Product Description

PRODUCT FEATURES:CameraWeb browserMobile emailMobile IMReal music ringtones

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #26399 in Consumer Electronics
• Brand: Virgin
• Model: CYCLOPS by Kyocera

Amazon.com Product Description
Loaded with chic features including a 1.3-megapixel camera, Superphonic Ringtones, TXT Tones, AIM, mobile Web, and much more, the Kyocera Cyclops is an ideal handset for anyone who wants to make a statement as they talk. Other features include an internal antenna, speakerphone, a vertical outer display, voice messaging, voice dialing, and voice memo.

Design
This silver and red beauty offers a traditional clamshell design with a 65,000-color display and 128 x 160 pixel resolution. A secondary rectangular screen that can display call information, current date and time, battery and signal strength, and more, resides on the outside of the handset. The unit's 1.3-megapixel camera and flash are located just above the secondary display, while the phone's convenient speakerphone is located just below the same screen. Most features and on-screen menus are controlled by a five-way center button on the handset's control pad. Meanwhile, data and charging connectivity can be found on the unit's bottom edge. Up/down keys for volume control are provided on the left side of the phone, and lastly, because the Cyclops sports an internal antenna, there's nothing to snag when you're grabbing it from your pocket or purse.

Calling Features
The Cyclops's built-in address book supports up to 500 entries, and offers quick and easy management of your contacts. The phone comes with built-in Virgin Mobile "Superphonic" ringtones plus a vibrating alert. Superphonic ringtones feature real music tracks and more are available via Virgin Mobile's download service. Voice dialing of up to ten contacts is supported, as are voice commands, so you can both dial numbers and control certain functions of the phone without ever touching it. Lastly, because the Cyclops sports a convenient 2.5mm headset jack, you can plug in a wired headset device and talk hands free, a must-have feature when you need to be doing other things while talking on the phone.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The Cyclops covers the messaging basics with support for sending and receiving text and picture messages (Virgin Mobile text messaging charges apply). 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.

The phone fully supports Virgin Mobile's enhanced wireless content service, VirginXL. Use the pay-per-use service to download superphonic ringtones, animations and voices from MTV, Comedy central, and the hottest recording artists. Get content and vote in TV-based polls via the MTV area of your phone, or get jokes and updates from Comedy Central. Pick a celebrity voice to answer your voicemail, or get a Sponge Bob thought of the day. The Cyclops also supports mobile instant messaging via AIM.

Getting on the Internet with the Cyclops is easy. The included WAP 2.0 Web browser insures your favorite Web content is accessible at all times, right from your phone. The phone also ships with a number of handy tools including a calendar, a calculator with a tip calculator, an alarm clock, and a voice memo recorder. Lastly, the phone's PC Sync capability means that you can connect the phone to a computer with a cable and synchronize calendar and contact information.

Imaging and Entertainment
Document your most memorable experiences with the Cyclops' 1.3-megapixel camera. The advanced digital camera features a 5 x digital zoom and a powerful flash. Take great pictures, day or night.

The phone boasts custom Virgin Mobile graphics--screen savers, wallpapers, and menu icons--that let you dress up your phone to suit your personality. More graphics, wallpapers, and screensavers are available from the VirginXL service. The Cyclops supports Java gaming, too, and comes preloaded with Bikini Beach Party, Lumines Mobile, and New York Nights, while a big selection of additional games can be downloaded from the VirginXL service.

Vital Statistics
The Kyocera Cyclops weighs 3.4 ounces and measures 3.54 x 1.81 x .92 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 3.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 165 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the CDMA 1900 frequency. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

Customer Reviews

Great Upgrade and Virgin Mobile Listened to Customers!
I've owned Virgin Mobile for my last 3 phones. I even have their oldest model in use (my son). The Cyclops is a great addition to the line and is an affordable camera phone as well. One of the biggest complaints of Virgin users in the past was the low ring tone. I used to have to set my phone on "high and vibrate" just to hear it. That's definitely been fixed. The phone has a great range for volume settings. I could also transfer my phone number and BALANCE when I purchased this phone. That was welcome surprise, especially since these don't come with any contract. Because I use my phone so little, it actually costs me about $7 a month when I 'top up'. In addition, the Cyclops phone has free evenings and weekends. Wow..what a bargain! I really recommend this phone to just about everyone, especially those with kids. It's a great first phone at a great price. The Virgin line also comes with a pre-paid bag to send in your old phone for recycling. I've had great customer service, btw...even on Labor Day.

Low end phone hiding in a mid end packaging....
Having owned the Snapper a few years, I was looking forward to upgrade to the Cyclops. This Kyocera phone seemed like an improvement over the older UT Starcom model because of it's slimmer casing, internal antenna, and a 1.3 MP camera. However, I ended up keeping my old phone because I can't get over the many flaws of the Cyclops. I'll briefly summarize:

PROS:
-small form factor
-internal antenna
-1.3 MP camera
-colorful design
-external display

CONS:
-audio interference (white noise) possibly caused by antenna
-when opened, phone bends too far back and is uncomfortable to hold
-large external red LED flashes continuously during calls
-text messaging is a pain because of small buttons and software glitches
-average quality internal LCD display with childish graphics
-camera quality about the same as higher end 0.3 VGA MP cameras

I like this phone
I switched to Virgin Mobile from The Evil TracFone several months ago. I knew I wanted a camera phone, and I looked at the models that VM had to offer. I opted for the Cyclops because I like the flip-phone design and the affordable price.

You gotta remember...this is a camera phone, not designed to be your primary camera. Picture quality is okay, pretty much what I expected from a camera phone of this price range. The user interface is easy to figure out, I was able to figure out how to do what I wanted to do with the phone without having to look at the instruction booklet.

I'm happy...both with this phone, and with Virgin Mobile's service. If you ever have trouble with your VM phone, you can call them, and the person who you get on the phone speaks ENGLISH, as opposed to the reps over at TracFone.

I've tried other pre-paid phones, but by far, Virgin Mobile is the best!