vB Easy Archive - My "Mini-Review" of the Siemens S55

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My "Mini-Review" of the Siemens S55
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Posted by: MitzEclipse

Hi All,

I just wanted to post my initial thoughts of the Siemens S55 after a a day's usage. So far, this phone has been a lot better in terms of the T68i, however, I'm not sure if it will bump the 6590 as my daily runner.

Reception: The signal on the S55 is definitely above par comparing to the other phones that I got, however, comparing to my trusty 6590 it's close, but no cigar. I rarely see full bars on the phone, however, it does pickup signal from fringe locations faster then the 6590. Totally blows the T68i away, however.

Screen: For a phone with this many features, it really should have had a better screen. I can't remember if it's better then the T68i - it's probably the same. But I can see pixels, etc. Not as good as a PDA, however, it is just a phone and the colors are decent. Definitely not one of my reasons for not wanting this phone.

Size and Feel: This phone is almost the same size as the 6590 - just a tad wider, and a tad thinner. Awesome size. The soft keys on the phone are ironically sharp

so my thumbs are really sore after just a day's use of MMS/SMS/and Wapping. I also SMS all the time and the keys are really close together - and I have thinner fingers.

Menu System: Definitely way better then a T68i - more intuitive, however, no where near as good as a Nokia. I'm such as Nokia menu system fan, but IMO it's the easiest to use while doing something else (ie: driving, etc... - when you shouldn't be using your phone anyway!)

Battery Life: After about 10 hours of more then average use, 1/2 of the battery is left. I've taken about 5 pictures with flash and had bluetooth on all the time. I haven't made that many calls, however, which is dissapointing.

Sound: The ringtones on the phone suck. Sounds like a clown phone or something. Actually, sounds like my Samsung A310 (which i really hate). I wish there was a "ring-ring" polyphonic ring tone on the phone, but i guess you have to download it. also, the volume on the phone isn't as loud as I would like. The ringer isn't that loud on it's loudest setting, and the speaker isn't that loud either when I'm listening to the other person on the other end.

Weight: The weight of the phone is just fine. Almost the same feel as a 6590 - and feels more of a phone then a toy (ie: T68i).

Accessories: I didn't know this, but as of right now, there are NO wired headsets for the phone! also, since it's so new, chargers and other acc. aren't widely avail. Bummer because I like to have chargers EVERYWHERE. I have Nokia chargers in my car, bedroom, gf's house, parent's house, etc...

Voice Dialing: Voice Dialing ONLY works on phone numbers stored directly on the phone's address book. Will not work for numbers stored on the SIM card. I had to manually copy over the numbers that I wanted to enable VD for - I don't like having an address book on my phone locally since I change phones all the time.

Bluetooth: I was able to successfully pair the S55 with a Palm Tungsten T|T, 3Com PCMCIA BT Card, and Jabra Headset. The downer on the headset is that the phone will not automatically transfer calls to the headset, you have to press the button on the headset! Very annoying!

Overall: I'm sure this phone is a winner for most people - most people aren't as picky as I am

I'm still not certain I'm going to keep this phone. There are too many little quirks that I don't like and I love the 6590 - I don't care much for color , but I wish it had bluetooth!

Posted by: jmpage2

One thing to keep in mind is that this phone is new and I'm sure after it gets adopted more widely you will see accessories, etc, as well as tons and tons of ring tones and even ring tone generator applications.

I use bluetooth constantly on my T68i and any phone I buy has to have it. I don't know what the hell Nokia's problem is not including bluetooth (a $10 feature) on more of their phones.

Anyhow, thanks for the review.

Posted by: burbboy78

Well, considering the fact that I greatly dislike all Nokia phones and Nokia products, I am probably going to love this phone when I receive it next week. I ordered it from Adam (Lvwireless) and am having it delivered next Thursday. I am more concerned about the flash. I have the Sony Ericsson T300 right now w/ the Cam for T-Mobile and althought it takes great pics in the sun, it takes HORRID pics at night or in low light conditions

Thanks for the review.

burbboy78

Posted by: baker

Jey Mitz,

Good review, The problem with us early adopters is that usually the accessories are not avail until the product goes main stream. By that time we want a newer phone.

Posted by: MitzEclipse

Quote:

Originally posted by baker
Jey Mitz,

Good review, The problem with us early adopters is that usually the accessories are not avail until the product goes main stream. By that time we want a newer phone.

Yeah, totally agree. I just wish the Nokia 8910i was TRI band - that would be the ultimate phone IMO, all what I really need is the Nokia menu system and Bluetooth

(Plus I could use my previous nokia accessories!)

Posted by: MrSavoy

You sure have something against the T68 from what I can tell. You go out of your way to compare this new phone to a 1 year old phone(t68i) and still don't explain what makes this so much better imo. Everything you said in that review is subjective and is your opinion. Just my 2 cents.

Posted by: MitzEclipse

Quote:

Originally posted by MrSavoy
You sure have something against the T68 from what I can tell. You go out of your way to compare this new phone to a 1 year old phone(t68i) and still don't explain what makes this so much better imo. Everything you said in that review is subjective and is your opinion. Just my 2 cents.

No kidding. I can have my own opinion just like everyone else on this board. I just think the T68i is crap, that's all.

Posted by: jmpage2

The S55 has the following over the T68i

1) Polyphonic ringtones
2) Better RF reception (T68i has always been weak in this department)
3) Triband (more roaming options)
4) Speakerphone
5) Slightly better battery (per specifications)
6) More tactile keypad
7) Better, more intuitive menus (personal opinions on this of course).

For some of us the S55/56 is like a "super" T68i and that's why we want one.

Posted by: Chan

I'm going to wait for the S56 since I want GSM 850, I don't go out of the country much so its a better option for me...anyway I was looking at expansys the S55 with cam is £292.58 which is about....$394.42USD, I want one

Posted by: jmpage2

Yeah, I will be waiting for the S56 also... the guys at the local AT&T store will hook me up with a good deal buying a new one straight from them.

I don't need the camera and I expect the S56 will be retailing for around $199-$249 by March.

Posted by: Chan

Quote:

Originally posted by jmpage2
Yeah, I will be waiting for the S56 also... the guys at the local AT&T store will hook me up with a good deal buying a new one straight from them.

I don't need the camera and I expect the S56 will be retailing for around $199-$249 by March.

So AT&T is for sure getting the Siemens S56? If so, do you know when?

Posted by: jmpage2

I don't know if they will be carrying it and I don't know what it will cost.

Just guessing.

Posted by: oneeyejack

Quote:

Originally posted by jmpage2
The S55 has the following over the T68i

1) Polyphonic ringtones
2) Better RF reception (T68i has always been weak in this department)
3) Triband (more roaming options)
4) Speakerphone
5) Slightly better battery (per specifications)
6) More tactile keypad
7) Better, more intuitive menus (personal opinions on this of course).

For some of us the S55/56 is like a "super" T68i and that's why we want one.

the t68i is triband too.

Posted by: MitzEclipse

Quote:

7) Better, more intuitive menus (personal opinions on this of course).

Don't forget... FASTER menu's too!!!

Posted by: phonedude

hey i just recive my siemens S55.....awsome phone ya! i recomend to all.......im so happy..
ill post some pics later =))))