Review Sagem myC-2

Standard kit:

• Phone
• Charger
• User's guide

Sagem tries extending its model range at the expense of another model but using different form-factors. For example, myC-2 is a clone of the low-end model myX-2. Except for the form factor all the features are identical.

C-2 will have only one color solution – silver. A small mirror is visible on the external surface.You can also see a volume control on the left side and that’s it. The system connector is located on the bottom of the phone and a hand strap on the top.

If you open the handset, you’ll see the internal screen, which supports up to 256 colors and a resolution of 101x80 pixels (30x26 mm). The screen can display up to 4 text lines, one service line and tips to the soft-keys. The screen isn’t a record-breaker in color rendering - the picture is viewable alright, but the colors aren’t that bright and saturated. The screen is one of a previous generation and could be compared with that of a Sony Ericsson T300 and a Sagem X5, which is quite acceptable for a low-end device. The screen looks rather pale in broad daylight, but the information is still viewable. Often a reference typical for cheaper devices. However, if you find the necessary view angle, you won’t have any problems with it.

The keyboard is made of plastic - the keys are big by size, well placed and well lit in a smooth backlight of blue color. Overall, the keyboard is average by comfort.

The Sagem’s dimensions feel good, it’s comfortable in your hand and you can carry the device however you want, in spite of its external aerial. Its dimensions are 82x42x23 mm and it weighs 90 gr. The battery is a part of the phone’s backside and is a lithium-ion battery at a capacity of 700 mAh. According to the manufacturer it can provide up to 180 hours in standby mode and up to two hours of talk time. The device we operated lasted about four days when talking 20 minutes and using other functions 15 minutes (a day). It takes about one hour and 45 minutes to recharge the battery.

The phone’s good appearance is downgraded by its annoying squeaks. For example, the opening mechanism begins squeaking after some time, which is explained by strong pressure, probably from carrying the phone in a tight holster or in a bag loaded with other things. The cause seems to be plastic deformation, but we hope these problems won’t arise in mass production.

Menu

To enter the menu you move the navigation key vertically. The main menu is presented as animated icons set with text labels. All the submenus are similar to the main. The menu has no fast shortcut number navigation, however, you can assign the most frequently used functions to the soft keys.

Phonebook. You can store up to 250 names in the phonebook but only one number can be stored in each entry. The device also has caller groups, and you can also add your own. In the main list, you can see the memory allocated for names in the phone’s memory and in the SIM-card, and you can also search by typing the first letter in each name.

Messages. The phone can save up to 100 messages and various templates are available. The phone supports EMS, so you can format text and set which font to use. You can also use T9 while typing a message (Russian is also supported).

WAP. Usual wap-browser, v1.2.1

Picture Puzzle. Traditional puzzle game. You can choose any picture and try collecting it.

Sounds. Sound settings for calls, messages and alarm. The polyphonic ringtones are pretty good.

Appearance.Here you can adjust the menu’s color scheme, screen saver and wallpaper. Nothing special.

Settings.Here you can see used/available memory, select menu language, adjust screen contrast, date and time. You can also set the shortcuts here.

Call lists. Besides the list of your last 20 calls with indication of date and time you can also adjust call divert and black-list here.

Security. Here you can find all settings concerning phone security, including key lock.

Accessories. The calculator is convenient and offers simple functions. The phone also has a currency converter, the usual single alarm and a countdown timer.

Impressions

The device has no problems with reception quality and the corresponding voice is audible enough in the speaker, and it’s also equipped with a handsfree feature. Polyphonic ringtones sound well, and even though they are not always audible when walking down the street you will never miss a call when inside. The vibration alert is average by force.

The price is expected to be set at about $100-105. For this kind of money the Sagem myC-2 is a pretty good buy as a low-end clamshell. The only competitor for this model could be the Motorola v150 which has a better screen but also a higher price. The first deliveries to Russia should surface by the end of January or somewhat earlier. The uncertain periods in expectancy is explained by the deficiency of this model, as the general demand exceeds Sagem’s production potentialities.

Sample ring tones (mp3, 280 Kb)

Eldar Murtazin ([email protected])
Translated by Andreas Von Horn ([email protected])
Text editor: Tommy Kellerman ([email protected])

Published — 4 November 2003

Have something to add?! Write us... [email protected]

News:

[ 31-07 16:21 ]Sir Jony Ive: Apple Isn't In It For The Money

[ 31-07 13:34 ]Video: Nokia Designer Interviews

[ 31-07 13:10 ]RIM To Layoff 3,000 More Employees

[ 30-07 20:59 ]Video: iPhone 5 Housing Shown Off

[ 30-07 19:12 ]Android Fortunes Decline In U.S.

[ 25-07 16:18 ]Why Apple Is Suing Samsung?

[ 25-07 15:53 ]A Few Choice Quotes About Apple ... By Samsung

[ 23-07 20:25 ]Russian iOS Hacker Calls It A Day

[ 23-07 17:40 ]Video: It's Still Not Out, But Galaxy Note 10.1 Gets An Ad

[ 19-07 19:10 ]Another Loss For Nokia: $1 Billion Down In Q2

[ 19-07 17:22 ]British Judge Orders Apple To Run Ads Saying Samsung Did Not Copy Them

[ 19-07 16:57 ]iPhone 5 To Feature Nano-SIM Cards

[ 18-07 14:20 ]What The iPad Could Have Looked Like ...

[ 18-07 13:25 ]App Store Hack Is Still Going Strong Despite Apple's Best Efforts

[ 13-07 12:34 ]Infographic: The (Hypothetical) Sale Of RIM

[ 13-07 11:10 ]Video: iPhone Hacker Makes In-App Purchases Free

[ 12-07 19:50 ]iPhone 5 Images Leak Again

[ 12-07 17:51 ]Android Takes 50%+ Of U.S. And Europe

[ 11-07 16:02 ]Apple Involved In 60% Of Patent Suits

[ 11-07 13:14 ]Video: Kindle Fire Gets A Jelly Bean

Subscribe