This flagship phone from Siemens has all the powerful features you need in a slick, stylish package. With a 1.3 megapixel camera, Bluetooth, expandable flash memory, and much more, the S66 is a serious mobile companion.
Design
The S66's candybar form factor sports a very large, 132 x 176 display that supports up to 65,000 colors. A five-way navigation toggle just below the display provides access to most of the phone's menus and functions. The phone, which features 10 MB of embedded internal memory, also ships with a 32 MB RS-MMC flash memory card. Additional storage space can be added via the memory card slot. The S66's camera unit is housed on the rear, while USB and charging ports are housed on the bottom of the device. Lastly, the phone has an IR port for infrared data transfer.
Calling Features
The S66's built-in address book has room for up to 1000 contacts so you can quickly access email addresses, phone numbers and other info. Calling features such as call waiting, call forwarding and a list of calls received and dialed are also included. Meanwhile, the built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear, and the phone's Bluetooth connectivity means that your favorite Bluetooth headset is fully compatible. Picture and Ringer ID functions allow you to assign photos and ringers to specific callers. Polyphonic ringtones, as well as a vibrate mode, are also included.
Messaging, Internet and Tools
Powerful messaging and Internet capabilities can be found in the S66. While the phone fully supports text, picture, sound and video messaging, it also ships with AOL Instant Messenger so you can text chat on the go. You can get your email on the go, too, as the S66 has a POP3/IMAP4 e-mail client. With a Cingular data plan, the phone can be used as a wireless modem, providing internet access on your laptop or PDA. There's also a built-in web browser for Cingular MEdia downloads and mobile web browsing. Cingular's MEdia service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. Traditional text messaging, as well as picture and sound messaging are also supported by the phone. 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.
A number of powerful tools ship with the S66, including a SyncML-based synchronization function that allows you to sync data on the device with Microsoft Outlook and Lotus Notes via Bluetooth, USB, infrared, or serial connection. Other tools include an alarm clock, a calendar, and a to-do list. There's also a voice memo function for recording notes and thoughts.
Imaging and Entertainment
With the S66's 1.3 megapixel camera, you can capture high-resolution (1280 x 960) images wherever you roam. There's also a 5x digital zoom for getting great shots from far away. While the camera is great for stills, it can also capture video in the MPEG-4 format. Video recording time is only limited by the amount of available memory space.
Java application and gaming support is also built into the S66. Many games and applications can be downloaded from Cingular's MEdia service. The phone also features customizable wallpapers and screensavers.
Vital Statistics
The Siemens S66 weighs 4.29 ounces and measures 4.29 x 1.89 x 0.71 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 250 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 800/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
What's in the Box
S66 handset, lithium-ion battery, standard charger, user guide, 32 MB RS MultiMediaCard.
1 Good screen, cool games, average phone
This phone has lots of nice features: A nice large screen, a 1.3 megapixel camera, bluetooth, and good games(even worms).
However, it was a bit bulkier than my Sony Ericsson T637, didn't have a significantly larger screen, and the bluetooth didn't work well with my headset. I don't think the voice quality on my bluetooth headset was quite as good either.
I have seen pretty nice photos taken with the camera of this phone, but they show up on the LCD with lots of noise. And it crashed once while trying to take a photo in the less than one day I owned the camera.
This was the first phone I've used which had games I wanted to play, including Worms. The size of the LCD made playing games a real possibility.
For now I'll stick with my T637, and maybe I'll upgrade to a RAZR when they become cheaper or a new Sony Ericsson phone in the future when there is a compelling upgrade.
2 Mac BT, iSync. Cingular Programming
** Revised Review **
Good Points:
-Bluetooth and Mac Syncronization
Using Mac OS X 10.3 (Panther) the phone will sync over Bluetooth. It can transfer iCal and Address Book data (phones, one e-mail address/user, but NO postal addresses). Using Mac OS X 10.4 (Tiger), this sync capability is lost. There IS a work-around, however. Check out the Apple Support Discussion area. The work-around also enables the transfer of postal addresses.
Bad Points:
-User Interface
The S65, upon which this is based, had the option of assigning the 2-9 hotkeys. You can't do it with the S66. Cingular has a few of these hard programmed for data services. The phone is not so bad as the Sony Ericsson T637 in terms of funneling users towards data services. Since the main menu can't be modified, I end up having to work my way down to the functions that I really use (e.g., the calendar/organizer). So unless you're a hard core Cingular-loving data junky, you're going to be stuck with a kludgey interface. A better phone (and a smarter phone company) would allow customization of the menus and the deletion of buried data links (e.g., "Shop Ringtones"). To Cingular's credit, users are not forced to use Cingular to upload files. Bluetooth transfers to and from the computer are painless.
-Joystick
Personally, I don't like the joystick. I much prefer flat five-way keys (a la Nokia).
-Dead Pixel
Quality-wise, the phone arrived with a dead pixel. It's not worth my time to return, but it's a little bit surprising for a handset made in Germany.
Neutral Points:
-Battery Life
As has been pointed out by professional reviewers, the battery life on the S66 is not great. A day of good use will deplete most of the battery. This is okay if you are already in the habit of charging daily.
-Camera
The camera is okay; it needs good lighting. I don't need or want the camera however.
-Keypad
The keys are small but I don't mind the trade-off for the larger screen.
Conclusion
I'm happy to have a phone that syncs my iCal and Address Book data. I'm still waiting for a phone designed for users rather than as a data pimp. Someday the phone companies will get it, though Steve Jobs may beat them to it. I give the phone three stars, deducting one star for the lack of good UI customization and one star for the dead pixel.
3 ^^i promise i know as much as kyle
The siemens s66....where do i start? over the last year i have had many different phones, an lg vx6000, a sanyo 8200, a nokia 3200, a motorola v505, a motorola mpx200 and 220, a samsung e315, and the lg 1100...this phone is by far the best. i was very skeptical about it. the reason being that i am an indirect dealer of 2 carriers that carry siemens phones, i have sold te cf62t, the c61, the ct66, the m56, etc....their phones always seemed so flimsy to me. so i spent some time trying to decide between the s66, the nokia 6230, and the nokia 6620. my deciding factors were: screen size (atleast 3 times the size of the 6230), the size of the phone itself (looks big but doesn't bother me in the least bit), and reviews. this phone got great reviews. to top it all off my roommate (kyle--see above) won this phone from siemens. so after playing with his i came to a decision. and i haven't been happier.
the quality of this phone is great. the sound is superb and the functionality is above average. out of all my phones i've always made sure (atleast with the last few of my phones) that they had speakerphone, the sound on the speakerphone on the s66 is great. you can hear perfectly and the person on the other end can as well. the menu system on the phone is one of the best i've seen...its very similar to that of the sony ericsson t610/616. very easy to use while still compacting a lot of functions. the battery life is mediocre. i use my phone quite a bit. about an hour of talking a day, probably half an hour to 45 minutes of games (the games on this phone are great). the camera usually one a day atleast. and i can usually have it last all day. not a problem for me because i charge my phone every night anyway. i did decide though that it was smart to invest in a car charger for this phone for those long days when my battery would be dwindling before i am ready to charge it.
now on to the features! the 1.3 megapixel camera is easily the best camera i've seen on a phone. to those people that complain about camera quality on phones.....c'mon....its a phone. my only complaint with the camera is how easy dust gets on the lens. i usually have to clean it out every few days (though its not hard to clean at all). the video function is also the best i've seen yet. running at 15 frames per second. its not nearly as choppy and unclear as the samsung e315 or the nokia 6620. i actually tend to use the video portion alot since it is a good quality video.
the bluetooth has been great so far. i haven't gotten to use a headset or my laptop with it yet. and from what i've read (and this is pure rumor) i heard that it will not recognize a bluetooth adapter on a laptop. it will only recognize it if its built in. (kind of a bummer because my laptop doesnt have bluetooth built in). i have however used it for transfering files between my phone and my girlfriends t610. great speeds on transfers and very easy to use. i've noticed the bluetooth does not run the battery down much either which isn't the case with other phones (v505).
one of the best things about this phone is its abundance of organizer features including: calendar, appointments, tasks, notes, missed appts, voice recording, alarm clock (works very well), calculator, stop watch, countdown, etc...also in the applications is a survival dictionary. which basically translates key phrases into tons of different languages. not very useful for me....but if your in another country this would be great. kinda fun to play with too lol.
the phones memory is amazing. the phone comes with 11 mb built in which on medium resolution can store roughly 500 pictures. it also comes with a 32mb rs-mmc card which is amazing for saving videos and pictures. i don't know that i will ever run out of memory. my only complaint on memory is that it isn't shared. the 11mb is on there specifically for pictures, sounds, games, etc...it has no effect on things like the inbox. my text message inbox (and outbox) holds about 70 texts each. when you do 4000 a month like i do you tend to clear the inbox and outbox quite a bit. i have yet to find a phone that had much more than that capacity on it though.
the contacts list is great. it not only does multiple numbers for each name but gives a spot for their address, email address, birthday, and a spot to insert a picture for picture id (which works very well by the way).
there are a few bugs in the software. they can get a little irritating but after owning a motorola are definitely a breath of fresh air and really aren't bad at all. occasionally (usually while playing a game) the phone will freeze for a moment and then turn off. also now and then when i try to start up the camera it will say application error and i will have to restart the phone for the camera to work. again these things do not happen very often. every phone tends to have bugs so its not really a big deal.
my favorite thing about this phone is how much you can do with it...i find myself playing with this phone constantly where as with my other phones there really wasn't much to do. this phone is packed full of features and well worth the price. my recommendation is this...if you are looking for a basic phone, something very simple to use, if you are not very technologically savy....buy a nokia. if you are into features, and enjoy playing around with your phone then this is definitely the phone for you.
4 I promise I know a bunch about phones.
So I actually won this phone from Siemens, and have been in LOVE with it ever since! I have had it for two weeks now, and have been very impressed. I also own an Mpx220, Mpx200, Motorola a630, and a Samsung e315, and I use this one only all the time! On to the specs...
Battery life is sufficient--I am on my phone non-stop doing text messages (over 3000 per month), checking email, sending picture messages, and talking--I'll get a good 24 to 36 hours with each charge. When I have been a little more sparse with my use, I can go two nights without charging easy.
Picture quality is stellar for a cell phone, I find its best to make sure you clean the lens before taking any high-res pics, as dirt gets in there pretty easily and makes the pictures a little more grainy. The pictures generally come out clear and LARGE! I leave it set on the medium setting usually, and can store 500 pics with the phones memory alone.
I have had absolutely no problem with service, it actually gets a stronger signal than my Motorola and my Nokia phones that I've had before. I'll get one, even two bars more in weak places than before--good job Siemens! Speaker phone is clear and loud, I don't usually set it on the highest setting or it gets a bit garbled, but on 3 it is nice and audible-- and the ring tones are LOUD!!! I set it on the highest setting...
The phone looks great, and seems stronger than it looks--a couple drops, but not even a scratch!
Couple negatives, which don't bother me but could be annoying to some--it has reset on me a few times, strangely when I SEND emails it seems to shut off after sometimes and then I have to power it back up. This has happened twice a week. Not a big deal to me, again, could be annoying to you.
Also, because I do a lot of text messaging, Siemens style of t9 input has set me back a little to learn it. The space key is the 1, and is set really close to the send button, so I've sent quite a few unfinished texts or emails when trying to hit space!
Keys are a LITTLE small, but it is not usually a problem. I've hit the wrong ones a few times, and if you have big fingers I wouldn't recommend this phone.
All in all, GET THIS PHONE! Anyone into techy stuff or just a sweet looking phone will love it, and the functionality and features are rich!
