Review GSM phone Fly FT20

Fly FT20. Live pictures

Standard kit:

• Handset
• Battery
• Charger
• Manual
• Headset

FT20 resembles the previous device that is model FT10 in its appearance. I'd like to remind that FT10 and correspondingly FT20 are interesting in the fact it's the first in a low-end segment to offer monochrome external screen with several backlighting colors. For the sake of justice I should mention the screen is placed not on a folding surface like in the majority of products, it's integrated into a package base. And a top panel embraces the screen that is a very interesting construction. The clamshell resembles a smaller copy of Samsung P730 in some kind but without a rotating upper part.

The dimensions are standard for the class: 93.5x49x17.5 mm, the weight is 79 grams. Only models with a silvery body may be bought for the moment (red, yellow and blue body colors were actually planned for FT20). The phone is comfortable to hold and easy to open with one hand. The resolution of the external screen is 64x32 pixels and that allows displaying one text line. One of seven colors may be chosen for a permanent backlighting and also alternation of colors may be chosen. Besides a user may choose various animated headbands for the external screen.

A headset connector may be seen on a left-side surface and a volume level button a bit higher. An interface connector is traditionally placed on the bottom end.

The internal 65K screen has the resolution of 128x128 pixels (STN). The screen fades much in the sun and that's natural for this class. That's surprising but the screen is rather acceptable for this class. The picture is vivid and looks well. Well selected animated headbands diversify the device much, there are more than 10 of them.

The keypad is of plastic and the keys are average in comfort, there are almost no any cavils to them. The characters near the keys are seen well not in all the conditions and that's connected with the presence of characters of two alphabets. The backlighting is also blue.

The phone is equipped with a 720 mAh Li-Ion battery. According to the manufacturer it's capable of providing up to 2 hours of talking and up to 100 hours of standby time. In Moscow the device worked for about 3 days in average in case of 25 minutes of talks only. Full recharging takes about an hour.

Menu

Accessing the main menu is possible by pressing a left soft-key. The menu is represented as a list of vertical items and looks rather plain. Fast navigaion using number series is supported. Let's consider the possibilities of the device is short.

Phone book. No any peculiarities, maximum asceticism, only one umber for a name. There are caller groups with personal call settings. Up to 200 numbers in the internal memory.

Messages. Predictive text input eZi is supported, no EMS support. Everything is clear and plain since there are no any extra possibilities.

Settings. Any-key answer and standard functions are adjusted here. All the parameters of the two displays are gathered into a separate menu item. We should mention 10 animated headbands that may serve as wallpapers.

Organizer. Various events with reminders are kept in the memory. The calendar is shown in a month view. The advantage of the device is that birthdays may be entered also. Biorhythms and ovulation dates may be calculated. The calculator, unit converter and world time function are rather plain.

Games. There are two games in the phone, they are Jewerly (a version of tetris) and arcade.

There is a wap-browser version 1.2.1 with standard possibilities.

Impressions

The volume of the 40-tones polyphonic call signal is high but it sounds well. The vibrating alert is average in its power. The device rouses no any cavils in the connection quality, there are noises but they are characteristic for such models. In difference to FT10 the presence of qualitative internal screen, better polyphonic sound make the phone look more interesting and pleasant.

The price is about 135-140 USD and that is rather expensive. The number of functions is not so high for the moment and thus the model may be called a bit overpriced. The device could get popular on the regional markets with the price of 100-110 USD. In general the model may be called pleasant despite some shortcomings. The phone will suit those ones who do not demand much from the device, need a color screen and a clamshell form-factor.

Sample melodies (321 KB, mp3)

We are grateful to AltTelecom retail network for the provided device

Eldar Murtazin ([email protected])
Translated by Maria Mitina ([email protected])

Published — 1 December 2004

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