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Basic phone for U.S. Cellular
- Easy-to-use design
- Good value
- Bluetooth and voice commands
- Good voice quality
- Dated graphics
- Low-resolution camera
- Limited feature set
Samsung Axle's straightforward appeal
One of Samsung's many budget phones, the Axle is similar in design to the Samsung Byline (*Est. $100, no contract) for MetroPCS, but comes in an olive-green finish and features a VGA camera. Reviewers and users say that the Axle is a good value for consumers who don't need expensive features, just a solid voice phone.
Call quality is uniformly praised for a budget phone, though most reviewers point out that it's far from perfect. They do like the feel of the Axle, singling out the flush keypad's responsive keys. The speakerphone's sound quality is surprisingly good, and tested battery life, at over five hours, exceeds Samsung's four-hour claim. The Axle stands out in its class for including Bluetooth connectivity and voice commands for making calls. CNET's Kent German reports that the Axle's keypad is well designed, and the keys themselves are big and comfortable.
The Axle's budget limitations
Users should keep in mind that a budget phone like the Axle will necessarily have a number of drawbacks. Reviews indicate that the 1.9-inch interior screen doesn't perform very well in bright light. Menu styles have very limited customization, and graphics are blocky and dated-looking. "Maybe you can write it off as a retro look," quips one user on PhoneScoop.com. The camera, whose highest resolution is 640 pixels by 480 pixels (which is less than a megapixel), is described as measly even by cell phone standards; German says most of his shots came out blurry. It doesn't record video. Also, U.S. Cellular's network isn't available nationwide, so Axle users may need to take roaming charges into account.
We found very few reviews of the Samsung Axle, not surprising since professional reviewers tend to pay more attention to feature-laden smartphones or flashy messaging phones. CNET's review of the Axle is the only one to go into detail. TechnoTalks.com and MyCellPhoneBlog.com offer cursory write-ups. The user reviews found on PhoneScoop.com are specific in their evaluations of the Axle's pros and cons.
Our Sources
1. CNET
Editor Kent German says the Samsung Axle's design is basic but quite serviceable, and he is pleased to see Bluetooth and voice dialing on this budget phone. However, he describes the voice quality as less than exceptional.
Review: Samsung Axle SCH-r311 (U.S. Cellular), Kent German, July 1, 2009
This review of the Samsung Axle covers most of the phone's main features, but shows little evidence of independent testing. The keypad and navigation controls are recommended, and performance is "good," but the reviewer says that the interior display looks "unpleasant" in bright daylight.
Review: Samsung Axle SCH-r311 Reviews -- A Decent Cell Phone with Basic Features, Editors of TechnoTalks.com, July 14, 2009
PhoneScoop.com doesn't provide a pro review of the Samsung Axle, but a handful of users post enlightening comments about the phone. The simplicity of the phone and its performance are praised, as is the value, though the camera is criticized and the menus are derided as dated.
Review: Samsung Axle R311, Contributors to PhoneScoop.com, As of Oct. 2009
This brief blog post reads more like user comments than a thorough, professional review of the Samsung Axle. The Axle is recommended as a good choice for basic calling, though the poster finds call quality "lags" and the camera's resolution "measly."
Review: Samsung Axle Review, Editors of MyCellPhoneBlog.com, July 9, 2009
