Home > Consumer Reviews > Uniden TRU-448 2.4 GHz DSS Cordless Phone with Caller ID and Digital Answering System (Graphite)

After finally getting fed up with my low quality coordless phone/answering machine I decided to upgrade. I looked around at various phone models, and after reading reviews I couldn't find a model that I was willing to put up good money for, I wanted 2.4GHZ DSS, with an answering machine and call waiting caller id, this phone had all the features I wanted and other phones from Uniden rated well, so I decided to give it a try. I also purchesed the expansion hand set directly from Uniden (you can transfer calls between the handsets and the speakerphone). The phone is very user friendly, and easy to set up. The buttons are logically located and the handset is comfortable to use, it also comes with a belt clip and has a headset plug. The sound quality has been execellent, I have expereinced no extra noise or interference (which was so bad with my old phone that I sometimes couldn't talk on the phone). The answering machine is very clear and can be accessed remotly. I have nothing negative to say about this phone except that the ability to add on more than one handset would be nice. I can recomend this phone without hesitation.

Well, after my extraordinarily frustrating experience with Uniden, I don't think I'll never buy another of their products. The phone had potential. The handsets are lightweight, the caller id functions are easy to use (although not that easy to see), the extra handset is a beautiful feature. All this aside though, I've had the phone less than two weeks, and it's got a few issues. I had hoped to talk to Uniden and see if I could get the problem resolved, but that just ended up being another issue. Here goes:

Issue 1: The main handset just dies. It's happily sitting in the charger with the charging light on (and usually has been all day), but when the phone rings, the display says "battery low" and I can't get any response from the phone. I have to go racing to another room to answer. Usually unplugging the battery and plugging it back in resolves this for the next hour or so, then the same problem pops up.

Issue 2: The answering maching cuts off the last two-three seconds of a message. Not a big deal, but irritating.

Issue 3: Periodically (on the handset referred to in issue 1) I get periods of dead silence lasting about 5 seconds while trying to talk on the phone. Again, no biggie, but more irritating on top of issue 1 and 2.

Issue 4: This one's the doozie. The back of the book says "At Uniden, we'll take care of you" and provides a customer service "hotline". I'm sure that this hotline is perfect for Uniden, but it's a bit less convenient for we the consumers. Every single option which implies it will let you talk to a person (including "Speak to a customer service representative") sends you (guss where, you'll never believe it) to the main menu - you know, the first one you get when you first call. According to their office hours, they're open, and I tried all day long. For this reason alone, I'll return this phone. If that's taking care of me, then I'm really [out of luck] if they decide to ignore me!

Anyway, this has some great reviews (why I bought it, of course) so perhaps it's worth the attempt, but I really wish I never had. It's been a really royal pain in the yin-yang!

I'm always amazed to see reviews of cordless phones where people lavish praise for all the gizomos, gadgets and features except for one pesky little detail--sound quality. I suppose a lot of people are satisfied as long as a telephone is fun to play with and has all the cool stuff. For me it's different. While I appreciate features I am here, first and foremost, to make a phone call and for maximum clarity. To that end, The Uniden TRU-448 is a MISERABLE failure. I have bought one, returned it to the store and even picked up a SECOND unit because I'd read all these wonderful reviews.

I was told by the people I called that it sounded muffled and low-volume. I tried changing the location any number of times, playing with the antenna and anything else I could think of to little or no result. I'm beginning to wonder if it's an overall problem with 2.4 gigahertz as I've tired out and returned about 7 phones the past year. I wish I could recommend a better phone or someone could recommend to me. But, for the mean time, I'm sticking with my ancient 900mhz.

At first, I was disappointed, until I realized that I had plugged it into the DSL outlet. When I finally hooked it up correctly, it worked great. The digital answering machine sounds clear. The phone sounds great from anywhere in the house. Haven't tested it outside yet (too cold). I've been updating the built-in phone book through the caller-id function...very convenient (don't have to type everyone's name and phone number in). Good stuff. I also like setting different rings for various people in the built-in phone book. Locals I have set for one ring, long distance set for another.

You'd logically assume that 2.4 GHz phones would offer better sound than 900 MHz ones which is why they cost more, right?

WRONG!!!! I have another Uniden phone, at 900 MHz, and its sound quality is about 10 times better. This 2.4 GHz technology is all about marketing B.S.---I end up having to almost shout on this phone in order for other people to hear me properly, and I don't hear them as well either.

It's too bad, because the answering machine seems to work quite well, easy to use functions. The phone is attractively designed, with the handset being of a very pleasing shape and appearance. The cellphone-like digital display is convenient too, but unfortunately the "Rocket Dial" memory-dialing system is a real pain to figure out and use consistently.

My advice is, get a better phone for less money: opt for the 900 MHz stuff!