Travel Technology - How good is Siemens S46

I am looking for a GSM phone to use while abroad and I may be able to get a good deal on an unlocked Siemens S46. How good is that phone?
I mainly intend to use it in Europe (both East and West).

So far I found reviews at
http://reviews-zdnet.com.com/Siemens_S46/4505-6454_16-30683132-2.html?tag=top
and
http://www.phonescoop.com/phones/user_reviews.php?phone=84 and it seems to look pretty good

It's "OK". Siemens RF is usually pretty good, it's UI is acceptable. I'd rate it a 6/10.

I just noticed it is dual band instead of tri-band. Will that present problems with coverage in East/West Europe and possibly Scandinavia?
In which situations is a tri-band phone actually needed?

It's "OK". Siemens RF is usually pretty good, it's UI is acceptable. I'd rate it a 6/10.

I have been using the S46 for about 18 months. The phone is a little large, but is quite rugged -- especially in comparison to the Nokia phones which are the most incredibly fragile pieces of junk made. I don't know a single Nokia user whose screen doesn't crack or shatter in the first year.

Regardless of my past positive experiences, I just ordered a Mot V600 to replace it.

In the US TDMA is now pretty much obsolete. So the TDMA capabilities of the S46 simply aren't needed anymore. Instead you should look for a GSM phone with GSM Tri-Band or GSM Quad-Band capability. The V600 is probably the only quad band choice -- the RF is supposed to be terrific... much better than the S46. The S46 also lacks - speakerphone, color screen, bluetooth, ...

I also just looked at the Siemens web site today and the S46 is no longer listed. I suspect that any of these phones left in the system will sell for a song.

With the mine-and-ScottC's-favorite Sony Ericsson R520 going for 99 bucks (http://www.4cellular.com/search/phone_detail.cfm?id=1) brand new and unlocked, I don't think I'd take the Siemens over it even if it were a nickel.

The R520 is triband, has a big clear screen, great UI, Bluetooth, infrared, GPRS, speakerphone, and a battery that lasts about a week. Also terrific RF.

With the mine-and-ScottC's-favorite Sony Ericsson R520 going for 99 bucks (http://www.4cellular.com/search/phone_detail.cfm?id=1) brand new and unlocked, I don't think I'd take the Siemens over it even if it were a nickel.

The R520 is triband, has a big clear screen, great UI, Bluetooth, infrared, GPRS, speakerphone, and a battery that lasts about a week. Also terrific RF.

Yeah, what the man from BCN said.

Thank you for the replies. I will skip Siemens and get T39 which was recommended in the other thread as having the same kind of RF as 520. Bidding on eBay for it right now.

The S46 can be handy if you travel in the sticks in the US. While GSM is available in almost all urban areas, There are many places (like northern Maine) which are still analog, let alone TDMA. So the S46 might be useful IF you live in or visit a part of the US that only offers good service on TDMA with your carrier.

Otherwise, just get a decent tri-band GSM phone, The T39 is nice although the three I have had were a bit flaky on software. I still use one as it has BT and GPRS capability, but the screen is... well, not.

One of the best almost-current phones IMHO is the SE T68i. Decent colour screen, can be setup for e-mail easily, small, good UI. Siemens UI sucks. No two Siemens phones work the same way, it seems, and there is precious little support compared to Nokia and SE.

By far the best business device I have used is my Palm/Handspring Treo 600, on the Vodafone network. I have used it around the world and it works everywhere. I can check and send e-mail on the beach in Thailand or Cape Town. Palm OS (much better than the flaky Symbian OS in my last SE P800) which means tons of useful (and cheap) software tools.

By very careful on your choice of carrier - many roam voice but not data!

My boss loves his S46. Personally, I have no use for TDMA so I use the SET616