Sanyo Katana DLX Cell Phone Review - Intro
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Alfredo Padilla Published on August 06, 2007 Comment on this |
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The Sanyo Katana DLX is an unremarkable handset that provides the usual set of features we see on modern mid-range phones: it can make calls, play music, browse the web and provides organizer functions to help run your life. But it doesn't really excel at any of these; The 1.3 megapixel camera is unremarkable, the organizer is basic and the phone feels rather cheaply constructed. We were pleased to see that unlike most phones, the Katana DLX allows you to view downloaded messages even when offline. Most other mid-range phones only offer a web-based email client that can't access your email when the phone is offline, but the Katana DLX would allow you to write a reply to an email on an airplane without getting thrown off. The Katana DLX's gold design is supposed to make it look like a stylish designer fashion phone, but the plastic construction makes it look more like the department store model that it is; adequately made, but without a real designer label. But it does lack the designer price: the Katana DLX is available exclusively from Sprint for a reasonable $129.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate with a two-year contract.
The DLX also supports Sprint's Music Store, which allows you to purchase and download music over the cell phone network. Sprint currently charges 99 cents a song, pushing the songs into impulse buy territory; if you hear a new song on the radio you like, you can flip open your handset, buy it and download it to play on your phone.
Sprint also launched the new Katana II at the same time: this similar model is significantly cheaper at $29.99 after a $50 mail-in rebate, but lacks the Micro SD slot and music playback capabilities.
Tour & Design - The Katana DLX's gold paint and flip phone design may seem similar to fashion phones like the Dolce & Gabbana Razr at first glance, but actual wear-and-tear points to less expensive construction.
Audio Quality - The Katana DLX provides average audio quality, with only a little bit of trouble in the audio it sends.
Imaging - The Katana DLX's 1.3 megapixel camera shoots images with decent color, but without much detail.
Making/Receiving Calls - The Katan sDLX's keypad is easy to use for making calls, and provides the basic in-calling and contact management features that most users will need.
Messaging - The Katana DLX has a true e-mail client that can compose messages off line, rather than depending on Web-based e-mail access.
Organizer - The Katana DLX won't replace a true PDA or Smart Phone, but it does provide the basic features to help organize your life, such as appointments and to-do lists.
Multimedia - Sprint's Music Store and playback software is slow to load, but it does a pretty decent job of managing music and allowing you to buy and download songs straight to the phone.
Software - The Katana DLX has a basic, but adequate software selection, including a web browser and a decent alarm clock. It can't read office documents, though.
Battery Life - The Katana DLX lasted for a decent amount of time in our talk time and music test, but fell a little short in our Web browsing test.
Connectivity - As a CDMA handset the Katana DLX can only be used on Sprint's network, but EVDO connectivity provides high data speeds for Web browsing, e-mail, and song downloads.
Hardware - Despite its plastic construction, we found the Katana DLX's controls were well designed. The QVGA display is a little small but sharp.
Other Features - The Katana DLX lacks GPS or Push To Talk functionality, but can be used as a Bluetooth modem.
Value & Comparisons - The Katana DLX compares well to most handsets in its range, and often at a lower price point.
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