The Mobile Phone Saving Network

Kyocera switch_back

Wireless/Mobile Phone/Cell Phone

Rated 3.5 out of 5

Get ready for high-powered messaging, email, chat, and a whole lot more with the ingeniously designed Kyocera KX21 "Switchback." At first glance, the phone looks like just another candybar style handset. Flip it open, though, and you've got a QWERTY keyboard and a large internal display. Plus, features like a VGA camera, support for the wireless Internet, and a speakerphone make this phone far from ordinary. It's a great way to take advantage of all that Virgin Mobile prepaid service has to offer.

Design
The KX21's face features a large, 65,000-color screen with 128 x 128 pixels. You'll also find a dialpad here and a five-way center button that controls most of the phone's on-screen menus. Flip the phone open to reveal a full QWERTY keyboard, another five-way center button, and call control buttons. The design allows for calling functions to be performed with the phone open or closed. A horizontally oriented 160 x 128 screen is placed above the keyboard, right next to a speaker that enables the phone's speakerphone functions.

On the back of the phone, you'll find a VGA camera, as well as a self portrait mirror and an LED flash, which can also double as a flashlight. Other design features include a standard jack to accept universal hands-free headsets and side keys for controlling call volume and other functions.

Calling Features
The phone's internal phone book can accommodate up to 500 contacts for quick retrieval of numbers, email addresses, and other info. The phone supports polyphonic ringtones and Virgin Mobile's "Superphonic" music ringtones, as well as vibrating alerts. Voice dialing lets you call your favorite contacts by simply speaking their names, and you can also control many of the phone's features and dialing functions with your voice. Meanwhile, picture and ringer ID functions allow you to set specific ringers and pictures to certain callers. And last but not least, a built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk hands-free.

Messaging, Internet, and Tools
Support for basic text messaging and robust multimedia messaging (MMS) are built into the KX21. When used in combination with the phone's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. Instant messaging chat is also supported, thanks to an embedded AOL Instant Messenger client. A built-in wireless web browser lets you surf Wireless Application Protocol (WAP) 2.0 sites via the Virgin Mobile Web service. eZiText text entry, which is a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

A number of handy tools ship with the KX21, including an alarm, a calendar, and a calculator with a tip calculator. There's also a voice memo application for recording quick notes or numbers.

Imaging and Entertainment
The KX21 is designed to kick the fun up a few notches. The built-in VGA camera captures great stills and comes equipped with a flash, a five-step digital zoom, multi-shot adjustment, a self-timer, resolution adjustment, and white balance. Because the KX21 supports Java applications it is compatible with many Java-based games. Many games are available from Virgin Mobile's wireless download service. You can also customize the phone with custom graphics and wallpapers, many of which are also available from Virgin Mobile.

Vital Statistics
The Kyocera KX21 Switchback weighs 4.1 ounces and measures 4.25 x 2.05 x .95 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3 hours of digital talk time, and up to 150 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

Features of Kyocera switch_back:

built-in vga camera with self portrait mirror and led flash.
features an alarm, calendar, calculator (with a tip calculator) and a voice memo recorder.
flip it open and you've got a qwerty keyboard; perfect for messaging and email.
integrated speakerphone makes hands-free communication a breeze.
limit 5 phones per customer.
prepaid phones

Reviews:

VM Prepay works great	Rating: 4
I wanted to add that i've been using VM prepaid for 1-1/2 years now and it works great. I don't make a ton of cell calls and end up spending probably around $10-15 per month at the most; sometimes a lot less and have never had any "hidden fees" from VirginMobile USA. I'm looking forward to getting the Switchback soon.

VM SUCKS AND CONTINUE TO SUCK

Rating: 1

VIRGIN MOBILE IS A RIPOFF AND YOU GUYS ARE GETTING RIPOFFED

Rating: 1

For all those who don't think that there VM does not think the Minute 2 Minute plan contains a hidden fee. I'll just have to explain it again.

On the minute 2 minute plan you pay 25 cents for the first 10 minutes and after that it's just 10 cents after. What it means is that if you want 10 cents a minute, you would have to spend $2.50 for the first 10 minutes. The $1.50 is already tacked on for the first 10 minutes assuming the standard price per minute is 10 cents per minute for the, minute 2 minute plan, which explains why it's $2.50 for the first ten minutes and 10 cents after that even though VM doesn't say that there is a fee. Basically you guys are paying 15 cent more for the first 10 minutes (10 cents + 15 additional cents)= 25cents for the first 10 minutes. Any right minded person can look at the plan and see this clearly.

This review is based on average usage of 300 minutes per month.

I hope that all of you guys are reading this because you guys who own a vrigin mobile phone are getting ripoffed big time.
Virgin Mobile really knows how to screw you bigtime. Trust me I did the math and you guys are not getting your minutes worth. All the plans suck because you guys are just paying fees, fees, and more fees. I explain in details why each plan sucks and how they are ripping you off. You'll soon learn why in the end you guys are really paying more than an average plan.

1. The Minute 2 Minute: This plan charges 25 cents for the first 10 minutes and 10 cents after. What you don't know is that there is actually a $1.50 access fee for the first 10 minutes. $1.50 a day for 30 days comes out to be $45 alone for 10 minutes each day.Basically you will have to spend $2.50 first to get 10 cents per minute. Assume that you just use 10 minutes everyday for 30 days. That comes out to $75 for just 300 minutes. Out of that $75 is $45 in hidden access fees.

2. The Day 2 Day plan: This plan charges you 35 cents a day even on days you don't use your phone. That comes out $10.50 a month in access fees.Assume that you use 300 minutes a month. It will actually cost you $40.50 for just 300 minutes. A year will cost you $126 in access fees alone. That's $126 of minutes that you guys have lost by paying the access fees.

3. The Month 2 Month: This plan is the worst. There are 3 levels to this plan but they really know how to screw yo and take your money on this plan. This plan also charges you applicable sales tax too which means more lost airtime for you guys.

Level 1: They start you off with 300 minutes for $30. Here's how they get you. They divide your 300 minutes in daytime minutes and night & weekend minutes. You only get 150 daytime minutes and the other 150 minutes is assigned to night & weekend minutes. How you move on to the next level depends on the the daytime minutes. In order to move to the next level you would have to use up all your daytime minutes which is 150 minutes in this level. For an additional $10 you move on to the next level.

Level 2: This level for $10 more you get 950 minutes. Sounds good doen't it but it's really not. Guess how many daytime minutes you really get only. JUST 100 daytime minutes while the other 850 minutes is assigned to night & weekends. For $40 you only get 250 daytime minutes but 1000 night & weekend minutes. That's just too many minutes assigned to night & weekend. Once you use up that additional 100 minutes in level 2 you move up to level 3 for an additional $10.

level 3: An additional $10 gives you an additional 100 daytime minutes but once you use all your assigned night & weekend minutes it is free after that. Now come on that's just not right. For $50 and applicable sales tax you only get 350 daytime minutes???? You can get more daytime minutes (1000 minutes & free nights & weekends)at t-mobile with a regular plan for about $50 a month. You're getting ripoffed at Virgin Mobile here people.

They also found out how to take your money away at this level too. Once you use all your daytime minutes, you can get more daytime minutes by paying an additional 20 cents per minute. That's just too high of a rate per minute.

4. Inner circle: This plan is really stupid. It allows a person to have unlimited nights & weekends. This plan will cost you $21 a month whether you use your phone or not and all other minutes are 10 cents each. A 70 cent fee is assessed everyday whether you use your phone or not which is $21 a month. Here's how they get you too also. Assume you use 300 minutes a month. That comes out to $51 a month. $21 in access fees and $30 for daytime minutes. THEY ALSO LIMIT YOU TO ONLY 3 NUMBERS. They let you change the numbers though but you can only do it 2 times a month. After 2 times they charge you $3.99 each time.

Virgin mobile also charges you just to look at how much is in you account. Other prepaid companies don't charge you to look at your account.

I've just explained to you why Virgin Mobile has the worst prepaid plan. If you think that you are getting a good deal you should read this again and do some freshing up on your math skills.

Great Phone but terrible service

Rating: 1

ANYONE!!! thinking about purchasing a new switch back phone you had better do your research on virgin mobile with the BBB before you buy. I have been with Virgin mobile for 2 years now and they screwed me big time. I ordered a new switch back phone, they sent the phone and also sent some straps that I didn't order and charged my debit card. I have been trying to get a refund on those straps for over a month now, until I decided to check their background with the BBB. To my suprise, they have over 140 complaints in a years time concerning refunding peoples money and other issues. Don't get me wrong, the switchback phone is good but virgin mobile is a terrible company. Check with the BBB. Anyone need a 1 month old switchback? Cheap, let me know.

This Phone Is Wonderful!!	Rating: 5
This phone is wonderful for someone like me who doesn't have the patience to go through all the letters and numbers to send a text message. The keyboard is a wonderful idea and sending messages is a breeze!! I also have been with Virgin Mobile for several years now and have not had a problem with them or any "hidden fees" like the previous reviewer.

Great Phone!!!

Rating: 5

I've been with Verizon since I can remember, considering my father always payed for my cell service. I never had the income to keep up with service myself. While I liked Verizon for their amazing coverage, and the fact that I got service basically anywhere, I thought their plans were extremely unreasonable. I'm not much of a talker, and I could probably go a whole week without even turning my phone on. As far as I know, Verizon doesn't have any pay as you go plans--stupid on their part.

I was planning on getting a T-Mobile sidekick for a while, and now that I finally have a new job I know I could afford it. But then one day while watching TV, I saw the add for the Switch_Back and thought it was pretty cool. Needless to say, I was even more surprised when I looked it up online and found out that it was only $150 AND pay as you go. Perfect.

The phone is great. I just got it today and couldn't wait to test it out. I wasn't sure if I'd get coverage where I'm at (just by judging what the website told me when I entered in my zip code), but being right outside of Philadelphia, I highly doubted that there would be a service issue. Phone activation was quick and easy (best part, no activation fee!), and although the Virgin Mobile website said it may take a few hours to be able to talk on the network, I was up and running right away. The mobile AIM, Web, and other extras were also working right away..even though the site said that may take a few hours too.

My only qualm is the Web Browsing. I practically live on sites like Myspace and Facebook, but couldn't seem to get into my accounts using the phone. Web browsing is such a small part of the phone though, that I can overlook that issue. The price is just too good to pass up.

I was also a little bummed when I read that only AOL e-mail could be accessed. But when I went to surf the web this afternoon, I found a link to Gmail! I was very happy that I could check my e-mail and that I wouldn't have to subscribe to anything additional like I'd have to if I were using AOL mail.

While the buttons are tiny and make my hands sore after a few minutes when typing on AIM, I still adore the phone. My friends and family are enamored by it, and I love how cheap Virgin's fees are. I put just 25 dollars in for the month and I'm pretty sure that'll be enough to get me by. You can even set "auto top-up", which is basically registering a credit/debit card so that Virgin can automatically add money into your account every month/90 days/whenever the balance is below $5.00..whichever one you choose. I never even have to worry about doing it, they take care of it for me.

So much better than anything I've ever had!

By Kyocera