iphone

EasyTouch is attractive, even if the design isn't in the same league as truly sexy phones, like Motorola's RAZR2 V9. The low-res external screen sits under shiny reflective plastic which gives a similar mirror feel to the LG Shine, but again without creating a comparable impact.

At 90mm in length, 50mm wide, and 18mm in depth the EasyTouch is a phone that won't bulge too greatly in your pocket. The plastic body does suggest cheap construction, however, the handset seems durable, and again it does look pretty cute. ZTE have kept external ports and buttons to a minimum, with a camera button, phone volume, T-Flash memory slot and a universal mini USB port for charging the phone and plugging in the hands-free headphones that come in the box.

Opening the phone reveals a two-inch QVGA TFT colour display and a numeric keypad that lays recessed into the handset. In truth we would have preferred to have seen raised keys on the keypad for a more tactile experience, but this is nit-picking considering that using the keypad is as easy as can be expected.
Features
The name EasyTouch refers to single touch access to a selection of features via the main standby menu screen. The stand-out here is a news headlines ticker running across the top of the screen. Pushing up on the navigation pad expands the headlines into a preview of the full story from ABC news via the BigPond portal. It's such a simple, yet ingenious addition to the menu screen, and every time we opened the EasyTouch we found ourselves checking the headlines.

At the bottom of the screen are five menu shortcuts which are adjusted when you choose between one the four preset menu themes. For example; we set the EasyTouch to the "sport" theme and the shortcut keys offered sports news as an option. This is a really convenient feature and it�s a shame the themes can't be customized further, like the shortcuts bar you see on Nokia S60 platforms, and that two of the five shortcuts are always BigPond and Foxtel mobile TV.

Beyond these features, the EasyTouch offers a predictable feature set for an HSDPA capable phone on Telstra's Next G network. Besides calling and messaging there's downloadable content via the BigPond mobile Web portal, video calling using the low resolution front facing camera, and Foxtel mobile TV channels for those willing to pay extra for the privilege, although with no wide-screen mode you're left with a postage stamp size picture on screen. The EasyTouch internal memory can be expanded to 2GB with a T-Flash or microSD memory card.

Performance
In terms of basic phone functions the EasyTouch is a winner. Voice calls are loud and clear, text messaging is as expected. Setting up e-mail on the EasyTouch is simple, especially if you use a Telstra or BigPond e-mail account, and the EasyTouch supports POP e-mail.

Using the EasyTouch for Web browsing does offer a fast experience for accessing WAP mobile Web sites, but the screen and navigation pad are not the best for browsing beyond simple text sites, like news and sport updates. Foxtel and BigPond content is speedy when accessed using HSDPA, but again the small screen is not optimal for long sessions of mobile TV.

The EasyTouch supports Bluetooth connectivity and has a 2-megapixel camera with a dedicated button on the side of the phone for quick access. The test pictures we took, in the office and outdoors, turned out well considering the adjustable settings are very basic.

The battery in the EasyTouch performed as standard. ZTE estimate three hours of talk-time on Telstra's Next G network, and approximately nine days of standby battery life. With light usage of phone functionality and roughly a half hour of Foxtel TV we charged the battery after three days.

Overall
The Telstra EasyTouch is an affordable option for joining the Telstra Next G network, with a few cool extras, but without any truly outstanding features. The one-touch interface is handy and the news headlines ticker offers the best of the mobile Web content currently available: short, sharp grabs of information. Of course, this won�t appeal to fans of broadsheet newspapers, but it's definitely adequate as a snapshot of current events you can follow up in depth later in the day.

The EasyTouch falls short as an ultra-chic fashion phone; it's close, but our lasting first impression of the design is indifference. As a mobile phone the EasyTouch will satisfy basic needs, but it's not going to replace your iPod or digital camera.
Battery

* Talk time
* 3 hours

* Standby time
* 9 hours

Camera

* Camera resolution
* 2-megapixel

* Video capture
* Yes

Connectivity

* Networks
* GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, UMTS 850, UMTS 2100

* Connectivity
* Bluetooth, Next G, 3G

* Data services
* GPRS, UMTS, HSDPA

* USB connectivity
* Yes

Entertainment

* Games
* Yes

* FM radio
* No

* Music player
* Yes

Functionality

* Input method
* Numerical keypad

* Voice recorder
* No

* Push-to-talk
* No

* Java
* Yes

* Operating system
* Unknown/proprietary

* Video calls
* Yes

* Web browser
* Yes

General

* Phone type
* 3G, Fashion, TV

* Form factor
* Flip

* Dimensions (W x D x H)
* 98 x 18 x 50 mm

* Weight
* 105 g

Messaging

* Messaging options
* SMS, E-mail

* E-mail protocols
* POP3

Physical features

* Available colours
* Silver

* Included accessories
* Manual, Software (Windows), Charger, Wired headset, USB cable

EasyTouch is attractive, even if the design isn't in the same league as truly sexy phones, like Motorola's RAZR2 V9. The low-res external screen sits under shiny reflective plastic which gives a similar mirror feel to the LG Shine, but again without creating a comparable impact.

At 90mm in length, 50mm wide, and 18mm in depth the EasyTouch is a phone that won't bulge too greatly in your pocket. The plastic body does suggest cheap construction, however, the handset seems durable, and again it does look pretty cute. ZTE have kept external ports and buttons to a minimum, with a camera button, phone volume, T-Flash memory slot and a universal mini USB port for charging the phone and plugging in the hands-free headphones that come in the box.

Opening the phone reveals a two-inch QVGA TFT colour display and a numeric keypad that lays recessed into the handset. In truth we would have preferred to have seen raised keys on the keypad for a more tactile experience, but this is nit-picking considering that using the keypad is as easy as can be expected.
Features
The name EasyTouch refers to single touch access to a selection of features via the main standby menu screen. The stand-out here is a news headlines ticker running across the top of the screen. Pushing up on the navigation pad expands the headlines into a preview of the full story from ABC news via the BigPond portal. It's such a simple, yet ingenious addition to the menu screen, and every time we opened the EasyTouch we found ourselves checking the headlines.

At the bottom of the screen are five menu shortcuts which are adjusted when you choose between one the four preset menu themes. For example; we set the EasyTouch to the "sport" theme and the shortcut keys offered sports news as an option. This is a really convenient feature and it�s a shame the themes can't be customized further, like the shortcuts bar you see on Nokia S60 platforms, and that two of the five shortcuts are always BigPond and Foxtel mobile TV.

Beyond these features, the EasyTouch offers a predictable feature set for an HSDPA capable phone on Telstra's Next G network. Besides calling and messaging there's downloadable content via the BigPond mobile Web portal, video calling using the low resolution front facing camera, and Foxtel mobile TV channels for those willing to pay extra for the privilege, although with no wide-screen mode you're left with a postage stamp size picture on screen. The EasyTouch internal memory can be expanded to 2GB with a T-Flash or microSD memory card.

Performance
In terms of basic phone functions the EasyTouch is a winner. Voice calls are loud and clear, text messaging is as expected. Setting up e-mail on the EasyTouch is simple, especially if you use a Telstra or BigPond e-mail account, and the EasyTouch supports POP e-mail.

Using the EasyTouch for Web browsing does offer a fast experience for accessing WAP mobile Web sites, but the screen and navigation pad are not the best for browsing beyond simple text sites, like news and sport updates. Foxtel and BigPond content is speedy when accessed using HSDPA, but again the small screen is not optimal for long sessions of mobile TV.

The EasyTouch supports Bluetooth connectivity and has a 2-megapixel camera with a dedicated button on the side of the phone for quick access. The test pictures we took, in the office and outdoors, turned out well considering the adjustable settings are very basic.

The battery in the EasyTouch performed as standard. ZTE estimate three hours of talk-time on Telstra's Next G network, and approximately nine days of standby battery life. With light usage of phone functionality and roughly a half hour of Foxtel TV we charged the battery after three days.

Overall
The Telstra EasyTouch is an affordable option for joining the Telstra Next G network, with a few cool extras, but without any truly outstanding features. The one-touch interface is handy and the news headlines ticker offers the best of the mobile Web content currently available: short, sharp grabs of information. Of course, this won�t appeal to fans of broadsheet newspapers, but it's definitely adequate as a snapshot of current events you can follow up in depth later in the day.

The EasyTouch falls short as an ultra-chic fashion phone; it's close, but our lasting first impression of the design is indifference. As a mobile phone the EasyTouch will satisfy basic needs, but it's not going to replace your iPod or digital camera.
Battery

* Talk time
* 3 hours

* Standby time
* 9 hours

Camera

* Camera resolution
* 2-megapixel

* Video capture
* Yes

Connectivity

* Networks
* GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, UMTS 850, UMTS 2100

* Connectivity
* Bluetooth, Next G, 3G

* Data services
* GPRS, UMTS, HSDPA

* USB connectivity
* Yes

Entertainment

* Games
* Yes

* FM radio
* No

* Music player
* Yes

Functionality

* Input method
* Numerical keypad

* Voice recorder
* No

* Push-to-talk
* No

* Java
* Yes

* Operating system
* Unknown/proprietary

* Video calls
* Yes

* Web browser
* Yes

General

* Phone type
* 3G, Fashion, TV

* Form factor
* Flip

* Dimensions (W x D x H)
* 98 x 18 x 50 mm

* Weight
* 105 g

Messaging

* Messaging options
* SMS, E-mail

* E-mail protocols
* POP3

Physical features

* Available colours
* Silver

* Included accessories
* Manual, Software (Windows), Charger, Wired headset, USB cable

The Telstra F158 is enormous by today's standards. While other phones appear to be shrinking, some becoming smaller than is practical, the size of the F158 hails back to phones of a decade ago. This extra girth does afford manufacturer ZTE a larger canvas for spacing out the keys and selection buttons on the front of the phone, and there's no doubt there's a market for easier to use phones, especially for people with failing eyesight or those, like Frankenstein's monster, with enormous digits. However, this seems to be a particularly niche market.

The body of the phone is protected by a rubberised plastic shell, and we've read that the F158 is resistant to shock, dust and water, though we haven�t been game to drop it into a pot of water ourselves. The phone is being marketed as the "Tradesmen's phone", who are no doubt going to have to throw away a hammer or drill to make space for the F158 in the bib of their overalls or on a hook on their utility belts.
Features
For such an enormous device the F158 is a very basic handset. Other oversized devices we're reviewed recently have included GPS chipsets and huge internal flash memory; however, don't expect anything so fancy in the F158. As a device on Telstra's Next G network the F158 is capable of HSDPA data speeds but there's nothing about the screen or navigation using the directional pad that makes the F158 particularly Web-friendly. Foxtel is available, but the onscreen viewing area, even in full-screen mode, is postage-stamp-sized.

The F158 sports a basic 1.3-megapixel camera on the back of the handset, which may not sound like much, however, we were reasonably impressed with the quality of the pictures taken. The colour reproduction is weak but on the whole the images looked sharp and seem adequate for happy snaps of kids, pets or birthday cakes.

Performance
Voice calls are loud and clear, and messaging is easy with predictive text. The F158 has support for POP e-mail servers which, like other ZTE products, are easiest to set-up if you're a BigPond e-mail customer.

Considering how similar the components of the F158 are to ZTE's F165 "country phone" we were not surprised to find comparable battery life of about three to four days with light usage of voice calling and messaging, and some mobile TV.

Web browsing is fast enough considering the screen size only lends itself to news headlines, sporting results and weather forecasts. As noted above the F158 is capable of streaming mobile TV through mobile Foxtel and BigPond TV, and while the small screen will have you squinting, the external speakers are loud enough to hear the jeering of Jerry Springer's audience clearly.

Overall
As a phone the F158 works well, but there's nothing really about the device or its features that justify its size. The F158 is remarkably similar to Telstra's "country phone", the F165, but at least the F165's superior reception gives it an advantage for Telstra customers in regional areas. The F158 doesn't share this attribute and, it should be noted, is not one of Telstra's "blue tick" phones.

The ruggedised exterior will appeal to people working outdoors, like tradesmen on construction sites, but we're guessing even tradesmen will agree the phone is too big, especially to take to the pub after work. If the F158 was feature-packed, with GPS, a screen twice the size, or could change the channels on your TV and do the dishes, then we wouldn�t mind lugging it around. But really, it's just a phone, and a very big phone at that.
Battery

* Talk time
* 5 hours

* Standby time
* 400 hours

Camera

* Camera resolution
* 1-megapixel

* Digital zoom
* 2 x

* Video capture
* Yes

Connectivity

* Networks
* GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, UMTS 850, UMTS 2100

* Connectivity
* Bluetooth, Next G, 3G

* Data services
* GPRS, WAP, UMTS, HSDPA

* USB connectivity
* Yes

Display

* Main display: Number of colours
* 262K

Entertainment

* Video player
* Yes

* Games
* No

* FM radio
* No

* Music player
* Yes

Functionality

* Input method
* Numerical keypad

* Voice recorder
* Yes

* Ringtone options
* Monophonic, Polyphonic, MP3

* Push-to-talk
* No

* Java
* Yes

* Operating system
* Unknown/proprietary

* Supported audio file formats
* MP3

* Supported video file formats
* MPEG-4

* Supported picture file formats
* JPG

* Video calls
* Yes

* Web browser
* Yes

General

* Phone type
* 3G, TV, Rugged

* Form factor
* Candybar

* Dimensions (W x D x H)
* 51 x 23 x 123 mm

* Weight
* 160 g

Messaging

* Messaging options
* SMS, MMS, E-mail

* E-mail protocols
* POP3

Physical features

* Available colours
* Blue

* Included accessories
* Manual, Software (Windows), Charger, USB cable

The Telstra F158 is enormous by today's standards. While other phones appear to be shrinking, some becoming smaller than is practical, the size of the F158 hails back to phones of a decade ago. This extra girth does afford manufacturer ZTE a larger canvas for spacing out the keys and selection buttons on the front of the phone, and there's no doubt there's a market for easier to use phones, especially for people with failing eyesight or those, like Frankenstein's monster, with enormous digits. However, this seems to be a particularly niche market.

The body of the phone is protected by a rubberised plastic shell, and we've read that the F158 is resistant to shock, dust and water, though we haven�t been game to drop it into a pot of water ourselves. The phone is being marketed as the "Tradesmen's phone", who are no doubt going to have to throw away a hammer or drill to make space for the F158 in the bib of their overalls or on a hook on their utility belts.
Features
For such an enormous device the F158 is a very basic handset. Other oversized devices we're reviewed recently have included GPS chipsets and huge internal flash memory; however, don't expect anything so fancy in the F158. As a device on Telstra's Next G network the F158 is capable of HSDPA data speeds but there's nothing about the screen or navigation using the directional pad that makes the F158 particularly Web-friendly. Foxtel is available, but the onscreen viewing area, even in full-screen mode, is postage-stamp-sized.

The F158 sports a basic 1.3-megapixel camera on the back of the handset, which may not sound like much, however, we were reasonably impressed with the quality of the pictures taken. The colour reproduction is weak but on the whole the images looked sharp and seem adequate for happy snaps of kids, pets or birthday cakes.

Performance
Voice calls are loud and clear, and messaging is easy with predictive text. The F158 has support for POP e-mail servers which, like other ZTE products, are easiest to set-up if you're a BigPond e-mail customer.

Considering how similar the components of the F158 are to ZTE's F165 "country phone" we were not surprised to find comparable battery life of about three to four days with light usage of voice calling and messaging, and some mobile TV.

Web browsing is fast enough considering the screen size only lends itself to news headlines, sporting results and weather forecasts. As noted above the F158 is capable of streaming mobile TV through mobile Foxtel and BigPond TV, and while the small screen will have you squinting, the external speakers are loud enough to hear the jeering of Jerry Springer's audience clearly.

Overall
As a phone the F158 works well, but there's nothing really about the device or its features that justify its size. The F158 is remarkably similar to Telstra's "country phone", the F165, but at least the F165's superior reception gives it an advantage for Telstra customers in regional areas. The F158 doesn't share this attribute and, it should be noted, is not one of Telstra's "blue tick" phones.

The ruggedised exterior will appeal to people working outdoors, like tradesmen on construction sites, but we're guessing even tradesmen will agree the phone is too big, especially to take to the pub after work. If the F158 was feature-packed, with GPS, a screen twice the size, or could change the channels on your TV and do the dishes, then we wouldn�t mind lugging it around. But really, it's just a phone, and a very big phone at that.
Battery

* Talk time
* 5 hours

* Standby time
* 400 hours

Camera

* Camera resolution
* 1-megapixel

* Digital zoom
* 2 x

* Video capture
* Yes

Connectivity

* Networks
* GSM 900, GSM 1800, GSM 1900, UMTS 850, UMTS 2100

* Connectivity
* Bluetooth, Next G, 3G

* Data services
* GPRS, WAP, UMTS, HSDPA

* USB connectivity
* Yes

Display

* Main display: Number of colours
* 262K

Entertainment

* Video player
* Yes

* Games
* No

* FM radio
* No

* Music player
* Yes

Functionality

* Input method
* Numerical keypad

* Voice recorder
* Yes

* Ringtone options
* Monophonic, Polyphonic, MP3

* Push-to-talk
* No

* Java
* Yes

* Operating system
* Unknown/proprietary

* Supported audio file formats
* MP3

* Supported video file formats
* MPEG-4

* Supported picture file formats
* JPG

* Video calls
* Yes

* Web browser
* Yes

General

* Phone type
* 3G, TV, Rugged

* Form factor
* Candybar

* Dimensions (W x D x H)
* 51 x 23 x 123 mm

* Weight
* 160 g

Messaging

* Messaging options
* SMS, MMS, E-mail

* E-mail protocols
* POP3

Physical features

* Available colours
* Blue

* Included accessories
* Manual, Software (Windows), Charger, USB cable