Customer Reviews

Amoi CS6 Unlocked Cell Phone--International Version with No Warranty (Silver)

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Arriving in gifbox-like blue packaging, this Chinese-made GSM phone sports a slider design, first developed by Kyocera a few years ago. It operates on 3 GSM frequencies: 900 (used extensively in Asia and Europe), 1800 (also used in Europe), and 1900 (used in the U.S. and the Americas). While it doesn't cover the lesser-common 950 band used in the U.S., it qualifies as a world phone. And because it's unlocked, you can usually just buy a prepaid SIM card in Asian and European countries and make and receive calls right away.

I use the CS6 with my 7-Eleven Speak Out Wireless prepaid SIM card. The card registered right away without any problem. Calls made and received on this lightweight 3-ounce phone are surprisingly very clear. Unfortunately, the phone doesn't have a separate speaker like my Sprint Sanyo phones do, so you should avoid holding the earpiece next to your ear when the ring comes in, esp. if you have the ring volume set to max.

The phone, first released to the Chinese public two years ago, has a smallish but clear color screen; I suspect it's the passive-matrix type instead of the more expensive TFT active-matrix type, but it's very readable. The user interface is okay; because this has not been customized to the U.S. market, some of the terminology can be confusing. Overall, the phone is easy to use. But I don't like the tiny key buttons as I have large hands. The slider construction seems solid and should last a long time, althoug the phone's overall finish is not up to par with phones from Motorola, Nokia, Sony Ericsson or any of the Japanese brands. Its build quality is on par or beats South Korean brands, and its call quality is way better.

Feature-wise, this doesn't have all the high-speed Internet bells and whistles, but it has a few surprises. There's a built-in FM radio; you must use a headset to use the radio as it depends on the headset wire for antenna functions. A simple headset with call button is included in the package. It comes with three games, including Tetris. It also has a Karaoke function: it plays songs that are preprogrammed with flashing lyrics, accompanied by MIDI music. Two songs are included. You can download more on the Internet and then transfer them to the phone via an optional PC cable. Data-wise, the phone supports GPRS, but not EDGE (which went on the market about a year ago). The phone is also highly customizable, including the ability to block undesirable numbers.

In short, this is a good GSM phone. It feels a little flimsy in the hand but has good voice clarity and is fairly easy to use. Best of all, it's inexpensive and works well as an international phone.

This product, while light and looked nice, was shabbily made, would not stay powered on, the graphics looked like they were stenciled. I cannot rate the actual reception as the phone would not stay on. Do not waste your time on this POS.

Why settle for less, or commit yourself to a specific cellular provider and service plan, when you can get a complimentary unlocked top of the line Motorola RAZR v3i cell phone that works with any cellular service provider and any SIM card. I got mine free at this web site: ilikethis.info/razrv3i