Editor-in-Chief Jørgen Sundgot once again taps into his feminine side to review a Siemens Xelibri handset: this time, the keypad-void X8 with its neck-strap jewellery design.
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With its first collection of Xelibri handsets, one cannot go quite as far as saying Siemens introduced a novel concept to the world of mobile phones. However, the manufacturer did go further than all of its competitors in its experiment to bring forward models where style mattered almost as much as functionality - and still does more than most handset makers. This review takes a look at the perhaps most intriguing girly-styled members of Siemens' autumn/winter 2003 collection: the Xelibri X8.
 | More so than with any other Xelibri handset, the X8 puts appearances first and features second
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Exterior
Featuring a pear-like design and rounded contours, it is more or less immediately clear that the has been created with the fairer sex in mind, with a weight of only 67 g and its minute 9.1 x 5.6 x 2.3 cm measurements. Unlike other Xelibri handsets, the X8 foregoes the inclusion of a keypad entirely, leaving only a suitably bright and crisp - albeit small - 12-bit colour screen on the upper front half, just above the five-way navigational pad. The most eye-opening part of the equation, however, is the necklace in which the X8 is suspended when worn around the neck, which has a wireframe contraption at the bottom allowing users to detach the handset should they feel somewhat constrained.
Another difference between the X8 and other members of the current Xelibri collection is the SIM card slot, which in this model is placed out of convenient reach under the battery, in turn accessed through a hatch on the phone's back.
As with our review of the Siemens Xelibri X6, the help of female acquaintances had to be enlisted to enable a proper determination of the X8's girl appeal - which turned out to be over the moon. Overall responses consisted mostly of polite dribbling due to the highly design - and of course, the ability to both show off the X8 as a piece of jewellery and chat with girlfriends through it at the same time? What more could a girl want?
Ergonomics
Despite its small size, the X8 is comfortable to hold and use, and despite what one might think the handset it easily navigated and utilized by means of its five-way directional pad. This offers good tactile feedback and low noise levels, and allows for simple one-handed use of the X8 as opposed to the two required to operate the X6 with any proficiency.
Features
As with all Xelibri handsets, the dual-band GSM 900/1800 MHz X8 is high on style, yet short on features - although not as much as its siblings. Basic functionality is fully adequate both with regard to voice connectivity and SMS compatibility, but in addition to voice dialing and voice memo features the X8 also offers an integrated FM stereo radio, to be used in conjunction with the bundled headset. As befits a style-conscious handset, the X8 also offers four system-wide themes and a slew of polyphonic ringtones for personalization purposes.
Performance
Offering a well-designed, icon-driven menu system laid out in carousel fashion, the Xelibri X6 requires little if any time to get accustomed to. User friendliness is excellent, however the handset is plagued by annoyingly sluggish interaction and is unable to keep up with rapid text input. Voice dialing and text input works well although both are far from fast, and while the radio delivers good audio quality it is unlikely to be of much use outside urban areas due to mediocre reception.
Voice quality is good, however when not using the headset, volume proved a bit too low to be comfortable. Also, despite good overall signal reception the handset has a tendency to produce intermittent static in conversations conducted under favourable conditions for no apparent reason. Battery life proved quite good, although claims were - as usual - somewhat over the top with up to 200 hours of standby time and 240 minutes of talk time: we achieved approximately 185 hours and 190 minutes.
Availability
The Xelibri X8 is now available in several larger European markets and the Asia Pacific, as well as from the dedicated Xelibri online store. It sells in the 375 USD range without subscription.
Conclusion
If attention is what you crave, the Xelibri X8 is for you. By far, this handset has drawn the most attention of any we've yet encountered - that is, among women. Despite being short on features, the X8 is so high on style it actually chalks up the very first maximum score given in this category at iSW ever, and coupled with adequate performance and a price that won't hinder your piggy bank from ever recovering, the X8 comes quite recommended.
What's positive: Design to die for; innovative text input; FM radio
What's negative: Short on features; you pay for what you see
| Features: | 6/10 |
| Exterior: | 10/10 |
| Ergonomics: | 6/10 |
| Performance: | 4/10 |
| Value: | 5/10 |
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iSW Score:
6.2/10
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Price and availability
The will start selling for TBA () in November 1999.
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