Stylish looking basic phone with some very nice functions (Sony Ericsson Z610i)

Member Name: davydoug

Product:	Sony Ericsson Z610i
Date:	10/02/08 (245 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Looks good, does all the standard phone stuff well

Disadvantages: Better camera phones, and MP3 player phones are out there

When the time comes round each year to upgrade my contract mobile phone I generally take the opportunity to pick up a new handset with a few additional new features that my existing phone lacks.

Last year, when upgrade time arrived, I discovered that none of the new handsets around could offer me much more than my existing Sony Ericsson w810i Walkman phone already had. It's all just personal preference I suppose, but all I was after was a phone with a decent camera and mp3 player, both of which the W810i had.

Over the years I've owned various different Nokia phones, but was happy with my switch over to Sony Ericsson, plus I'd never owned a flip phone, so I decided to give the Z610i a try.

With its clamshell design, available in 3 colours, (black, blue and pink) the phone is clearly stylish, which is only confirmed when the 'invisible' external screen comes to life (only apparent when a call or text message is received). The external screen can also be used to display the time at by pressing either volume button on the side of the phone at any time.

The phone is very easy to use and sticks to the usual Nokia/Sony Ericsson style layout. Anyone who's used a mobile phone before will master this handset within hours, and complete mobile novices will not be far behind them. The instruction manual provided also gives clear instructions for any support required.

As you'd expect, the phone hosts the usual SMS & MMS facilities, WAP internet capabilities, Bluetooth, calendar, alarm clock, MP3 player, camera (2.0 mega pixels) and video player. It also comes loaded with a number of games (Millionaire 2nd Edition, Zuma, and Quadra Pop) though these are only available for a trial period and then you have to pay to either rent or buy them. It's not a major issue, but this did slightly annoy me as all previous phones I've owned have come with at least one permanent free game. The phone does come with a couple of other fun and useful applications including FaceWarp and MusicDJ.

The Z610i comes with 2 built in cameras, one on the external shell and one internally at the top of the screen, because one other really cool feature it has is the Video Call facility. You are able to hold up your phone and video yourself while watching the person you're calling on the screen. Sadly I don't know anyone who has a compatible phone, so I haven't been able to check this feature out properly yet, but it looks very cool.

So, included in the box when you buy is:

- Sony Ericsson Z610i handset

- Battery

- Headphones

- User manual

- CD-Rom

- 1 USB cable

- Memory card (MemoryStick M2 - 64 MB)

I got my handset free on a contract deal, but the phone is available to buy 'pay as you go' on various networks (for example £64.99 on Orange network, via Amazon).

To sum up, if you're looking for a styish phone with a couple of cool features, and all the standard mobile kit you'd expect, the z610i might be the phone for you.

This review is now available on Ciao also.

Summary: Stylish looking basic phone with some very nice functions

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