It supports dual-band GSM so you can use it in most of Europe, but it won't work in every country in the world, so it's best to check with your operator before you take it abroad. The menu system, which features a basic grid layout, isn't particularly exciting, but it is easy to understand. Writing SMS text messages is also straightforward and the overall interface works well even if it's not the most stylish. One niggle with the my501c interface was that the contacts list can be slow to find a number when using the search by name function.
Another problem we had was the lack of a dedicated shutter button, which made taking pictures with the 1.3-megapixel camera quite tedious. You can set one of the soft keys to access the camera, but this means you have to sacrifice another feature on the soft key and that you can't access the camera when the phone is shut.
Other features include an alarm, a calendar, a timer, memo, notes, a speakerphone, Java games and polyphonic ringtones. You can also turn the my501c into a USB key and synchronise your contacts, organiser and to-do list with your PC via a USB cable.
Performance
The audio quality during calls sounded distorted at times, as if there was a whirring sound coming from the ear speaker. We have been assured by Sagem that this is not a common problem and that it may only be applicable to this test handset.
The 1.3-megapixel camera performed rather badly compared to other cameras of the same resolution. Pictures came out blurry and discoloured with most objects looking out of focus. While this isn't great if you plan on printing them out or viewing them on a large screen, these pictures were fine for sending over an MMS message.
Battery life is quoted at 3 hours of talk time and 240 hours of standby time.
Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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Philippa Jones 7 August 2008
Good: That fact that it is as good as other phones
Bad: It broke, well the speaker did anyway, i can't hear anything on calls
Comment: I've had this phone since March '07 and as a clumsy person im pretty pleased that it lasted this long! I drop it all the time and the battery cover now falls off when you tap the phone on a hard surface, this is of course enitrely my own fault! when i am nervous i slide it on and off! the games are nothing exiting but everything else works brilliantly!
JOHN CALLOW 29 December 2006
Good: It' a clam type
Bad: Not the easiest to understand
Comment: It does the job as a phone with Bluetooth to run hands free on
Gordon Jackson 17 November 2006
Good: The look, the feel, the two colour screen functions, the cameras, the games, the video playback.
Bad: The operating system, it is HORRIBLE!
Comment: I've been using mobiles now since they were analogue only and conversations could be intercepted on scanners. I've had Nokia, Motorola, Alcatel, LG, Samsung, Phillips. This was my first (and probably last) Sagem.
I bought the my501c brand new as a replacement for my previous LG 3300 flip phone, which was a great little flip phone. On taking it out of the box I was immediately impressed with the look, the size, the weight and the feel of the phone. Open or closed it looked great and felt like it would be equally comfortable to use for long periods talking, texting, watching videos or playing games. The keypad layout was great with nice contoured buttons equally suited to large or small fingers.
In went the sim card and a 256mb transflash card and I switched it on. Oh dear, on came a horrible screen backdrop which I changed to one a little less horrible. The icons in the menu system looked like they were designed by a 3 year old using spilled paints. And the heavily text based menu system did nothing to ease the pain on the eyes. Accessing anything was unneccessarily long-winded, and none of the options or selections seemed to make sense or follow any logical path. The camera and video picture quality didn't match the spec they've been given by the manufacturer either.
I haven't even used it long enough to listen to any of the sounds or ringtones so if they turn out to be fantastic, sorry Sagem, but they'll need to sound like a fanfare of Heavenly trumpets to redeem the unfriendly OS.
I don't need a mobile to come with a steep learning curve, mobiles should be instantly easy to use, even those with multiple features.
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