Siemens M56 Review

Product Review

The Siemens M56 dual band 850/1900 MHz M56 mobile phone sports a unique design packed with multimedia capabilities, gaming, and personalization features. Its unusual keypad arranges three sets of bridgeless keys around a 12-bit, 4,096-color display, the latter which lets you show photographs, wallpaper and surf the Net in luxury. There's even a light effect built into the side of the phone that can be programmed to blink in a custom pattern depending on the caller.

Using the clip-on Mobile Camera (not included with the phone), the M56 can also take pictures of friends and family for sending in messages or storage in your address book for a personalized caller ID system. You can also create customized ring tones using the included Steinberg’s Cubasis Mobile Soundmixer software.

High speed Internet access and data transfer are enabled via GPRS, and mobile Internet access via a WAP 1.2.1 browser. To help you stay organized, the Siemen M56 lets you wirelessly synch up your calendar, address book, and more between Microsoft Outlook or Lotus Notes using SyncML. The phone's Multimedia Messaging Service (MMS) and Enhanced Messaging Service (EMS) let you send text messages that can be enhanced with audio, animation, video and graphics.

The Siemens M56 features polyphonic, 16-tone ring tones. Its other capabilities include a speakerphone, voice dialing, single button voice command, and much more. The package includes a 700 mAh Li-Ion battery rated at up to five hours talk time and 250 hours standby time, and a battery charger. The phone measures 4 X 1.8 X .8 inches, and weighs 3 ounces.