http://www.phonescoop.com/ Phone Scoop is a comprehensive resource for mobile phone enthusiasts, professionals, shoppers, and users. This feed contains status updates and user reviews for the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500. en-us Copyright 2013 Phone Scoop. All rights reserved. http://www.phonescoop.com/img/rss_badge.gif http://www.phonescoop.com/ 88 31 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=13203#review13203 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=13203#review13203 Sun, 20 Nov 2005 03:16:33 GMT <p><i>sitariboo submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>1.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>If your around 25 years old or older this phone is for you, kinda.<br /><br />Some Pro's:<br /><br />*great vivid screen<br />*screens big enough to see for 25 year old people and older.<br />*simple, easy phone.<br />*good for the normal features such as calling, no duh!<br /><br />Some Cons:<br /><br />*NO VIDEO, heck NO CAMERA<br />*REALLY OLD PHONE, 2003, DON'T GET IT!<br />*NO GAMES<br />*NO GOOD RINGTONES<br />*NO GOOD GRAPHICS<br />*NO VOICE MEMO<br />*ugly display<br />*really small sub screen<br />*ugly color<br />*really really big. bulky, fat whatever! BIG!<br />*Everthing is a problem!*</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=10795#review10795 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=10795#review10795 Mon, 18 Jul 2005 17:01:17 GMT <p><i>Glaspro submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>0</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I was forced into this phone at the end of 2003 because it was the only phone that carried the speaker phone option that was available. I don't ask for much out of a phone. Make it easy for me to call people, have decent battery life a speaker phone that works and the ability to store numbers. At least this phone can store numbers...unfotuntately every time you go through the three steps to get to them you end up calling somebody by accident because the scroll buttons are so close to the call button. The speaker phone is a joke and even if you hold the phone up to your face you cant hear what the other person is saying....which is only fair since they cant hear you either. The battery needs to be charged after every phone conversation damn near and no, I'm not a long winded conversationalist.<br />I have owned 7 phones since I first started using cellular service and this is by far the worst phone I have ever come across. I was ready to throw it away after my first week and have had to wait until now when the S.O.B. finally broke in half (without my assistance) and I get to trade in for something/anything better. <br /><br />DO NOT EVER LET ANYONE NEAR THIS P.O.S.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=8433#review8433 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=8433#review8433 Sat, 19 Feb 2005 02:27:23 GMT <p><i>sambo5280 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>1</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I bought this phone about a year and ahalf ago from alltel. It was pretty cool the first couple of days because it was my first cell phone. Then I found out that it did not have very many features on it (such as voice memos, a banner, calculator, ect) and the battery life was really really bad. I would call and talk to someone for no more than 15 min, and my phone battery would be down a bar. I was overjoyed when i found out that alltel no longer carried that phone any more. so overjoyed infact that I threw it against a wall (its pretty durable i had to chunk it about 5 times really hard against a cement wall before it finally broke) took it in to alltel, told them it fell outta my pocket while i was at work, and they gave me an LG LX5550, and i love that phone. So the moral of all this is that the Toshiba cdm9500 is a horrible horrible phone for anyone to have, i agree a camera would be nice for it, and the big color screen is a plus (kindda, it really drains the battery life) all the phone numbers that you are able to store in it is a pretty handy thing to have. the voice dial was really bad i had to scream at it to get it to dial and even then it would get it wrong. the speaker phone was decent, loud, alittle shakey at times but decent. if you are thinking of buying this phone STOP there are way better phones out there for your money get one of those.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=8294#review8294 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=8294#review8294 Thu, 10 Feb 2005 19:18:40 GMT <p><i>tiochristopher submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I love this phone. I have the Verizon version and have had it for almost 2 years now. Verizon does not carry it anymore which I hate because I would buy another. I like that it is large and fits my hand. the giant screen is easy to see. The speaker phone is great. I lay the phone down while I'm working in the kitchen and can talk with out holding it. I have downloaded lots of cool ringtones. I have the extended battery and have not had the problems of short battery life that some have had. while it isn't the best on power usage that I have seen ,it will last a few days for me most of the time. The phone will use a lot of power if you are not in digital area. I like the fact that it is very strong . I have dropped it so many times I hate to think what a cheaper phone would have done. My daughter kicked it down the road once after I dropped it and it still works...scratched yes but still going.It's a very tough phone. which you can tell I need! I have not used the computer download software and do not use it for the net so I can not comment on that aspect of the phone. Things that are not so good about it are...Poor signal in buildings. I work in a large office building and get no signal while the guy next to me has full on his phone..grrrr. If I forget to turn it off at work where it has no signal it sucks the battery dead in about two hours searching for signal . there is no support for this phone at verizon now. I broke the plastic antenna and had to buy a replacement on line. I needed a new case and very few are available now. someone was looking for a desktop cradle. there is one available at some of the online shops.about 39 bucks I think. <br />When this phone breaks or I can no longer get a battery I will miss it.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=7383#review7383 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=7383#review7383 Wed, 22 Dec 2004 22:34:31 GMT <p><i>StarbucksSam submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>1.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I am not a big fan of this phone, as I was plagued with owning it for nearly two years before I replaced it with my LG VX 7000.<br /><br />Pros:<br /><br />Color Screen<br />Voice Dial<br />Speaker phone<br /><br />And that's about it....<br /><br />Cons:<br /><br />Extremely POOR battery life with standard battery<br />Fairly poor battery life with extended battery<br />Ugly and unstylish<br />Horrible green backlit keypad is uncomfortable to touch<br />Heavy<br />Bulky<br />Charges slowly<br />Battery indicator inaccurate<br />Hard to retrieve numbers/names with system<br />No exciting features<br />Get It Now was outdated on this phone THEN... oh boy<br /><br />I kid you not, I've actually had people laugh at me when I have pulled this thing out. Go with an LG VX 4400 if you're looking at phones from this age. Man.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=5764#review5764 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=5764#review5764 Sat, 25 Sep 2004 00:35:09 GMT <p><i>Readme0123 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I've had this phone for over a year and I still can't put it down. I'm a guy into gadgets and believe me, this phone has yet to let me down in the gadget department. I must recommend purchasing the monthly charge for the web browser. It introduces you to infinite resources like games, ring tones, wallpapers, pictures... Anyway, here's a list of pros and cons.<br /><br />PROS:<br />Easy to hold<br />High resolution, color screen<br />27 different ring tones pre-installed<br />16 different display/wallpaper screens pre-installed<br />web browser ready<br />separate internet access ready<br />large color screen<br />voice activated<br />speaker phone<br />light up keypad<br />data cable capable<br />awesome reception/external antennae<br />5 #'s, 3 emails per name in the phone book<br />hundreds of user options to navigate through<br />easy accessible web,phone book, other features<br /><br />CONS:<br />hard to view screen in direct sunlight<br />speaker housing on front of phone (easily damaged)<br />limited physical accessories (interchangeable faceplates...)<br />phone is hard to find<br />high priced<br />short-term battery life(650mah standard), extended battery recommended(1200mah)<br />no calculator (one can be downloaded though)<br />no stopwatch<br /><br />Overall: <br />The best phone I've had, excluding battery. If you ever do purchase one, the battery problem wont phase you once you access the web browser. Hope you enjoy yours as much.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4950#review4950 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4950#review4950 Mon, 02 Aug 2004 21:30:09 GMT <p><i>LaFred submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I have used this phone for over a year with no problems. The thing I like best about the phone is that I can use it as a wireless modem with my laptop. With the most recent version of the included software it seems to browse the internet just slightly slower than using the land line at home. I use the connection after 9pm or on the weekends to avoid being charged for the air time. I have used the internet just about anywhere even up at the lake which is miles from the closest land line. I don't even need to have an ISP to browse the internet or send my e-mail. The connecting cable was less than $40 from Verizon.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4884#review4884 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4884#review4884 Fri, 30 Jul 2004 13:28:44 GMT <p><i>d-man submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I just picked up a used 9500 on eBay for a little less than $50, including car/home chargers, holster, etc. Probably the best $50 I ever spent on anything mobile phone related.<br /><br />First issue I noticed was battery life, so I sprung for 2 extended batteries (with door). A previous review mentioned better than double the "standard" (slim) battery life, which is correct. Only other issues, both minor: phone really is bigger than similar competitors, and the speaker phone is too quiet for use in driving.<br /><br />Quality on this phone is top notch. Best I've ever owned in that department. I had a Motorola t720, which broke and Verizon replaced with a t730. Both of those dropped calls repeatedly where the 9500 hasn't yet dropped one. This must be one of the last phones to be designed AND made in Japan (as opposed to China or South Korea), and it shows. Frankly, I've never had ANY problems to date with a Toshiba-sourced product.<br /><br />It seems VZW really didn't carry this phone for very long, especially by comparison to their Motorola products. It's a shame, but at least new and lightly used 9500s are still available on eBay and elsewhere. I'd put this up against any of VZW's current tri-mode clamshell offerings and it would probably beat 'em all in features and quality.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4433#review4433 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4433#review4433 Tue, 22 Jun 2004 21:13:47 GMT <p><i>myphone2003 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>3</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I give this phone 3 stars. Phone has a big color screen, speaker phone is OK, not the best, battery life does not last long, though you can get an extendable batteries. it heats up a little if you've been talking on the phone for a while. The phone is pretty cool, a lot of features, what sucks, no camera, it needs to a have camera, and the size of the phone. The size is pretty big, it just needs to be a little smaller. I would recommend this phone to anyone.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4343#review4343 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4343#review4343 Thu, 10 Jun 2004 20:05:05 GMT <p><i>megans man submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I recommend that you get the extended battery for the phone you get better than double the standard battery life, get the extended battery its worth it, another problem i have is the holster that comes with the phone sucks i have broke 2 of them but i am pretty hard on phones and my girl friend has the same phone but she hardly ever uses it and she uses mine and drops it most of the time blonde what do you expect, overall good phone</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4331#review4331 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=4331#review4331 Wed, 09 Jun 2004 18:12:03 GMT <p><i>LBHK2 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I liked this phone while i had it. The only reason I had to get rid of it was because I broke it. There's only 2 bad things about this phone. The batter life is low, but you can fix that if you buy a battery add on which enhances your battery life. It is also quite big. It's referred to "the tank" when my friends and I speak of the phone. But other than those 2 things, it's a great phone. Holds lots of memory, very good reception all around and has a very good color display. <br />I had to "upgrade" to a T720 by Motorola after breaking this phone. It's the worst "upgrade" (more like downgrade) in the world.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3686#review3686 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3686#review3686 Fri, 12 Mar 2004 23:48:11 GMT <p><i>Airwar submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I purchased this phone in January 2003 and as of March 2004 I am still very satisfied with it. It was more phone than I expected. I too could not put this phone down the first two weeks I owned it. Signal strength was mostly max-ed on the bar graph display. Some dropped calls but this might be system related from Verizon and not the phone. "Get it now", seems a little hooky with some of the junk offered?<br /> I have seen the Audiovox 9950 and feel this 9500 phone is still a very close version and I will retain it over a present day upgrade to the 9950. I sincerely hope Audiovox will support this phone for several years as I will pass it to my children. What more can I say other than .... I'am Happy with it !! <br /><br />Present Software as of March 2004 = 111.033<br /><br />PROs<br />Big-Bright clear screen.<br />Volumn &amp; Speaker phone.<br />Downloadable Everything.<br />Modern Slim Appearence.<br />Well organized phone book and messageing menu.<br />Plenty of phone book entry capacity over previous models.<br /><br /><br />CONs<br />No calculator<br />More Accessories should have come with it for the price.<br />Standard Battery life can be overcome with good plug in habits.<br />One more software clean up is necessary and owed the customer.<br />Flip-Phone Hinge could be more robust as after (1) year I am seeing a little wear.<br />Screen should be more scratch resistant.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3673#review3673 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3673#review3673 Thu, 11 Mar 2004 14:15:34 GMT <p><i>scamsta submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>1</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I've owned every type of phone from nokia, to samsung. This is by far the worst phone I have ever used along with the worst carrier (U.S. Cellular, Chicago). I didn't have my phone more then 3 months when the screen started shorting out (Both external and internal). I have never dropped the phone, and yet the screen now goes out from time to time. The green display light will not work behind the keys at times, and i usually just have no picture at all on the large screen. Because of the large screen the battery life absolutely sucks compared to other color screens. Making one 30 min. call during the day will ensure that you'll be charging the phone that late afternoon. The volume is also terrible. It's a large 'clunky' phone that makes me wonder why I was ever attracted to it. When approaching U.S. Cellular about the problem, they offered me to send it out to service for 8-12 weeks and give me a loaner phone that was far from comparable to my already crappy phone.<br />So now I have a large ugly phone, which displays don't work, and when I talked to a manager at U.S. Cellular about how I would be happy to purchase a different phone at a discounted price (Seeing it hadn't even been one year since I had it), he told me that there was a "difference between customer service and customer satisfaction." I am canceling my contract with them, and taking my number to a better phone and carrier.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3434#review3434 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=3434#review3434 Fri, 13 Feb 2004 13:06:20 GMT <p><i>chino submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4</b> (out of 5)</p><p>whats up? i originally got the phone in may of '03 and i thought the phone was pretty dope. the main reason i got it was at the time it was the only phone in my market that had a full nice color display. after having the phone for about a month was when i realized how tight it was really was. all the features from the phonebook, to the speakerphone and the screen...ahhhh i just loved it! but..there were some drawbacks as well. like the frickin battery. its horrible!! this phone is the bomb and you definately need to invest in the extended battery. i hated the battery and i started hating the fact that i couldnt find any cool faceplates or anything. oh well.. after having this phone for 7 months and dropping it repeatedly i had to get something new. but the phone was still pretty tight.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2585#review2585 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2585#review2585 Tue, 14 Oct 2003 13:32:06 GMT <p><i>KDFresh submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I work for Verizon Wireless and I have had almost every phone that comes to market and even some test phones that did not make it so far. This phone is the most reliable and has the best signal strength of any phone that I have ever had. If Audiovox would only make the phone a little smaller and gave it some better looks, I would then have to say that this would be the best EVER! I am still waiting for something better to challenge this phone in quality.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2405#review2405 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2405#review2405 Thu, 18 Sep 2003 10:58:22 GMT <p><i>roamer1 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>Good things: <br /><br />- 100 voice dial entries (more than any other phone I've ever seen!)<br />- fringe reception on both digital AND analog -- I've tested it extensively in places such as the basement of my office in Atlanta and very rural parts of east Tennessee and it outperforms nearly every other phone, and in some cases, every, I've had)<br />- two-line external display<br />- the bright color screen that doesn't get nearly as easily washed out as some others, such as the Mot i95cl for Nextel)<br /><br />Not-so-good things:<br /><br />- Design of the phonebook -- it seems very clumsy to me, especially having to press three or more buttons to search by name -- but the large voice dial memory helps compensate :)<br />- no outside buttons -- requires opening the flip to silence rings on unwanted incoming calls or use the speakerphone<br />- volume of earpiece, speakerphone, and rings could be a bit louder<br />- battery life is a bit on the short side (but with all the features and the great reception the 9500 has, it's not bad at all...)<br /><br />Summary: the 9500 is clearly one of the best phones VZW has ever offered; it suffers from only a few minor quirks.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2226#review2226 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=2226#review2226 Thu, 21 Aug 2003 13:25:01 GMT <p><i>Kaliblade submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>great phone ,awsome graphics great sound!!!<br />Nice price</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1317#review1317 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1317#review1317 Thu, 10 Apr 2003 15:14:56 GMT <p><i>dvdrttr submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I've used or still use all phones listed. They are used in Western PA/eastern OH between Youngstown and Pittsburgh. In an area known to drop calls, which did with the other units listed, the 9500 has held with no trouble. I even completed multiple handoff's from Verizon Wireless digital to Alltel Analog/Extended Network with no drop. The speaker-phone is usable. I find fault in a color screen phone running software that doesn't support color web browsing, but that isn't the primary role of a cell phone. signal is and this 9500 passes my usage requirements without fail. I would have liked to see a pda cable for the unit too, but it makes calls and keeps them, which at the end of the day is all that is important.</p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1316#review1316 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1316#review1316 Thu, 10 Apr 2003 13:56:47 GMT <p><i>lolli_5 submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>Great phone. Yes it is a little big and the battery is short live - but it is worth it. This phone has great resolution, wonderful features, simple menus and great signal strength. I have had my phone in an area with others mobile phones and it will pick up a signal when others would not. Worth the investment. </p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1291#review1291 http://phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=170&r=1291#review1291 Fri, 04 Apr 2003 00:03:04 GMT <p><i>David L submitted this review of the Audiovox CDM-9500 / Toshiba CDM9500:</i></p><p>Overall rating: <b>4.5</b> (out of 5)</p><p>I like my 9500, despite a few minor annoyances like small keys/no outside keys and battery life. <br /><br />One of the most important features is fringe area reception...it's incredible. Better than the startac 7868, while out in the country or in poorly covered suburbs. <br />That long antenna has a purpose... superior signal holding!<br /> <br />Also, an important part of a cellular phone purchase is the ability to share tips, tricks and customizations with other users. The 9500 has many options and takes some time to explore and master.<br /><br />There is a very helpful forum for 9500 users to pool their collective knowledge at <br />cdmangels.com. <br /></p> <p><i>(Follow link to rate this review or report it to us as inappropriate.)</i></p> http://phonescoop.com/phones/p_forum.php?ff=170