| Siemens S65 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2004, March |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 109 X 48 X 18 Mm, 85 Cc |
| Weight | 98 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft, 65k Colors |
| Size | 132 X 176 Pixels, 9 Lines, 32 X 42 Mm |
| | - Download Assistant For Logos |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (40 Channels) |
| Customization | Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 1000 X 20 Fields |
| Call Records | 100 Dialed, 100 Received, 100 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | Rs-mmc, 32 Mb Card Included, |
| | - 11 Mb Shared Memory |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 10 (4+1/3+2 Slots), 32 - 48 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.2 |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems, Mms, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml |
| Games | Yes + Downloadable, |
| Colors | Steel Black |
| Camera | 1.3 Mp, 1280x960 Pixels, Video |
| | - Java Midp 2.0
- T9
- Organizer
- Calculator
- Stopwatch
- Reminder List
- Voice Memo
- Syncml
- Built-in Handsfree |
| Battery |
| | Standard, Li-ion 750 Mah (eba-660) |
| Stand-by | Up To 250 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 5 H |
|
Siemens - S65Millions with the Siemens S65
Major features
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900MHz network compatibility
65,536 colour TFT LCD display @ 132 x 176 pixels
User interface themes
Hands free speakerphone
Integrated 1.3mpx digital still and video camera
Exchangeable RS-MMC card support
11mB internal shared memory
Bluetooth, USB/Serial data-cable and Infrared connectivity
SMS/EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging
Local and remote synchronization
WAP 2.0 browser over GPRS Class 10
Polyphonic-40 ring tones
Basic PIM applications
Java application support
Problems/Issues?
Battery cover removal
RS-MMC card location
User interface design
“Mirrored” key effects
Sales package (should contain):
1 x S65 handset
1 x 32mB Reduced-size MMC Card with adapter
1 x Stereo headset
1 x Lithium-Ion battery @ 750 mAh
1 x Standard charger
1 x User guide
1 x Mini product CD
1 x USB data-cable
Overview
Introduction
The newest S-series handset, aimed for the business market, from German manufacturer Siemens is the S65. Siemens handsets aren’t as highly used as some other manufacturers to some extent, and this is mainly because they seem to be dragging behind in bringing new technology and features to handsets as quickly as other manufacturers do, and therefore losing customers moving to other brands
Siemens have been releasing a new line of handsets over the last few months, including the recently reviewed CX65, new slider SL65 and outdoor MX65 handset. The S65 is a definite leap in the right direction for the German company, incorporating some features that other Siemens handsets don’t have – but they’re not necessarily “new” to the rest of the market.
New/outstanding features
The S65 from Siemens has a few outstanding features – those which haven’t been used in any other handset; Bluetooth (only used in two other models), a 1.3mpx still and video camera, and a larger more high quality display. Most of the newer Siemens handsets are being released with higher quality displays when compared to some of the older handsets; the CX65 is an example of a handset with a higher quality display. On top of this the features that the other Siemens handsets have, for example full messaging support, basic PIM and organizational applications, Java application support, tri-band GSM compatibility and a range of other features.
The 1.3mpx camera is a great advance from the normal VGA cameras fitted into most Siemens handsets. The good thing about the VGA-enabled handsets is that they were able to capture video and stills, most of the time other companies only supported still capture. This 1.3mpx camera also supports video and still image capture, at a great resolution for image editing on a PC or sending via MMS/e-mail/data-cable. More on the camera and comparison shots can be found in the Camera Performance section and the mega pixel camera article respectively.
With a 1.3mpx camera you’re going to need storage space for your videos and images. Therefore, the S65 has a RS-MMC card slot (which is neatly but unusually hidden above the interface port at the bottom of the handset) which enables you to expand the total memory of the handset further. A 32mB RS-MMC card is bundled in the sales package and you have access to 11mB of internal memory, bringing the out-of-the-box total to 44mB of user accessible memory.
Then there’s Bluetooth. Finally another handset with this feature! This Siemens handset with the Wireless Technology is what fans have been waiting for since its release – which seems like yonks ago to some! The S65 has the ability to connect to headsets, computers, other mobile phones/PDAs, and more. The handset also has Infrared and USB/Serial Data-cable connectivity for local synchronization and data transfer.
When it comes to wireless data, the S65 offers GPRS Class 10 and CSD. CSD data gives the user the ability to use the handset as a modem for a laptop or computer and connect to the internet. With the built-in WAP 2.0 browser the S65 can connect to the mobile internet and download information, pictures, tones, applications, themes, and anything else you can think of. Synchronization over-the-air is also offered with SyncML in conjunction with GPRS.
Being tri-band GSM 900, 1800, and 1900MHz network compatible the S65 can travel with you wherever you want to go. The handset is aimed at the business user so this feature is greatly appreciated by most. With SMS, EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging support you can always keep in touch wherever you happen to be around the world. Basic PIM applications like an alarm clock, organizer, and calendar (there are also a few more) can aid in keeping you organized.
Physical aspects
The S65 is a smart looking handset, with a clean look and standard form factor. The general “style” (mainly the black finish) has also been used in the SL65 and to some extent in the M65 handset. The S65 incorporates the black finish with silver around the edges and intertwined in the keypad, giving it a much more professional look. The little mesh earpiece has heaps of added effect also! :)
Think about the aimed market of the S65 – the business user. They don’t need a fancy looking handset with all the physical bells and whistles that are offered with, say, a teen-based handset. Therefore the design of the S65 is simple and plain, but not in a bad way. The front of the handset is mostly black except for the silver directional stick and in various other places – these two colours work together famously.
The keys (except for the volume keys) are see-through, with the label built into the bottom of the key. If you don’t hold the handset straight you may accidentally press the wrong key, usually the key above the one you want, because looking at the keys the label seems to be on the key above where it really is. More on that is in the problems/issues section for those interested. The volume keys have been placed on the right-hand side of the S65, instead of the usual left-hand side. This is the only other key than that on the numerical pad of the S65, and is chrome.
Most of the time, memory cards are located behind the battery of the handset, much to my annoyance. Thankfully the S65 has a different location for the memory card, but it’s quite hard to find if you don’t look at the manual first. Just above the interface port at the bottom of the S65 is a small plastic flap – this is the RS-MMC card slot. There is an indent at the top which is perfect size for fitting your thumb nail into and pulling out to open up the slot. This cover is firmly attached to the handset and won’t come off. As the actual slot is really tiny, you will need to either use your fingernail (if you can fit it in there, I couldn’t) or something pointy to push the RS-MMC card in and then it will push out. The manual suggests using the battery cover, which fits perfectly into the little hole. You can use this method to remove and re-insert the RS-MMC card.
The back of the S65 is about as simple as a handset can get. From the top there’s an external antenna port for car-kits, then just below that the camera lens which is surrounded by a chrome plate with text. The rest of the back section of the handset is silver with a Siemens label imprint at the very bottom. The back of the S65 comes off to access the battery and the SIM Card slot, but it quite hard to remove…
The S65 measures 109mm x 45mm x 18 mm and weighs 98 grams, so it is slightly bigger than some other handsets. However it’s not chunky or uncomfortable and a very appropriate size for the type of handset; as said before physical aspects aren’t the main thing a business user looks for in a new mobile phone.
User Interface & display
Take a closer look!
I had a few issues with the user interface and display of the S65, mostly to do with the user interface. The same user interface is used in this model as it was in the CX65 and M65, along with several other handsets. In this model however the user interface tries to match up with the physical side of the S65, and in my opinion very unsuccessfully. The display is a 132 x 176 pixel 65,536 colour LCD which I feel isn’t suitable for a 1.3mpx digital camera, but is fine for everything else.
The user interface is navigated around, mainly, with the 5-way directional stick between the two soft keys on the S65. The two soft keys have labels on the screen of their function, and most of the time pushing in the directional key is linked to “okay,” “yes,” or “accept”. The S65 has a great little button below the directional sticks’ chrome plate, which at first I thought was a dedicated WAP browser button. Turns out this isn’t the case (although holding it down will launch the browser), and pushing the button when you first use the handset will give you a list of functions you can assign to this key. I assigned it to Create SMS, so I could easily start a new SMS wherever I was in the menus by just pressing the single key. There are literally heaps of functions you can assign to this key, but I couldn’t seem to find out how to change it once it has been set first off. Maybe a master re-set…
The left and right soft keys can also have functions assigned to them for use when the handset is idle, just press the key once and then press the right soft key, “change”. To start the function you have assigned to this key hold it down or press it briefly twice.
The user interface of the S65 can be modified with themes, but one thing stays the same – the main menu. Two main colours are used here, grey and gold. The icon that isn’t selected is smaller than that selected, and is grey – when selected the icon enlarges and becomes gold. I think this looks really bad and just tacky, and the icons aren’t very user-friendly either. Changing the themes on the handset doesn’t change any icons on the S65, just the background and colour scheme. The same grey and gold icons are still there in every theme, and if you’re not using the standard theme it looks even worse. There are four extra themes and the standard (black) theme preinstalled on the handset.
The display is the same in this model as it is in the CX/M65 models, a 132-by-176 pixel and 65,536 colour TFT LCD. I would have expected with a 1.3mpx camera an upgrade to a 262,144 colour display would have been used, but obviously it wasn’t. Yes, viewing images, messages, browsing WAP pages and other functions of the handset are much more pleasurable than doing the same on a 4,096 colour display, but just imagine how good it would have been on a 262k colour display!! The size of the display allows more room for text and icons, and the added advantage of this is an easier-to-use user interface.
Making and receiving calls
With only one new feature to mention in this section, the S65 offers three basic methods of making and receiving calls that aren’t new to us. They are, using the phone regularly with the earpiece, plugging in a headset to the interface port at the bottom of the handset (a stereo headset is included in the sales package), or using the integrated hands free speakerphone. New in the Siemens S65 is the ability to connect a Bluetooth headset and use that as an alternative way of using the handset for calls.
The quality of the S65 is of the highest quality, just like with any other Siemens handset. To get the most out of your calling experience it’s best to use the earpiece, after all this is what mobile phones are designed for, aren’t they? ;)
The volume key which is placed on the right hand side of the S65 can be used in call to… change the volume! You can also use the directional key up and down to alter the volume if you wish, but the volume key allows you to change the volume without interrupting your call. In-call features can be accessed by pushing the directional stick inwards. You can conduct conference calls, switch between calls and more using the S65, as long as your service supports these functions.
The S65 offers polyphonic and AMR/WAV ring tones. The polyphonic ring tones can be up to 40-chords, and the AMR/WAV files can be downloaded or transferred to the phone, or even made using the sound recorder feature on the S65 – found under the “Extras” menu.
Bluetooth Hands free car-kits are now readily available, so you can now utilize this wireless technology in your car. Headsets of course are also supported, from Siemens or any other manufacturer, but a Bluetooth device being used with the S65 must be compliant with the two most widely used Bluetooth Profiles, Headset and Hands free. This is an great inclusion from Siemens as a business user, which is the market the handset is aimed for, doesn’t want nor need to be tied down with wires!
Messaging
All of the messaging standards are supported on the S65, including SMS/EMS, MMS, and e-mail. Blackberry isn’t supported in the S65 but this isn’t as popular as in other markets at the moment, but with people like Vodafone offering Blackberry handsets you can expect this to take off very soon – but back to the S65.
Coming with an integrated 1.3mpx digital still and video camera, your friends and family can be sure that MMS messages from you are going to be crammed full with multimedia. The handset supports both image and video MMS messages, but you can also add text, animations, and sound to your messages. Multimedia messages can be sent directly to a compatible handset or e-mail address, whichever you wish. The MMS editor on the S65 is easy to use and laid flat out, allowing you to select which aspects you want to add to your message(s) and what you want to leave out. Templates are also offered.
E-mail messaging on the S65 is possible with IMAP4, POP3, and SMTP e-mail servers, once you have set up and have an active GPRS wireless connection. You can send and receive e-mail messages just like you would with an e-mail client on your home or work computer.
T9 Predictive text is offered for those who wish to use it, but I had some problems with this and even multi-tap input of text. Because of the design of the buttons on the S65 and the transparency of them, you may sometimes press a key which isn’t the one you’re actually meaning to press. For example I accidentally pressed the 1 key when really I meant to hit the 4 key, and as 1 is the key for a space my messages were a little distorted! A larger amount of concentration is required for messaging on the S65 than other T9-supported handsets.
Another problem I had with the S65 and all other T9-supproted Siemens handsets is the way that the key assignments are set out. I have no problem with the 1 key being space, or anything like that, but just the way in which you have to scroll through word suggestions – with the right soft key. Why not the directional stick? It would be much easier for the user, that’s for sure! ;)
Connectivity
The usual two connectivity options in Siemens handsets are available on the S65, as well as a new one (which was only used in two other Siemens handsets) – Bluetooth! It’s finally in one of the new-wave handsets from Siemens. You can use either Bluetooth, USB/Serial data-cable, or Bluetooth to transfer your files to and from the S65, synchronize, conduct wireless calls, and much more.
A data-cable is supplied in the sales package, so if you wish to connect the handset to your computer or laptop you can do it right out of the box… providing you have a spare USB port! You can also use a Bluetooth or Infrared dongle. Using the “My Stuff” application, which is like a file manager, you can view all your files and edit them as you wish, and also send them using Infrared, Bluetooth, MMS, or e-mail straight from the menu.
In the settings menu is a Connectivity heading under which you can browse for new Bluetooth devices, connect with already paired devices and perform other miscellaneous functions. The infrared port, which is on the right-hand side of the S65, can also be (de)activated from this connectivity menu.
Making a late entrance to the Bluetooth market with this model, we can only hope that Siemens will follow suit of other manufacturers, and incorporate Bluetooth into more and more handsets. The Bluetooth connectivity on the S65 was unflawed in my tests with headsets and USB dongles.
For wireless remote connections the S65 offers GPRS Class 10, which permits for speeds around 48kbp/s, enough for quick downloading images, games, that kind of thing. MMS/e-mail sending and receiving is also quick with this kind of GPRS connection.
Build quality
There are only two things that I can think of to put into this section, and they’re only minor issues – the S65 is crafted to the upmost quality bar these two issues. The first problem I, and probably every other user of the handset has (or will have) is the removal of the back battery cover. The second has already been discussed a little in the physical aspects section, and has to do with the RS-MMC card location.
You can find details on both issues in the Problem/Issues section of this article.
The S65 only has one removable section, which is the back battery cover. The other moveable part, but not removable, is the RS-MMC card slot just above the data interface port at the bottom of the handset. A little hard plastic flap sits over the slot and is attached to the handset so you can’t loose it changing RS-MMC cards.
If anyone is looking for the wrist/neck strap attachment is part the handset and part the battery cover. You will see two small holes at the bottom of the battery cover; just stick the end of your neck/wrist strap into here and close the battery cover and you’re all set!
Battery life
No problems here. The S65 uses a 750mAh Lithium-ion battery pack which will keep the S65 up and running in standby mode for approximately 250 hours, and around 300 minutes of talk time.
With Bluetooth built into this handset unlike most other Siemens handsets with the same battery, I wondered if using the Bluetooth feature would drain the battery like it has done in other models from different companies. Fortunately, this wasn’t the case with the S65 although the battery will empty faster when you have Bluetooth enabled compared to when you don’t, just like if you use the camera or play games a lot, you’ll notice less battery life.
Major features...
Tri-band GSM 900/1800/1900MHz network compatibility
Most business men or women travel around for their job, so they need a handset that is going to accompany them on their travels and still have full functionality. The Siemens S65 is tri-band, operating on the GSM 900, 1800, and 1900MHz frequencies. These three frequencies are used on most continents on earth excluding the Americas where a different frequency is used.
65,536 colour TFT LCD display @ 132 x 176 pixels
This display is the same used in the CX/M65 handsets from Siemens, reviewed just recently. With a 1.3mpx camera and the display acting as the primary viewfinder, I expected a 262k colour display; but with this model we’re still stuck with a 65,536 colour LCD. The display does perform though, it’s not a low-quality one but viewing images you may be able to see the pixels which can get slightly annoying at times.
Information on the User Interface and display can be found in the corresponding section on Page one.
User interface themes
I didn’t really like the user interface of the S65 at all, and I thought “Great, themes will change my opinion!” but unfortunately they didn’t. The S65 comes with themes built into the handset and more are downloadable from WAP or the Internet. The themes change the look of the user interface with colours and image backgrounds for the menus and screensavers, but they don’t change the actual icons of the main menu – which is what I had the biggest issue with!
Never the less they are still there, but only few colours will work together with the grey and gold main menu icons.
Hands free speakerphone
The hands free speakerphone feature isn’t something new to handsets, but it’s definitely very useful when you can find that headset and can’t talk with the handset up to your ear. The hands free speakerphone on the S65 also acts as the loudspeaker for playback of ring tones, videos, and other sounds on the handset.
Integrated 1.3mpx digital still and video camera
It seemed only yesterday we were getting word of mega pixel camera phones, and it was a big shock! Only a few months later we have these kinds of handsets hitting our shores, slowly but surely increasing resolution with every new release. The Siemens S65 has a 1.3mpx digital camera which is capable of still and video capture. The video capture of the S65 is in the well known MPEG4 format with up to 15 frames per second, with or without audio.
The digital still camera can shoot images at up to 1280 x 960 pixels, and many other small resolutions. A small flash attachment is available from Siemens to use with the camera. You can read about the camera and view a heap of example shots on the extra Page two of this review.
Exchangeable RS-MMC card support
This relatively new format of memory card is named Reduced Size Multimedia Card, and for good reason! The cards are the same width as regular MMC cards, but they are much shorter. This allows handsets to incorporate these RS-MMC cards without sacrificing space which may be very scarce!
The S65 sales package includes both a 32mB RS-MMC card and adapter for regular MMC card readers, all in a little plastic storage container.
11mB internal shared memory
If the 32mB of external memory isn’t enough, you can make use of the 11mB offering which is shared internally by many aspects of the handset. Space is set aside for the phonebook, MMS messages and that kind of thing, but there is still a fair percentage available to use at your convenience.
I find it easier to use the RS-MMC card the most, because I can pop the card out, attach it to the MMC adapter and then slide it into my card reader – easy!
Bluetooth, USB/Serial data-cable and Infrared connectivity
There is no excuse for not being able to connect you computer to your PC/laptop when using the S65. The newest handed from Siemens with Bluetooth, the ever-so-familiar infrared and USB/Serial data-cable connectivity options are there for you to utilize also.
A mini-CD is thrown into the sales package (not literally of course!) which contains everything you need to transfer, synchronize and perform other functions when the S65 is connected to your PC/laptop. A great thing about the S65 is that the sales package includes a data-cable!
SMS/EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging
The messaging options on the S65 are all that most of the handsets aimed-users would need, as long as they’re not after Blackberry. Every handset these days offers these messaging formats: SMS, EMS, MMS, and e-mail messaging. T9 Predictive text is offered for quick messaging, and the integrated 1.3mpx digital camera brings life to your MMS and e-mail messages.
E-mail messaging on the S65 works over GPRS with SMTP, IMAP4, or POP3 e-mail servers. More than one e-mail server can be defined if you wish, and you can choose to download messages whenever you go online or manually via the messaging menu. More on everything messaging-related with the S65 has been placed under the Messaging subheading on page one.
Local and remote synchronization
Synchronization can occur with the S65 in two ways – either locally or remotely. Locally the handset must be connected to a PC or laptop via data-cable, Bluetooth, or Infrared. Software included in the sales package needs to be installed on the computer and then you can take it from there; synchronize messages, contacts, organizer additions, and more. You can also backup the handsets internal and external memory if you wish.
Remote synchronization occurs over GPRS (explained below) with a special synchronization sever. You can perform this kind of synchronization wherever you are in GPRS range.
WAP 2.0 browser over GPRS Class 10
GPRS Class 10 is used on the S65 for a whole range of other features – it’s very important! All networks in Australia support this protocol and the network is practically available everywhere throughout the country, so you can connect almost anywhere. GPRS Class 10 can stream data to your handset at ~48kbp/s, which is fast enough for most things like downloading images, ring tones, e-mail/MMS messages, etc.
The WAP 2.0 browser can be accessed by holding down the key just below the directional stick, where you will be prompted to go online and connect to your defined WAP homepage.
Polyphonic-40 ring tones
The Siemens S65 supports polyphonic-40 ring tones, as well as WAV and AMR tones. You can even record your own sounds with the Sound Recorder feature and use them as tones. There is heaps of space internally and on the removable RS-MMC card – feel free to download as many ring tones as you want to!
Basic PIM applications
A basic set of Personal Information Management applications are offered on this Siemens handset. I expected a full set of applications to be offered as the handset is aimed at the business market, but most should see what is offered enough. The handset has an alarm clock, calculator, unit converter, stopwatch and countdown timer, local & remote synchronization, and an organizer with appointments, tasks, notes, etc.
The clock on the S65 also has time zones, which enables it to act as a world-clock.
Java application support
If you need more than the PIM applications the S65 offers built in, you can always download Java PIM applications and install them on the handset. The S65 supports Java MIDP 2.0 games and applications, which you can transfer to the handset via Data-cable/Bluetooth/Infrared, or download from WAP websites.
Problems/Issues?
Battery cover removal
The battery cover of the S65 doesn’t have any grooves in it for your finger to “latch” onto, and therefore it’s quite hard to remove the cover because by itself it is slippery. To remove it you have to push down the top-centre and pull down, but without the grooves this is a challenge! The battery cover slides back into place without problems.
RS-MMC card location
The RS-MMC card slot on the S65 isn’t placed where one would usually find it on a handset, like behind the battery or on the side of the handset. Instead, the S65 has the RS-MMC card slot placed behind a hard plastic cover above the port at the bottom of the handset. It’s quite easy to move aside the cover that holds the RS-MMC card in, but it’s difficult to actually remove and re-insert the card. I found that using the battery cover was the easiest way.
You’ve got to remember this though – the RS-MMC card is hot-swappable! No more turning off the handset and removing the battery, thank god!
User interface design
By now you probably know about my issues with the user interface, mainly the main menu icons. They’re not very effective when you apply a different theme other than the default black-based theme, and the grey and gold colour choice just looks wrong!
I guess this is mainly personal opinion; you may love the grey and gold look of the icons. Take a look at the shots of the UI on page one and see what you think.
“Mirrored” key effects
I mentioned this a little in the Physical Aspects section of this article, but I’ll expand on it here. The keys of the S65 are clear, and their sides angled in such a way that looking at them from an angle gives the impression that the label is in about three different places. If you don’t hold the handset at the right angle when inputting numbers or text, you may hit the wrong button without knowing.
In Summary
The first handset to be released by Siemens with Bluetooth Wireless Technology and a better-than-VGA camera, the S65 is a business aimed handset. With its Steel Black physical appearance and themed user interface, the handset certainly gives off the right impression.
With a 1.3mpx camera, 65,536 colour LCD, 11mB of internal memory and RS-MMC card slot, and messaging support for the most preferred formats, the handset has the features the aimed user market are after. For connectivity and synchronization there’s Infrared, USB/Serial data-cable, and Bluetooth.
However with all these features, the handset doesn’t seem, to me, to be a best seller. This is probably due to the late opening into the market with Bluetooth, and not incorporating into every handset the German company release. Manufacturers have been using Bluetooth their handsets since it was first released way back when, Siemens are a bit picky with Bluetooth.
The Siemens S65 hopefully a teaser of what’s to come from the German-based manufacturer, possibly bringing up the company’s status on the Australian and worldwide market.
The S65 is available now for approximately $800. |
| Common misspellings on this brand: seimens , Siemens |
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