Screen

The Alias 2 is bigger (2.04 inches wide, 4.01 long, 0.67 thick) and heavier (4.34 ounces) than many flip phones, including the Alias' predecessors. But it still fits easily in the hand and feels lightweight, plus its size offers the bonus of a larger screen, measuring 2.6 inches. The phone's external screen is also a decent-sized 1.3 inches.

The external screen has a large, easy-to-read-at-a-glance display with a digital clock and the day's date in font so large there's no need to squint. This screen also shows how much life is left in the phone's battery and signal strength.

The internal screen is big for a flip phone, but no bigger than, and in some cases it's smaller than, most phone's that feature an internal QWERTY keypad. It's slightly thinner than the screen of fellow Verizon user enV2, for example.

Screen images are colorful and easy-to-read, but in some cases a little too whimsical for an adult to be carrying around.

The opening screen, for example, lets users rifle through nine options quickly, but the icons are arranged to look kind of like a dormitory bedroom with shelves and a chalk board, a computer stacked on books, and mail and cubby drawer boxes. Some shoppers may find it slightly embarrassing to pull this screen up during a business meeting if anyone's looking over their shoulder.

The Alias 2 has a well-sized, colorful 262K-color screen (the outside screen supports 65K-colors) with bright images and large font for aging eyes. Those same aging eyes, however, may not appreciate some of the more youthful menu screens inside the phone.

Audio

The Alias 2 is plenty loud. That's to its advantage when a person is playing music, listening for a call when their phone is in the next room, or talking on speakerphone. It's not so great, however, when it's time to push the multi-key keypad. Every button press results in a marked beep.

Keypad sounds can be set to mimic varying notes on a xylophone, which is less annoying. Luckily, the keypad volume and the call volume can be set at different levels. Lowering the keypad volume is highly recommended.

Twenty ringtones come built into the phone. Whereas plenty of phones come with cheesy ringtones, this one actually comes equipped with some usable tones. There are no chart-topping hits in here, but the options sound great and come in a wide variety.

The Alias 2 has great sound quality, even at times when that may not be necessary. It's even loud and clear enough to be a great personal music player.

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