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.
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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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