Does what it's supposed to do, all the time. (Sony Ericsson W610i)

Member Name: LaptopAcidX

Product:	Sony Ericsson W610i
Date:	03/06/09 (13 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: All the main features just work. Phone is very tough.

Disadvantages: Not cutting edge, battery wearing out after a year.

The Sony Ericsson W610i is a slim and compact "candy bar" style mobile phone and mp3 player with Walkman Player 2.0 software for playback of mp3 accessible via the one click access Walkman key, music capability is further complimented with an FM radio. Also built in is a 2.0 megapixel camera that has a digital zoom, video recording capabilities and a built-in flash. Digital media (music and photos) can be transfer from PC and stored on the included 512MB Memory Stick Micro (M2).

I got my W610i from Virgin Mobile on contract in March of 2008 and despite severe hardship from accompanying me whilst climbing, hiking and camping it is still going strong. This year instead of upgrading I kept the phone and went onto a lower cost tariff.

Standard phone functions are excellent, loudness and sound quality during conversation is fine both hand held and on the speaker. Texting is also fine although in predictive mode some of the dictionary omissions are a little bizarre.

The Walkman sound quality is excellent as are the included in ear bud headphones (supplied with three different sizes of bud), I personally have no problem with them. I guess some people will want to upgrade but as they are cheap it's no great shakes to replace them and ultimately music reproduction is very good.

The camera is a real revelation, despite not having a proper real time zoom, it takes simply stunning and very detailed pictures, the only exception being in low light situations.

It is easy to transfer files either using Bluetooth or the included cable as the phone shows up on a PC as a USB drive, it's just a question of drag and drop. There is no need to install the awful Sonic Stage software or drivers unless you want to back up contact details.

Battery life used to be excellent, although after fourteen months I find I am charging it every other day, it would be a cheap part to replace.

Overall this is an excellent phone, it's not cutting edge but despite the relatively low spec all the features especially the camera and Walkman are exemplary. Furthermore and perhaps most importantly for a mobile phone the talking and texting features just work.

Summary: A tough, stylish mobile, if not exactly a smart phone.

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