The Perfect Cellular For A Blonde-The Kyocera 2135!
Written: Apr 17 '02 (Updated Dec 02 '02)
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Pros: Great reception, rich with features, user-friendly, ergonomic fit, web ready
Cons: Flimsy antenna, small buttons, not too many accessories yet
The Bottom Line: This is a great, reasonably priced phone even for someone who is not tech-savvy. It has all the bells and whistles, good sound, and is overall an excellent choice.
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| Suzer's Full Review: Kyocera 2135 Cell Phone |
Well, actually I think this is an excellent phone for anyone. I hated, absolutely hated, my last cellular phone, and couldn't wait until my contract was up, and I could get a different phone. I am so untech-savvy it took me almost a year to figure out how to get my voicemail messages. I don't tell you this to prove I'm blonde, but to tell you the difference in "user-friendliness" between the two phones. My previous phone was one many people like, the Motorola StarTac (review to come in the near future). I wanted a cellular phone that would be easy for a non-techie type (like moi) to use without accidentally deactivating it, almost changing the number (I love my number) setting alarms inadvertently, you get the drift. People consistently suggested two different phones, the Nokia or the Kyocera (previously know as Qualcomm). Both are excellent in my opinion.
Obviously the Nokia is the better known of the two, but I decided to get the Kyocera instead. The most important features I was concerned about were the ability for me to easily use it without a problem, ergonomic feel to it as I have carpal tunnel syndrome, and I also hoped for keys where I could easily see the numbers, letters, icons.
I have my cellular number on my resumes so I felt compelled to stay with Verizon; now I just heard on the news that pretty soon we will be able to keep our number, and go to whatever company we want. Oh well, I just signed another one year contract. I started thinking about purchasing the Kyocera after speaking with a couple of friends who have Kyocera/Qualcomm phones, and received encouragement from the salespeople who told me the Kyocera is the easiest of all the phones for someone who is not tech-savvy. Add all that to the great ergonomic fit, and I was sold. I wish the keys were easier to read as my vision isn't great, but it isn't a problem.
Features from brochure/packaging:
* You can customize with various face plates. I love blue, so I got the frosted blue face plate, and I am happy.
* 15 ringer choices (or you can import more off the internet). I'm not concerned about the ringer, so I'm happy with the one I selected. You can also set the buttons to either beep or click, or make it entirely silent and you can set the length of time you wish it to beep, click.
* Four way navigation for easy menu access (much easier than my previous phone which just confused me)
* Internet ready- You can send and receive email, access the web (I don't want the extra charges, so don't use this option personally)
* Two way messaging - send and receive text messages
* Great tools! This is a terrific feature, and includes a calculator, alarm clock, stopwatch, countdown timer, and a tip calculator. You just plop in the percentage of tip you want to leave (10%, 18% or 20%) and voila your phone tells you how much to tip the waiter/waitress, etc. Dividing a dinner bill between two or more people? Not to worry, your phone can help with that too!
* Directory will hold up to 200 phone numbers, names, addresses, notes, you can divide the contacts into personal or business, home, cellular, work.
* Trimode-CDMA digital (800 MHz and 1900 MHz) and analog at 800 PCS, CDMA, digital cellular and analog (800 MHz),three modes of network coverage that will help you get and stay connected basically anywhere.
*Call Monitor-Check recent calls, or all calls to see how long you spoke. I really enjoy this feature.
*Caller ID
Nitty Gritty Details:
Battery information from packaging:
This phone comes with an internal and removable lithium ion battery that will last approximately 150 hours. You should allow eight hours initial charging time, and the talk time on this phone is 240 minutes.
True confession- I never charged it for eight hours as they instructed me (okay, so I am rebellious). I just charge it with my cigarette lighter charger when I am driving around. I have never run out of talk time. It is like the energizer bunny. It just keeps going and going and going.
Dimensions from packaging:
2.0" Height
1.0" Width
4.55' Weight
Awesome Settings Options:
I won't bore you with all of these choices but believe me this phone (for a reasonably priced phone) has it all, and even I can figure it out!
Game:
I am not into games, so the fact that this phone just has one available did not deter me from this phone. The game it has is Brick Attack.
Optional Accessories listed:
Battery, Cases, Chargers, Color face plates, Data products, Hands free.
My phone came with the usual charger. I purchased the dark blue face plate, and a leather case to protect it. I also purchased the cigarette lighter charger.
What I like About This Phone:
The phone is attractive, lightweight, and fits very comfortably in my hand. The ergonomic feel is wonderful. The tools available on the phone are terrific, and easy to use. I normally fight using manuals, avoid directions, but am not intimidated by the book or the phone itself! YEA!
I love all the available options, the choice of ringer or vibe, the option of dividing phone contacts into personal or business, you can adjust length and sound of beeps, the 15 ringer choices. The most important thing for me is that the phone is easy to use and figure out.
The sound quality is very good. I have not lost any calls, nor have they faded out. I have not had any static-laden calls at all. I had those problems constantly with my previous phone.
Oh, oh, if you have "over=40 eyes" as I do, you can adjust the size of the font, so you can easily read numbers, names, other information.
There Are A Few Cons:
The antenna is very flimsy, so will fall down regularly, but I haven't found it effects the sound quality so this is minor for me. The buttons are not as easy to read as I would like (for my over 40 vision), so that is an issue for me, but is outweighed by the pluses. Additionally the keys are easily hit, if you are not careful.
Final Recommendations:
People who should not consider this phone are those who wish to play numerous games on their phone, or have a desire for extensive accessories.
I strongly recommend this phone for anyone, but in particular those of you who are intimidated by technology, and basically are clueless. If I can use this phone easily, trust me anyone can! So, if you are looking for a very good phone under $100, this is an excellent option. I can't speak to durability, as I haven't had the phone that long, but I would suggest getting a leather case for protection, just in case. I give this phone 4 1/2 stars, and absolutely love it!
Thanks for reading!
Suzi
http://kyocera-wireless.com
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): Tax only
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Epinions.com ID:
Suzer
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Member: Suzi
Location: Southern Calif.
Reviews written: 588
Trusted by: 838 members
About Me:
Compromise-Art of slicing the cake so each person thinks they have the biggest piece.
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