A Customer Review
"Very Good Low-end Phone"
Pros:
- Very good RF reception (850 and 1900 MHz GSM)
- Polyphonic ringtones
- Very small
- Customizable UI, picture ID, ringtone
- Automatic key lock (optionally locks all the keys after few seconds of inactivity)
- Solid battery life
- Polished, although somewhat low-tech, user interface
Cons:
- Feels cheap
- Somewhat dim LCD
- Incompatible with 900 and 1800 MHz GSM (it won't work outside US, Canada)
- Entry in the Address Book limited to 3 numbers each
- No advanced features (e.g., voice dialing, Bluetooth, IrDA)
- Included wired headset sounds very poor to person on the other line
- Slow menu reaction time
If you are looking for the cheapest compact phone with good RF reception quality and without compromising essential features, the Sony Ericsson T226 fits the bill. Aside from lack of more advanced features (which to some people are just frills), cheap construction (made from low-quality plastic), and lack of 900 or 1800 MHz GSM compatibility, there's nothing really wrong with this phone.
Considering the price (free or essentially free), the phone has a good UI (slightly better than T68i), good quality polyphonic ringtones, and is quite customizable. You can assign picture ID or personal ring tone for address book contacts, change the wallpaper, and download more wallpaper, ringtone, picture ID from AT&T Wireless mMode. The address book is limited to 250 phone numbers, with 3 numbers assignable to each contact.
The battery life is pretty decent considering the small size. It should last 3-5 days with light activity.
It is worth noting that T226 will be replaced by T237 soon. T237 features higher quality LCD (4096 colors instead of 512), voice dialing, full calendar (instead of events), and speakerphone capability.
