Features:
- Tri-mode technology
- Quick-flip keypad cover
- 200-name phone book
- Data/fax transmission
- Up to 3 hours talk, 57 hours standby time
Description:
If convenience and security are your paramount interests, and you don't need a phone for heavy messaging or business use, the Ericsson LX700 is worth checking out. This dual-band, dual-mode TDMA phone may lack Internet access and other advanced features, but it's a rugged, solidly constructed handset with decent call management features, dual NAM capabilities, and an attractive price. The LX700 measures 5.1 by 1.9 by 0.75 inches and weighs 7.8 ounces, which is somewhat bigger and heftier than average. The active flip keypad cover makes it easy to answer and terminate calls. The backlit display can show up to three lines and 12 characters per line, and the full set of indicators keep you in step with the phone's status. The flashing red/green indicator lights show when the phone is in standby mode, when a call is coming in, and when the battery is charging or low. The LX700 features Ericsson's intuitive yes/no button navigation with up and down arrows for scrolling through menu options and call logs. Built-in features such as 20-number incoming and outgoing call lists, 17 ringer options, 99 speed-dial locations, one-button dialing for up to nine phone book numbers, two separate credit card dialing locations, and a series of call timers help you manage your calls and contacts. The scratchpad lets you temporarily store a phone number while you're on a call. Furthermore, the LX700 has short messaging service (SMS) and fax capabilities, with one-button callback for numbers embedded in text messages. SMS is a handy feature; we used our sample phone (provisioned by AT&T Wireless), to lets friends know we'd be late for an appointment. While it's not as advanced as e-mail, SMS is just as useful in most situations. And, provided your service plan supports it, LX700 offers caller ID, call forwarding, call waiting, and other popular call management services. On the connectivity front, the LX700 will synch with Ericsson's own phone book manager accessory, as well as other PIMs. While the LX700 isn't exactly designed for high-end business use, it's a lot easier to manage your phone book and contact lists on the PC rather than trying to enter text on the phone. The LX700 is equipped with standard security features: a personal security code, keypad lock, selectable outgoing and incoming call restrictions, a secret phone book memory, and authentication capability, which prevents airtime fraud. And, if your service plan supports it, you can take advantage of the LX700's voice encryption capabilities, which adds an extra layer of protection and privacy to your conversations. Our sample's battery performance was admirable. The NiMH battery achieved three hours digital talk time and 57 hours digital standby time, which matched up with Ericsson's ratings. While the LX700 isn't the most advanced phone around, it's an adequate, straightforward unit that can serve as an emergency or backup phone. If you simply want to make voice calls and send text messages, the LX700 can deftly handle both functions. --Thom Arno, edited by Tom Mace Pros: - Attractive price
- 200-name phone book
- Dual NAM capability
Cons: - Bulky construction
- Not Web-enabled
How We Tested Battery Talk/Standby Time When reading our reviews, you should view the test results of mobile-phone battery talk time and standby time as relative information only. Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance. When handset manufacturers and mobile phone carriers list talk-time and standby-time ratings, they usually include disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times. Some quote expected battery life ranges, and in this case you're probably safe to assume you'll experience at least the minimum rated range. Note that manufacturers of dual-mode digital and analog handsets publish battery-life rates for both digital and analog modes, as analog mode consumes much more power than digital mode. Our Tests: We tested digital-mode talk and standby times with each phone. Prior to each test, we fully charged the phone's battery according to the manufacturer's directions. To test digital-phone talk time, we turned the phone on, established a digital carrier signal, dialed a number in our test lab, and, when the call rang through, took the receiving phone's handset off the hook. When all went well, we didn't do anything else except record the time when the phone died. In a couple of cases, the phones lost the signal and dropped the calls. If we were right there and could redial, we did so immediately and continued running the test. Otherwise, we halted the test, recharged the battery, and started the test over. Assuming consistent carrier-signal strength, this test should represent best-case talk time. And it's worth noting that several phones' talk-time performance significantly exceeded the manufacturers' ratings. To test digital-phone standby time, we turned the phone on, established a carrier signal, and left the phone in standby mode. We checked the phone every few hours (for what was often days on end) until the phone finally cut out. Since no outgoing or incoming calls occurred during testing and because the phone was not moved, this method should represent best-case standby time, again assuming consistent carrier signal strength.
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