This stylish, tri-mode clamshell kicks the fun up notch with enhanced messaging capabilities that let you send graphics, animation and sound with your text messages. It's also compatible with Verizon's wireless Internet services, making it a great mobile companion.
Design
The phone features a traditional clamshell design with a large and vibrant 128 x 160 pixels color display with 65,000 colors. Most of the phone's features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's backlit control pad. Meanwhile, the top right side of the unit houses an extendable antenna while the charging port is housed on the unit's bottom edge. The phone also features a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets. Up/down keys are located on the left side of the unit for quick volume control.
Calling Features
The A650's built-in address book can store up to 500 contacts for quick and easy management of phone numbers and email addresses. The phone comes with 15 built-in polyphonic ringtones plus a vibrating alert. More ringtones can be downloaded via Verizon's Get It Now service. Ringtones can be assigned to specific callers so you don't have to look at the phone to know who's calling. Voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names (up to 20 voice dialing contacts supported). The A650's GPS location technology pinpoints your exact location when you dial 911. Perhaps most importantly for users in rural areas, the A650 is a tri-mode phone, meaning it can operate on Verizon's digital networks, as well as analog networks that serve many outlying areas.
Messaging, Internet and Tools
The A650 features enhanced messaging with support for sending and receiving text, sounds and graphics in messages. T9 text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
Getting on the Internet anywhere is easy with the A650, as well. Verizon's optional Mobile Web package allows you to read and send e-mails, exchange instant messages and view your favorite web content on your phone. You can check your e-mail, trade stocks online, compare prices while shopping, access flight information, get movie listings and find directions to the theater.
Verizon's Get It Now wireless download service is also fully compatible with the A650. This pay-per-download service features application downloads, games and productivity tools. You can also personalize your handset with ringtone downloads using the Get It Now service.
The A650 ships with a number of handy tools including a calendar, a to-do list and a voice memo application that can record up to 4 minutes of speech. An alarm clock and calculator are also included.
Imaging and Entertainment
The A650 features customizable screen backgrounds and screen savers so you can make your phone reflect your personality. The phone is also BREW enabled, meaning it supports games written on the BREW platform. Games are available via the Get It Now service.
Vital Statistics
The Samsung A650 weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 3.30 x 1.80 x .90 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 2.8 hours of digital talk time, and up to 168 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the AMPS 800/CDMA 800/CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
Samsung A650 handset, AC battery charger, lithium-ion battery, holster, user manual, welcome CD-ROM, quick reference guide.
1 Good and reliable phone.
I've had the Samsung Sch a650 for about 10 months and my service is with Verizon Wireless and it's really a solid and reliable phone. I just use my cell phone for talking and nothing else...no Internet, videos, organizer...etc. And I've owned a Samsung cell phone before and I really liked the previous phone I had with Sprint. I think Samsung phones are well designed, sturdy (dropped it a few times) and provide good quality voice. This phone is no exception. What I liked was that it's relatively slim and compact. Has excellent audio quality. Samsung's UI is also really simple and easy to learn. Talk time is good. And combined with Verizon Wireless service -- it's the best cell phone/plan I've ever had. What I don't like is the way Samsung designs the charger port at the very bottom of the phone. This port is relatively unprotected and can get very dirty and wet (which destroys the phone). My wife has destroyed 2 of these phones b/c our 12 month old son decided to use it as a teething toy (her own fault). It initially comes with a plastic cover which you can place there but it's really impractical. I wish they designed a plastic pieces that stays attached to the phone. For me, I've had no problems since I keep in my pocket and pretty dry. If you're looking for a solid basic phone with easy to use features and good quality...get this one.
2 Don't quit your day (or night) job
This phone has 2 problems: 1.) The screen is impossible to read in daylight, 2.) The keys are not back lit so you can't dial in the dark.
If you make all of your calls from indoors under non-natural lighting, this phone is a good basic model. I use it as a calculator and an alarm and there are tons of other features I don't use. Supposedly you can download games using the Get It Now feature - I saw another reviewer complaining about lack of games.
I do like the ability to set multiple phone numbers for a single entry, the speed dial options, and the voice options which are mostly accurate when I don't have road noise in the background.
The only other complaint I have is that there seems to be no one way to universally set the volume of all the sounds the phone makes. When you want to turn it to silent, I found I had to not only set the volume of the ringer, but the volume of the voice mail notification, the alarm, and the service area indicator all separately. But maybe I just couldn't find it on the menus.
I ordered a leather case with the phone. The clip spring quit working within 2 weeks and the car charger quit within 2 months.
In summary, for a basic phone that you are not playing games on or taking pictures with, you are better off with a high-contrast monochrome with backlit keys.
3 Great phone
This is a great phone. I just got one, as well as my parents each got one. The display if vibrant and easy to understand. The sound quality and reception are great.
For those who need a phone with caller id and a display on the outside, this phone is not for you. Same with bluetooth, not for you. I don't know why people get this phone and then complain about missing features that are obviously not there from the get go. It should not have been bought in the first place.
This is a great minimal feature phone.
I love the fact the using a open source program called bitpim and a usb data cable I can sync the phone with my mac for phone numbers, addresses, and wallpapers.
Great phone, if it has what you want.
4 Good phone to get started with
Im 13 years old and i have this phone. I received it in july 2004 for a gift. This was my first cell phone (and still is). If your looking for a pure phone, then this is the phone for you. I never drop any calls and there is almost always full service. The battery life is so-so but i charge mine a lot. It's small and sharp looking. I text a lot so its nice having ems. The only downside as with every verizon phone is that it has no games. Overall if your looking for a phone for talking or for SMS this is the phone for you.
5 b-day gift, x-mas, and report card-i deserve a phone!
i am 12 and got this fone for my b-day, x-mas, and my straight-a report card. its a really good fone, but my friend has a similar fone with about 70 more ringtones, makes no noise when texting, and has a larger, brighter screen. its still a good fone though.
