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"WOW! Unbelievablly GREAT phone! Worth every penny!!!" on by jerrette
Pros: keyboard, design, features, IM
Cons: u call THAT a flashlight!!! Have to use keygaurd all the time!
Summary: Wow! One of the best phones ever!!! I got it through Alltel though, mines a little bit different (it has bluetooth, and other features) I had a slider se44, than a slider remix (KX5) and then a razr v3c, and now this, THIS is my favorite! Won't get a new one any time soon!
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"Great phone for the text enthusiast" on by suemccartin
Pros: full keyboard, good sized screen, very good antenna
Cons: Polyphonic ringtones only, no memory card
Summary: I've had this phone for about a week, switched when I went to metro pcs in the tampa bay area florida. My old flip phone had just an awful time getting a cell in my house (an older 50's block house) that is additionally in a very tree covered area (heavy tree cover also cuts reception). I was very pleased to see that this phone can get several bars of reception inside my house where my other couldn't. The flip open design reveals a larger screen and a full keyboard, this is a great phone if you like to text and I do that quite a lot with several of my friends. Battery life seems about normal for a phone like this. The camera on it is not very good in low light but in good office room light pictures are quite acceptable and outdoors as well. The phone has a flash on it but again it's not very good in really dim lighting. Extended batteries are available for this phone and I have ordered one for longer trips. Since it's a rather new phone it's a bit hard to find low priced add ons for it yet but there are some on ebay. The top of the phone has a built in loop and you get a velcro strap with a clip on it so you can hang it from your belt loop etc. The only thing annoying about it is that it gets in the way when you're trying to use the camera. If they would come out with a newer model with two additions this phone would be perfect, add a transflash card and make the ringtones mp3 compatible instead of polyphonic--I'll be the first in line if they come out with a new model with those features. I really wanted a sidekick but I didn't want to deal with tmobile and this is less than half the price. I'm very happy with this phone other than the polyphonic ringtones, I miss my old motorola that let me make my own mp3 ringtones from my own songs.
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"I love it! Excellent quality & reception." on by ang0102
Pros: The full keyboard is great for texting & everyone thinks it's so cool when I flip it open. I very seldom lose service/reception.
Cons: My only complaint is with the bluetooth headset.
Summary: If you are using the bluetooth feature & have downloaded ringtones, neither the phone or headset will ring. You must have it on vibrate to be alerted that you have an incoming call. Originally we thought it was defective, so I got a replacement & had the same problem. It was explained that the headset is not capable of ringing in downloaded tones. Other I have had my Strobe/Switch Back phone for 8 months or so & love it!
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"Cool Phone!" on by razrfreak
Pros: Qwerty keyboard, small, lightweight, pretty nice camera
Cons: Small external screen
Summary: This is one of the coolest phones I've ever seen. Other than the small exteral screen this phone is perfect. I love that u can talk when you open up the phone- even tho u have 2 use spkrphone. The menu set-up is nice but its a little cheesy. I like it especially beause it is verrrrrrry light compared to a blackberry or a palm treo. This phone is designed for a teen or young adult. The Qwerty keyboard makes texts and IM a snap wihout having 2 spend an arm and a leg on a sidekick or blackberry.
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"Good but not great..." on by natloc
Pros: Two Screens
Cons: Strange layout of key pad on front
Summary: Due to T-Mobile discontinuing network services for the Sidekick 2 to my area, it was necessary for me to change service. The only similar device to provide service in my area was Alltel with the Strobe. It is nice to have two keypads since businesses have a gazillion voice prompts that require button entry, which is a pain on a Sidekick because you have to have the screen open. What it doesn't have is a notes or list option. I have grown so used to compiling my grocery list and "to do" list on my Sidekick, I was sadly disappointed to find there is no such option on the Strobe. I have been unsucessful at setting up the bluetooth as it indicates a password is necessary and there isn't one provided - an issue to take up with Alltel, I guess. The voice dialing is nice since the outer keypad is really too small to use while driving. I think the editor's rating is right on.....good but not great.
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