Sharp GX1 Review

Overall Rating

* most stylish built-in camera-phone available * large high res screen utilised very well * assigning images to phonebook entries * multiple numbers for single phonebook entry

* camera is grainy in non-daylight * can't put phone-saved entries on quick-dial * memory not dynamic lack of SMS storage * keys slightly sticky * tacky background glitch when waiting for options

I wanted to upgrade to a camera phone, and also wanted to change networks because I was getting very poor reception in south and east London. Having briefly researched the available camera- phones I decided on the Sharp GX1 because it had a built-in camera (an attachment would be too much bother, kludgy, and defeats the purpose of having a 'built-in' camera), and wasn't too chunky in size (don't like flip-opens). *** OVERVIEW ***: I have had it a week now and can say I am fairly satisfied overall. Although it's slightly long in size, it is the most stylish built-in camera phone in my opinion, and does not make you look like a geek-carrying PDA (think Nokia 7650). I got it for FREE as an upgrade which is a bargain. You will not want to go back to a non-colour phone after getting used to exceptional use of a large, high-resolution colour screen. *** BASICS ***: From the previous reviews I was a bit concerned about 'awkward menu navigation', but I would put that to rest, it's not bad at all. There are loads of options throughout which can make some processes a bit cumbersome, such as dialling a number not in quickdial or call-lists. My only complaint here is that there is no quick way to go straight to a message editor. Also regarding that, I don't like the fact that you have to 'hold down' a key to flip between entry modes instead of just flipping through with a keypress. Also it is slightly sticky in entry, although less noticeable when you take keypress sounds off. I would also expect a phone that has storage for images to be able to hold 100s of SMS messages but it does not. But other than that the message editor is top notch with exceptional use of the space available - you never need to scroll a message again! Last calls and timers are all there. The ringtones are obviously polyphonic, and a few melodies are there including an elaborate editor but I haven't experimented yet. The games are okay, great colour and resolution, although a bit sluggish. Inexplicably, you can't have numbers saved on the phone assigned to quick-dial, so you have to copy them to card(numbers need to be saved on phone to have an image assigned to them). The profile options are also good if you like to use that. Calendar and calculator are good. *** FEATURES ***: The camera isn't bad, although not impressive. Indoors the quality is poor, but in daylight you can have a lot of fun, which is all a camera on phone is for. If you want professional quality, buy a camera.. The biggest 'wow' feature on the phone is being able to assign images to phonebook entries to 'see' who is calling you. I also like how multiple numbers can be assigned to one phonebook entry, and you can dial any of them and the phone recognises incoming calls/messages from any of them as well. *** MISSING ***: You can never have a perfect phone but I'd like to have a radio (why not), dynamic memory for better storage of SMSs. Would like to make my own group names for phonebook. While you can create txt 'templates' I'd prefer for instance to be able to add words to a dictionary. I'm sure I'll be happy enough using this phone for the next year until my next free upgrade.