UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile)
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CNET Editors' Review
The good: The Virgin Mobile Slice is a small and skinny candy bar handset that features a wireless Web browser and a speakerphone.
The bad: The Virgin Mobile Slice has a tiny lackluster screen and a membrane keypad that's too flush to the phone's surface.
The bottom line: The Virgin Mobile Slice is a slim and lightweight phone, but its tiny, hard-to-press buttons, small screen, and lack of features make it less than perfect. However, its affordability still makes the Slice an attractive option for those who want a thin phone without a carrier contract.
The design of the Slice is evident from its name; the sliver of a handset measures a slight 4.3x1.8x0.4 inches and weighs a mere 2.3 ounces. Available in basic black, the Slice feels almost too lightweight, and we could imagine losing it easily if we weren't careful. It feels fairly blocklike in the hand and not quite as contoured as the Slvr L2, but it was comfortable to hold next to the ear. The left spine is home to the volume rocker, while the headset jack is located on the right spine.
We are rather disappointed by the Slice's tiny 1.5-inch, 65,000-color screen. That said, the colors are bright and vibrant for a basic handset such as this, and we were glad we could adjust the screen's contrast as well as the backlight timer. However, you can't adjust the brightness or the font size.
Below the display are the membrane-like navigation controls and keypad buttons, which are substantially smaller than the keys of any of the Slvr models. The navigation array consists of two soft keys, the Talk and End key, a back button, and a four-way circular toggle complete with a middle OK key. The toggle also doubles as a shortcut to My Account (to top up your Virgin prepaid minutes), to text messaging, to recent calls, and to VirginXL, Virgin's proprietary Web browser. Not only are the keys flush to the surface of the phone, they're also tiny, making it quite tricky to navigate through the menu, text message, and dial by feel. The keypad has a blue backlight when the phone is activated.
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Compare selected Nicole Lee is a senior associate editor for CNET, covering cell phones, Bluetooth headsets, and all things mobile. She's also a fan of comic books, video games, and of course, shiny gadgets.
User Reviews
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"customer service sucks" By fraustrated
Pros: I had the LG 150 for over a year and it worked fine. it was replaced by the LG160 on a recall and the 160 quit working within a month or so.
Cons: phone stopped working 6/12. contacted cust ser and have been getting the run around since. I sent phone to them 6/16 as requested. It is now 7/24 and no one knows where the phone is and nobody will call me back as promised.
Summary: I dislike the run around and lack of anyones interest in customer service that i have been without my phone for 6 weeks and no end in sight.
"Basic and inexspensive." By plyhmrp
Pros: Small, thin, light, downladable content, cool colors
Cons: Small screen, very basic, cramped buttons
Summary: The Slice is a good phone for people who use it for emergancies and the occasinal phone call.
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