Sony Ericsson W910 Review: Walkman in Style

Sony Ericsson W910i Noble Black

The Sony Ericsson W910 reinforced the Walkman ranks with a suave, yet strong performer. The thin and elegant slider does look the part, while HSDPA (3.6 Mbps) and Walkman 3.0 are the right features to expect in a high-end device. At first glance, the W910 brings a few brand new software and hardware solutions to the scene. Stay with us as we go beyond the disarming looks and try to determine whether Sony Ericsson W910 has what it takes to win the hearts of the customers.

Sony Ericsson W910 official pictures

Key features

• HSDPA (3.6 Mbps), EDGE, Bluetooth (with A2DP)
• SensMe™ and Shake control features
• Slim sliding construction
• Media Center, Walkman 3.0
• Dedicated Call and End keys
• Fast photo browser
• Ample 2.4" display
• Powerful loudspeaker
• FM radio with RDS
• 1GB or 2GB M2 card included, M2 USB card reader

Main disadvantages

• Comes at an overpriced price tag
• Wobbly slider
• 2 MP camera with neither autofocus, nor flash
• Only 40 MB internal memory
• Video recording in QVGA resolution at 15fps
• Irrelevant gaming/photo keys
• No skins for the Walkman player

Conclusion

Sony Ericsson W910 is the top dog in the Walkman series when it comes to feature phones, the smarty W960 being a class of its own in the company's music portfolio. Some of W910 features are true high-end stuff: the quality display, elaborate music features, exquisite design, fast performance and 3G capabilities. Those however coexist with painfully familiar features and applications we've been getting in downright midrange handsets. Too much compromise to put up with in this price range and the tag on W910 is likely to get even the brand loyals a bit reserved. Nokia and Samsung seem to prepare a handful of cool music offerings in this price range too, while their non-music oriented handsets too have good music players. Despite the rich sales package, including a 1GB M2 card and the cool M2 USB reader, the W910 will be under pressure, as price is the ultimate decisive factor in this increasingly competitive market.

(Read full review on GSMArena.com...)
Sony Ericsson W910 specification

Sony Ericsson S500 Review: Emotion vs Reason

Sony Ericsson S500i Quadband GSM Cell Phone - Mysterious Green

The slider form factor debuts in the company's S line and in fact, this is the first Sony Ericsson slider that's not a Walkman. Speaking of which, Sony Ericsson S500 is a W580 in disguise. And some disguise it is: with this slim slider almost everything is staked on design. Nature-inspired patterns, audacious paintjobs and light effects all make sure the S500 won't go unnoticed.

Some official photos of Sony Ericsson S500

Key features

• Size: 99 x 47 x 14 mm, 94 g
• Slim slider body
• Appealing design and color options
• Dynamic themes and wallpaper animation
• Light effects
• Good keypad
• Good 256K-color QVGA display
• M2 memory card support, up to 2GB
• 2-megapixel camera
• Email client and RSS-feed reader
• A2DP enabled Bluetooth
• Quad band support, GPRS and EDGE Class 10

Main disadvantages

• Only 12MB of integrated memory
• No indicator of missed events
• Not operable without SIM
• No autofocus and flash
• No FM radio
• Awkward handling of SIM card and rear cover

Conclusion

Sony Ericsson S500 is a mid-range slider of slim design and daring exterior, which offers very standard, not to say unoriginal, functionality. Available for around 225 Euro, the S500 is easily challenged by a number of Sony Ericsson models offering respectable functions in this price range. Which way you will go is just up to you.

Comparison with Sony Ericsson W580 is inevitable; paying a little extra to get this exciting Walkman is an option worth considering

The S500 will easily appeal to the senses, but the Walkman W580 could well be the more reasonable option. FM radio, fitness application, superior headset, and a 512-MB memory card are enough features to make the Walkman phone worth the additional investment.

(Read full review on GSMArena.com...)
Sony Ericsson S500 specification