Sagem at the 3GSM World Congress 2005

While other manufacturers were busy showing off ultra-high-end handsets, Sagem have announced something at the opposite end of the scale - a range of handsets aimed at entry level and prepay users that are generally attractive and capable little handsets.

We don't have a launch date for these handsets yet, but expect to see them quite soon. These are not the world's most exciting devices, but it shows that Sagem are serious in carving out a substantial niche in good value for money phones like these.

Sagem myC3-2 and myC3-2j

Two very similar clamshell camera phones weighing in at just 75 grams, the Sagem myC3-2 and myC3-2j both feature a 128x128 pixel CSTN display in 65,000 colours and a VGA resolution camera, hi-fi ringtones, built in handsfree, MMS messaging and a choice of wallpapers and icons.

The main difference between the two models is that the myC3-2j has Java support and a WAP 2.0 browser, where the myC3-2 has a WAP 1.2 browser and no Java support. Both handsets are dual-band GSM 900/1800 units.

These are two attractive handsets - previous Sagem clamshells have tended to be a bit odd looking, but these two have a touch of Motorola and Samsung in the quality of their design.
 

Sagem myX1-2 and myX1-2w

If you're looking for a low cost handset, the myX1-2's predecessor was about the cheapest on the market, at around €30 for a prepay handset the myX-1 was extremely basic, but terrific value for money.

The Sagem myX1-2 isn't a light or compact phone - at 93 grams and 106x47x21mm it's large and heavy considering the features it offers. It has a 7 line monochrome display with a selection of screensavers, handsfree calling, polyphonic ringtones a single embedded game and the myX1-2w has a WAP 1.2 browser. These are dual band devices in a 900/1800 or 850/1900 MHz configuration depending on exact model.

It's a smart enough phone, but it's never going to win any prizes for being high-tech. However, it's a great handset for the ultra low cost market, and ideal for people who primarily want to make phone calls and send text messages.
 

Sagem myX2-2 and myX2-2m

If the myX1-2 is just too basic for you, take it up a notch and you get the myX2-2 which is physically very similar, but has a 101x80 pixel 4096 colour display instead of a monochrome one. The myX2-2 is a dual-band 900/1800 MHz model, the myX2-2m is 850/1900 MHz. Sagem appear to have some variations available depending on model and operator, but the myX2-2 can theoretically support GPRS, WAP 1.2 and MMS.

The handset has had a makeover too, it's much nicer to look at than the old myX-2 but it's somewhat larger and heavier too.
 

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