SIEMENS SX1

The Siemens SX1 (£155 inc. VAT) has an individual look, which is due to the unusual keypad design. Rather than expanding downwards to incorporate a colour screen and keypad, as many smartphones do, Siemens has opted for width instead, leaving a rather squat handset, that’s nonetheless reasonably attractive. The keys themselves will take some getting used to, and we were not convinced that it was really worth the extra effort. Having the keys on the sides of the keypad provides no significant benefit and makes text input with one hand next to impossible. However, once you’ve got used to the new positioning, it’s possible to type at a reasonable speed.

The main buttons underneath the screen were large and comfortable to use, but the metal joystick was far too slippery, making navigation awkward. Thankfully, Siemens has included its trademark shortcuts that allow you to assign an application or favourite phone number to a number key. This helps to save time when performing routine tasks. There are also two hardware keys on the right-hand side of the chassis, quick-launches for the camera and voice notes applications.

The SX1 is based around Symbian’s Series 60platform and doesn’t include touchscreen functionality. The OS is clear and simple to use, with a functional Organiser section and a straightforward menu system. The small screen may put off business users, especially if you are intending to use the calendar, browse the Internet, or read and send emails on a regular basis. But the16-bit screen provides a good clear picture, making it pleasant to use in spite of its size. The TI OMAP 310 processor runs at 130MHzand we found it provided a satisfactory operating speed. The memory allocation could have been more generous, however, with just 4MB available to users. If you need more memory, you can use the MMC expansion slot on the left-hand side of the chassis.

Connectivity options are reasonably good, with both infrared and Bluetooth provided. The handset also came equipped with an FM radio receiver and Siemens has included an MP3manager, along with a stereo handsfree headset, for those who want to listen to music in between taking calls. The sound quality of music playback was good, although we would have preferred more bass. The addition of a radio sets it apart from most other smartphones.

This multimedia focus extends to the built-in digital camera, which takes photos at a resolution of 640 x 480 pixels. We found it provided a reasonable picture quality that will be good enough for emailing. It’s also the basis for one of the best games on the handsets, the addictive ‘Mozzies’, which uses the camera to provide a background. The video recording feature is less good, with only a 176 x 144-pixel resolution available. This makes it more of a fun, slightly gimmicky addition that will appeal more to consumer users than professionals.

Those familiar with the Symbian OS will be aware that the Series 60 is not the fastest platform to synchronise with on your computer. Because of this, the SX1 is better suited to users who aren’t intending to synchronise a lot. The actual Symbian software, however, is good and Siemens has added a number of small applications– such as World Clock and File Manager –that add to the overall usability of the phone. The SX1 won’t suit all users. In its favour are the multimedia extras and an easy-to-use OS. But negative features include slow synchronisation, small screen and the keypad. While we wouldn’t recommend this smartphone to a business user looking for an alternative to their PDA, consumers who want a connected mobile will find this a well-made and usable device.

RATING: 6

PRICE: £132/£155 (EX/INC. VAT)
PROCESSOR: TI OMAP 310 130MHZ
MEMORY: 4MB
EXPANSION: MMC
SCREEN: 16-BIT TFD
SIZE: 56 X 109 X 19MM
WEIGHT: 116G
OPERATING SYSTEM: SYMBIAN SERIES 60
CONTACT: 08705 334411 WWW.MY-SIEMENS.COM