3 Skypephone S1 Review : Best buys for 3 Skypephones UK : 3 Skypephone S1 Reviews

3 Skypephone S1 Overview

Expected UK Release Date: Available

Key Features
Skype Calls
Mobile Web Browsing
2 Inch QCIF 262k Colour Screen (176 x 220 Pixels)
2 Megapixel Camera
Music Player
Instant Messaging

Design

60%

Usability

40%

Features

52%

The above ratings are average figures, which have been generated from submitted mobile phone reviews.

3 Skypephone S1 Review

The 3 Skypephone S1 is a Skype compatible mobile phone which comes in a solid candy bar shaped casing. This stylish phone has been designed by 3 & comes in three colour options which include pink, blue & black. The main colour of the handset is a clean white colour complete with either a black, blue or pink coloured edging which gives it a refreshing look. The phone has a well spaced out keypad which allows the user to input text & numbers easily & there is a large Skype button directly below the display screen for easy access to the Skype feature. The 3 Skypephone S1 is a compact mobile handset which measures 13.6mm deep by 100mm tall by 44mm wide which is easy for the user to hold in a single hand when taking a call or operating the phones controls. The S1 weighs only 86 grams with the battery included which makes this solid handset feel lightweight to carry & when in use. The user can view colourful wallpapers, photos, video clips & enjoy viewing the Internet on the 2 Inch screen which has a high resolution display complete with a 262k colour viewing experience for the user to enjoy. The Skypephone S1 is a member of the 3 Skypephone family which includes other Skype compatible handsets such as the 3 Skypephone S2.

The main feature of this compact S1 mobile phone is its capability to switch between being a mobile phone which makes & receives standard mobile phone calls & between being a Skypephone which can make & receive Skype calls. The user can make free of charge Skype calls to other Skype users & enjoy communicating using the Skype instant messaging service. The free Skype call function makes this a cost effective handset. The user can simply press the Skype key which is situated just below the main screen to connect to other Skype compatible users on the network. The user can enjoy a Skype call for as long as the user wishes without costing the user a call charge.

The 3 S1 phone comes with a built in Web browser which allows the user to view their preferred Web sites on the colourful 2 Inch screen for a fully mobile Web experience. The user can enjoy mobile Web browsing wherever the user happens to be which is ideal for those users on the move. The built in Web browser is a Google compatible Browser which allows the user to search easily for information & online stores. The phone supports an instant messaging service which allows the user to communicate with other compatible users that are online at the same time. An online chat over the instant messaging service is a quick & easy way to communicate with others. The handset also supports other messaging services which allow the user of the 3 Skypephone S1 to communicate with other without even making a call as the user can simply send & receive messages in text format on their new handset. The S1 comes with a fitted battery which is rechargeable using the mains charger provided with the handset. The battery can provide up to 2.8 hours worth of video talk time, 4.5 hours of standard talk time or approximately 320 hours of battery standby time when the phone is not in use.

This communication focused handset also comes with some useful as well as fun features which makes it even more desirable to today's mobile phone user as well as providing the user with mobile entertainment. The S1 comes with a built in camera feature as well as an integrated music player. The digital camera feature is a two megabyte camera which comes with easy to access camera key & the camera lens can be found at the back of the casing. The user can enjoy taking photos of their friends & family which can be stored on the phone memory & viewed when the user wishes to. The integrated music player allows the user to enjoy a mobile listening experience on their 3 Skypephone S1. The user can store their favourite tracks on their phone memory & listen to their music whenever they feel the need. The music player supports MP3 music format which makes the S1 a portable MP3 as well as a mobile phone & Skypephone. The user can enjoy watching TV on their handset & have a video call if required. The S1 is full of mobile entertainment just waiting to be enjoyed.

The S1 is a 3G capable handset which allows the user to enjoy fast connectivity to the Internet & high speed transfer rates when transferring data between the S1 & other compatible devices. The user can connect to other devices using either a wireless or wired connection as the 3 Skypephone S1 supports Bluetooth® wireless technology & has a USB connection point. The user can use the Bluetooth® technology to connect their S1 handset to other Bluetooth® compatible devices such as the user's personal computer using a wireless connection as long as the two devices are within ten metres apart from one another. The handset comes with sixteen megabytes of internal memory & has a hot swappable memory card slot which supports MicroSD™ type memory cards up to one gigabyte in size. The S1 comes with a good start up kit which includes the handset with a USB cable, hands free kit, mains charger, a magnetic battery cover, rechargeable battery, 256 megabytes MicroSD™ memory card, a 3 user guide & a quick start guide for using the Skype feature.

3 Skypephone S1 Specifications & Features

Screen
2 Inch QCIF 262k Colour Screen (176 x 220 Pixels)

Imaging
2 Megapixel Camera
Viewfinder Display
TV
Video Call
Picture Wallpaper
Screensaver

Messaging
SMS (Text Messaging)
MMS (Multimedia Messaging)
Instant Messaging

Sound
Music Player
Polyphonic Ringtones
MP3 Ringtones

Entertainment
Downloadable Games

Organiser
Phone Book
Calendar
Clock
Call Logs
Skype Calls
Google Compatible

Connectivity
3G
Bluetooth®
USB

Network
Tri Band Technology (GSM 900, GSM 1800 & GSM 1900)

Internet
Internet Browser
Mobile Web Browsing

Memory & Talk Time
16 Mbytes Memory plus MicroSD™ Memory Card Support up to 1 Gbyte
4.5 Hours Talk Time
2.8 Hours Video Time
320 Hours Standby

Weight & Size
86 g
100 x 44 x 13.6 mm

Mobile Phone Best Buys

Your 3 Skypephone S1 Reviews

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Reviewer: Chris Webb - UK
Date: 19th Jun 2009

I have had this phone for about 18 months & hate it. Of all the phones I've had, this has to be the worst. It often fails to come out of 'keypad locked' despite pressing the correct buttons, resulting in them being pressed again & again, & when it finally does come out of 'keypad locked' the multiple button presses result in unwanted actions such as Internet activation costing money! . The calls frequently cut out due to poor signal (down to the phone rather than the actual signal strength). On top of this 3 customer service is dreadful on the two occasions I have had to use them. Stay away from this phone.

Design

50%

Usability

10%

Features

30%

Reviewer: Henry Bass - Stockholm, Sweden
Date: 5th Jun 2009

The mobile phone is better than any other on the market & it's the cheapest! Its light weight & well designed. It has so many add on features, Skype, photo making, Internet & other goodies that make it easy to use. Remember Skype to Skype calls are always FREE. Do you have friends in other countries?

Design

100%

Usability

100%

Features

100%

Reviewer: Oleg - London, UK
Date: 9th May 2009

Well I must say it was a mistake to buy this phone. I wouldn't recommend anyone else to buy it.

- There's no Skype out service at all.
- More than that, every time you log in it reset your Skype settings so you'll be missing calls, as it doesn't allow calls from persons not in your list & it doesn't redirect calls to your mobile any more (by default & there is no option.
- Once you logged in you can't fix it on the go. You have to come back home & change this option over & over again. Typing with T9 is horrible, You would crack your mind to find some option 'how to change the word for another one.
- Menu is useless.
- The phone drops outgoing calls with absolutely no signs (suddenly you just realized it decided not to call to your friend LOL).

SO NOW ITS YOUR CHOICE. GOOD LUCK. YOU'RE BETTER TO USE SKYPE TO GO SERVICE ON YOUR MOBILE.

Design

50%

Usability

10%

Features

30%

Reviewer: Julie Willcox - UK
Date: 26th Mar 2009

I bought two of these, one for myself & one for my daughter. I am in France for six months, so thought it would be a good way to keep in touch with my daughter, who is at University in the UK, & it would save money. I was advised by 3 mobile that a Skype phone would be perfect.

Well. Skype phones do not work in France. None of the mobiles networks allow the use of Skype.

The quality of the phone in normal use is rubbish. The back keeps coming off. It won't connect to my Bluetooth in the car & will not send contacts. It feels like a mobile from 10 years ago. I am not happy. I have also noticed that 3 mobile have stopped selling them! I wonder why!

Design

40%

Usability

10%

Features

35%

Reviewer: J Smith - London, UK
Date: 4th Feb 2009

I brought this phone about 9 months ago to start with it was great until the screen reverses itself or goes blank some features don't work properly the coating comes off the sound is not all that worse phone I have ever brought.

Design

75%

Usability

80%

Features

60%

Reviewer: Sol Elibol - Norfolk, UK
Date: 7th Jan 2009

Bought this phone for £50 about a year ago, I have had two, the first one stopped receiving calls & kept turning its self off :(. Very annoying, same with the second, keeps turning its self off.

The camera is basic, pictures are reasonably clear but don't have enough features.

MP3 player is a bit rubbish & has a terrible sound quality.

The battery life is a bit rubbish to an uses up its charge really quick.

After a few months the USB didn't recognise the phone so I had to use the memory card to download everything grrrr.

Disappointment.

Design

55%

Usability

80%

Features

45%

Reviewer: Fred - Gillingham, UK
Date: 7th Jan 2009

Rubbish phone had for a month bought from a three store in the high street. The back of the phone peeled off & now the phone doesn't even turn on. I realised that when you put the charger in the charging port on the phone if you aim the phone towards the light you are able to see a three appear on the screen but, after about 20 seconds it disappears. Was going to get it repaired but can't be bothered as the phone has just fallen apart. Bad idea for three to manufacture this phone in the first place, £40 down the drain. Also the MP3's sounded like they had been recorded when they hadn't been. The only good side to this phone is the camera, Skype & MSN otherwise rubbish! DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE!

Design

45%

Usability

25%

Features

60%

Reviewer: Konrad - London, UK
Date: 7th Dec 2008

It was a big mistake to buy this phone. The software didn't work properly from day one! After 4 weeks, it stopped receiving any text messages & didn't send any either. The case fell apart pretty soon (it is basically glued together). Sound quality was the worse I have ever experienced.

Only good thing is that it is tiny & light.

Turned out to be a costly mistake to go for this one.

Design

55%

Usability

Features

40%

Reviewer: Sawyl - UK
Date: 13th Oct 2008

Great phone with superb features for the price, & lots of nice touches. But sadly it doesn't last.

I've had two Skypephones, & neither have lasted more than a couple of months. With the first, the start up time just got slower & slower, taking over 7 minutes at the end. Now it just doesn't get past the booting screen.

The second showed better promise, but now the buttons have started to go stiff & some just don't press anymore. It's also showing early signs of not being able to start up.

Other peculiarities include freezing for a few seconds before receiving a message, & the volume being far too loud even on the lowest setting (I am not joking, there's OFF, LOUD, LOUDER, & DEAFENING).

Perhaps if you take good care of it, the Skypephone might last you & in which case I'd be happy to recommend it.

Design

85%

Usability

30%

Features

90%

Reviewer: Gilchrist Pereira - India
Date: 29th Sep 2008

This Phone is great! Superb Internet Connection. It look's good (nice for showing of your neighbours), & great LCD Display which looks like Plasma.

Not as good as a Nokia 6300. Camera & video not so good, even if you had the most powerful torch as flash.

Design

75%

Usability

80%

Features

50%

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