I personally love the phone. I've often seen this compared to a Nokia... and many times the problem is the "lack of intuitive layout" as its compared to a Nokia.
I admit, I really like the Nokia menu layout and the S40 is really different. When you get used to the S40, I think it functions close to if not equally as well. The buttons are "opposite" of the Nokia phones (ie. talk is where end is and end is where talk is).
It's a little buggy, but I had that problem on my Nokia phone too. All in all, I think it's worth it. I have no regrets. Small, light, feature-rich, and aesthetically pleasing.
1. Left hand vs. right hand. The Nokia phones had the side buttons on the left (instead of the right like the S40). I'm right-handed and adapted to the Nokia's... so I don't think the S40 should be a problem for either-handed people.
2. WAP seems a little slow, but I don't have another phone to compare to. It gets the info I need when I need it, so no complaints there. I log onto the local movie listings as well as ICQ.
3. Accessories are a pain, but places like DayDeal.com got me a charger and case for about $20, total.
4. What do you expect from the backlight? Hmm... I appreciate this backlight to the Nokia phones. I admit, I've changed my LEDs on my Nokia phone a while back... along with my clear faceplate the phone is quite literally brigh as a flashlight! Honestly? The colour was worth it but the lighting wasn't. If it's that dark out, you don't need a phone blinding you.
The S40 light is very consistent over the entire screen (unlike the Nokia, where you have bright "blotches" where the LEDs are). It's basically your Indiglo-type backlight. You can see the normal screen under the sun and a subtle and pleasant blue in the dark (all in clear contrast). Most phones are still monotone b/w. The S40 is 4-level greyscale (black, dark grey, light grey, and "white"). I think it adds a nice touch.
5. Keys, squeak? I haven't had that problem! The only problem I have with the keys are that sometimes when I type in a word too fast it doesn't catch all my keystrokes. I had this problem with Nokia too, but possibly less.
x. There's more I like about the S40 that I like... it's a good phone.
- When I'm out, pen and paper isn't always available, so the built-in voice recorder is a convenient feature.
- I rarely play games on my Nokia, so I don't miss it on the S40.
- Some other features are lacking, like the ability to NOT send your number (all the time to CID, rather than for the 'next call only') but for all the other features it offers me, I think the compromise is well worth it! Looking at the prices out there, it's becoming extremely well priced for a tri-band world phone!
If you're a die-hard Nokia fan, get a Nokia. Likewise about Ericsson, etc. But, if you're relatively flexible and need the features the S40 offers, it's a phone you won't regret!
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