Sony Ericsson W980 Review (Sony Ericsson W980)

Member Name: Jamie Hill

Product:	Sony Ericsson W980
Date:	03/08/08 (33 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Stereo Speakers, FM transmitter, vibrating touch controls, 3.2MP camera, Motion Sensor

Disadvantages: No flash/autofocus, No 3.5mm headphone slot.

Sony Ericsson have done it again; providing a feature-packed, attractive handset keeping the rest of the market on it's toes.

The W980 is designed with music in mind, marketed as 'music reborn' which is evident with twin stereo speakers either side of the handset, 'Walkman on Top' so you can control the whole library without opening the phone, 'SensMe' which sorts music by mood, and an FM transmitter to send your music to a nearby radio opening up all sorts of practical jokes. This is all plumbed in to the newest walkman, 3.0.

The camera is impressive for a music-orientated phone, at 3.2MP with 3.2x zoom, although a lack of autofocus and flash speaks out that this is predominantly a music phone.

Further features include the touch-sensitive controls for the 'Walkman On Top' which give vibrating feedback when pressed. These controls are very well defined, and the feedback is just right as to not become annoying after a while. In addition to this, Sony Ericsson have used their motion sensor technology to an even greater extent; allowing changing of songs, games such as Need For Speed where you steer the car by tilting the phone, applications such as Music Mate 5 with a motion sensitive drumkit (which i admit i am yet to get used to) and finally a pointless yet endlessly cool walkman logo on the front screen, which turns as the phone is tilted so it is always upright.

Whilst designing this phone, Sony Ericsson seem to have had practicality in their minds, with a large keypad and indented, well defined buttons allowing very high speeds of texting and a simple sliding 'hold' button for the 'walkman on top', just like many MP3 players so you dont ever change the song inadvertantly.

As usual, Sony Ericsson have failed to add a 3.5mm headphone slot into the phone and instead you have to fiddle around with a long adaptor; however the in-box earphones are brilliant quality with very deep bass and noise-cancelling technology, it could be the end of flimsy, tinny in-box earphones!

This phone is a well-deserved flagship of Sony Ericsson's W Series, with all the expected features of a high-end walkman phone. Its simple. Buy it.

Summary: A brilliant, very attractive handset packed full of music enhancing features; living upto the hype!

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