vB Easy Archive - Thinking of getting C56, help me out!

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Thinking of getting C56, help me out!
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Posted by: faibs

Hey Guys, I am getting a C56 probably as a HUP from rogers. I got the 3595 and I am returning it cause its horribly large and uncomfortable to carry around.
What are the PROS and CONS for the C56?
My priorities for cells are
1)RF
2)Size
3)Features (i like IrDA, but none of the new entry level phones have it anymore like the Nokia 3595, SE T226...)

Let me know! THanks guys! I have never owned a Siemens (except for my own.... get it? heheheh)
Phil

Posted by: faibs

i heard that the menus are slow, is this true?

Posted by: yappie

Hey there faibs.

I got a C56 and the phone is great.

The RFs really good, if by that you mean signal strength/capture. In that area in outperforms other phones that I've had - been testing a few before finally deciding on the one I want and gonna have to live with for a while. (I have no contract, btw, but I buy my phones outright).

Size: well what can I say. The darn little thing fits into the palm of my hand and small enough to be placed in a shirt pocket, or front pocket of your pants without being too conspicuous (meet your girl somewhere and expect something like this: say, are you really happy to see me, or is that a Siemens in your pants

)

Features: so far I've dabbled with Siemens, Nokia, Motorola and Ericsson. I was amazed at the features offered in the C56. It's so customizable - wow. Honestly, this is my first Siemens phone and I was surprised that other manufacturers don't do what Siemens does in terms of customization. Very nice.

I dont' know what you mean by the menus being "slow", but I don't find them slow at all. Interestingly, even though the menus aren't numbered (like in Nokia), you can still press "menu" followed by a series of numbers to quickly get to whatever submenu feature you wish. I've only experienced a couple of "hickups" - a short freeze in menu selection within 5-10 minutes of the phone being turned on or after disengaging the keylock.

Other pros:
- nice orange glow - not too hard on the eyes
- good button feel
- great choice of features: calendar, alarm, currency converter, you name it
- fairly good battery life (recharge mine every 4 days)
- can replace the covers of your choosing. if one gets scratched up, replace it with another "Clip-It" cover.
- one-button keylock
- one-button "mute" all ringers/alarms (when moving into a "quiet" environment)

some cons:
- no model-specific software for the phone (unlike M55/56, S55/56, SL55/56)
- screen size is a tad too small (personal preference to have a bit of a larger screen)
- speaker is kinda strange - not loud enough I'd say - it sounds ... "muted".... but that's a Siemens-wide issue.

Well, I hope this helps.

Posted by: Slowpoke SS

Pros:

1. Size
2. The orange LCD...easier on the eyes, and less battery-draining than coloured phones.
3. Organiser functions.
4. Pretty nice OEM headset IMO.

Cons:

1. No time counter (at least with AT&T Wireless in the US).
2. Can't use memory hotkeys for number strings when a call is in session (e.g. calling a long distance calling card # then using the hotkey to enter PIN or another number).
3. Goofy default tone.
4. Less reception than some Nokias (but considering the size of a C56 and its lower radiation it's not that bad a deal).
5. Hard to find accessories, such as leather pouch, colour external casing, data cables, etc.

I think it's a pretty good phone if it's your first cell phone. Having been accustomed to older Nokia phones I think my C56 to be a bit different and quirky, but it's a fine phone. I like quirkiness

Posted by: hungup

I would have to say that my decision to own a Siemens C56 was the best decision I have made in purchasing a cell phone.

In the few days that I have had the phone, I have managed to unlock the phone and get it java enabled to extend its capabilities. So in terms of customizing the phone, its pretty good.

As for the ring volume, it ain't bad. Not the best, but it does the job and various light flickering is pretty neat.

Its kinda funny, you boot up the phone and its say AT&T mlife, but the main screen is Fido or it could be Rogers if you are subscribed to Rogers. If you don't give a hoot about that, then you are all set. After all, its only you that's going to be looking at it all the time.

I highly recommend getting the phone. It is small, good sound quality and pretty good RF. I managed to pick up the phone for cheap on ebay and I suggest that you do the same.

Oh and the friends who have seen the phone like it for the fact that it is a smart looking phone, with a cool orange lumniscent screen.

Hope that helps...Cheers!

Posted by: OpusX

I disagree with the statement made in a comment above that suggests that accessories such as data cables/cases are hard to find.

Ebay is full of them.

What people must keep in mind is that the C56 is the North American version..... many of the acessories for the C55 can be used for this phone... proper ebay searching will show many MANY accessories.

I've had the C56 for a while now.. for an entry level phone, its very very good.

Posted by: faibs

i just got a S307 instead, i will get the c56 as a second phone with my HUP. thanks guys

Posted by: dozorca

Any posibilities of unlocking that phone?

Posted by: hungup

it is always possible