1 It looks cool, but that's about it
I got this phone for free when I signed up at a brick-and-mortar AT&T Wireless store (back when they were still AT&T Wireless). Initially, I was impressed. The on-phone features were OK, the dynamic lights were oddly cool, and it was the right size.
Then I started using it.
I got 2 days very light use out of the battery. Talking in even the slightest breeze was impossible because the wind is funneled into the microphone by an inanely-designed slot for alignment with a desk charger.
When I had service (not very often) the voice quality was horrific. For some odd reason, I was connected to the wrong number five times in one week. I was selecting a SIM contact, I was not misdialing.
Apparently, AT&T recieved a bum batch of M56 units, and I was given a new one. None of the problems went away.
I took advantage of AT&T's return policy and got a Nokia 3100.
The only semi-cool thing about this phone is it has a built-in SMTP e-mail client, so you can send the phone MIDI files as attachments to use for ringtones.
2 Only one complaint
This was my first cell phone ever and it certainly does everything it is advertised to do, but the ringer is quiet even on the highest volume setting (I don't know anyone who would consider the highest volume setting too loud, so who knows why the option is there). I've trained myself to hear the ring, so it is okay, I suppose.
Everything else is great. I'm a big fan of the lights on the side that you can configure differently if you have a voice mail or if particular people have called you, etc.
3 GREAT PHONE
PHONE IS EXCELLENT BEST RECEPTION I'VE EVER GOTTEN WITH A CELL PHONE AND THE THE MMODE FEATURES ARE AMAZING.
4 Not all it's cracked up to be
Be warned - this phone requires an OPTIONAL data connection cable that will allow you to do needed updates, talk to your pc, etc. The connector for the headset is flakey, oversized, hard to find and expensive. You can't connect your headset and the battery charger at the same time (uses the same oversized port).
Disasterously, It also has two different methods for storing phone numbers; the "phone book" (duh) and an "address book" with more functionality (like address, birthdate, etc.). Here's what happened to me: Recorded all my phone numbers for all my contacts, set it up to display the little cell phone icon for cell phone numbers, home icon for the home number, etc. for each person in my book. Let's say Bob = cell 555-5555, home 555-5556 and so on. Whiz-bang! Happiness ensues.
I apparently did this in the 'address book' mode, so when I saved it to the sim card for safe keeping whilst exchanging it for a phone that worked (same make and model, the first one was flakey)... the sim card saved in 'phone book' mode (by default, and the only way it will save your numbers). Which means each entry in the address book(cell, home, office, etc.) became a new entry like so: Bob1 555-5555, Bob2 555-5556, Bob3 555-5557 and so on. See, the 'phone book' only stores a limited amount of information - 1 name to 1 number.
I had 86 people in my address book when I started. I had 206 entries when I copied the numbers off the sim onto the new phone. Try figuring out if bob1, bob2 or bob3 is Bob's work number... see - you can set one of those to be the "primary number", the one that's dialed when your scrolling through the names and just hit dial when you get to bob. I think that became bob#1, but what are the chances I'm going to remember which was the primary number (cell, work, home?) for 86 people? And how do you correct this little error? Well... you can buy the overpriced 'communications cable' to talk to your pc, or bloody your fingers entering everyone's information again and hope your phone never dies.
Battery life is scary - it takes several hours of talk to get to the half way point, and about 20 minutes to die once it hits half way.
My advice - find another phone. I'm looking tonight.
5 Best cell phone and service ever
ATT's GSM service in Northern California is much more reliable than my previous TDMA services with ATT and Cingular. And now that ATT has straightened out their on-line system to track family plan minutes, the whole package is great. ATT has more minutes for the same price and the family plans are far cheaper than the competition (except for Cingular). ATT's advantage is the 7PM evenings - check it out. (...) Also, this phone is very nice, priced well (they give you money) and yes, Amazon pays off (...)
6 Excellent Phone REALLY enjoy it!
I have this phone for 3 months now and absolutely love it in every way! The phone is small, fun, attractive and loaded with features: downloadable color graphics, ringtones and games, e-mail and internet accessibility, address and phone books, calendar, alarm & alarm clock, etc. You can assign different images & ringtones for turning on and turning off the phone, as your screensaver and for different callers. I did this for fun as well as for easy identification. IThe quality of the graphics and ringtones are great, considering its price - it's probably free now. I can clearly see the graphics and images on my phone without tilting the phone even under direct sunlight. I have no problem with the volume of the ringtones - it is comparable to my other old phones. Since you can download ringtones from the internet, you have the option of picking a louder and higher-pitch ringtone. And I love the speaker phone feature and use it often in the car and when my friends want to join the chat.
7 Good little phone
Coverage in my area is excellent. Loud ringer and good battery life when you turn on the keylock. First charge lasted 5 days, keeping the keylock on all the time and turning it off at night. Easy to use key layout. Accepts standard MIDI for ringing tones and oddly formatted .WAV files (IMA ADPCM, 8kHz, 4 bit) that Quicktime won't encode. Bright, clear screen. Lights on sides can be set to ring when certain people call you.
8 best phone i've ever had
i have had this phone for about five months, at the time i bought it i had researched all the phones on the market for about two month. this phone caught my attention because of its design, long battery life, capable to syncronize with your pc for address book, etc.
about the battery life, i think it's pretty good, though if you talk all the time it will drain quickly, that's the same for all other cell phones. one thing i noticed the battery seems to last longer than other phones after it shows minimal on its indicator.
AT&T signal is much better in my area than any other wireless signals i have had. i can walk anywhere within my house without worry weaker signal.
only a few phones can do a good job in syncronization with PC. i purchased a usb cable for this to download the address book (somwhat above 200 phone numbers, email and home address). i believe this will be a key function in future phone design because you won't keep up with new entries, updates manually for long. i like this feature but it kept me two days to figure out how to do it, siemens website and product manual don't have updated info for this and i have to search google to find the right software.
a minor concern is some keys are too small you have to use your fingernail to push/hold them accurately.
9 pleased
This is my first cell phone and I am excited to be a part of the 21st century, finally! I like that I can put my phone easily into my pockets at work(I wear scrubs); the sound is great (better than any landline phone I ever had) and the icons are terrific. I just wish the key pads were a different color, and I also wish the headset didn't hurt my ear. Otherwise, I am very happy. It feel unique because I don't see anyone else with a phone like mine, and I would rather have my small, cute little phone than those big, bulky-looking silver things.
10 Siemens M56
I have had this phone for about two months and I absolutely hate it!! Sometimes I do not receive call nor text messages.. Also, half the time I do not get service, but have could be becasue of AT&T.. One good thing about the phone is that it does have good battery time. It usually last me about 3 days and I am on the phone all the time.. I would recomed this phone only if you life in a big city that gets good service..
11 the best phone i've ever had!
this phone is truly amazing. just to start out on how amazing it is my sister washed my coat with the phone in the pocket and it still works with no problems at all. the battery (regardless of what others have said) lasts for about a week with out me turning it off ever. it is easy to figure out and the display of it all is very nice. it has great ways of telling you about voice mail and text messeges as well. the one and only problem with this phone is that b/c it is not a flip phone the screen gets kind of scratched but it really isn't an issue.
12 good phone overall
For starters, I totally disagree with another review about battery life. I have had this phone for more than 2 weeks now and I have charged it maybe 5 times at the most. The advertised battery life is pretty accurate.
The first thing that would strike you about this phone is the unique look'n'feel. Extremely small & lightweight, eye-catching jazzy leds and a decent color screen. Other fancy features include speakerphone & a very elaborate address book. But most importantly is the call reception quality of this phone. It gets a hands-down A+. Overall a decent upgrade from my previous phone(some old Samsung).
On the flip side, the volume of the ring-tones is perhaps the only complaint that I might have.
Yes, if you are looking for AT&T customer service, then be prepared to wait for atleast a couple of hours. Number portability took about 2 days to go through. From now onwards, would go to a store instead.
Overall, AT&T's service is decent enough for me. Sprint sucks just as much and I cannot afford Verizon/Nextel :)
13 Battery is a joke
I have only had this phone for 3 weeks, but I am looking to return it. Regardless of all the features, they become fairly useless when the batter life is so dismal.
I had stayed away from cell phones because of this very reason, but with new techonolgies came long advertised talk times and standby times. This phone advertises:
Minimum Rated Standby Time: 200 hours
That is an absolute and utter lie and pehaps a joke. This phone must be recharged evey single day, even with absolutly no use at all. Just being in standby mode and not being touched once drains the battery to zero in 24-36 hours.
Another thing: Believe it or not the ringer is almost useless. On the highest volume, I cannot hear the phone when it is in my coat pocket. I tried a bunch of different ring tones. The vibration is how I can tell I am getting a call.
Unless you don't care about hearing a ring or battery life, Look elsewhere.
14 Great Phone Overall
First thing that I noticed about this phone is the very original look. The coloring and shape are all well-inspired and designed. THe flashing l.e.d.'s are very bright and vivid, and can be programmed to flash various patterns depending on the caller/function. The screen has great coloring, and there are plenty of screensavers/logos to choose from, unlike some phones I have seen.
My one complaint about the phone is that the GMRS service isn't great in my area; I get coverage in most places except for the most important- my house. Even though the phone does not have an external antenna I don't believe the coverage is the fault of the phone but of the AT&T coverage in my area. Overall, I think this phone is great to use, looks fun, and can come in handy as a good conversation piece.
15 Don't use AT&T!!
Tried switching a current number to AT&T told it would take 3-5 days. Still waiting after 3 weeks. While phone number is being switched over could not take a call could only make calls. Paying full price a month for half a phone. Tried getting help from their customer service shortest time waited was 20 min the most was 25 min. Very bossy and rude customer service. Never got a straight answer from anyone. Always recieved conflicting answers. Would not recommend this service to anyone. Will return the phones and cancel service this week.
The Phone worked well but the buttons are far too small. Menus are confusing and the manual is very unclear. Could not get any help from AT&T to use the phone.
Bottom line don't buy this phone especially don't use AT&T!!!
16 Best reception ever!
I've had this phone for 3 weeks and have never had such clear reception before! I go through cell phones like water and have gone through Motorola's to Samsungs, and can't believe the quality of this Siemens phone! Yes, it's a bit small and the keys takes some getting used to...but all of my calls are crystal clear and the person on the other end can't even tell that I'm on a cell phone!
Also, the M56 has a great speakerphone that is quite loud, and again, the other person can understand me on the other end.
The phone is also very durable. I've dropped it a few times and never had any problems. The keys are solid and the look and feel of the phone is very impressive. This is a German phone and is of high quality.
17 Great phone for a great price.
I've had my new Siemens M56 for about a week now and I really like it. When I bought it, it seemed like the best phone for the price, and now that I've used it for a while I'm convinced I made the right decision.
This little phone has just about everything you'd need in a phone short of PDA functionality and built-in photos (though you can buy a camera accessory for it.) The phone is small, sleek, stylish and incredibly lightweight. It sports a color screen and an address book that holds 500 contacts including home phone, work phone, mobile phone, fax email, address, etc.) If you're into it, it's quite a stylish little phone with it's color scheme, small size and LED lights that can be set to flash (or not) differently for rings, voice mails, charging, etc. It also sports some other nice features such as speaker phone, backgrounds and screensavers, polyphonic ringtones and some decent games.
My only two complaints are fairly minor. One, the screen for the phone is flush with the keypad and the rest of the phone rather than inset a bit or protected like on flip phones. This makes the screen prone to scratches, unless protected by a cover. Second, the polyphonic ringtones and speaker phone really aren't very loud even at max volume. Neither of these, however, has been a huge problem for me.
This is a great phone, particularly for the price. I recommend it to anyone who's interested in getting the most bang for your buck without spending $250+ on a phone.
