Siemens CX75 review: Bluetooth, MP3 and chrome

Pictures taken with a megapixel

One of the most interesting innovations, which differs the CX75 model from its forerunners is the megapixel camera. The camera of the previous models used to work with the standard VGA resolution only. The new Siemens mobile takes pictures of 1280 × 960 pixels, i.e. in a 1.23 MP resolution, and not 1.3 MP, as stated on the back cover of the device.

Camera's view finder • setting options

Camera's environment is identical with the one of the previous Siemens models. You can lower the resolution, set a color mode, a self timer, or balance the white color tone of the pictures. The camera lacks both a night mode and a diode for additional lighting. By using the joystick you can change the compensation of the exposure as well as activate the digital zoom, which works on the crop principle only.

Sample photos

The sample photos show a significant improvement compared to the S65 model. The noise is lower and the colors are remarkably true. The stronger worm color shades, which were typical for all older Siemens models, are this time evident in one of the sample photos only.

View finder in the video mode • setting options within the video record

Siemens CX75 records videos in a 176 × 144 pixels resolution, offering the user various setup options. The duration of a video record, however, is limited not only by the available free memory, but also by a 90 seconds time interval.

Calling is a game

While we were testing the phone call process, the sound that came out of the speaker was relatively clear, but it would have come in handy if it was a little bit louder. Especially louder should have been the build-in handsfree, which is otherwise pointless. On the other side, there are no croaky or creaky sounds, which other models give out, especially when the volume is up.

Ringing is based on 40 voices or can be assigned any sound or piece of music in a MP3 format. The volume of the ringing melodies is surprisingly good. When the volume is set at maximum, however, the sound becomes distorted. There is no doubt a bit more bass elements could have bettered it as well. The ringing profiles are a matter of course.

Ringer settings • ringing profiles

Further on I am going to write about something I have already commented three times. The structure of the phonebook, the calendar and the rest of the organizing functions is just the same as in the older Siemens models. If you need more details, look them up in the Siemens S65 review .

I am not going to comment on the phonebook. It fully repeats the phonebook of the forerunner and does not offer much space for improvements. You can choose whether to use it in the phone or on the SIM card. I believe making the right decision will not take you a long time, considering the fact that the phone can take in up to a 1000 of multi-item entries. Each entry can be assigned a name and a surname, 5 numbers, two email addresses, a web address, nicknames for the communicational programs, a company name and a street address. You can even enter a birthday date, which is saved in the calendar and then serves as a birthday reminder. Assigning a picture to each entry is a possible. The picture is displayed every time the contact calls you.

Searching the phonebook • contact view • contact editing

The phone does not offer an option for assigning a particular ringing melody to a particular contact. The contacts, however, can be sorted into groups, each one of which can be additionally given a certain melody. There are 8 available groups. Each group can be given a melody and a special graphic symbol. Incoming calls can also be filtered according to the preset groups.

Groups of contacts • selecting the phonebook

All kinds of messages

The new Siemens is well prepared for work with messages thank to its forerunners. It manages all text messages including EMS as well as multimedia messages and emails. It seems that the phone does not hide any unpleasant surprises as far as the T9 dictionary is concerned, which is nothing but praiseworthy for the messages do not get shortened and writing is fast.

All functions are prepared in the message menu. When creating a new message, you can choose what type you want it to be. The phone then sorts the individual types of messages into folders, which you can list when searching in the incoming mail. Just like in the models of 65 series, you can choose out of three font sizes to help you crate a new message. This option is however not applicable when reading messages.

Writing SMS • creating MMS • writing emails • setting the font size consists of three steps

The text editor is well organized. An entire message can fit into the display, if written with a small font. When writing a message, the editor bases its countdown on the overall limit of characters available, so you will need to count yourself how many characters you have left before another SMS is started. The editor informs you about the number of already written partial messages.

The MMS editor comes out without any significant modifications. Texts, sounds, pictures and videos can be inserted into each multimedia message. The only preset limit you are given is the size of the message - max. 300 kB.

The email client has not been modified or improved either. It manages up to 5 accounts, works with POP3, IMAP4 and SMTP protocols and handles attachments.