Version: 2008
advertisement

UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile)

overview front side back

See all Audiovox/UTStarcom products

Add to my list Product summary

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.

Read full review

Compare this cell phone to:

CNET editors' review

  • Reviewed on: 11/06/2006
The Virgin Mobile Slice (otherwise known as the UTStarcom PCS1400) is the latest phone to join the thin handset bandwagon. Looking very much like a clone of Cingular's Motorola Slvr L2, the Slice is a skinny candy bar handset with even slimmer features. It has no camera or Bluetooth but it does offer a Web browser and a speakerphone. Virgin Mobile claims that at a price of $49.99 the Slice is the thinnest phone in the U.S. without a contract, and while we can't confirm that, the price certainly makes the phone a steal.


The Virgin Mobile Slice looks a lot like a SLVR clone.

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.

Continue reading

Most helpful user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile)

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit
advertisement

Where to buy

UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile): $149.99
storepricein stock?rating
Amazon.com Marketplace
$149.99 Yes 5.0 star rating

see prices from 1 store

Compare prices for UTStarcom Slice

Price: $149.99
Amazon.com Marketplace $149.99
advertisement

Recent user reviews

Submit your review

Log in or create an account to submit your review for:

UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile)

ORLog in with your Facebook account
1. Rate this product:
(Mouse over the stars to rate this product and click to set your rating.)
2. One-line summary:(Summarize your review in one line. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 55 characters
3. Pros:(Tell us what you like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
4. Cons:(Tell us what you don't like about this product. 10 characters minimum; required.)
0 of 250 characters
Bottom-line summary:(Explain to us in detail why you like or dislike the product, focusing your comments on the product's features and functionality, and your experience using the product. This field is optional.)
0 of 5000 characters

The posting of advertisements, profanity, or personal attacks are prohibited.
Click here to review our site terms of use.

Submit
advertisement
advertisement

UTStarcom Slice (Virgin Mobile)