Oral Fixation? Get A Feature-Rich Samsung SCH-A310 Cellular Phone
Written: Apr 27 '03 (Updated May 03 '03)
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Pros: Cute, stylish, very good reception, feature rich
Cons: Pathetic ring tones, not as user friendly as I would like
The Bottom Line: Feature rich, cost effective, fun little cell phone. The pluses outweigh the little minuses, but you decide!
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| Suzer's Full Review: Samsung SCH-A310 Mobile Phone |
The sad story. I was so happy and satisfied with my Kyocera 2135.
http://www.epinions.com/content_61610299012
Alas, an incident occurred where the phone's antenna had an unpleasant interaction with my dog's mouth and that caused some minor reception problems. Yes, just minor, surprisingly. It was a great phone for me! But my contract with Verizon was up, and I wanted to be upgraded (don't we all). I went into my local Verizon phone mart to look at both the Kyocera 2235, and see what else they offered.
What I was looking for:
* Flip phone if possible, so it would be better protected than my previous phone
* User Friendly
* Voice Activation
* GPS when available
* Reasonable price (under $100 and preferably with a rebate also)
* Sufficient ring tones
* Nice display and easily read by someone with
"over-forty" eyes
* Voicemail
* Decent alert for incoming calls/voicemail messages
* Retractable antenna for obvious reasons
* Lightweight as I have carpal tunnel.
* Vibrate or ring
Those were the main things I was looking for. While at the phonemart I seriously considered the Kyocera, as well as the Samsung SCHA310, and comparable models of Motorola, LG. At the end I was stuck between the Kyocera 2235 and the Samsung. I went for the Samsung due to the flip phone and the GPS, but was worried that I might not be tech-savvy enough to deal with it, as that is usually a problem for me. The price noted on the box was $99.00, but I was able to get a $50 rebate (I just saw an even better rebate offered-05/02/03-keep your eyes open!). I did commit to a two year contract (I've always been told you are only held to one of the two years should you wish to upgrade, and get a new contract phone).
Getting physical from the Samsung manual and website:
This is a cute little silver phone. For you techie types, the display has the following:
128 x 128 pixel and has up to 12 lines of soft icons and text, graphic LCD screen
External Display: 128 x 32 pixel graphic LCD, seven backlit colors
Mode: Dual band/Tri-mode (CDMA 1900 MHz (PCS); CDMA 800 MHz; and AMPS 800 MHz)
Wireless Protocol: CDMA
Specs from Samsung website:
With standard battery
Dimensions: 3.5" x 2.0" x .9"
Weight: 3.2 oz.
Talk Time: CDMA, up to 2.7 hours; AMPS, up to 1.2 hours
Standby Time: CDMA, up to 5 days; AMPS, up to 15 hours
What I got:
It came with a handstrap, standard battery, travel adapter, holster, and of course the user guide. The guide is rather small print, but is geared toward someone who doesn't know anything, so don't worry if you are not tech-oriented.
Main Features:
You can change faceplates if you wish. I'm pleased at this point anyway with the silver.
You have the choice of 6 bell sounds, and 16 songs, and a few different screen images to add something a little personal.
You can select one of seven colors for your different callers (perhaps work, friends, family, significant others, etc.) You can also pick different colors for days of the week, or rotate them.
Choose English or Spanish.
I haven't gone online with my phone but they claim that you can do so up to 10 times faster than previously.
You will be able to send/receive email, faxes or brief messages to anywhere you wish.
The GPS function will be available when 911 emergency location services kick in.
You can see who is calling before you open the phone!
There is a beautiful blue backlit LCD and keypad
You'll find there is also an organizer, calendar, task list, scheduler and calculator. There isn't a tip calculator like I had on my Kyocera, and that is a minor disappointment.
You can screen your calls as they are being recorded. If you want to take the call, just hit send!
There are 500 phone book entries.
There are so many features and perks with this phone, there are way to many to list here.
My experience:
True confession. I am always apprehensive bringing home a new "toy" that requires some technical ability. My sons are grown and out of the house, and I don't like to bug them. I feel I need to try and learn to do things myself, but I am always afraid I'll mess things up, they'll explode, who knows?
The first thing I did was set up the ring. These ring tones are hideous. What were they thinking? It has more choices than my previous phone, but I hate them all. However, not a really big thing. I picked the least disgusting, and that was it.
Next was the phone book. What a hassle. It was not user friendly at all, and I still haven't added everyone because it is so hard to do. The phone book on the kyocera was a piece of cake, even for me.
The display is great for my eyes. I can easily see and make out the icons and the letters and numbers, so that is a pleasure. I appreciate the alerts for missed calls and voicemail.
I haven't yet used the text messaging, internet options.
I find the reception clear and crisp, and have had no complaints from friends or family, nor have I lost calls, except with one friend, and she said it was her phone not mine, or the location she was in.
What I don't care for:
I don't care for the selection of ring tones, the phone book and planner are not easy to use at all in my opinion. I have an issue with turning a phone on by hitting "end". A little thing, but easy to forget that is how it is done. My old phone allowed me to select vibrate and ring concurrently. This does not as far as I can tell so far.
Final thoughts and recommendations:
As you can see I do not love everything about the phone, but the overall appearance, lightweight and protective flip design, reception, ease in placing and receiving calls, dependability, make it a plus in my mind. My Kyocera was definitely more user friendly, but this has other advantages the other phone lacked, and I can depend on it more. If fantastic ring tones are critical to you, this phone is not your baby. If you need numerous games, this one just has three: Push Push, Fly Ribbon, and Spy Hunter. Overall, I recommend it for anyone who wants an attractive, feature rich little phone for a reasonable price that they can enjoy, and depend on. You may have an easier time programming it than I did. I am giving it 4 stars. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to email me or leave a comment. I am enjoying it and becoming more comfortable over time. By the way, don't judge the appearance by the photo here. Go to the Samsung website. That will give you the true picture, if you are unfamiliar with the phone/model.
Thanks for reading!
Suz
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 99
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Epinions.com ID:
Suzer
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Member: Suzi
Location: Southern Calif.
Reviews written: 588
Trusted by: 840 members
About Me:
Compromise-Art of slicing the cake so each person thinks they have the biggest piece.
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