Rating: 
Summary: Hop on the Multi-Band-wagon!
Review: Since my purchase of this phone, the features contained within it have astounded me...that is, the ones I could hear...Being one of the high-end expenses in the ATT wireless phone lineup, the NEC 525 has a reputation to live up to, and for most every part, it successfully redeems its cash value by providing enough features to entertain anyone looking for entertainment in their wireless devices. For one, this phone is simply lovely. The vibrant external LCD, camera, and multi-color LED emanate the impression that the user of this phone knows a quality phone when they see one. One adds even more function to the already-present form with the PDA-style tools included. Though I personally have no plans of utilizing some of this phone's many features (including the other world bands for travel abroad), the knowledge that they are available on demand adds to the phone's value. The only major traveling in which I engage involves the Interstate system, already conveniently lined with GSM/GPRS towers to facilitate my communication needs throughout the region. Two primary factors I consider to be an issue worth resolving in this phone, however:
- Volume: The all-too-well-known issue of volume struck me within my first call on the device. The ring tune volume is sufficient to provide an assistant to the vibrate feature, but the actual voice volume I find to be inadequate anywhere with background sound louder than a normal conversation. The hands-free earbud, however, is significantly louder than the actual phone. Perhaps it's a matter of subliminal messaging, encouraging the use of the hands-free set in loud places (namely, on roads). - USB Synchronization: When told of the potential to synchronize data with my computer, I imagined more than I ended up seeing. Even with add-ons, it is entirely impossible to deliver additional games, ring tunes, or other media to the phone without doing so through the mMode data service and therefore racking up a sufficient number of kilobytes in the process. If only the ability to connect to a PC through USB was utilized to its full potential (of actually transferring other media between the two), I would be more enticed to find benefit in this phone as a computerized connoisseur. Overall, I have grown fond of the gleaming silver masterpiece that is this phone, and though it may grow obsolete sometime in the future, I suspect it will remain a powerful asset in my gadget arsenal for years.
Rating: 
Summary: So-So pleased
Review: I bought this phone and had it for less than a month and took it back for a new one. The bad thing about this phone is the volume, when talking to someone else you can barely hear them even with the volume turned all the way up. Even when the phone rings you can hardly hear the tone. When taking pictures they come out very dull and not very bright. I was very upset with this purchased and would not recommend it to anyone else.
Rating: 
Summary: Good phone, ringer is LOUD enough for ME
Review: I got this phone today, and I was quite surprised. My cousin got a samsung phone for xmas as well and he was quite jealous of mine. Although I do admit this phone is rather bulky, it has it's reasons. The dual processors are very fast and the screen is huge plus theres a camera in it. I read other people complain it rings to low, I can hear it fine even when I put itin my bag, I dunno about that. Anyways for 30 bucks its a great phone and I highly reccomend it.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely pleased with my purchase
Review: I got the NEC525 off (...) on Dec 10th. (...). The reception is excellent, screen in vibrant and plenty of features like a camera & some PDA functionality. I do not use a PDA, I think its a useless tool for ANYONE. Camera....hmmm, why would anyone expect the camera on a cell-phone to be state-of-the-art .. I didn't? Games are alright, demo versions. I don't play games on this phone so often. But these games can drain your battery really fast. If you use a phone to make and recieve calls,signal is strong, voice quality is excellent and the battery lasts for ever. If thats your main purpose of having a cellphone, but you are also a gadget freak, I recomend this phone highly. What really (...)though is the AT&T customer service.If I could rate that, it would be "thumbs down" for them
Rating:
Summary: GOOD PHONE< BUT CAN BE IMPROVED UPON.
Review: I recently switched from T-Mobile to AT&T and received the NEC 525. I got the phone for free, if you sign up for two years. I live in AL and the AT&T service here is very good and we have not had any problems to date. First, the phone is not for the technically faint of heart. If your looking for a simple uncomplicated phone THIS PHONE IS NOT FOR YOU!! If your a gadget freak like I am then you will enjoy this phone. It has a ton of neat features. The best is the hi-res screen. If you download pictures to your phone using the NEC or AT&T websites they are incredible. However, as with most camera phones the pictures are not the best. It kills me when people say the phone takes horrible pictures - first let me remind you that your taking pictures with a PHONE!!! If you want 3.1 megapixel picture quality buy a digital camera you moron!! Camera phones are to be fun - not taking pictures for National Geographic. The other neat features are the WAP. I use the Mmode feature and yes you can enter your own URL and go to specific websites. The only problem is I have found you must do this thru the AT&T "MyMMode" website. I have added my corporate web portal and use it with no problem. As for complaints - they are the same as several other users have mentioned. First - the volume on this phone is not that great. The ring tone volume is the worst I have ever heard. NEC Engineers must have never done tests in a crowded room or at the airport as you can never hear your phone ring. The ear piece volume is OK. I have not had that much trouble hearing conversations, but in some cases I have had to ask people to speak up. In summary, the NEC525 is a Good phone with a lot of neat cool features. The phone may not be the easist for some to navigate and use. The volume is a definetely an issue that needs to be addressed. All in all a good phone that can be improved upon.
Rating:
Summary: Easy to navigate phone, lots of features
Review: I have been an AT&T customer for five years, then ventured out to switch to T-Mobile because they offered the Motorola V70. After a year with T-Mobile, I decided to switch back to AT&T and decided chose the NEC 525. The signal reception is very good, the only downside is that the volume of the speaker is a little quiet. If you use the included earpiece, then it is louder, but the phone itself is a little quiet. The color screen offers really good color, and has an easily navigatable window. If you are porting your number over from another service however, be prepared to wait a few days for full functionality of your phone. When I received my phone, I inserted the SIM card and within minutes I was able to make phone calls. However, when I tried calling my new phone, it was routed to my T-Mobile phone. I called AT&T, and they said it takes 3 to 5 business days for the portability to be complete. Some phones can make calls but not receive, and some can receive but not make calls. Other than that, I have had no problems with the phone so far. AT&T was very friendly and helpful, as always. The phone was incredibly easy to set up. Highly recommended. For the $50 i payed for it, an excellent value
Rating: 
Summary: SERVICE STIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIINKS!! SERIOUSLY!
Review: Phone is okay, I've always owned Nokia with T-Mobile. I switched to ATT because I was having billing problems & clairty issues with T-Mobile. I saw the special that ATT was having on their mobiles and got the NEC 525 for $49 with a two year service agreement. I thought it would be cool to have a flip phone and all the other tricks & gizmos that go along with it, but fairly disappointed. First it took me 2 days to get it registered due to each att rep I talked with, they all seemed to be uploading something on their system so they kept telling me to call back. Second, I wanted to port my existing # over to new phone, but after 3 days of trying and each time took about 1hr+ I gave up each time. Third, its not very user friendly, well atleast not for me. I just make calls, but you had to press a button for everything, even voice dialing and then you had to go set it up first and then to do voice dialing you had to dial 3 numbers and then it would prompt you for instructions!!HELLO, call wife!!! how freaking hard is that? EXTREMELY DIFFICULT! Well I guess I am stuck with the phone for now, but just wanted to warn the eager, don't get a phone simply on looks. Read reviews & other peoples advice first if possible.
Rating:
Summary: Phone is OK.. But Service is horrible
Review: This instrument works well. But lot of people here is blaming instrument instead of blaming AT&T's service. They have very poor service and I am keep trying to contact customer service for the last 3 days. I spent average 1 hour each day. But no luck. I also have lots of billing issues now-a-days. Be careful before signing 2 years contract. Read well line by line and accept the service. Again the phone is a significant technologically advanced one.
Rating:
Summary: SIMPLE PROBLEMS
Review: I wanted to swich to ATT becuase I like their plans, so I did and picked out this phone because it looked cool and had nice features at a good price [$50 after everything] - DON'T PORT YOUR NUMBER TO ATT - THEY CAN'T DO IT!
So the phone hase some big flaws. It is not that custimizable. Like on my old phone a sprint/samsung n400 you could make the phone answer and end a call by flipping it or hitting a button. With this phone you can't change it - you have to flip the phone and push a button. If your done with a call and close it it deosn't end the call. Also the earpiece is way too quiet. You can't hear anything - change the setting all you want it won't get loud. Phone book - on my old phone you could save several different numbers under one entry and then choose the one it dialed under the cotacts name. This phone when you enter a house and a cell number it calls the house.
The phone is big too - it's real big - like you try and fit it in your pocket and you can't.
The pictures turn out orangy and look bad
The good - zoom on camera - mModes seems to work better than sprints internet - good reception - big screen - grreat looking screen - easy navigation - nice external caller id - easy to crop pictures - easy to type on keypad - look awesome
Rating:
Summary: ATT service not making the phone worth the trouble of owning
Review: I received this phone and ATT charged me extra money on my bill. I spent about 3 hours on the phone (1 hr on hold), to try to resolve the issue and all I get is roundaround. Talked to three customer reps and one of them actually hung up on me, and very hostile. I don't even care if this phone is the man's greatest invention. Serviece at ATT is ABSOLUTELY HORRIBLE. I think their strategy is to offer cool phones and not spend a lot on customer care, but guess what? I'm going back to Sprint.
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