Siemens A56 user reviews (Cingular)

Pros decent battery life, compact design quick access features, other features

Cons black and white & small screen, monotone ringtones, headphone connection is same place where AC power is plugged in

Summary there's a quick access button to toggle sound modes (full, vibration only, or nothing), can set quick access buttons for utilities like calculator and alarm clock, set speed dial numbers, and has true vibration + audio mode simultaneously (as opposed phones these days, it's vibrate first half of the ring, THEN you hear the audio ringtone).

This phone came with a decent set of games and ringtones. For some, that's meager, but for me, it was enough, as all I wanted was a basic phone that can make clear calls, log IDs, etc. just fine. The games aren't that bad, but are few in number and you can't really add extras. No biggie. I didn't need any extra wallpapers, ringtones, games, and other features anyways. For games, PIMs, and other features, my PDA will suffice. The small B&W screen was good enough for my use, but keep in mind that i didn't do any text messaging nor web browsing at all with this phone.

I have used a Motorola V66 and V188 (T-mobil) since this Siemens a56. While the latter 2 phones are still basic phones with better feature set, I still miss many of the quick access features and such that I took for granted on the a56. If you you want a phone that just makes calls and has a bunch of convenient keystrokes... this will work well. If you also do alot of web browsing, text messaging, and games, then this phone probably isn't for you. If you want features like multimedia, digicam, fancy ringtones, voice dial, speakerphone, etc., then definately find another phone.

I have upgraded my phone features to between entry and mid level phone and gotten used to voice dialing, speakerphone, and external screen, but if i had to return to this phone, i can't say I would really mind. It was a great experience.

Pros Painfully simple, has that tiny cool factor, takes a beating and works fine

Cons No color screen, messaging can be limited, games were awful

Summary I had this phone for two years, and upgraded to a much fancier Nokia, and actually miss it a lot. It has everything you want if you just want to chat by phone or SMS -- had many an interesting messaging conversation. It's even Yahoo! IM capable.

It's so tiny, which could make it easy to lose, but it fit comfortably in my pocket and had great sound quality. I got so many great compliments over the phone's smallness. People didn't believe it worked great, but it did and for quite a long time. The buttons were tiny, but are easy to press.

I do enjoy having a mult-color phone with polyphonic ring tones and more difficult games, but that's just a bonus. I had both a Siemens A56 and a Kyocera KX414, a much more expensive phone, and I had a ton of problems with the Kyocera, including freezing a OS. I guess simpler can be better.

If you want a basic phone that works great, even when dropped by me many many times, it's the best choice you could possibly make.

Pros i <3 the orange light, it makes it unique

Cons you could charge it for a week straight, but then leave it on for 2 days and use it once and there wont be any battery left. Gets warm fast, but its ok in the winter.

Summary My little phone, i like this phone. It was free and the light is cool. Its very tough, this phone must have been dropped and thrown over 50 times, and it still works. It was even throw across the room and hit a radiator, and has a crack on the front, but it still works. It does get very warm fast if your talking on it for a while, but when it cold outside like in the winter its ok. I'v had it for alittle over a year and its been good. It is very small, so i'v lost it a few times, but i like it.

Pros I lked the brightness of the display and the key's are easy to find

Cons phone is a little too small

Summary over all I like this phone, it's easy to use for call's, text messeges and email, it is basic and doesn't have a lot of extra's and it is small, at times it can be hard to hold onto but over all it works good, I've droped mine atleast 50 times and everything still works, I was happy enough with it that when I switched service I stayed with a siemans phone and kept service on this one just in case