64 of 65 people found the following review helpful:
Affordable, compact phone
I'm a long-running Virgin customer, but additionally I work as a developer in the mobile industry, and so I've had experience using literally scores of handsets from every imaginable carrier (including non-US). Previous Virgin phones I've used include the Vox 8610 and Kyocera 2255. My 8610 still works, but it's a bit bulky and heavy for my tastes and I decided to upgrade...
11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:
Oh the Slice...
I've been a Virgin Mobile customer for about a year and a half now, and I just recently bought the new red edition Slice after my good old Vox 8610's battery started to not work so well. I've been pleased with it, though it is a change from what I was used to. I don't think the interface is as user-friendly as the Vox, though it does look more attractive!
I'm a long-running Virgin customer, but additionally I work as a developer in the mobile industry, and so I've had experience using literally scores of handsets from every imaginable carrier (including non-US). Previous Virgin phones I've used include the Vox 8610 and Kyocera 2255. My 8610 still works, but it's a bit bulky and heavy for my tastes and I decided to upgrade.
Let's start with the positives:
-Very compact design. This is probably the cheapest phone of its size/capabilities available anywhere. It is so thin that when I put it in the same pocket as my wallet, I sometimes forget it's there.
-For the cost, it is pretty decent in terms of features. 128x128 screen with fullscreen graphic support, 10 MB for downloads (32 total), speakerphone, web capability, comparable performance to most Nokia series 40 devices. Very long battery life, and fast charging. For those that have had trouble with the battery I suggest you try turning off the backlight. It might have... interesting... effects.
-Uses the Sprint network. I've found this to be very reliable in my area, and signal quality is excellent both in and outdoors.
-Call quality is good. Comparable to the 8610 as far as I can tell, which was also good (my old Kyocera, on the other hand, was garbage).
-UI has a solid, standard design. Predictive text included for messaging. The phone's graphics are a bit odd, but not necessarily in a bad ways.
-Durable. UTStarcom knows how to build to last. This handset is no exception.
-Good library of games, ringtones, and graphics available. Now I actually have something to spend all that balance on...
-Virgin is a very low cost provider. It's no good if you want video on demand, 3G, or whatnot. But for just making calls/texting now and then, you simply can't beat $20/3 months. No annual contract as well, which is a huge plus (as many who've had one know all too well).
On the downside:
-Keys are a bit small. This is typical of ultra-thin handsets. They are a bit stiff as well, which is good and bad (good because you won't accidentally press them as easily, bad because typing is more of a pain).
-Virgin's web browser is lame. Their web service costs extra, and it has problems viewing many page formats (says 'network gremlins' when you try... cute). You can browse basic html, and that's about it- good luck reading e-mail with it.
-No bluetooth built-in, though this is to be expected.
-No camera either, also to be expected. This can actually be a good thing, since camera phones are off-limits in more areas than you might expect.
Bottom line: this handset is great for the price. There are flaws with it, as with any phone, but the pluses outweigh the minuses. I've seen many reviewers complain about both Virgin and the phone, but in my professional opinion (and it is an expert opinion) these people need to realize that you get what you pay for. This isn't a $200 Samsung T519, and you're not paying $60 a month for service on a 2 year contract. Considering the costs, the Slice is an great handset with excellent service, and that is that.
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I've been a Virgin Mobile customer for a few years now and have to agree with an earlier reviewer--if you want a phone-phone (without all the extra hoopla) this isn't a bad deal. I "*bought" a red Slice a couple of weeks ago (take note that I'm not one of those people with a cell phone perpetually growing out of one ear) and for my needs (emergencies, quick calls to family from the grocery store) it's just right.
Good points:
I got mine for "*free" with Reward Zone points at Best Buy.
Fits into a small purse or pocket easily.
Nice looking (someone mistook it for a "Chocolate" the other day).
Clear reception (long distance calls are just as crystal as local; not sure if this is an "area" thing, but apparently the service in and around Chicago's solid).
Pay-as-you-go option works well for someone who doesn't spend a lot of time on the phone.
My Slice holds a charge just fine (I've noticed other reviewers have said this is a problem, but so far, so good) and doesn't heat up, as someone else mentioned (maybe that reviewer's got a defective phone or battery?).
***ADDING A COMMENT on Jan. 11, 2009. I still have this phone and am still pretty satisfied with it. One thing, though, about the phone heating up. If a phone call goes on too long, it does grow hot. I mean hot! I don't normally use it for long calls, but the few times my conversations have lasted for more than a few minutes, the Slice feels like it's burning up in my hand. I wonder if it might burn the circuitry inside the phone one of these times.***
Not so good points:
It's so slim my husband has bet me I'll lose the phone within a couple of months (could be easy to misplace if you keep stacks of papers and books on your desk). ADDED COMMENT: Two years later and I still haven't lost it.
Someone else mentioned the odd graphics (hot dog dripping blue sauce, some sort of pipe looking cartoons with teeth. Seriously, I have no idea what those things might be), but I say it's workable if you have a sense of humor (:
Yes, the buttons are small. I have small hands, slender fingers, and I still manage to bump the "3" whenever I'm trying to shut off the phone.
Sometimes it's difficult to turn on (the button doesn't always respond when I push it, though could be I'm a wimp), but once it's on it's fine. I'm thinking this will get broken in with more use. ADDED COMMENT: The button did get broken in and now it's a breeze to turn on and off.
All in all, it's not a bad phone. Beautiful red. I find myself staring at it just to appreciate its beauty (phone confessions!).
I'm satisfied with mine. And since I haven't forked out hundreds of dollars--or any dollars, really--I won't feel too guilty when/if I do manage to lose it under a pile of paperwork!
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I have had this phone (and Virgin Mobile pay as you go service) for only a day or two, but I wanted to write this review before I forget. I'll update it if I change my mind.
Once you get over the industrial strength plastic clamshell monster it comes in, it's a good ride. The phone resembles a small remote control. It's sleek and unassuming. Turn it on and things get a bit zany with the animations on the color screen, but it's a pleasant experience. The sound quality is good on both ends of the conversation.
It's attractive. It works. It seems a real no-brainer given the other choices for the Virgin Mobile service. You can have fun with it or just ignore the fun stuff--but you'll have to get used to the funny graphics.
The UI is totally intuitive. You interact with the menus on the screen and the few keys below it as if you've been doing it a while after only setting up your preferences.
One thing: this whole service and the software on this phone are marketed to a younger demographic than mine (thirties). While it's a good basic cell phone and the plan is appealing (pay as you go--for me 18c/min), there's a ton of stuff to play with if your train gets stuck in a tunnel. I have Lily Tomlin's operator character answering my voicemail and found a wallpaper with my first name spelled out in diamonds; and if I should ever receive a text message, among my canned response options (that come standard with the phone) are "Hell no," "Can't talk," and "Leave me alone."
My friend has had one for a few months and loves his. He makes a good bit more money than I and sports some fancy handheld devices, so it's not just that it's so cheap and cool.
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I've been a Virgin Mobile customer for about a year and a half now, and I just recently bought the new red edition Slice after my good old Vox 8610's battery started to not work so well. I've been pleased with it, though it is a change from what I was used to. I don't think the interface is as user-friendly as the Vox, though it does look more attractive!
As mentioned in other reviews, the preloaded ringtones suck even more than the backgrounds do, and having downloaded a couple "Song" ringtones, aka actual music when the phone rings... it's hit and miss as far as sound quality with that speaker on the back, since there is a lot of distortion at very high volumes.
One of the things I can't get over is the way the menu's set up. You can choose from a vertical alignment of the menu options, or a grid. On the Vox, the grid lined up perfectly with the keypad, so once you figured out what symbols went to which screen, it was a breeze figuring out which button to press to get to it. Not the Slice. The grid layout of the menu has a meaningless little Virgin Mobile graphic where the 5 key would be, so all the keys after that 5th grid symbol are moved up, therefore making it difficult to figure out which button you need to press.
The buttons CAN be hard to press. I sometimes have a difficult time with the 2/Back/down key... they're so close together. You really have to use your fingertips to use this phone.
Other than that, if you're looking for just a phone phone, it's a great thing. As a college student who doesn't do much texting and hates video phones, it's great for me. I haven't had any battery problems - unless it's searching for a signal. Then the battery life is SIGNIFICANTLY reduced. I found this to be the case with the Vox as well. Taking the phone to a class that happens to be in the basement of a building with no reception, and trying to leave it on, drains the battery fast. So if you're going to not have a signal for a while, I just suggest turning it off and saving yourself the headache.
I'd give it a higher rating, but I really liked my Vox better. This one's louder than the Vox, but not nearly as user friendly.
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I like this phone, really! The size is extremely thin and compact so you can easily slide it in and out of your pocket. The display is nice too. Features are limited, but this is just a phone and it's selling feature is it's shape.
Pros - one huge pro is excellent reception. I tried a Snapper phone that just didn't pick up a signal in my weak area. Yet this phone picks up a signal in the worst of conditions. Amazing!
Cons - this phone has one claring shortcoming, poor sound quality. The ear speaker has ample volume, but terrible fidelity. This phone quacks in your ear, it is that "tinny". I tried another and had the same problem, so that ruled out a defect.
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I got my Slicer past black Friday for $19 from Radio Shack to use in the case of emergency. The Virgin plan 18 c/min pay as you go is excellent for people like me who use cell phone for what they were originally made to do.
First $20 phone card lasted me little bit over 2 months (one has to recharge account once every three months to keep the account active) despite a fact that I even made couple overseas calls that were very reasonably priced 30c/min to Eastern Europe. I used the phone on my business trip to call home. The reception was excellent in all 7 states I used the phone so far. The Virgin web site is excellent. The account is easy to recharge. They also have planty of ring tones and graphic options
for downloading (mostly priced about $2 per download).
The phone is nice looking and has all fancy stuff except a camera.
However the memory is really small for more serious web browsing but one would not expect more for $19. I am surprised to hear that other people complained about the battery life. My phone holds charge about 3-4 days on stand by.
The only bad thing I discovered so far is that after the switching off the phone (for example during the flight) I had to reconnect phone to charger in order to activate it again.
I would sincerely recommend the phone and the Virgin pay as you go plan to mature users.
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I wrote the review below after two weeks with the phone, and now after three months am adding an update. First, I stand by all of the comments I made below, but change my rating from 4 to 5 stars. This phone works great. There are problems, but those come inherent with its best feature, the extremely compact size, i.e. small buttons and getting dropped a lot. Reception is great and sound is great. Mine has taken quite a beating while I got used to keeping hold of such a small phone, and still looks and works like new. I did put a screen protector over the screen, so that helps with keeping scratches away. After a couple months I have gotten used to the small buttons and mildly quirky interface and neither bother me at all anymore. I use it more than I had planned, but still have a long ways to go before an annual contract would be better. This phone is one decision that comes with no regrets.
2 week review:
I got this phone to use as a phone and am very happy with it. I have had it about two weeks now so this is the early review.
First, the qualifier. I have a nice canon camera and don't want to use my phone to take pictures. I don't want to use my phone to listen to music or surf the internet either, I just want it to make and receive calls and maybe a text here and there. If you are one of those people that has a different agenda for your phone, then this is probably not the phone for you.
The Good
Size is great. This phone is comparable to a Hershey bar in thickness and width, but shorter. It fits in my pants or shirt pocket without feeling bulky. It makes a razr feel thick, but I am guessing it is comparable to a slvr.
The Slice has good sound quality for such a small phone. It also has good reception. Sprints network is not the best in my area, but my slice has been able to connect wherever I am and maintains a strong connection even with 1 bar.
When I was in the car, the road noise got too loud to hear, but when I hit the speakerphone button I could hear fine, and keep my hands on the wheel.
Virgin is definitely the most affordable option if you are not planning to use the phone a lot. I expect to spend between $150 and $200 this first year, including the $50 up front for the phone. The cheapest monthly plan on the big carriers would cost me at least 500 over a the same period with local taxes and fees included. Although I haven't tried them, it looks like the monthly plans with Virgin are pretty reasonable too if I start getting into that kind of usage level.
Many of the other Virgin phones look like toys. Although this ones name sounds like a toy and people under 18 recognize it, it also looks like a real piece of equipment. As an older professional I am not embarrassed to plop this phone on the conference table in a meeting with the VP. (in vibrate mode of course) At the same time, my 12 year old is hoping I hate it and get another phone so he can have this one because it is so cool.
The UI is well designed and easy to navigate except for the ridiculous menu. What were they smoking when they decided to use a pig for "my account," a dragon for "messaging," etc. Other than that, the features are all where you would expect them to be and navigating the menus is quite intuitive.
Can't really comment on reliability on this phone after just two weeks, but it has already been dropped twice and still works fine.
The Bad
Perhaps because they are affordable in other ways, Virgin screws you on ringtones and background. The four ringtones included are unacceptable, and you are blocked from up or down loading your own. They do have a pretty big collection on their website you can get for $2.50 a pop, but none of them sound like a phone. The included wallpapers were chosen to be the most despicable choices possible too, so you are likely to fork out $2.00 for a wallpaper from their web site for that as well.
The buttons are a little too small. Most of the time I do fine, but every once in a while I hit two keys or the wrong key because they are so small. Of course once the numbers were all loaded into contacts and speed dials set I haven't run into that problem any more.
Battery life has not lived up to what I read, but that might be because of how I use it. If I charge it every night I am fine. I ordered an extra charger to keep in the office and one for the car as well just in case.
Summary
After two weeks I am happy with this phone and would recommend it to someone looking for a phone to use for making phone calls. It is not big on extras like a camera, but what it does it does well. Virgin uses Sprint's network, see if you can find out about their network in your area before you buy a Virgin phone. [...]
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It's a $50-dollar with basic functions. If you want a fancy Phone/Camera/Mp3/Laptop/etc you should spend $300 on a Blackberry.
Having said that, this is a basic phone that is just that - a phone. It doesn't have a camera, but does have basic online connection to Virgin, allowing for software downloads. There are some useful tools included such as alarm clock, stop watch, calendar, etc. Few basic background pictures and ringtones are included as well.
Regardless of other reviews, the phone is NOT flimsy (although may feel like it at first), the keypad is easy to use (even with big hands like mine), the reception is good (not great, but competes with most other phones), and the volume/tone (incoming and outgoing) is excellent. The volume/tone may take some getting used to as it transmits more midrange frequency than most phones, this in turn makes the speach sound more realistic, but may take a minute to get used to.
It is fairly easy to use, but I would recommend glancing at the manual for some useful functions and shortcuts. The Virgin customer service is easy, readily available, and personnel are informed and helpful.
The downside to the phone is that it does feel on the flimsy side at first, but the phone can take a beating without even a scratch. The menu is somewhat different from most other cell phones, but is easy to get used to.
In closing, this is a $50 phone, not a $300 Blackberry, so don't expect a Porche for the price of a Geo. But if you want a slim, comfortable, and a simple phone, $50 is nothing. I think it is geat - cheap, slim, reliable.
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This is a terrific phone. Few bells or whistles, but the sound is great,(less so with the speakerphone), the feel and construction are great, and the standby time and speaking time are great also. But CAUTION! I would suggest that you shop around pricewise. I bought this phone at Radio Shack for $19.95 +tax. Obviously much better than Amazon.
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I wanted a cell phone, and just a cell phone. And that is what this is, and a good one at that. This phone is very nicely built, this isn't one you're going to break. It has little to no features, but if you just want to actually talk to people, this does a great job.
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