Test report and technical data Siemens ME45
You need to work hard on 'hurting' the Siemens ME45, but to simply operate it not much has to be done.
Pros: outdoor phone, robustness, big display
Cons: small, bovine keys
I am that kind of person that likes to spend his time outside and when doing so I am not really looking after my clothes or other decor. I used to own an elderly Siemens, that mobile was entirely coated with scratches and other traces of intensive usage. I figured that a fragile, noble mobile is nothing for me, however I did not want to do without a otherwise well-performing mobile phone.
The design of the Siemens ME45 sure is different to what we usually get to see. At first sight the Siemens ME45 almost makes a slight 'military' impression which is caused by its colour. The plastic cover of the Siemens ME45 is completely in black and the rubber edges of the Siemens are of grey colour. The rubber fabric is used to consolidate the Siemens ME45, since it is supposed to be water-resistant. The keys of the Siemens ME are as well covered with a rubber material, however the keys are not arranged in a line but slightly shifted, so a wavelike impression is evoked.
As a matter of course the antenna of the Siemens ME45 is already integrated in the body of the Siemens ME45, since a non-integrated antenna would be way to fragile for the robust Siemens ME45. The keys of the Siemens ME45 are located a bit too close to another and they are only to be activated with some effort, a tiny deficiency of the Siemens ME45 but I figured that it might not be possible to change this due to consolidation reasons.
Having a nice big display is a great advantage of the Siemens ME45, the screen covers entire seven lines and glimmers in yellow colour. Information on the battery, network, server and date/time can always be found on the screen of the Siemens ME45. The sensational processing of the screen of the Siemens ME45 definitely deserves being mentioned, there are absolutely no scratches to be found on the display! There should barely be anyone who would manage screwing up his/her screen faster than I do.
All the other sizes of the Siemens ME45 shall permit me to describe the Siemens ME45 as small and handy phone, despite of its robustness. Who so ever wants to know more, the precise dimensions are: 109x46x21mm and the Siemens ME45 weighs exactly 99g, coherently the Siemens ME45 is indeed small and easily stowed. The result of acute testing on the robustness of the Siemens ME45 were of very good, luckily predictable kind. The Siemens ME45 is absolutely resistant against dust, shock and water, believe me!!!
Operating wise I can't really differentiate the Siemens ME45 from its predecessor. The Siemens ME45 is equipped with the well-known Siemens menu, any Siemens user can surely operate the Siemens ME45 without the slightest difficulties, but even newcomers shouldn't be facing any problems.
The menu of the Siemens ME45 is logically outlined and if the concept behind operating the Siemens ME45 is once understood, using the Siemens ME45 is much of a pleasure.
As will be seen in the upcoming paragraphs, the Siemens ME45 possess many well-functioning features and hereby satisfies me to the most. Not only is the Siemens ME45 robust, but still is equipped with the all up-to-date features and technical gadgetries.
The Siemens ME45 is a Dual Band mobile phone and the battery you get upon purchasing the Siemens ME45 is a vibratory alert lithium-ion-battery. The stand-by time of the Siemens ME45 mounts up to a maximum of 300 hours, whereas the talk time of the Siemens ME45 is about six hours, I applaud the Siemens ME45! If once managed to empty the battery of the Siemens ME45, the battery is fully recharged within two hours.
The telephone book of the Siemens ME45 holds up to sensational 500 entries, commendable! The different entries can be accessed via voicedialing, my advice however for you, try to be in a less noisy environment when trying to use this function!
Now the messaging function, the Siemens ME45 surely is equipped with the T9 predictive text and even picture messages can be sent. Something for the very active message composers and - receivers, there is an archive included in the Siemens ME45 as well!
An organizer can also be found, with which one can make notes, access a calendar, an alarm clock and planner. Furthermore the Siemens ME 45 has a w@p-function and thanks to the new GPRS-version the data transfer is quite fast. A fax and modem are installed in the Siemens ME45 too. To be honest, I have almost never checked out this feature, but it did function.
Last but not least some fun features, the Siemens ME45 possesses some games, that's about all I can say since I never use them.
Whoever enthuses him-/herself for downloaded ringer tones can do this as well with the Siemens ME45, since there can still be saved about four extra ringing melodies over and above the 20 preinstalled melodies.
Neither the reception quality nor the sound grade can be affected by the integrated antenna. Surely this performance is strongly hooked to different regions, howsoever I have the impression that the Siemens ME45 constantly tries to master every single situation.
Purchasing the Siemens ME45 was certainly the right decision, at least for me needs, since I really do not like handling things with too much care. Despite of being so rough on the outside, the Siemens ME45 possesses convincing functions and nice features, hereby reaching up to my ultimate idea of a mobile phone.
Test-review of the Siemens ME45:
Technical features: +++
Reception quality: +++
Ease of use: +++
Battery stand-by time: ++++
Design: +++
Instruction manual: +++
Value for money: +++
Overall rating: +++
++++/excellent, +++/good, ++/satisfactory, +/poor
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