My first phone. I got it because it was the cheapest in the market, apart from the Trium. And its looks were definitely better than the trium. I later graduated to a Nokia 5110, on to a SamsungSGH600 and stopped there. My SGH600 serves all my needs so the evolution tree stops there for me.
But if you’re just a beginner who cant afford a fancy phone, or you’re someone who gets intimidated by the latest gizmos, then I recommend that you get this phone.
The weight: Pretty heavy at 160+ grams. Convenient to hold, but not very convenient to carry in your pocket. But if you’re the kind who wears cargos/6pocket trousers, then the weight wouldnt matter.
Exteriors: Rugged build. Doesnt take scratches easily. The LCD display is recessed, which means that you wont get it scratched too easily. The battery design is such that in case of a fall, the battery seperates. The phone can take a lot of beating without complaining.All you need to do is re-insert the battery. Plus, it comes with interchangeable face-panels, so you can get a little jazzy even at this low price. (these jazzy panels cost only about INR30 to INR 40)
Signal Strength:
Perhaps the strongest point of this phone is its signal reception. I have taken it to the suburbs where all other phones (Nokia 5110, Panasonic GD92, SGH600 etc) lost contact, but my 1018 was still on and still receiving. Good eh?
Voice Clarity: The voice quality is loud and clear. Very much recommended for those with mild hearing loss.
Battery: Mine came with a NiMh batter, which lasted approx 36 hours on standby.
Menu Structure: Easy to use menu with total intuitive look and feel. Its a cream-cake to figure out the controls.
Ring tones: apart from the standard tones, you can tune your own ring tones.
Plus: You can also use to receive faxes, etc. I never did and never figured it out either. But I didnt need to. If you do, perhaps you could ask your salesman.
I would recommend this phone if you’re running low on budget and would like to get the best for your price.