6snap, the unofficial Snapchat client for Windows Phone 8, is now available

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If there’s one app left standing for Windows Phone users, it would be Snapchat. The popular photo messaging app that allows your pics to ‘expire’ after a pre-determined viewing time does not have an official client for Windows Phone, but today we have the next best thing.

Developed by Rudy Huyn, the mind behind 6tag and 6sec, also very popular unofficial apps for Instagram and Vine, 6snap has been in the works for the last few weeks. Today, the app is available to all with Windows Phone 8 devices and it does not disappoint.

Head past the break for our video first-look and more information on where to get it.

Featuring the ability to manage your privacy settings, background agents for notifications, and even the Story mode, 6snap has all of the top design aesthetics that fans of Huyn’s work have come to expect. Here’s what the app can do:

6snap version 1.0

  • Share pictures and videos with Snapchat users
  • Post snaps on your story
  • See stories, best friends and score of your friends
  • Draw and add text to your pictures
  • Search Snapchat for friends on your phone
  • Save your picture on your phone
  • Front and back camera support
  • Manage your Snapchat privacy
  • Notifications with custom ringtone

Windows Phone exclusive features:

  • Lens support
  • Extend the picture hub (share menu, etc..)
  • Live tile

Although the Snapchat service is itself a simple concept, the 6snap app does an admirable job of mimicking everything you would expect from an official version (and more). Huyn has also promised “more features” coming soon, but for now, Windows Phone users should be quite pleased with this version.

Pick up 6snap, the unofficial Snapchat client for Windows Phone 8, here in the Store (or scan the QR code below). Free. Thanks, SuNcO, for the tip!

Daniel Rubino
Daniel Rubino

Daniel Rubino is the Executive Editor of Windows Central, head reviewer, podcast co-host, and analyst. He has been covering Microsoft here since 2007, back when this site was called WMExperts (and later Windows Phone Central). His interests include Windows, Microsoft Surface, laptops, next-gen computing, and arguing with people on the internet.
271 Comments
  • Been using it a few days. Really well done. Congrats Rudy! Now ... who wants to snapchat?
  • HEY SAM, today should be national windows phone holiday!!!!!   instagram, waze and 6snap, LET THE BATTLE BEGIN!
  • Actually, WP has been on a roll for a good week now.
  • indeed, but today was THE day..
  • +1, Not to mention the New Nokia Mix Radio as well. Plan to use Waze on the commute back home!
  • Don't forget that Mint is also on its way!
  • Yesterday it felt like xmas!!!
  • I can not belive this Rudy guy!!! I mean, less than a month ago he said he was working on a snapchat app and it`s already here, and full of quality features??? And also delivering regular updates to 6tag and 6sec while at it??? Damn!! Someone give this guy the "coding Nobel".
  • Agreed :)
  • Just to make sure... This does not have push notifications? Only gets them every 30 minutes?
  • Is everyone's live tile clearing once a notification is viewed? Mine hasn't....
  • Mine hasn't either :/
  • Chill out boys hella updates to come if u know his 6tag and 6sec so all will be well
  • Really excellent Rudy.
    But I already work with two diferent Lumia 920 and 6Snap only keep me connect on one of them on SnapChat.
    Does it possible keep  on both simultaneously like 6Tag and 6Sec? Cheers, Edit: Rudy already reply, it's SnapChat restriction. We can only be connected from ONE device! (AWESOME APP & Developer - 5 Stars)
  • Rudy! Rudy! Rudy!
  • Hats off to Mr Rudy. Once again he does it and his work is much better than official apps. My wish would be if he could make 6face or something like that for facebook. I am sure his app will be better than official app and many many many people would prefer his app over official app. Also out of social networks facebook might be most popular one. 
  • I would definitely pay a dollar or 2 (₹110 in India) if he did make 6face or 6book.. Not a big user of anything apart from Facebook and twitter.
  • Thats what I have been thinking. People would pay happily if there is some good facebook app. Surely Rudy's app will be awesome as are his other apps.
  • Nice
  • Very nice indeed
  • OK... what is the deal with the number SIX??? one wonders
  • I guess it all started with the six seconds of vine in 6sec.
  • Actually, Rudy is the devil. This completes his trilogy and the end is nigh. With this announcement, I have entered my bunker for the apocalypse.
  • +920
  • He must be!! A couple of weeks ago he said he was working on this and it`s already done!!! And also delivering regular updates to 6tag and 6sec while working on 6snap. His pace is out of this world!!
  • And he stated on twitter multiple times that 6snap was only a weekend thing. So its way less than three weeks. Probably crammed into 5-7 days of real hard work! #BeastMode
  • Hahahah
  • +lumia666
  • And it looks like G, for ista6ram.
  • Part of it was that a number will appear at the top of the app list.
  • Yup, instagram did not allow any app to use word insta or tag, same with vine. Rudy had to rename vine to 6sec and then it became his brand.
  • 9Gag started with a number too
  • Also, if you check your app list, all these apps will be grouped together, on the top. Pretty clever way to trademark the naming convention while grouping the apps together in the app list.
  • Just leave all the unofficial app to Rudy!
  • im sure his version of the 8.1 update would be sick: 8.6
  • Rudy is the man!!!
  • Good day today
  • Today is just flooded with new apps to download!
  • Rudy, the wp community salute your dedication and hard work. You and Nokia have ensured and made WP what it is today. Thank you.
  • +1000. Yes we salute Rudy n Nokia...  
  • Agreed
  • +1
  • Noice.
  • What a day for windows phone!
  • Whoop! Downloading now.
  • T minus zero and counting for the undoubtedly inferior official app :P that's bound to hit WP
  • I've got bad feeling about "6" in three times.
  • Don't worry, the number is six hundred and sixty six, not three successive sixes such as this.  You should be ok.  
  • Use your aggressive feelings, boy. Let the hate flow through you.
  • Woe to you, oh Earth and Sea...
  • yeah me too.. ._.
  • YES
  • Great! Now I can finally delete swapchat :)
  • Or do we....can always screenshot with no one knowing on swapchat, might be worth keeping in the arsenal
  • You're a...youre a monster.
  • Dont hate the player, hate the game
  • Is this real life?
  • Is this just fantasy?
  • Caught in a landslide.
  • No escape from reality
     
  • Open your eyes
  • Look up to the skies and see...
  • I'm just a poor boy, I need no sympathy
  • C-C-C-C-Combo Breaker!
  • hats off JoRdaNeK! LOOOOOOOOOOOOOL made my day.
  • ^ this man has won the internet. well done, sir.
  • hahah this was good stuff
  • Yesss!
  • Rudy is the man! He's making those big name apps come! Without him we may not even have an official Vine or Instagram!
  • After facebook, twitter, vine, I drew the line at instagram man! No more social media anything for me
  • Will this get pulled like what happened to Swapchat?
     
  • Would like to know too
  • Rudy Huxable, you the man. Man!
  • One developer continues to just crush official apps. Lack of resources, or lack of effort. Rudy does what companies say they can't. This is an excellent example of an overachiever. You sir continue to earn my respect.
  • +6
  • Indeed! The companies of the "official" apps should be embarrased.
  • EXACTLY! and when companies like Google (who tend to be big believers of openness) give this alibi that they have lack of "resources" when it comes to Windows (Windows Store / WP store) apps, its a joke. When companies like Microsoft make apps for all three platforms and they don't get any love from Apple/Google in return (in terms of apps published in Windows and Windows Phone stores), its just sad.    I am a developer and with my ONE designer friend, I am able to publish few apps accross three platforms single-handedly, how?.. I keep the business logic in worlds most portable language: C++ while keeping the presentation layer isolated (XAML in case of Windows Phone, Windows Store).   Anyways guys, the developers of Snapchat seems to be open minded, otherwise they wouldn't have this page http://support.snapchat.com/ca/incompatible   Please everyone click on Windows Phone (just once) and hope they get convinced and come up with a gorgeous official version too.   Meanwhile, kudus to Rudy! I am a big fan <3
  • Whoa! This day has been amazing for WP, i really think today is the day my phone has everything at the same time, is there truly anything else we need? I'm stumped and happy because of it
  • Is there a way to remove ads??
  • Yeah, just put masking tape over that part of the phone screen
  • Nevermind, paid $1.29 to remove :)
  • That had me chuckling, good internetting sir!
  • Click the ... button and there is an option to 'remove ads' with a purchase.
  • Thanks...was looking a way to give Rudy my money....he definitely deserves it! Good job again Rudy!
  • Today is a great day to be a WP user.
  • What a great day for apps
  • Well done Rudy!
  • What is it? AWESOME APP DAY FOR WP?
  • Thank you based Rudy. #blessed #pervmode
  • I can't breath anymore. Too many good damn new apps! Hosh hosh hosh hosh
  • Can someone explain SnapChat to me? Is there a use case scenario that doesn't invove sending your tits across the wire?
  • Man the [#] section of my app list is getting full with all these 6xxxx apps!
  • I'm still waiting for path :'(
  • Lol who would've thought instagram and vine would arrive before path
  • Me too I even tweeted at them for a date and they replied with "nothing to announce" ugh
  • So we can pray and wait...
  • Thank you Rudy! Been a truly great week for WP8. Its made bigger strides in that timeframe than it normally does in two months. Rudy Huyn, youre a credit to the platform you hold passion for, thanks again.
  • I don't use Snapchat and probably never will but I'd bet any amount of money that this app is better than the official one on t' other platforms. Even the logos are better on Rudy's apps. Lovely stuff, as Shakin Stevens might say.
  • Rudy is ze best!!!!
  • If I remove the ads and then change my phone, do I have to pay again?
  • Nope! It'll remember!
  • Purchases are tied to your MS account.
  • Thank you both of you for your answers. I have bought plenty of apps but I haven't done any of these IAP to remove ads. :D
  • Time to start sexting! (that's the point of this, right?)
  • Pretty much.  Or do any other manner of "secret" messaging with someone you don't want someone/others to know about... =)
  • Actually, no. Noone on my friends list sexts. I use it for sending pictures of funny stuff i see to everyone on my friends list. You COULD use it for sexting but my snapchat experience has been without any of that.
  • Will probably also be better than snapchat
  • Does this auto add people like whatsapp? From you contacts?
  • It does have a feature to search your contacts to see who's using it and if you want to add them as a friend.
  • Yeah
  • Is it just me or does phone number verification not work internationally? Tried two numbers. One in Germany and one in Netherlands. Anyone?
  • Gotta use your respective country codes bro
  • I did. Did it with 00XX and with +XX. No luck yet
  • No you don't. I didn't. And im in Australia. Worked a charm
  • As usual , great app from Rudy but I think its about tine he starts with his own app ..
  • Why?
  • Because he clearly has the talent and capacity to make an original app. I find all the unofficial apps that's he's making useful but its sad to see him waste time on clones.
  • He's not wasting his time at all :/ I use all his "6" apps everyday, and I've gladly paid for them. He HAS designed other original apps you know. Check his portfolio. I'd be delighted if he just kept doing what he's doing, because he does a damn good job.
  • He is filling a need. That is what good developers do. The see an unmet need and create an app. If there were good vine, instagram, and snapchat apps available, he would need to make another app that does the same thing. However, there weren't any of those app and Rudy filled that hole with apps that are better than the official one's on other platforms. That is a mark of an excellent developer.
  • The "Find Friend" activation thing; I've tried entering my number twice and I haven't received any verification code. .... Anyone know why?
  • Ah, never mind, figured it out.
  • Tell us?
  • Haha, sorry. You have to use your country code prefix. E.g. I'm in Ireland so I put 00353XXXXXXXXX. No dashes, hashes or any of that nonsense, just bang in your number straight and you should get a text shortly after. Although the app didn't pull many contacts from my list for some reason, maybe only 10% of the people who have it installed. Not sure if that's 6snaps problem or Snapchats.
  • Yeah i didn't need to do that at all. Im in australia. Just worked.
  • Make sure to use -'s like 123-123-1234 not 1231231234 or it won't work I found.
  • It looks like it worked with +country code and number.
  • Or not..I don't know anymore.
  • Beatiful app.
  • I'm liking this guy! Windows phone ftw!
  • Someone figure out how to take screenshots please :) It worked in swap chat. Also I cant figure out how to send a video, seems to be a hidden functionality.
  • Are snaps received pushed, or do we have to wait the 30 minute tile update time?
  • Same question here.
  • Also confused on this.
  • Definitely looks like nothing gets pushed. I have received a few messages and nothing shows up on the lockscreen even though I put the app as one of the apps to show in the lock screen.   Sad face. :(
  • IDK about that... I got a notification that a friend accepted my request?
  • So maybe it's me... Nooooo. :(
  • I think it is.  I've been getting notifications and the live tile is working.
  • Hey guys i thought with snapchat we could send messages too and i didn't find how to do that. Maybe i'm wrong. Someone can confirm?
  • Just tap the picture and a bar comes up :-) 
  • Oh thanks but is it possible just to send messages without pictures?
  • That's called SMS.
  • LOL you know i'm just testing the app because i like what Rudy Huyn is doing on WP but i don't think i will use it a lot, because i don't see this app so useful. For me It's just a way to send crap stuff. Anyway i was just wondering about the features and how i could use the app.
  • It's stupid, but fun for the kids I guess :) You can take a picture of a flat surface, then write something though, but you have to take a picture or video :)
  • yes i saw that, but if this app was pulled out from the store i don't think i will miss it.  
  • Anyone worked out how to add text to a snap? Can't seem to do it...
  • I think that's missing.
  • Says in the description that its possible..
  • Oh, I think you just tap the pencil. Right?
  • Fraid not. That's for drawing, not text!
  • Just tap the image
  • Will give it a go, thanks!
  • Rudy, Rudy, Rudy
  • 6pin inc!
  • Someone give Rudy a medal
  • That 1520 is looking amazing!
  • @RudyHuyn RESPECT. The guy is the Cristiano Ronaldo of the coding world. 
  • More like Cristiano Ronaldo is the Rudy Huyn of the football world ;) Kidding aside, FORÇA PORTUGAL.
  • OMG
  • Someone tell me why I should be using this app. I have no idea what this is for.
  • Then Bing it.
  • Even though I only use Bing now, I can't bring myself to say " I binged it".
  • What a great day for wp :D
  • Wow! Very impressed... Feels official.
  • Hell yih!
  • Rudy you beast.
  • Rudy is like the official "unofficial" guy!
  • or is he the "unofficial" official guy?
  • Not sure how much I'll use it, but downloaded immediately in order to show support to Rudy. A brilliant production yet again. Rudy is the man when it comes to showing the official first parties how an app should be done.
  • Just downloaded! App works great so far, but I'm confused as to how add friends at the moment...
  • Swipe right when at the camera then tap the top right icon with the plus sign.
  • I get that, but when I try to add "From Contacts", it asks me to put in my number and I never get the verification text it keeps mentioning.
  • Try in the format 123-123-1234 if in the US.  I tried 1231231234 and it wouldn't work that way for me.
  • I also am not getting the verification...att in the us.
  • ^^ this works! Thanks fwaits  
  • Good job Rudy!
  • YES!!!!!!!
  • Windows Phone is getting a lot of great apps! I have been wanting to get a WP for a while now but am waiting for windows phone 8.1... hope it has great features! I'm looking to change from my iPhone 4S to a WP. Getting bored with apple right now. I feel like WP is really doing a lot to improve! :)
  • Welcome on board. It´s always nice to have someone joining us. I`ve done the more a less the same (android) just a couple of months ago and i`m so happy with my lumia 920. Also, Windows Phone Central adds a lot to the whole windows phone experience.
  • +1, I switched from Nexus 4 to Lumia 521 about a month ago and very happy so far.
  • It looks great and I was going to buy the ad removal but I am not sure without push notifications.
  • Ask about it on his twitter @rudyhuyn.  He usually responds to questions like these.
  • Looks like someone else asked. :( :( https://twitter.com/RudyHuyn/status/403313804542349312
  • Bought the no ads anyway. The guy deserves some support. Still not happy about the lack of instant notifications but it's a snapchat problem.
  • Sweet! I've been waiting for this so I can reset my phone using my new email, haha!
  • So does this address the privacy issue stopping the official app coming to WP, ie preventing screenshots of the app?
  • He is putting Windows phones on the map.
  • One app left? Still need a hsbc app and account apps for the rest of the networks ie Vodafone o2 orange etc.
  • Orange has a billing app its called EE (in the app you have to choose EE, Orange & T-Mobile) O2 has an app as well (I think I saw it had one) Vodafone doesn't, yet they have made 2 random apps I have no idea why a billing app or a Vodafone VIP app wouldn't be there top priority...Speaking of Vodafone VIP there has allways been a VoucherCloud app so I have no idea why this isn't on their as Vodafone VIP is just VoucherCloud with a few exclusives =/ Most network apps are hidden unless you have a SIM from that operator, like O2 Priority Moments just appears when an O2 SIM is in the phone. Yeah, HSBC is missing I find that really annoying although I migrated to First Direct with their £125 incentive, since it is the same bank I thought why not...still no app though =/
  • I believe the o2 app was being developed by someone in Germany there's def no Vodafone app few friends of mine use the 925 on Vodafone network no account app still i use giffgaff witch has an account app thank fudge lol i just use my ipod for the missing pieces of the wp8 puzzle its the best os hands down just needs a few more essentials :)
  • In Rudy, we trust!
  • Seems like a great app so far, only problems are with video....the video is always off centered and zoomed in. Could just be my HTC 8x? Also the app doesn't always run super smooth, but hey, its v.1
  • PLS PLS COME TO 7.X OR RT
  • Bro...upgrade!! Shiiiiiiiit!
  • Sweet!!! Thanks
  • Is it possible to add text instead of handwritten captions?
  • Yes. Tap the image. A bar comes up that you can enter text into
  • I'm still using Swapchat...
  • #SwitchTo6Snap
  • It seems that Rudy's 6snap app is limited to the third-party 30 minute push notification Source: https://twitter.com/RudyHuyn/status/403313804542349312
  • :( :(
  • The issue is snapchat servers. https://twitter.com/RudyHuyn/status/403330753527676928
  • Rudy for CEO of Microsoft. He knows what I want and delivers. Or at least a lead in app design cuz this app is gorgeous
  • Am I the only one who is sick of all these "hail rudy" comments??
  • Yes, yes you are.
  • Yes you are. Rudy for the Huyn. All hail the glorious App Making Machine, glory be unto you, the saviour of Windows Phone. Amen.
  • Wow. Rudy is my hero.
  • Video playback is tretched out on HTC8x for both front and rear cam. But I should not coplain. Been using swaapchat, which does not even have video option. Great work and a Beautiful UI. Just what windows phone apps should look like. I hope snapchat doesn't file a complaint for this one.
  • Rudy made my day with this one! BIG Snapchat user over here that's been lugging around a spare Droid, just to Snapchat. Thanks so much for making such a fine app sir. Will continue to support everything that you do!
  • Rudy, you sir are a beast! #respect
  • Yaaaaaaaay!
  • THAT'S MY LOGO :D My first ever design to be used professionally!
  • My hats off to Rudy -- truely you rock! It is so pathetic that first party developers with all their resources cannot do what this one person has done.  Truely remarkable and truely Epic FAIL! for many first party developers
  • Thanks so much! :D
  • I want to see a Rudy Store tile just beside the native Store app :D
  • I have a problem with adding friends - when I type in my phone number it always tells me it can't connect .... Any solutions ?
  • Why do you type Your Phone number? You made a new user account? Try using snap hat on android. Add your friends there and then change back to 6snap. Or type your friends user names. Or wait til problem is fixed with update
  • Yes i made a new acc. I type in my phone number because I don't really know which friends are using snapchat or what are their usernames. I will try on some android device when I get the chance.. Tnx for the idea:)
  • Instagram id-.." anky17cool " ...follow to see amazing clicks taken from lumia..
  • this guy should work for Microsoft
  • Im receiving a "failed to connect" message! Won't even let me sign in now? And just when I was starting to have fun! Anyone know what happened? Dont tell me this is snapchats way of f***ing this up.
  • No problems connecting here. Just sent a snap.
  • It won't let me connect :(
  • Its working again! I realized my date + time were all messed up because of a recent reboot. That's what was causing the chaos hehe.
  • Never have so many 6s looked so good. Wait...
     
  • Screenshot is not available though. Guess maybe snapchat wont have a problem with this app.
  • Uhh...can we have a 6book? ;)
  • What's next? 6strip?
  • 6tube!!!
  • Yes what this dude said haha
  • 6Pin. PInterest apps suck in Window Phone. Also 6Tinder though I doubt Rudy needs any app to get the ladies.
  • The problem is that if Rudy makes more apps, he doesn't have time to give love to the already made apps.
  • I'm Snapping, thanks Rudy Huyn, keep going your apps are better than the officials albeit its good to have them. You have the ability to start a 3rd party revolution, we just need to become as good a developer as you.....not sure that's attainable in the short run. Thanks and I'm paying for this!!!
  • There is still one more left: PATH. The work has been anounced since July.....& where the hell is it now??? Other than that, it's been a terrific day. 3 downloads all the way today.
  • I keep getting faild to connect could it be my user name or something user name lilonej3
  • Try looking if your phone has the right date+time!
  • Yeah its set to automatic
  • Does it have an in app purchase as the rest of Rudy's apps? Cuz if so I'm gonna download it to pay Rudy and support him!
  • You can pay €1.29 to remove ads, I think that's it. I sort of wish there was a donate button too. I wouldn't mind giving him a few euro every week or two.
  • How is this different than foundbite, + I can add audio.
  • I can't sign in with my swapchat account. what am i supposed too do?
  • My phone now has three "6" apps in a row. Will it kill me?   6sec 6snap 6tag  
  • OMG OMG OMG
  • Can Rudy design Whatsapp client? I mean, look at all his app. They are so clean, beautiful UI and smooth apps. Wish WhatsApp would be like that as i use it very frequently.
    Just one guys is doing all this. Salute to Rudy
  • Microsoft should hire RUDY HUYN!
  • Great app, though a little awkard snapchatting on a 521 (no front facing camera).
  • Does anyone know if you can aggregate friends from fb or twitter?  When I try to do the "search contacts" thing I never get the verification code sms.
  • Rudy is the boss! 6tag, 6sec, and now 6snap. All brilliant and better than the official ones!
  • Rudy is the best app developer. 
  • Hopefully snapchat doesnt get it removed by tomorrow, replacement 8x comes tomorrow and i really want to get snapchat! Looks awesome!
  • Can 6Snap send snaps to people using SnapChat or is only able to snaps to other 6snaps users?
  • 6snap is snapchat esentially. It is just a third party app because official snapchat have not developed their app for the phone. 6snap will work entirely with snapchat and swapchat and any other snapchat app.
  • How do I get the custom notifications??
  • if anyone wants to snap chat me bozza72
  • Why not for Windows phone 7 :'(  
  • I want a 6flickr!
  • Would it be possible for '6snap' to come to windows 8 too, I really love windows and would love to have a good snapchat client on my pc as I use it more than my smartphone. Im planning on getting a good windows phone soon but I hardly leave my house so having it on my pc would be really convenient for me. :)
  • The app wont let me sign in? It comes up failed to connect?
  • make it working on wp7 please :C
  • Im a surface user, any chance this can get on the surface also?
  • Will this be available on WP 7.8? If so, when?
  • has anyone got this working on nokia lumia 800? this error message comes up "This app is not available for your phone. Tap here for more info" and when i do it tells me to update my phone. and i did that.. still not working :/
  • Will there be a version for WP7.10 (Lumia 800)? Tanks in advance
  • When ls this app going to be available for Nokia lumia 900?
  • Is it possible to connect with people who have the real snapchat (on android/ios)
  • Okay so,  this app works with Snapchat?  So I can use thus app with people who have snapchat or people who have 6snap only?
  • When you've sent a snap using this app and it says "replayed" what does that mean?
  • Hey it's nice but I have a question..may I save the snap I receive?...cuz I can't...
  • How can I sign up for an account? I've already filled in my email, username, birthday, and changed the "checked" attribute of the checkbox to "true" :D. After that, I see a lot of images and the "We want to be sure you're not a robot" (or something like that) sentence appears. I thought it was a matching game for checking if I am a human being so I choose identical images, click "Submit" (or "Agree"). After loading, that screen appears again! I don't know how to do that so please help. Thanks in advance! P/S: this is the first time I've used 6snap so if I asked a stupid question, please ignore this. :D
  • i have been trying to make an account for 6snap, but every time i try, it just says connecting, and then nothing happens, any help?
  • I get the same thing. Can't make an account at all. It doesn't help that Snapchat is stupid and doesn't allow account creation on their website either. No response from Rudy on this issue - whether it's with the app or with Snapchat itself.
  • My 6snap isn't working properly and wont let me log in because it is saying 'failed to connect' i would like it if you made the OFFICIAL snapchat available for windows phone as i think it is unfair that it is such a good phone but something small isn't available