CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
LAPTOPS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
REVIEWS
» Cell phones
» Cameras
» Camcorders
» Archive » Resource Center
» Compare » Expert guides
» RSS & Alerts » Ask The Editors
Home / Cell phones
Preview: Siemens SXG75By Jørgen Sundgot, 9 March 2005
GALLERY
BenQ-Siemens SXG75
Enlarge
BenQ-Siemens SXG75
Enlarge
BenQ-Siemens SXG75
Enlarge
BenQ-Siemens SXG75
Enlarge
BenQ-Siemens SXG75
Enlarge
UMTS, GPS, a 2 Megapixel camera, MP3 playback and more: Jørgen Sundgot gets hands on with Siemens' SXG75 at the CeBIT showfloor.

BenQ-Siemens SXG75 hands-on summary

The smallest and lightest GPS handset currrently available, the Linux-powered BenQ-Siemens' SXG75 presents a perfectly legible user interface on its 2.2-inch screen housed in a candybar form factor. Complete with 3G connectivity and a 2 Megapixel camera for video calling and still picture taking, it's a well-rounded alternative for consumers looking for GPS but not willing to compromise on other features. Other highlights include a stereo FM radio with RDS and RS-MMC memory expansion.

Full preview

Remember those rumours about Siemens trying to offload its mobile phone division a couple of months ago? Apparently, Siemens engineers weren't paying particular notice as the company unveiled a broad range of products at this year's CeBIT - as if nothing had happened at all. In fact, one could even say Siemens finally got its act together as the handset maker introduced one of the first handsets that will be truly groundbreaking once it hits shelves.

I'm talking about the voraciously versatile SXG75, which offers just about every high-end feature under the sun. UMTS, a 2 Megapixel camera, integrated GPS and AGPS, audio playback and an FM radio receiver are just some of the features gracing the handset; and lo and behold - it actually looks quite slick.

A tad on the large side, which is understandable given its broad feature set, the SXG75 features a bright, clear and large 2.2" QVGA display which offers a view to its proprietary, icon-driven operating system. Similar to other Siemens handset user interfaces in layout, the time I was able to spend with it was limited, but I can honestly say that it was painfully slow - which, for now, I'll blame on this being an early, early prototype version of the firmware

Gracing the front of the handset is a large and comfortable keypad with a soft blue backlight, as well as a navigational pad that's just barely large enough; meaty-handed users might run into problems with rapid navigation here. Raising the impression, audio from both the RDS-enabled FM radio and MP3 player proved to be of high quality, however audio out is only courtesy of a proprietary Siemens connector; a clear disappointment.

GPS functionality in the SXG75 appeared quite extensive, although naturally couldn't be tested indoors. Navigational data will be provided by Siemens VDO Automotive, and for when GPS isn't available the phone also supports AGPS and supports point of interest information. For frequent travellers, there's also a built-in translation feature supporting English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese and Spanish.

Other highlights include the inclusion of another, front-mounted CIF camera which enables two-way videoconferencing, as well as support for Bluetooth for short-range wireless connectivity which enables synchronization of appointments, tasks, contacts and notes with Microsoft Outlook. Also, there's 64 MB of user available non-volatile memory, which can be expanded by means of RS-MMC memory cards.

Price and availability

Due out in September 2005, the Siemens SXG75 will be one of the most advanced handsets available when it hits shelves, which is pleasantly surprising given Siemens' laid-back attitude towards high-end features in recent years.
Best Cell phones
Name Score Price Carrier
C
Click here to see full and advanced chart »
 
 
NEW IN-DEPTH REVIEWS
Cell Phones & Smartphones
 
Digital Cameras
 
Camcorders
HOTTEST
Smartphones
 
Cell Phones
 
Touch Phones
TOP STORIES
Samsung Jet
 
Samsung Omnia 2
 
Nokia N86
Nokia E72
 
Sony Ericsson Yari
 
Sony Ericsson Satio
HTC Hero runs Google Android with new HTC Sense interface
 
HTC Firestone with Snapdragon Technology on Its Way
 
iPhone 3GS review
NEW CELL PHONE RELEASES
LG Viewty Smart
HTC Snap (Sprint)
RIM BlackBerry Pearl Flip
Apple iPhone 3GS
Nokia 5630 XpressMusic
HTC Touch Pro 2
Samsung Omnia HD
HTC Snap
Sony Ericsson T707
LG enV Touch
LG enV3
Nokia N86
UPCOMING CELL PHONES
Sony Ericsson W995
Sony Ericsson C903
RIM BlackBerry Tour
Nokia E55
HTC Hero
T-Mobile myTouch 3G
Samsung i7500
T-Mobile Dash 3G
Samsung Pixon12 M8910
CELL PHONE RESOURCE CENTER
Best phones
 
Expert guides
 
Ask the Editors
3+ inch screen phones
 
Wi-Fi phones
 
Concept phones
» Feature Search & Compare
» Side-By-Side Comparison
» Upcoming Releases
» Carriers
Unlocked, AT&T, Sprint, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, More...
» Brands
Apple, HTC, LG, Motorola, Nokia, BlackBerry, Samsung, Sony Ericsson, Palm, More...
» User Types
Average Joe, Business users, Calling addicts, Fashion conscious users, Globetrotters, High-res addicts, Internet addicts, Multimedia enthusiasts, Music aficionados, Outdoor enthusiasts, TV addicts, Video lovers, More...
NOW IN PHONES
BlackBerry Pearl Flip review
 
Samsung Jet
 
Casio Exilim C721 review
 
Sprint HTC Snap review
 
BlackBerry Tour takes Verizon Wireless global
Samsung Omnia 2
Nokia N86
Nokia E72
Next 25 stories
MUST READ
CELL PHONES
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
LAPTOPS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMERAS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
MP3 players
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
INTERNET TABLETS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
GPS NAVIGATORS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
HDTVs
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
CAMCORDERS
» Coming soon
» Top 15
» Best-rated
About us | Site map | How to advertise | Feedback | RSS Feeds | | Archive
Copyright 1999-2009 © infoSync World