Cheap and basic but not tacky (Philips C12)

Member Name: Grimsbygal

Product:	Philips C12
Date:	12/07/01 (343 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: cheap, easy to use

Disadvantages: not street cred

I have had my Philips phone for nearly two years now and it is still as good as new. It is my third handset though as in the first year I had lots of problems with faulty handsets. I will not rant on about how bad my experiences have been with the Philips phone as it is mainly due to BT Cellnet and not Philips. If you wish to know more about my experiences you can read my BT Cellnet opinion. Anyway as for this phone I have definitely got my moneys worth. It has got to be one of the most well known mobile phones in the country. At one point it was as common as the Nokia and it has remained popular due to the cheap prices.

The only reason I bought this phone was because it meant I could have unlimited free talktime to one landline phone. It made good sense to buy this one and get free calls to my boyfriend. I was just starting university and it was one of the cheapest on the market and was popular at the time.

If you only want a mobile for making and receiving calls then this handset is the cheapest and the best looking. It is fairly small in size but the big ariel is fairly ugly. As for features this phone has a few but nothing in comparison to Nokia and other competitors on the market. It is very easy to navigate and everything is in basic terms that even the beginner would understand. There is a special button dedicated to the Menu and nothing else. This saves time and also makes it easier especially as it is labeled with Menu.

In the Menu there are six options: Names, Calls, Extra, Settings, Security and Messages.

Names
Obviously this is the section where you will find your address book. It allows you to view your numbers, add numbers, search for a specific name and it even gives you your own number. I think the idea of having a section dedicated to your own number is great as if you are anything like me you will often forget your mobile number or don’t even bother learning it.

Calls
Under View you are a
ble to view the last twenty calls you have received/made. You can also look under meters, which informs you of your balance, your last cost, your last reload, and your call info. You can also find you duration here that shows how long you have been on the phone. Oh God mine says 217 hours and that is only since October, and I have another mobile. (Phone freak!!)

Extras
In this section you will find the alarm clock, calculator, stopwatch, clock and BioCalendar. In case you were wondering what a BioCalendar is it is in fact a kind of game which allows you to see your forecast on any given date. For example today it says I have 1 out of five for chance, 2 out of five for love, 3 out of five for energy and 4 out of five for success. I would not agree with any of that in the slightest as I have no energy at all.

Settings
In this section you can change you ring tone and decide whether to set your key tones on or off. There are twenty ring tones to choose from but most are annoying and get on your nerves.

Security
This phone allows you to use PIN codes, which you need to access your phone. You don’t have to use this feature but can be handy if you don’t want anyone else using your phone.

Messages
This section allows you to send messages and look at your saved messages. It allows you to save nine messages. You can also send usual messages, which are saved into your phone and can save typing a message out. These messages include Please Call, I will be late, I will call, Where are you, OK for lunch?, I love you, Good Luck, Happy Birthday, Get Lost!, I miss you, and How are you?

This phone also allows you to send pictures on your messages to other Philips users. These pictures include things like smiley faces, a wink, a sad face, an angry face, etc.

Overall I think this is a good phone for the cheap price it is on offer for. I much prefer my Nokia but for a basic cheap phone the Philips wins. <
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Summary: