display only shows the most basic details, while the larger colored one is a little more decent. As a saving grace, the keypad and controls are excellent, with spacious layouts and rubbery keys.
As a phone, the SGH-T139 manages above average call quality. There's a hint of sharpness, but nothing to overly distract you, and plenty of volume. Battery life is rated at four hours of talk time. With this thing sipping too little power, expect at least two days or more of normal use.
Features, of course, are basic. There's a 300-contact phone book, a slew of productivity tools and the usual messaging options (SMS, MMS and IM). Samsung also threw in some of the most essential niceties, such as a VGA camera (with a decent amount of options), a WAP browser (strictly GPRS data, though) and Bluetooth.
Overall, the Samsung SGH-T139 keeps things ridiculously simple and basic. At the price ($59 without a contract), it's good enough, although I've seen cheaper.
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Samsung SGH-T139 Brings Nice Input Controls, Basic Featuresunratednoel2010-02-12 11:31:33
Phone ReviewsSamsung SGH-T139 Brings Nice Input Controls, Basic Features
LG announced another addition to their popular Cookie family of touchscreen handsets. Billed as the LG Cookie Plus GS500, it's an entry-level feature phone that boasts slight improvements over the original KP500.
Looking to compete against the widely successful Samsung Corby, LG endowed the new device with a similar cartoon-like, widget-heavy UI. In fact, the promo pictures show icons that look suspiciously familiar to anyone that has used Samsung's entry-level number.
The biggest update for the Cookie Plus is 3G connectivity, paving the way for faster browser page loads, better performance from web-connecting apps and, hopefully, streaming media support. Social networking is a primary focus, with both the SNS (which supports Facebook, Twitter, Flickr and other social sites) and the LiveSquare apps onboard. Most of the hardware set should be along the same lines as the original Cookie. Other details mentioned in the press release include a 3.2 megapixel camera and an FM tuner.
In a not-so-surprising move, LG also announced that the company will be releasing a slew of Cookie-branded handsets in 2010 (each one likely to bring only slightly different features from the rest). Yep, a strategy that directly copies a page from what Samsung has began doing with the Corby (e.g. Corby, CorbyTXT).
The LG Cookie Plus GS500 will debut in 45 countries beginning with Italy and France this coming May. No pricing details have been given. They also mentioned a second Cookie handset in the press release, dubbed as the LG GS290. No details yet, but they're priming it for the UK sometime in March.
[Press Release]
LG Cookie Plus GS500 Announced, Adds 3G And More Social Featuresunratednoel2010-02-10 12:39:41
NewsLG Cookie Plus GS500 Announced, Adds 3G And More Social Features
The Cricket MSGM8 (aka Message Mate) is a basic candybar messager with a good set of entry-level features. As you may have guessed, it's as far as you can get from a high-end phone. If you're looking for a decent entry-level handset, though, it may just fit the bill.
Physically, it's actually not that bad-looking. It's designed as a straightforward QWERTY phone - straight lines, rounded corners and soft-touch plastic build. There's not much to either rave about or hate - it's a comfortable device with a good feel in the hand.
Display is a bright 2.2-inch LCD, with excellent colors and sharp lines. The two keys right below the display are a little skinny to be really useful, although the rest of the navigation array is good (if a little flat). Typing messages is obviously aided by the QWERTY keypad, although they could have definitely made the keys a little less narrow. Regardless, we like the layout, especially the dedicated keys (messaging and calendar) included.
As a phone, the MSGM8 makes for very good calls, especially in areas where Cricket's coverage is strong. Voices go through loud and clear, despite a bit of static that finds its way through at times. The speakerphone adds a heavy echo, though. Battery life is rated at five hours of talk time, which is about standard for an entry-level messaging handset.
The feature set reflects the largely basic configuration. There's the usual fare - 1,000 entry phonebook, PIM tools and a decent messaging suite (SMS, MMS, IM and email). More advanced features include a 1.3 megapixel camera (disappointing quality), stereo Bluetooth and a wireless web browser, as well as a few apps and games.
Overall, the Cricket MSGM8 is just as you'd expect - an unabashedly basic messaging phone. If that's all you need, however, it could prove a viable alternative, especially at the $119.99 price without a contract.
Cricket MSGM8 Is A Basic Candybar Messager With Great Price And Decent Set Of Featuresunratednoel2009-12-19 12:10:52
Phone ReviewsCricket MSGM8 Is A Basic Candybar Messager With Great Price And Decent Set Of Features
Like Sanyo's previous cellphone releases, the Sanyo SCP-3810 comes with solid basic features and an easy-to-use design. Beyond that though, there's little to look forward to.
Physically, the clamshell phone sports a stylish, albeit non-remarkable, aesthetic, marked by a boxy profile, lightweight frame and compact dimensions. The external monochrome display, which is partially hidden when turned off, is a little too small to be of any real use. Inside, the larger 2.4-inch display is a little more agreeable, delivering a 320x240 resolution and a very vibrant quality. The navigation array, keypad and menu are all laid out in a sensible way, are comfortable to use and a breeze to manage. Even elder technophobes can probably get into it.
As a phone, the SCP-3810 can manage very good calls (on Sprint's network), with plenty of volume, natural-sounding voices and zero interference. On occasion, a slight metallic quality finds its way into the conversations, though it's rare. The speakerphone, while loud, didn't perform as well, adding a very odd tone to the voices. Battery is rated at close to 6 hours of talk time, which should make for several days of use, given that it doesn't come with plenty of draining extras.
Being an entry-level handset, it doesn't come with a lot of features. All the basics are onboard, however, including a 300-contact address book, a decent messaging suite (MMS, threaded SMS, IM, web-based POP3 and IMAP emails), stereo Bluetooth, a simple music player and the rest of the usual capabilities. There's also a 1.3 megapixel camera (no video), with a few editing options and generally acceptable shot quality.
Available free from Sprint with a contract, the Sanyo SCP-3810 is a decent choice if you've been angling for a budget handset that does the basics well. You can also buy it for around $250 (more or less, depending on where you shop) unlocked, which doesn't sound half as good as getting it with an agreement (you can find better unlocked phones at that price).
Sanyo SCP-3810 Is A Stylish-Looking Basic Phone, Easy To Useunratednoel2009-11-25 17:24:12
Phone ReviewsSanyo SCP-3810 Is A Stylish-Looking Basic Phone, Easy To Use
Nokia just announced five new mobile phones aimed at consumers in emerging markets. Unveiled early in the day are the Nokia 1280, Nokia 1616, Nokia 1800, Nokia 2220 slide and Nokia 2690, five entry-level phones with the most basic of features.
The release of the handsets will coincide with the introduction of Nokia Life Tools, which offer livelihood and life-betterment services for people in rural areas, in Indonesia. All five devices will support the service, which provides regular content on agricultural, educational and entertainment subjects.
On the low end of the releases are the Nokia 1280, Nokia 1616 and Nokia 1800. All three phones will feature the usual messaging and voice capabilities, along with an FM radio, a flashlight and extra-long battery life. According to the company, the latter is a requirement for use in rural areas where access to electricity may not be easily available.
Toting a bit more features are the Nokia 2220 Slide and the Nokia 2690, which add email support to the mix via Ovi Mail. Other basic specs include a VGA camera, an FM radio, MMS, GPRS support and Bluetooth.
Nokia didn't detail which devices will be released first, but they'll start hitting stores worldwide towards the end of 2009, with the rest of the roster coming in 2010. Prices are as follows: Nokia 1280 (€20), Nokia 1616 (€24), Nokia 1800 (€26), Nokia 2220 Slide (€45) and Nokia 2690 (€54).
[via Press Release]
Nokia Announces Five New Mobile Phones For Emerging Marketsunratednoel2009-11-04 11:48:40
NewsNokia Announces Five New Mobile Phones For Emerging Markets
