Siemens CFX65 review: The chameleon clamshell

A clamshell with quite simple but original design, sufficient choice of functions and an integrated VGA camera - that's the new Siemens CFX65, now coming up with a loop antenna integrated into a massive hanger.

Siemens takes entering the field of flip phones really seriously. After introducing the basic model CF62, which soon became very popular, Siemens comes with the new CFX65 flip phone. It is one class higher from its predecessor and will surely attract new customers with its quality address book, VGA camera, eye-catching chameleon effect and low weight.

Several official pictures of CFX65

Another clamshell with a loop antenna

The phone is decided in two color variants - ivory or classic silver. We had the silver model with blue complements. Covers aren't replaceable so it won't be possible to change the look of the phone.

Siemens CFX65 represents a silver box sized 97 x 48 x 23 mm. The phone isn't among the smallest clamshells but weight of 88 grams is quite agreeable. Its untraditionally designed loop antenna will surely capture fans. In my opinion this solution is much more elegant than the antenna, which is rising up from the phone. Furthermore it can be used as a hanger for a strap to wear the phone on your neck.

The phone will not attract everyone at first glimpse

Another striking design feature is the blue stilliform area on the top, which defines the outer display area. The light blue color is changing to richly violet shade if you look at it from a different angle. The producer's logo is also situated within. This color surface is bordered by a chrome frame, in the bottom of which a camera lens and a diode are placed. The diode will be certainly more useful than the standard mirror for self-portraits.

Massive hanger or antenna • an integrated camera and a torch

The rest of the phone look like silver, but you can see at first sight that it's made of plastic, which spoils the overall impression. The combination of silver, light blue and shiny chrome seems a bit slushy and reminds me of a toy. That's basically applies to every stylish phone; some people like it and some don't.

Some will like it…

The back part is spared of designer's eccentricity. The battery cover, which is decorated with a piece of a stilliform, occupies the bigger part. We can also find a round grid of a loud speaker there.

Back part is decorated just by a soft press piece and a round grid of the loud speaker.

The side lines are modest in a German way. There are no waves or striking curves as it is with Asian phones. On the left side we can find buttons for turning up and down the volume during calls. By longer press these buttons start the camera or the lighting diodes. The functions are respectively indicated with symbols. On the right side there is only the small window of the infrared port.

Silver rocket switch button on the left side • and an infrared port window on the right

A classic Siemens system connector is placed traditionally in the bottom edge. There is also a mini aperture with a microphone. The loop antenna is dominating the top part.

The construction of the phone, including the hinge, is solid and creaks only on a firm clasp. The back battery cover is also strongly attached. It covers a Li-Ion battery with capacity of 600 mAh, which should last up to 200 hours in standby mode and 200 minutes of speech. This is not much, but quite good for a clamshell.

System connector in the bottom part and a look under the back cover