| Sagem MY X-3 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 |
| Announced | 2002 |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 106 X 46 X 20 Mm, 79cc |
| Weight | 92 G |
| Display |
| Type | Monochrome Graphic |
| Size | 96 X 64 Pixels |
| | - Blue Backlight
- Downloadable Animated Screensavers |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Monophonic |
| Customization | Composer, Download |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 200 |
| Call Records | 20 Dialed, 20 Received, 20 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - 100 Short Messages
- 50 Ems Pictures |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 8 (4+1 Slots), 32 - 40 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | No |
| Infrared Port | No |
| Usb | |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems |
| Browser | Wap 1.2 |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | 2 - Picture Puzzle, Megabox Conquest + Downloadable |
| Colors | |
| Camera | No |
| | - T9
- Calculator
- Currency Converter
- Interchangeable Front And Back Covers
- Hands Free
|
| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, Li-ion |
| Stand-by | 240 H |
| Talk Time | 4 H |
|
Sagem - MY X-3Rock & Roll with the Sagem myX-3/myX-3d
Major features
Blue backlight used for display
Polyphonic and hi-fi ringing tones
Exchangeable front and back covers
EMS/SMS messaging capabilities
WAP browsing via standard dial-up (CSD) or GPRS
Internal data/fax modem facility (X-3d version only)
PC device connectivity via data cable or IR
Screen saver feature
Problems/Issues?
Navigating the menus can get a bit confusing
Missed call indicator very indistinct
No indicator to tell whether phone is on or off while in “eco. mode”
No “keypad locked” indicator present on standby screen
No missed call indicator visible when screen saver is active
No custom T9 dictionary
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Sagem myX-3/X-3d handset
1 x lithium-ion battery @ 720 mAh
1 x charger
1 x myX-3/X-3d user manual
Overview
Looking for something basic yet popping with features? It may sound a bit contradictory - but let’s face it, we all want that little “extra” to make the user experience of having a phone more worthwhile. And sometimes, it should not cost the earth to get some darn good features on a phone either!
Enter the myX-3, Sagem’s latest market-entry level phone that is based on much of the offerings found on their higher-end myX-5 model. In other words, the myX-3 is the black-and-white screen version of a typical myX-5 excluding colour display functionalities. Not bad if you consider features like hi-fi ringing tones and handsfree speakerphone to be available. Now these are those “extras” that are worth having :)
New/outstanding features
On the outside, it may not be the phone of your dreams - but for the myX-3, it is what’s on the inside that counts. As previously mentioned, features such as the hi-fi ringtones and speakerphone are two things that you won’t find on most entry-level models today (yet!) But the myX-3 also gives its user the ability to exchange front and back covers with another colour of their choice. “Black” was the colour of the unit I got for this review, and I would’ve liked a different coloured cover to show off.
Similar to the myX-5, a “d” version of the myX-3 is available should you want to use the phone as a data or fax modem. The myX-3d can be connected up to an external PC device via an optional data cable accessory or its internal infrared (IR) port.
Physical aspects
The myX-3 has a pretty average-sized footprint that should not receive many complaints from its users. If you’re looking for a small-sized phone, the myX-3 may just be a tad bigger than some of those “mini-me” models - while for those hunting for larger handsets (that somehow guarantees their owners not forgetting about them), the myX-3 shouldn’t be too hard to locate if it was at the deep end of a pocket.
Design-wise, I didn’t really find anything fascinating about the look of the myX-3 - probably because of the choice in colour for the front cover. But the dark black areas do contrast with the surrounding silver casing and keypad colour. For those who don’t mind a simple-looking phone, the myX-3 is a possible candidate.
But probably the most dynamic-looking part is the elliptical navigation area located just below the screen. There are numerous buttons which make up the outer ellipse, including the answer/end buttons, two soft keys and the “@” button for quick Internet access via WAP.
User Interface & display
A large, high-resolution black-and-white display is used for the myX-3. It doesn’t waste this resource and the phone’s menus will have graphics displayed wherever possible (for example, on the first-level menu - similar to that of Nokia phones). Throughout the phone menus, each menu item is displayed on a single screen. A circular object is displayed on the top left-hand corner of the screen, which acts as an indicator as to what position you are at in the current menu level. The white dot on the circumference of the ellipse indicates the first menu item, while the black dot is where you currently are.
For the standby screen, the myX-3 uses a very big font size to tell you what network you are on, and a choice of either a digital or analogue clock face is displayed on the top left-hand corner of the screen.
Screen illumination is provided by a blue backlight, which is not commonly found on lower-end phone models. A change from the boring green backlight is a good thing, but the myX-3 doesn’t do away with good old traditions when it came to the keypad backlighting.
Menu navigation on the myX-3 isn’t all that hard, but it differs from how a person would use its 4-way key since it is not really so. Up/down actions would result in literally just that, but the left and right actions will instead result in a “clear” and “OK” operation respectively. It’s okay once you get accustomed to the fact that it is not a 4-way key, but you would also have to consider the two soft keys that are used at various times, which can further confuse!
And alike the myX-5, the ANSWER and END keys are located on the right and left respectively (the other way around when compared to most other phones).
Making and receiving calls
The hi-fi ringtones of the myX-3 are a unique feature for a phone in the entry-level market segment. Polyphonic tones on other models within its class may be able to play more than a single instrument at the same time, but won’t be able to reproduce some of the original sounds within sound tracks - such as the voice of a singer.
A preset number of hi-fi and harmonic tones have been loaded onto the myX-3 by default. Additional tones can be added by using the “My Pictures and Sounds” software, where up to 65 hi-fi tones can be loaded into the myX-3’s memory.
Both the standard phone earpiece and the handsfree speakerphone function can be used for calls. Performance in terms of voice quality, clarity and loudness of the speakerphone all came out good.
Messaging
Although somewhat flat, the myX-3’s keypad provided a sufficient level of tactility for a good messaging experience. The phone was able to accept keystrokes with little trouble, whether it was a slow or fast user at the keypad.
While using the T9 predictive text feature, I realised that the myX-3 did not support a custom dictionary for adding new words into. This meant that should you have any of your own words that are not in the dictionary but you use on a regular basis, the only alternative is to switch over to normal entry (or tap) mode and key in the word as you would without T9 being available.
The myX-3 is capable of sending both standard text messages as well as EMS messages, which are capable of including specific sounds, pictures and animations along with the basic text.
Build quality
Apart from some squeaks around the joint areas of the two cases, I found the myX-3 to be quite a solid handset which should have no problem taking those accidental falls and beatings. Unfortunately, there isn’t really much you can do about this - as the squeaks are inherent problems with the design of the case plus (possibly) the choice of material used.
This similar situation occurred on the myX-5 unit that I reviewed previously, and possibly something for Sagem to look into.
Battery life
On average use, I was able to obtain approximately 2-3 hours talk time and around 3-4 days standby. Battery consumption should be kept to a minimum if you do not have fancy features, such as screen savers, on - even though they do not take up a lot of resources.
Major features...
Blue backlight used for display
The myX-3 uses a blue backlight for its large LCD display, which provides slightly additional visibility - but mostly for the aesthetical effect. Unalike some phone models that have blinding emissions, you shouldn’t find the myX-3’s backlights to be uncomfortable to your eyes.
Polyphonic and hi-fi ringing tones
One of the myX-3’s unique features is its ability to play back short WAV sound file clips as ringing tones, which can be loaded onto the phone via infrared (IR) or data cable (available as a separate accessory) with the help of Sagem’s “My Picture and Sounds” software. When played, these ringtones pretty much resembles what you play off your hi-fi, which is where it gets its name from. MIDI and iMelody sounds files are also supported by the myX-3.
Exchangeable front and back covers
The covers on the myX-3 can be easily removed and replaced with another one of a different colour. Both the front and back covers can be replaced so that an entire alternate colour match is made.
Handsfree speakerphone feature
A handsfree speakerphone feature is built into the myX-3, and can be easily enabled by pressing the ANSWER button during a phone conversation. This feature provides added convenience should a user wish to conduct the call without the need to hold onto the phone at all times up against his/her ear.
EMS/SMS messaging capabilities
The myX-3 supports both basic text messaging (SMS) and messages with the ability to have graphics, sounds and animations attached to it as well (EMS). An internal message memory is also available, allowing for up to 50 SMS messages to be stored.
WAP browsing via standard dial-up (CSD and GPRS)
An internal WAP browser allows its user to browse Internet content anywhere he/she may be, as long as there is a connection to the respective mobile network. The myX-3 supports standard GSM Data speeds (CSD - circuit-switched data) as well as high-speed GPRS connections supporting up to Class 8.
Internal data/fax modem facility (myX-3d version only)
And should you decide on purchasing the myX-3d, you will also get the high-speed GPRS connectivity option allowing faster access to Internet-based content either directly through the phone or via an external PC device using an IR or data cable connection. The myX-3d can also act as a fax modem too, but also requiring appropriate software and an external PC device as well.
PC device connectivity via data cable or IR
Being able to use a mobile phone as a bridging device between a PC device and the telecommunications network makes it significantly more practical should you ever need to use this ability. It can even mean something when you can customise features or backup phone data using this same method. Both the myX-3 and myX-3d can be connected up to a PC through either an IR or data cable connection, while the latter can further act as a data or fax modem.
Screen saver feature
An animated screen saver feature is available on the myX-3 which allows an animation clip to be played out on the standby screen after the predefined timeout duration. Should you want to further conserve battery power, you can choose the “eco. mode” screen saver which shuts off the LCD screen completely until the ANSWER (green) button is depressed.
Problems/Issues?
Navigating the menus can get a bit confusing
The menus of the myX-3 make use of both the “C” (clear) and “OK” keys as well as the two soft keys located right under the LCD screen. Usually, the “C” and “OK” keys should provide sufficient utilisation of a menu feature or function - but with the additional soft keys, this mean you have another two options to have to worry about. In most cases, the “OK” button does overlap with the function assigned to the right soft key for a particular menu item.
Personally, I think having a 4-way navigational key and two soft keys would be the best way to go.
Missed call indicator very indistinct
Checking missed calls on the myX-3 requires more than simply looking at the screen to see if there is one.
When a call is received and not answered, the myX-3 would display the number of missed calls at the bottom of the screen (as “1 call” - if there was one missed call), but not having a dedicated screen displaying the number of missed calls instead. Given the small lettering size of the missed call notification, it was necessary for me to check carefully on the screen whether there were any.
But a good question to ask is why SMS message notifications seem to get a dedicated “awaiting messages” screen and not calls? It would make sense to have a similar screen layout for both types of notifications. Beats me as to why this is not so!
No indicator to tell whether phone is on or off while in “eco. mode”
As mentioned previously, the “eco. mode” screen saver will turn off the LCD screen after a preset time period. Since there are no service lights or any other indicators on the myX-3 that shows whether it’s on or off, its active operation becomes somewhat ambiguous to its user. This exact situation is similar to that of the myX-5.
The implementation of a service light is a definite solution for this particular situation.
No “keypad locked” indicator present on standby screen
Once you have applied the keypad lock sequence to the phone, you will find that there is no indicator on the phone showing the lock being enabled. On most other phones, either a little key or padlock icon is shown at the top or bottom of a screen. But the phone does indicate that the keypad has been locked should you try and press any of the myX-3’s buttons when enabled.
I do not believe it’s too hard to have such an indicator present on the screen. Although not that important, it makes things clear and simple!
No missed call indicator visible when screen saver is active
If the myX-3’s screen saver is turned on, the missed call indicator is not displayed until the user takes the phone out of screen saver mode. Again, the indistinctness of the missed call indicator at the bottom of the screen doesn’t help the situation either. And should the “eco. mode” screen saver be used, you wouldn’t have any idea if you had received a call or not unless you checked!
No custom T9 dictionary
As mentioned previously, the myX-3 does not come with the ability to add words that aren’t recognised by the internal T9 dictionary. If you rarely go out of your way to create new words for the English language or use jargons or technical terms that don’t warrant much public interest, you should not have much run-ins with having to manually tap your word out the old fashioned way.
But at the end of the day, having the ability to add new words is becoming a crucial and standard offering on other models in the same market segment. I do not believe that including this little option to the basic T9 functionality of the myX-3 is going to make it that much more expensive.
In Summary
For a market-entry level phone, the myX-3 is a considerable option if you are after something out of the ordinary. Like the myX-5, Sagem’s way of creating mobile phones takes a slightly different path than other mainstream manufacturers. For example, the availability of IR and data cable connectivity on a model such as the myX-3 would be unseen on similarly classed models by other brands.
On the other hand, there were those numerous issues with the phone that seem to be quite out of the ordinary. Although there are many issues that can be overcome through prolonged usage resulting in being accustomed to a product, a good product should be designed so that it should ease the user experience and not make it any harder. This is an issue that’s quite circumstantial (dependent on a user’s experience of certain handsets) - but, generally, I feel that the myX-3 could be made a tad easier to use.
However, for those first-timers, the myX-3 could be a worthwhile purchase given some of its unique features. Don’t expect too much from this phone, alike other phone models similarly in the same category - at the end of the day, they are still entry-level models only. |
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