"Snap" (Siemens A55)

Member Name: aefra

Product:	Siemens A55
Date:	05/02/04 (1057 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Easy to use, Inexpensive, Small

Disadvantages: A few things missing for the technophile

My first mobile phone had a transparent cover moulded to it with a strap attached and was carried on my wrist. This was necessary since it was too large to fit into a handbag comfortably, let alone a pocket. In those pre-dooyoo days I would have reviewed it if the site existed. Nowdays mobile phones have such advanced technology built in that to date I have felt too overwhelmed by others' technologically knowledgeable ops to attempt it.

Recent conversations have re-assured me at last that I am not the only soul who wants a phone with which I can make and receive calls and, at a pinch, text. I don't want to take pictures in glowing colour, play cyber games or hack into Langley, Virginia. What is more, I have no desire to pay an exorbitant sum for the ability to do these things.

When for the third time a phone slid out of a jacket side pocket straight into my horse's water container I started the search for an inexpensive communication device which would fit into a smaller pocket for security, have easily accessed buttons, simple directory storage and reliability. I also needed clear sound reception and the Pay-as-you-go facility. Having already bought my sister the Siemens A55 for her birthday, I knew this was the one for me and have not been disappointed. A quick glance down the list at Comet Online and within a few days I had my T- Mobile Siemans phone for £39.95 (available from Orange shops at £30 if you take in an old phone) and am pleased as punch with my purchase.

Having owned Nokia, Motorola and Sagem, the Siemens has everything I want. At 4" by less than 2" at its widest point this slim little device loses itself safely in the back pocket of my jeans and although the buttons are at first glance rather small they are easily activated. They are spaced and respon
sive enough for me to press with the tip of a finger rather than struggling with a fingernail to avoid the adjoining numbers/letters. I also like the fact that without the instruction booklet handy I can cruise through the menu without being lost within a minefield of unwanted extras.

That is not to say that we are back to the abacus here. The Siemens A55 does WAP, has an alarm clock and dual bandwith for calling Europe and tri-bandwith for use in the USA. It tells me that it has polyphonic ringtones as near as you can get to stereo on a mobile and an interchangeable cover. I don't mind what colour phone I am using, don't need an alarm clock any more (unless to time cakes in the oven) and am happy using the computer on my desk. So does it matter what mobile I have just for receiving calls when on the net, calling the AA if necessary or informing the stableyard from the bottom of the hill that my horse has broken free and is on his way back up at full gallop?

Yes it does matter and I shall tell you why I like this little inexpensive phone. My Siemens is stylishly curved and fits into the palm of my hand comfortably. The one I have is dark blue and flat steel coloured with inset chrome detail. The screen is a sensible size with clear lettering and figures, giving me the date/time, signal strength and battery remaining as well as a menu inviting me to look for the goodies within. The antenna is integrated, but I guess they all are now. Simplicity is the keyword here.

On removal from its packaging readying my phone for use was a doddle. The light flat battery slides into the rear of the base as does the sim card and then the back of the case is replaced to fit snugly and easily into place. I needed to call T-Mobile on their free number to register the payment top up card which could then be ac
tivated online. Although I could have topped -up using the free number I chose to pop down to the local garage to have the card swiped, as no credits come with the mobile. As mentioned before, I personally find the well-spread, if small, keys very responsive. Should you need to text predictive text messaging is available.

The two "soft" keys for calling up functions are spaced either side of a good sized scroll key and beneath these and either side are the call and on/off buttons.

I am very impressed with the battery life. Although making calls only once or twice a day at most, my phone is on all day (in case someone needs to tell me that my horse is now galloping back down the hill by himself) and all night (in case a burglar cuts my landline wires). Talk time is 5 hours and there is a standby time of 250 hours. I re-charge about once a week and should I let the battery run right down, re-charging takes a very short time indeed.

Fifty phone book locations are easily entered as are ringtones and an animation can be added to each number to show on the screen when that person calls. Should you wish to place your phonebook entries into groups this may be done and a special ringtone assigned when you are called by a member of a particular group. I have no need or desire for this advanced stuff, but this is an example of the versatility of this little device.

The little Siemens A55 does not have a colour screen, MMS picture messaging (whatever that is), a built-in camera, voice activated dialling or hands free facility but does have a vibration alert. The instruction booklet is clear and well laid out and I have deliberately not explained the finer details of operation as it is all there.

It seems that the Siemens A55 is catching on. Only a couple of years ago it seemed that the street-cred phone was a N
;okia and was to be seen everywhere. Lately I have found that when I pull out my phone at the same time as someone else we say "Snap

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