| Siemens SX1 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2003, 3q |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 109 X 56 X 19 Mm, 110 Cc |
| Weight | 116 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tfd, 65k Colors |
| Size | 176 X 220 Pixels, 35 X 44 Mm |
| | - Unique Keypad Arrangement |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (16 Channels) |
| Customization | Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| | - Loud Speaker |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 10 Fields, In Shared Memory, Contact Groups, Photo Call |
| Call Records | 10 Dialed, 10 Received, 10 Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | Mmc, |
| | - 16 Mb Total Internal Memory, 4 Mb Available |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 10 (4+1/3+2 Slots), 32 - 48 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.1 |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Os | Symbian Os V6.1, Series 60 V1.0 Ui |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems, Mms, Email |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml |
| Clock | Yes |
| Alarm | Yes |
| Games | Yes, Bluetooth Multiplayer, |
| Colors | Ice Blue |
| Camera | Vga, 640x480 Pixels, Video |
| | - Java Midp 1.0
- Fm Radio
- Mp3 Player/recorder
- T9
- Pim
- User Profiles
- Syncml |
| Battery |
| | Standard, Li-ion 1000 Mah (eba-540) |
| Stand-by | Up To 300 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 4 H |
|
Siemens - SX1Unique with the Siemens SX1
Major features
Tri-band GSM
Built-in camera capable of taking pictures at three sizes
Series 60 interface with Symbian OS
176 x 220 pixel TFT display @ 65k colours
New vertical keypad design
Java games and applications
MP3 Player
FM radio
MultiMedia Card support up to 512mB
Bluetooth
Video Player
Loudspeaker for Hands free calls
MMS, SMS, EMS and POP3/IMAP e-mail
GPRS Class 10
WAP 2.0/xHTML browser
USB support
Problems/Issues?
New design will take a lot of getting used to
Delay on some functions
MP3 support, but not MP3 ring tones
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Siemens SX1 handset
1 x Siemens Li-ion battery @ 1000 mAh
1 x Siemens standard charger
1 x Siemens PTT HHS 550 Stereo Headset
1 x Siemens MMC 64mB
1 x User Guide
1 x Siemens SX1 software CD
1 x DCA-540 data-cable for SX1
Overview
Introduction
When first announced around CeBIT 2003, the Siemens SX1 caused a bit of hype in the mobile telecommunications world. Being similar in looks to some of the Series 60 phones that Nokia have released, the question was asked if the SX1 could live up to other phones in the same price range running the same operating system. Multimedia capabilities only seen on personal computer have made their way to the mobile scene with a bang, and the SX1 only proves this.
With an inbuilt camera, a Symbian 6.1 Operating System based on the Series 60 interface, e-mail compatibility, MMS messages, a Cam-Corder and more, only good things can come from the SX1. Oh yeah, there’s also a radical new design approach with the keypad, which moves the keys from under the display to the left and right sides, which as I’ll say throughout this review takes a while to get used to.
New/outstanding features
The most outstanding ‘feature’ of the Siemens SX1 would have to be the new keypad design. A quick look at the SX1 and you may not notice, because some keys are still underneath the display, but go back for another look and you’ll see it. The numerical and most important (in my view) keys to use are around the display on the left and right side in two vertically aligned columns. They light up with the rest of the keys, so you can still use them in the dark ;). This unique approach at making a phone more fashionable and as Siemens say keeping the size down of the phone does, I repeat doe take a lot of getting used to. Two hands is the only way to go when writing a message with the SX1, and the ‘c’ key is all the way at the bottom of the handset, so a stretchy finger will have to be used to reach it.
MMC card support enables the user of the SX1 to boost the memory up to a combined maximum total of about 516mB, including the 4mB of internal memory.
A large TFT LCD display at 176 x 220 pixels and 65,536 colours is another main attraction of the SX1. It’s clearer and brighter than some other Series 60 phones, and comes to life a little slower than many people would have liked, but is still a great feature. When taking a picture in full screen mode you really get an idea of what the picture is going to look like.
A Symbian 6.1 Operating System controls the SX1, just like for example Windows or Mac OS operates home systems. Hundreds of add-on programs can clamp onto the Symbian Operating System to boost the features of your SX1, have a look around on the internet, there are calendars, log books, information safes, e-wallets, and almost anything you could dream of to make life that little bit easier. Games and applications from the Java range are also supported, so you can upload whichever you want.
Bluetooth is another feature of the SX1, for all your wireless connectivity fun! Infrared and USB data-cable (supplied) are also supported to connect your new SX1 to any PC! =)
There is more, like the inbuilt camera! Using VGA technology the camera can take great looking photos and even record video clips. These clips and images can then be whizzed around the world using MMS or even sending them from a POP3/IMAP e-mail account using the Mailbox application on the SX1.
Physical aspects
The Siemens SX1 has the general overall size of other phones like the Nokia 6600 and Sony Ericsson P800/900. Rounded edges at the top of the SX1 and a flat bottom all pull of a great overall look. In a statement from Siemens they said that they keypad has been moved aside the display to make it more central without compromising shape, however when you look at the SX1 you can see that the display is very much at the top of the handset. Central horizontally maybe, but not vertically. =)
The SX1 is larger than many phones, but this largeness doesn’t massively increase the weight of the phone. Just under 116 grams, it’s comfortable to use and operate. Measurements of the SX1 come in at 109 x 56 x 19 mm, and for your comparison the Nokia 6600 measures 108 x 58 x 23 mm. A tiny bit smaller than the 6600, it can fit in your pocket without bulkiness if that’s one thing you’re worried about.
The colour theme of the external of the SX1 has been named Ice Blue, and for good reason. Blue’s and silvers engulf the handset, and clear plastic buttons on a blue backdrop compliment the sparkly blue plastic that coats the rest of the handset. I really liked the soft rubberish material that is used on the sides of the SX1, all the way up to the top and around the bottom connector. The MMC card insert is also coated in this blue material, and is very inconspicuous to the naked eye. Push the insert in, and the slot is sprung out ready for MMC card insert.
On the back of the SX1 the silver part of the Ice Blue theme takes over, the whole back being sparkly silver. The camera lens is at the top of the SX1, and a rubber stopper protects the car-kit adapter. Sprawled across the removable back plate is the word “Siemens,” exactly the same as the battery. One thing that started to happen when I was using the SX1 was that the coating started to chip away near the button to release the back panel. This was probably due to my excessive SIM card changing, but it was still evident.
The backlight of the SX1 is a bright blue, once again going along with the Ice Blue theme. When you start up the phone the theme pre-installed completes the design. The display when lit up is very bright, and can be seen in day light clearly or in the darkest situations.
A wrist strap insert is just to the right of the handset at the very top, and the infrared panel is in the same position on the left side. Two external buttons on the right side of the phone are for voice recording and voice tags, and the other for the camera application of the SX1. Holding down the voice recording button for a few seconds will start up the voice tag function, so you can say a name and call a contact. Pressing the camera button will start up the camera application (you would have never guessed! ;)) and then pressing it again when using the viewfinder will take a photo.
User Interface & display
The user interface is just like that of the SX1 as you’ll see in some of the photos in this article. Based on the Series 60 interface that the Nokia 6600 uses, the SX1 uses Symbian 6 as it’s operating system, which has customizable user interfaces, a wide range of supported software, connectivity options and a whole lot more. It’s a system soon to be the standard operating system for mobile multimedia terminals. Most phones with a Symbian interface run the same and have the same kind of menus, so if you’re not new to Symbian it’ll be easy to adapt to things in respect to the UI. The Symbian system is very user friendly and easier to use than many that have come before it.
Take a closer look!
The huge 176 x 220 pixel TFT LCD display enables the phone to come to life in the best way possible. At 65 thousand colours, nothing looks dull on this brightly lit display from Siemens, which acts as a viewfinder for the camera.
Holding down the hang-up button to start up the Siemens SX1 you will be shown an opening spread, and then possibly asked for your PIN code if applicable. Then, then phone will start up and four icons will fade into the background. By default, the two selection keys are linked to the radio or snapshot program which takes photos using the inbuilt camera.
The five-way directional joystick aids in the overall use of the phone, it’s located just under the display in between the two selection keys. It can move left, right, down, up, and be pushed in which usually selects or changes the thing highlighted on the display. The two soft selection keys are otherwise used in menus as back and options. Underneath the two selection keys is the hang up or pick up button, and in between those two is the menu key that has three cascading squares. The button with the upward pointing arrow will bring up the input menu in any other text-based menu. Here you can select T9, numerical, whichever you like. Next to this is the ‘c’ key, which acts as a backspace.
When the phone is idle and not locked, you can just directly to your contacts by pressing in the joystick. The two selection keys can be changed by going to the menu, which is opened by pressing the dedicated menu key underneath the 5-way direction joystick. If you need to get out of something quickly just press the hang up button to return to the idle display.
Making and receiving calls
Now onto what phones were made for, making and receiving calls. The audio quality coming from the SX1 is great, and the audio being received is loud and clear, without crackles.
The microphone of the SX1 may be in an odd position, which I thought would compromise audio quality but didn’t have any major effects. For those who don’t know the microphone is on the back of the handset, just next to the release catch for the back part shielding the battery. You may get a little extra background noise, but nothing major like I’ve said.
When a call comes through, your groovy polyphonic ring tone will play, or if you’ve taken the time to convert an MP3 to WAV you might even get a song start playing. You can answer the call by pressing the green button, and the call is on! Nothing else needs to be done, and if you need to increase audio volume use the joystick by moving it to the right or left. When you’re done, press the red button to hang up. Options that are available during a call can be selected by pressing one of the selection keys.
You can change your ring tone from a special menu in the Setup folder from the main menu, called Audio. It has all the ring tone and audio related settings you’d want to change, including volume, tone, message alert tone, vibrating alert, keypad tones, and everything else that comes under audio.
To make a call from the SX1, find a contact in the phone book and then press the green call button; or type in a number and do the same. It’s a pretty simple operation and I’m sure everyone is getting sick of me telling you how!
Messaging
The SX1 has an easy-to-use message menu, which is highlighted first when you open the menu. From there you can go and start typing a new message, read inbox messages, send drafted messages, and everything else to do with messaging. The SX1 supports MMS messages, SMS/EMS messages, and e-mail sending and receiving from POP3/IMAP e-mail servers. This means that the e-mails that you receive at home can also be read and send out and about from your mobile.
The message window were you type in your messages is much the same as the typical Series 60 window, with a box for the number/name of the recipient(s), and then a lined section for the text. T9 dictionary support is also available along with the old multi-tap system. The MMS window enables you to easily add images, sound clips recorded onto the SX1 or ring tones, video files, and text in a matter of seconds. From here you can then send the message to a handset with MMS or an e-mail address anywhere in the world. Directly from the MMS window you can capture a picture or sound file, so say hello in real time!
Connectivity
Connecting the SX1 to a PC is easy, so is connecting to another phone or other device. For connecting to a PC, you could use one of the following; Bluetooth, Infrared, or the supplied USB data-cable. Connecting to another device can also be done with Bluetooth and Infrared. When you want to connect to an online source, GPRS is the way to go. GPRS class 10 is explained more in the Major Features section of this SX1 article.
Bluetooth and Infrared are both wireless technology, Bluetooth being the newest and fastest. It works on a digital two-way radio, in short distances. You can also read more about Bluetooth in the Major Features section of this article. In the Main Menu you can go to the Setup menu and there is a icon for Infrared, Bluetooth, and a Modem icon if you wish to use the SX1 as a modem for a PC it’s connected to.
From the Bluetooth menu you can activate or deactivate Bluetooth, pair devices, change the name of the phone and visibility to other devices. From the Infrared menu you can turn it on and off, and even activate a timer so it’ll turn off after a set time. Infrared is good to connect to PC’s where Bluetooth dongles aren’t as common but are creeping up in popularity. Infrared is a line-of-sight feature, two devices but be aligned properly for a connection to be established.
Bluetooth however is able to connect to devices that can be up to 30 feet away, without even being in view. You can also connect a headset using Bluetooth, and then have the SX1 in your pocket and the headset on your ear, no wires. It removes clutters with everything do to with connections, so therefore keeps everything neat and tidy; what a busy person needs.
The SX1 comes with a WAP 2.0 browser with extended xHTML support for special pages, and connects over GPRS Class 10.
Build quality
The build quality of the SX1 was reasonable, except for a bit of chipping from the back removable panel. It was also quite hard to fiddle around with your SIM card to get it in, and very hard to get it out. The battery however fits in neatly but is a bit difficult to remove if you have large fingers and can’t quite grab onto it.
The back panel comes off easy, but after that you may be faced with troubles. Other than those few things, the SX1 is a convincingly well built phone being sturdy and tough.
Battery life
I noticed quite a bit of battery loss with every day use of the SX1, only managing to get about two and a bit days of normal use from the battery until empty. The 200 hours said by Siemens I wouldn’t believe, as that turns out to roughly 8.3 days without any usage. However, if you charge the battery every night or for a few hours you shouldn’t run into many problems. Battery charge time doesn’t take very long so it’s not a strenuous exercise.
Siemens state on their website that you will get around 200 hours standby time, and up to 240 minutes of talk time, however I think this is debatable.
Major features...
Tri-band GSM
Having tri-band support for GSM networks in mobile phones is almost something we disregard now as it is so widely used. However, some people still like to choose a phone that does have this. The Siemens SX1 will work on three frequencies, the most common GSM ones used around the world, 900 / 1800 / 1900MHz.
Auto-switching between bands means that you don’t have to change any settings or anything like that when you get to another country with a different frequency, the phone will do it for you. Everything is simpler!
Built-in camera capable of taking pictures at three sizes
Cameras in phones are getting better and better, especially when the quality is getting better and better. A good camera with a fair few features, and also the good picture quality. Using VGA technology the SX1 can take images at two resolutions, 480 x 640 and 120 x 160. A smaller photo at 80 x 96 can also be captured. You can read more about the camera and view sample images in the dedicated section in this article.
Series 60 interface with Symbian OS
If you’ve used the Nokia 6600, you will recognize this interface in the SX1. Based on the Series 60 interface, which the Nokia 6600 runs, the Siemens SX1 operating system is the Symbian OS, a well known favorite. The Symbian OS is very expandable and easy to use, so it’s common with almost every manufacturer these days. Easy to use applications for the Symbian system are being released every day, and they all help to make your life easier, little by little.
Like I’ve said, if you’ve used a Nokia 6600, you’ll easily be able to adapt to the small changes in the SX1. Otherwise, the SX1 isn’t much different to the UI of the 6600. Actually, it looks similar to the 6600 too.
176 x 220 pixel TFT display @ 65k colours
Just a tiny bit bigger than the display found in the Nokia 6600, the SX1 has a 176 x 220 pixel resolution display, able to display full colour images and text in 65 thousand colours. When using the display as a viewfinder you can see the picture almost as it would look like on a computer, clearly and with detail.
You can view images and video in full screen as well, to take full advantage of the display.
New vertical keypad design
New and interesting to use is a few words that would explain the SX1’s new keypad layout. It’s hard to get used to, but looks very unique, so you can easily identify the SX1 in a bunch of phones that look the same. The keys are located on the sides of the display, from 1 to 5 on the left side, and 6 to 9 on the right, including the 0, hash, and star key. This way of arranging the keys is said by Siemens to give the SX1 a sleek shape, and moves the display into the centre of the handset without compromising overall size of the handset, but it’s all up to you on how it feels in your hand, not theirs.
Other keys are underneath the display, like the two selection keys, menu key, 5-way directional stick, and other useful buttons.
Java games and applications
For those who have played Java games or used a Java application before, they will know that they are heaps of fun and very useful. When you’re bored and feel the need to race rally cars, save the world from alien invaders, or anything else that you could think of there is usually a Java game ready to be downloaded and used. When you’re sick of the game, or have completed it, get rid of it and download a new one to play with.
Java applications like an e-wallet or a safe for your information are stereotyped into being used by the business type user, but this isn’t the case. Anyone can use them, and they’re easy to get your hands on. You can download them from the internet and transfer them to your phone, download them straight to your phone from a WAP site or even get them sent to you via infrared or Bluetooth.
MP3 Player
Listen to favorite music whenever you want direct from your phone using the MP3 Player application on the SX1. When you load it up, it searches all available memory (default setting) for any new MP3 files, and then put them into a list for you. You can then play them via the included stereo headset that plugs into the bottom of the handset, or listen to them via the loudspeaker. Either way, you can play your MP3 files on a MMC card or the phones memory wherever you are.
MP3 files can be transferred to the phone via Bluetooth, MMS message, Infrared, or from a PC using a data cable. They may even be downloaded from a WAP site.
FM radio
If MP3 files aren’t your thing, and you’d rather listen to the radio during life’s boring moments, you can listen to FM radio stations using the SX1. The FM tuner is compatible with all frequencies ranging from 87.5MHz to 108 MHz.
Most Australian stations fit in between this range, so you’ll be able to pick up all your favorites and store them in the memory for easy access using the numerical keys. The Stereo headset must be plugged into the SX1 for the radio to pick up any stations, as it acts as an aerial; but when the headset is plugged in you can have the audio come out of the loudspeaker if you wish.
MultiMedia Card support up to 512mB
When the four megabytes of shared internal memory just isn’t enough, you can pop in an MMC card into the SX1 and instantly boost the overall memory to a maximum combined total of about 516mB.
A great thing about the SX1 and it’s MMC support is the way in which the MMC cards are inserted. In the Nokia 6600, you have to remove the battery, slide up the plastic retainer and then remove the MMC Card. With the SX1, there is an inconspicuous slot in the left side of the handset, where the MMC Card fits in. Push in the slot, and then cage will pop out for you to place the card in. Push the slot back into where it came from and the phone will start recognizing the MMC card instantly. No need to turn off your handset just to get out the memory card anymore!
Bluetooth
Wireless connections to headsets, computers, and other mobile devices are really the only fast and simple way to go. Bluetooth is what it’s called, and it’s included on the Siemens SX1. Bluetooth enabled devices come in all shapes and sizes, from audio headsets to Sony Ericsson’s little toy, the Bluetooth powered car. You aren’t tied down by wires when Bluetooth is in the picture, everything is connected through short-range digital two-way radio; it uses the 2.4GHz spectrum for connection to devices in about a 30 foot range.
Video Player
The RealOne video player application on the SX1 can show all your home-made videos that you’ve recorded using the SX1’s camera, and clips you’ve moved to the phone from another source. Easily accessible from the Camera icon the main menu of the SX1, the application will open with a list of all available video clips.
Loudspeaker for Hands free calls
When you need to make a call, or pick up a call when you’re not allowed to use a mobile phone by holding it up to your ear, like in a car driving, and you don’t have a headset, a loudspeaker is the only way to go! When a call comes through, answer it and enable the loudspeaker and audio will be louder than normal, and you can talk normally and the person will be able to hear you on the other end.
MMS, SMS, EMS and POP3/IMAP e-mail
All the messaging formats and services you’ll need are all in the SX1. You can send SMS messages and EMS messages to any phone in the world, a short and simple text message to say whatever you’re feeling.
MMS messages, also known as multimedia messages can be sent to a phone or an e-mail address from the SX1 once they have been set up. You can set up your MMS and GPRS settings over the web at the Siemens website. MMS messages can contain text, images, and even sound when sent from the SX1. Also, because the SX1 supports video-recording and playback, you can attach a video to your message if it’s under a certain amount. Only phones that can playback video will be able to see the video though.
E-mail, through a POP3 or IMAP protocol can also be sent and received on the SX1 over GPRS. When you’re out on the town and need to send an e-mail urgently, but don’t have access you can do it using this handset from Siemens. It’s easy to compile all your messages, and then send them in one big hit next time a GPRS connection is started; this way you save on expensive GPRS charges.
GPRS Class 10
Browse the mobile internet with ease and smoothly over GPRS class 10. The class indication of a GPRS protocol identifies how fast the connection can receive and send data. Class Ten means that data can be sent at around 8-12kbp/s, and received at 32-48kbp/s.
WAP 2.0/xHTML browser
The general rule is that the more chords the handset is compatible with, the better sounding the ring tones. The amount of chords indicates the amount of different sounds that can be played simultaneously at one particular time. 16-chords is a large jump from the average 4 chords on most Series 40 phones - and it’s a jump that I like. Ring tones sound better, and more realistic.
USB support
The USB data cable that comes along in the sales package of the SX1 clearly means that the SX1 supports USB. When the data cable is connected to the bottom of the phone and a spare USB port, a USB icon will show up on the main display of the SX1. Fast transfers are a few minutes away after installing the compiled software on the data-suite CD.
Problems/Issues?
New design will take a lot of getting used to
The new design adopted by Siemens is a big step from the general way that phones are made today. The numerical buttons aren’t located where you usually find them, below the display; instead they have been moved into two rows on either side of the display. Extremely unique, but also very hard to get used to.
Using the SX1 for almost three weeks, I was still unable to type messages and enter phone numbers or other details as quickly as I would have been able with a standard keypad design phone. I did however get much quicker than when I first started using the phone - my first message might as well have been in hieroglyphs. You also can’t use the SX1 with one hand, you could try but it probably wouldn’t work. The ‘c’ key is also very far away from the numerical keys so small thumbs and fingers might not reach. It may look nice, but if you’re not willing to take the time to get used to it I would think again.
Delay on some functions
Unlocking the keypad is supposed to involve one long press of the hash key, right? Well, with the SX1 you’ll have to press a button to activate the phone, then long press the hash key to unlock the display. The phone unlocks, but there is a delay before the display and keys will light up. Also changing profiles you will experience a delay. This problem has also been noted in the 6600, stay tuned to iMobile.com.au for that review in the very near future.
This is probably to be expected from most phones, but still must be brought up for the readers wanting to know the nit and gritty about the SX1 =)
MP3 support, but not MP3 ring tones
I like MP3 ring tones, who wouldn’t? They’re real songs, played on something that used to only use high-pitched beeps to get your attention. Wouldn’t you rather your favorite band or self-made music clip playing instead!? I know I would, which is why I was disappointed to take the time to put an MP3 onto the memory of the SX1 and then be unable to use it as a ring tone.
Although you can’t use them as ring tones, MP3 files can be played using the MP3 Player application located in the “Extras” menu in the main-menu. If you want to be a big cheater and use an MP3 as a ring tone, fire up your favorite MP3 to WAV converter and convert the MP3 file to a WAV. Because the file size will be large, and may not fit on the available memory, open up Windows Sound Recorder and then open the file. Then click File, Save As. Choose an export format and then save. Fiddle around with it to find the one that gives the smallest file size and use your newly created WAV file as a ring tone!
In Summary
Being Siemens first and only Smart Phone at the moment, the next few to be released from this company should be bigger and better than the SX1, hopefully they go back to the normal keypad layout for conveniences sake. =)
Other than the keypad layout which I disliked, the SX1 is an overall good phone. Reminding me of the 6600 by Nokia a bit, I was easily catching onto the few menu and interface changes from the 6600 and other Series 60 phones. The Symbian interface is really the only way to go, as it allows the user to customize what they want and add onto the system whenever they wish.
I was surprised with the quality of the photos taken from a small lens hidden away on the back of the SX1. I also really liked the MMC card slot on the side of the phone, much like the Hot Swap insert on the up and coming Nokia N-Gage QD. You finally don’t have to remove the battery to change or remove MMC cards.
The SX1 is available now on the Australian market, and you can find it for a retail price of about $950-$1000. Slightly more expensive when you look at the range of features and the price of some other phones that do the same thing but from more well known brands. |
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