Strange things take place in the kingdom of Sony Ericsson. Having developed a good platform, the company washes everything on its way in search of gold nuggets. If you want to buy an inexpensive, but functional Sony Ericsson of clamshell format, you will inevitably find yourself in the fork of choice – W710i or Z710i? Let’s discuss everything together.

Design
The first thing that the manufacturer has changed, separating device into “music” and “normal” is a color solution. This is perhaps the weakest point of Z710i. Walkman was painted in the standard for the brand colors: gray, white and orange. Version Z tries to look stern, but without wearing expensive “clothes”.
When you look at Sony Ericsson Z710i, you want to compare it with a luxury Korean car, especially for the domestic market. Yes, they are made good, sometimes even cute, but in the background of the Europeans they seem to be a rattle. In other words Z710i was born as a Walkman, and plastic surgery wasn’t very successful. If we consider Z version separately from W, the image becomes less dark, but it is not still colorful to call Z710i a beautiful phone. It is difficult even to say that the model is not to the point: antenna, chrome, blue backlighting of the keyboard, or all together.
The hallmark antenna-arc in Sony Ericsson Z710i looks absolutely ridiculous. Imagine Maybach 62 with spoiler “dream watermelon Baron”, and you will feel the comic structure.
You will get used to design features, but I don’t think that it will be interesting for you to get used to the screaming colors. How I love the orange color, however, it is very eccentric for everyday devices such as mobile phone. But perhaps this is a matter of taste.

Display
Almost all the rest, the model Z and W are similar to each other that will not prevent us through this maze. External displays are identical, both phones have 1.5 inches (128×128 pixels), which look very solid, especially considering the amount of shell – 88×48x24, 5mm.
Small screen and monochrome models are distinguished by the fact that in Z series supports 4 shades of gray, and W has the same, but with an orange backlight.
The internal display does not produce such a favorable impression as the front one; its dimensions are quite standard – 1.9 inch (176×220 pixels). The TFT-display shows up to 262 thousand colors.
Display has ideal contrast and sharp, with excellent viewing angles. The quality of the screen is comparable with the older models of the company, and in their price range if not given something supernatural, then, at least, nothing inferior to the best representatives of the market.

Keyboard
On other side of the external display there are keys to work with MP3-player in the closed position. Actually the huge display is enough to work with the player. The left side is a place for keys which activate the camera (in the closed position it does not work) and paired “rocker” to adjust the volume.
When the phone is closed, the “minus” shows planned for the current affairs events, and if you click the plus sign, then the important information is displayed by phone: profile, your contacts, and battery power in percentage ( convenient and accurate).
On the right end there are keys which are responsible for locking the phone when it is closed.
With characteristic click, opening the phone, we’ll see buttons – big and small. All of them separately or together are already familiar.
Standard handsets there, took their place, two soft keys, an excellent job with their roles. Below there is a key “return” and “C”. The entire keyboard is made in typical Sony Ericsson style. And only navigational key somehow gets out of the context, W710i, definitely looks more organic. Numeric keys are medium in size, but due to the division into three blocks and a clear course to work with text, or simply dial the number comfortably.

MP3-player
With all the similarities and differences, consumers are interested in one thing – music features. Engineers went to indirect ploys that artificially divided the model. So in Z710i there is no profile A2DP, which puts an end to stereo Bluetooth-headsets.
Thus, the player is simplified, but not fatal.
Yes, a little about the FM-radio. With it we understand what praise for the quality of reception and ease of use is.
The main difference will be the headset. In W710i there is a stereo headset HPM-65, while Z710i has only HPM-60. During the test, I stepped on the Headset HPM-70, which fell out from somebody’s pocket, as the number of citizens in a narrow street, I did my best to return it to its rightful owner but I couldn’t. Since both models have a standard connector Fast Port so we tested with the headset of Z710i.
The output will not be comforting for the Walkman, with a good headset Z710i is not inferior to his brother in terms of musical sound and plays a couple of specific functions.

Multimedia
In this regard, telephones Z and W differ only by a lack of the first section of Fitness and all that is associated with it. Otherwise, as you know, there are no changes. Both phones support EDGE, Bluetooth (2.0, EDR, but without A2DP in Z version), Infrared, Java, themes, radio, powerful organizer and other functions of a modern phone. Both devices also have the support of Memory Stick Micro (M2) card.
Here lies the second major difference in W710i it has only 64MB. Hot-swappable memory card is not provided; it is implemented in the “warm” form. When changing the memory card you have to remove the battery cover.
Internal memory is 10 MB. As before, the device provides a convenient work with files of phone card, or simultaneously with all together.
Another distinctive feature of Sony Ericsson phones has become a function of multitasking. Player, games, calculator – all these and many other applications can run together.
Organizer and work with contacts are made on a solid top five.

Camera
Cameras in phones differ only in the presence of the mirror at Z version. All other features are standard for phones of this class. CMOS, 2 megapixel, autofocus and the lack of an acceptable quality of images, 2.5-fold-digital zoom. Maximum resolution of the image is 1600×1200 pixels, the average size photo is about 400 Kb. It has standard settings like white balance, and a few simple effects.

Video can be recorded in high quality and for MMS which means the resolution at 176×144 and 128×96 pixels, respectively.

Conclusion
As you can see, the differences between W710i and Z710i are cosmetic, just for a marketing purpose. Today the difference between a Walkman and Z is about 2000 rubles. For this money you can still easily buy a 512MB memory card and a good headset like HPM-70. This is in case you need something not orange, but the extent of solid music phone. Our sample even though it was an engineering one, worked very steadily.
710i is equipped with a Li-Pol battery with capacity of 900 mAh that’s just supports the work of up to 3 days in the active mode without problems, but if you choose the mode with disabled GPRS-module, then up to 5 days.
As a result, we have two absolutely equivalent apparatus. Choose with eyes, most of the major differences can be easily compensated.

Design
If we consider the exterior of Nokia 5070 at a right angle, we can find visible design irregularities and the roughness of engineering. Judge yourself, while Asian budget sets flaunt slim metal body, and design “that won a stylish model”, Nokia launches phone with large dimensions, but the most terrible by it is thick.
Moreover, the phone resembles a model released in 2002, not only in size, but the keyboard, camera location, except that the screen became larger. In addition, the phone is almost similar to the earlier Model 6070. What are the goals pursued in Nokia, letting go of 5070? Make an exact copy of 6070 in the youth corps? This version seems most viable. However, you should bear in mind that 6070 appeared a year ago and there had already been complaints about its functional filling. Of course it could boast with a relatively pleasant design, but then 5070 would like to see a somewhat different guise.

You’ll laugh, but these two models, have even the same weight – 88 grams. Not surprisingly, if the panel from 6070 to 5070 will suit (as it was with 7210 and 7250, for example).
Since the phone is aimed for young people, the manufacturer offers two youthful colors – blue and red. This framework is always white and black, the only change bezel housing.
In the end, after dressing old skeleton in the youth look, the phone itself is not younger. Though it has modern color and style, the wrinkles can not be hidden under any make-up.

Display
The greatest thing in the novelty can be called the display. Again back to Asian counterparts. Here we are dealing with CSTN-dinosaur, looking fit to more or less sane resolution up to 128×160 pixels.
The screen produces not very good impression – pale, not bright, inertia. With such a display it is inconvenient and unpleasant to work. In this reality somewhere in the background is sent to support 65 thousand colors.

Keyboard
Keyboard of 5070 is a removable block of plastic keys on the rubberized basis. Such designs in Nokia phones we’ve seen more than once. It has a distinct advantage – can be easily replaced.
These apparent shortcomings are not seen progress in key middle, work with the phone conveniently. Navigation is the key to a four-input function in the middle. It is the optimum size and should satisfy all the fingers.
In terms of additional control 5070 is fiscally stingy, actually except for two volume buttons on the left side and there is nothing more (the key above the display take power as de facto).

Functions
In this section lies the main drawback of Nokia 5070. But let’s not just point out bad things.
We can note that Nokia 5070 has IR port, support for EDGE, voice recorder for five minutes of recording, FM-radio (stereo headset included).
Now let’s talk about the disadvantages. Let us turn again to 2002, when the first phone from Nokia with a camera (model 7250) was turned out. The latter has 5 MB memory on board. 5070 has only 4,3 MB user available memory.
Other moments, such as the organizer or a phone book (more than 8 fields in the contact group, plus the voice tags) have a good level for Nokia.
Preinstalled polyphonic sounds like something it does not matter, even the firm “Nokia tune”. Volume? Unfortunately you will not hear the device on the street, you should rely on power of vibrating alert.

Camera
Why the manufacturer should put the camera on the phone with 4.3 MB memory, it’s not quite logical. The camera in 5070 is rather for show than for a really useful feature.
If we should make a normal “youth” phone, we must remove it or just put a normal camera.
But anyway, in 5070 we have 0.3-megapixel camera with maximum resolution of 640×480 pixels. The images absolutely lose their quality when displaying on the PC.
As we see, the camera can not give us the sharpness and natural color of the image (although it’s not so bad), and the resulting pictures can hardly claim a place in a virtual photo album.

Conclusion
Each product group has its own life time, and it probably came to the Series 40 of the budget level. These phones do not fit into today’s realities, even strange, why spend money on their production.
Although, if you buy this product (even overpaying), it is someone and need.
In a large barrel with the inscription “Tar” happened to be a piece of sugar under the name “Li-Lion 860 mAh”. Excellent battery life, and for 5070’s appetite this is more than enough.
Phone with 30-minute calls a day, listening to the radio (no more than an hour) honestly worked for five days.
We can recommend this phone only to Nokia adherents and newcomers in the mobile world. However, the senior and having exactly the same functionality (mono headset included) 6070 now costs cheaper.

Construction
In fact, RoverPC S6 has a twin brother – the communicator Lenovo ET600, released only for the Chinese market. But unlike it, the device from Russian brand has its own complete set.
As Lenovo is one of the largest manufacturers of computer electronics in the world, there is no need to worry about the quality of this novelty. Indeed, if you hold RoverPC S6, you can feel that you do not hold a plastic toy, with which the market is filled but a solid weighty (128 grams) device. The build quality of this communicator can be assessed a firm “excellent”! Even the more expensive devices may envy this novelty.

RoverPC S6 seems to be quite voluminous (110×59x15, 8 mm), but due to the rounded shell the device is simply perfect in the hand. In this case the index finger and thumb clearly fall into two blocs of control buttons.
The buttons are decorated in accordance with the style of the communicator – it seems that designers have worked on this device.

Now let’s talk about the design … RoverPC S6 is made of high quality and very pleasant to touch plastic, and the front panel is covered with metal. The main color is purple metallic unobtrusive light shade. The sides of the case are decorated with a wide silver border, where control buttons are placed. There is a camera activation button, and “reception / retreat” rocker. Of course, the location is a bit puzzling, but as it turned out during the operation, there is nothing uncomfortable about it.
Another cluster of four buttons and a multifunction joystick is located below the display. All buttons of RoverPC S6 have the best short course and excellent tactile feedback – tactile feedback is very clear. The same applies to the joystick.
It has a microSD slot for memory expansion, and the proprietary interface to connect the device to a computer located at the lower end which is closed with plastic plugs. Here (in the lower right corner) is located and the metal telescopic stylus.
Unfortunately, we could not find a separate audio output on the shell. It turned out that the headset is connected directly to the interface connector without an adapter. This means that in case of losing or damaging the headsets you have to make friends with a soldering iron, or … find a new one. In addition, the headset from the package can not compete with headphones Koss or AKG.

Display
LCD touch screen with 240×320 pixels, 2.8″ diagonal, which is one-tenth more than most competitors have. However, this is not the most important feature. The display supports for 262 thousand colors and has an excellent color reproduction.
The contrast and brightness allows you not only enjoy viewing photos, but even working with ordinary office programs. The brightness of the display is regulated in a very wide range, so it is comfortable to work with the communicator in a dark room, and in bright sunlight. Certainly in the latter case, the screen fades, but this is typical for any LCD panel.
RoverPC S6 is built on a processor from the Texas Instruments company, as some other smartphones and communicators from Rover Computers. OMAP 750 processor has a frequency of 200 MHz and does not pull serious calculations. But in order to work in the office programs this is quite enough.

There is 64 MB RAM and 128 MB ROM – a standard size of memory for communicators. Well, to expand the memory the user can take Micro SD.
Performance of the device was tested using Spb Benchmark.
Spb Benchmark index 268
CPU index 975
File system index 98
Graphics index 2359
As expected, the results are not very high. However, the novelty is quite suitable for listening to music, and for reading electronic books, as well as for watching movies. It is unlikely that someone would do mathematical calculations with this device, somewhere in the underground.
But for the purposes of office, this device fits very well. By the way, as we already mentioned, RoverPC S6 runs the operating system Windows Mobile 6.0, which comes with an expanded package of Office Mobile, which includes not only Word and Excel, but also a package for working with PowerPoint presentations in the Mobile-version.

Communication abilities
The device operates in GSM: 900/1800/1900, supports GPRS, and also has a traditional set of wireless communication interfaces: Bluetooth and Wi-Fi. Contact for all these interfaces is carried out without any problems, but some details still saddened. Thus, the novelty does not support GPRS called EDGE. In addition, Bluetooth is fairly new to the old version 1.2, and therefore works relatively slowly.

Camera
Camera is located on the reverse side of the battery compartment. The camera does not have a curtain – the manufacturer has decided to limit with the usual protective glass, behind which are hidden the lens and built-in LED flash. In terms of ergonomics the camera is ideally located.
The device is equipped with 2 megapixel cameras with autofocus. Of course, this won’t surprise anyone, but do not forget that RoverPC S6 does not claim to be named a fancy (expensive) device.
A software application that is responsible for the camera with one hand catches the eye with its stylish design, but on the other hand – disappoints with its slow work.
It takes only photos in JPEG format with a resolution of 320×240 up to 1600×1200 pixels. In addition, there are settings such as brightness, contrast, white balance.
You can even choose one of the preset user programs of shooting – portrait, daytime, night, landscape, standard. You can set the timer (2/5/10 c) and take pictures yourself in.
Video recording is available in formats 3GP, 3G2 and MP4 with resolution 160×120 or 176×144 pixels. The settings for video are the same as for the photo.
The quality of the images can be assessed as a solid four. There are some noises, but only when the lighting is really not enough. The camera focuses on a fairly long time, but accurately.
Video quality is worse, and the colors are not very natural.

Sound
On either side of the built-in camera there are two stereo speakers that produce rich and loud sound. The quality of their sound pleasantly surprises. Of course, you are not going to listen to music in the crowd, but you can stand out with your stylish and beautiful as well as loud ringtone.
The sound quality is quite standard.

But the built-in microphone has surprisingly high quality – the noises are little. In addition, the system has a special program, which also helps to reduce annoying background noise while recording.

Battery power
RoverPC S6 is equipped with Li-Ion battery with a 1100 mAh capacity. And here is the full opening of improvement in the low productivity of the communicator. The manufacturer claims that in talking mode the novelty will work up to 6 hours and in standby mode up to 200 hours. But we have found out that these indicators more or less correspond to reality or even a little understated.

Conclusion
This novelty from Rover Computers is a device for practical people. The build quality and long battery life with the convenience of control is adjusted for an adequate price. Yes, this device is for practical people… but only for those who are not behind the fashion world of electronics and appreciate the design of the communicator.

Last year Samsung released E900 model of a slider phone. The success of the model depends totally on the price, design and functionality of this mobile phone. These three features are the main characteristics that attract buyers when choosing the phone.
Today we’ll talk about the successor of E900 – J600E primarily designed for women. Modern eye-catching design must come to taste of a every fashionable woman. If we talk about the inner content, it has a solid intermediate level.

Design
Considering Samsung J600E as a whole, while stressing the major pluses, it turns out that the strongest side, of course, is its design. The exterior is certainly designed for women, although to some extent for men too. The four available colors (blue, pink, silver, gray) consider it to be a unisex direction of mobile phones.
Today, ergonomic device can not be expressed in one thing. The dimensions of this mobile phone are quite fashionable: 91×45x18 mm and 99 grams.
As you can see, Samsung J600E is a little bit elongated and narrowed (in the form of rectangle).
In the hand the phone is excellent. The navigation buttons are located above the thumb, so the process of opening this phone should not cause any difficulties.
Returning to the design of Samsung J600E, we’d like to mention the successful combination of slightly shiny metallic colors.
Top, bottom and back of the phone are deprived of any kind of controls, connectors and other things. But on the left side there are slots for charging the battery and headset, shortcut key for the quick access of the camera.
Both slots are closed with plastic plugs which give the impression of a long-playing mechanism. The right side turned on to be “poorer” and can boast only about volume buttons and a memory card slot.

Display
At first sight, the characteristics of the screen J600E look quite decent. Indeed who would have thought that the TFT-matrix with the support of 65 thousand colors and a resolution of 128×160 pixels will disappoint.
The problem lies in the ratio of the diagonal of the display and the resolution. As we can see in J600E, a 1.9-inch screen with 128×160 pixels resolution is very small. Hence there is grainy and generally unpleasant sensation of viewing images.
Many claims about the screen arise when typing and surfing on the menu – the quality of display animations, pictures and photos leave much to be desired. As for the brightness and contrast, there is virtually no claim, moreover taking into account its characteristics they are even good.

Keyboard
Tactile keyboard today does not surprise anybody. However, this feature is still a tasty morsel. In the case of J600E it seems that touch buttons are the only available solutions to the problem of visual excellence.
When the buttons are inactive, they are totally invisible, when the phone is opened or activated by the keyboard, all four sensory start flashing in a pleasant blue color.
Is it convenient to use the touch keypad, or it is just an extravagant whim of the manufacturer? This becomes clear very quickly. The sensitivity of the buttons is high. A light touch is enough. However, during navigation, or when writing messages you can easily press on them, in consequence of which there happens an abolition of the selected operation.
The navigation button has a nice ribbed structure and the relatively slow speed, combined with a strength of character.
Against the background of the touch keypad, the numeric keypad looks a little boring. Standard eleven separate keys are arranged in a nice and clear way.

Other Features
Menu is standard for the latest generation of Samsung phones. It is convenient, comfortable, but without any novelties. First submenus seem somewhat irritating, but soon, the user can really find freedom in controling it.
One of the interesting features is the communication capabilities. USB and Bluetooth 1.2 provide connectivity (up to about 50 KB / s). For the Internet there is WAP, GPRS and EDGE, this is also rather poor. Wired Headset in collaboration with MP3 player and FM-radio will open the doors to the world of music.

In the literal sense there is nothing outstanding (compared with everything we have met before), but the sound quality is very decent. There are five games preinstalled on the device, three of which have already been well introduced in Samsung phones, they are “Miner”, “Tetris” and “Sudoku”.
The phone has about 20 MB of memory available to user. But you can add megabytes with the help of microSD cards (not included in the set, but they are not expensive).
The device without recharging will operate three days, and in the mode of an active use you have to charge it in a day.

Camera
The general concept of J600E is expressed in the camera. Instead of the almost standard 2-megapixel camera, we have only 1,3 megapixels. In reality the phone is not bad, but, remembering the same E900, ot is somehow offensive.
Maximum image resolution is 1280×1024 pixels. As always, there is a certain minimum set of options with which you can influence the final result of the image. In addition, there are modes: multi-shooting, matrix and night mode. I can not get away from the simple effects such as: black and white, negative, sepia, relief, sketch, orange and others. The display in the viewfinder does not even think slowly, and the resulting images are recorded as fast as the phone memory and on the card.

As for the quality of the photos, they are somewhere between good and excellent, of course, in relation to the cameras pf this class.
Video recording formats are MPEG4/H.263 (AMR, 352×288, 15 fps), which is quite enough.

Conclusion
This is a beautiful, high-quality phone and a cheap phone from Samsung, if I may say so.
So, if you want a stylish and prominent model without unnecessary features, then J600E is definitely what you need. The only thing which I’d like to notice once again is the display. It is not bad, but is rather peculiar, so be sure to pay close attention to the screen. Otherwise, the phone is not bad and is worth money.

One year after successfully launching the X830 swivel handset, Samsung upgrades the line of the handsets that mix MP3 player functions with those of a standard GSM mobile phone. The new addition to the lineup has been branded as Samsung SGH-F210. Despite the fact that it kept the same design as its X830 predecessor, F210 has been improved in many ways that have been thought almost impossible for that time. Samsung also managed to keep the device small enough, so it can be used as a dedicated MP3 player with ease. The successful blend between 2 different devices (MP3 and mobile phone) will always be in high demand on the market, so either you like it or not, Samsung’s innovative ideas will still have lots of fans.

Design
Samsung SGH-F210 looks exactly like a chocolate bar. All shiny and very well polished, the device attracts looks only in a minute. If you keep it closed, others can easily take it as a good looking MP3 player, but they’re in for a big surprise. The moment you swivel the small device and put it to your ear, it will suddenly change into a small stylish mobile phone. One handed handling is much easier for right-handers, as the phone swivels to the left. It’s a little bit troubling for left-handers, but I’m sure they’ll get used to it pretty fast. When closed, the candy-bar form factor of the handset stirs one’s imagination. The small screen on the front part of the phone only displays the MP3 plater interface, which can be controlled very easily with the big wheel that you see in the pictures.

Commands like forward, back, stop or pause are only a touch away, as the wheel can be pressed. The Hold button placed on the right side of the phone will help users avoid starting the MP3 player when they aren’t aware. The left side of the phone features only a dual volume key. The bottom of the phone is detachable, so that the headset that comes in the sales package can be attached. The same port can also be used to synchronize the phone with any PC or simply to charge it. There’s no need to detach the whole bottom part of the phone in case you need to charge the phone, you will only need to open the plastic plug-in that covers the port. Obviously, on the back of the phone you’ll find the 2 Megapixel camera, which doesn’t feature any flash capabilities. There’s no external speaker, the music can only be heard through the in-call speaker.

When the MP3/phone is swiveled, it reveals a standard keypad with big enough keys. The difference between the older X830 and F210 model is that the latter has the keypad divided onto 3 rows. The X830 had a 2-row keypad, which was a little bit weird to use. This has been corrected, so you can dial numbers as with any other standard handset. Besides the usual keys, there are 2 more contextual keys, the C key used like a Delete key and a Camera key, which suggests that you cannot use the phone’s camera unless the handset is swiveled. At the base of the keys you’ll notice a small gap where the microphone has been placed. There are definitely big improvements compared with Samsung’s X830 model, but there are also some things that remained the same or worse.
The screen embedded on both devices is the same small display that doesn’t enable users to read the entire menu, not to mention that anyone interested in browsing the Internet will have big issues when trying to read any page displayed. Even if the phone may look a little bit flimsy at a first glance, I have used the phone for almost 3 weeks and the swiveling mechanism didn’t showed any sign of ‘weakness’. Perhaps in time it will ‘collapse’, but I don’t intend to use it more, so I can’t really say for sure. Anyway, its size (87.8 x 31 x 20.5 mm) and weight (72 grams including battery) recommends Samsung F210 both as an MP3 player and a mobile phone.

Display and Camera
Samsung F210 features a TFT display (128 x 220 pixels resolution) supporting 262k colors. The screen is great in terms of quality, but in truth it fails to help the user as it is way too small. Just like its X830 predecessor, Samsung’s F210 display measures around 1.5 inch, which is not enough to display the whole menu, so you’ll be forced to wait for any writing displayed to scroll from left to right to really understand what’s written. The problem is even bigger when you want to play a game, navigate on the Internet or even write a SMS message. If these don’t bother you, then you’ll sure like F210’s display.

The small camera module integrated on the back of the phone is a little bit low on performance. Don’t expect too much from it, and don’t try to use it with the phone closed because you can’t. It will also be difficult to preview anything you’ll want to shoot, because of the small screen. Either you won’t be able to see everything displayed or the preview will simply be too small for you to understand what’s really there. There are some settings that can be used to increase the quality of the snapshots: Effects (Black and White, Negative, Sepia, Emboss, Sketch and Moonlight), White balance (Incandescent, Fluorescent, Cloudy and Daylight), Timer and Frames.

There are also some modes (Single shot, Multi-shot and Mosaic shot) that can be used. The maximum size of the pictures is the usual 1600 x 1200 pixels resolution, while clips can be recorded using 352 x 288 pixels resolutions CIF.

Communications

Samsung F210 is GPRS (Class 10, 32 – 48 kbps) and EDGE (Class 10, 236.8 kbps) compatible, which is more than enough to satisfy any user needs. It is also compatible with Bluetooth 2.0 A2DP and USB 2.0 features for high speed data transfer.
I have to say that everything related to data transfer, Internet surfing is working ‘mildly’, as in ‘mediocre’. It also fully supports SMS, EMS, Email, MMS, but small screen will probably make owners use its messaging capabilities less than normal.
The triband (GSM 900 / GSM 1800 / GSM 1900) network compatible handset has a mediocre GSM signal reception. Instead, the sound is very clear, but medium in terms of loudness (only level 7 volume). I have experienced terrible sound only when the signal reception was weak, but overall it has good GSM capabilities.

MP3 player

Samsung’s swivel has been especially designed as an MP3 player, so we should expect many multimedia ‘goodies’. Unfortunately, I couldn’t understand why Samsung hadn’t put in an external speakerphone, especially since it is said to feature 3D sound.
All the vibes that you hear are coming through the in-call speaker, but even so, the sound is clear and superior to many other music dedicated mobile phones. The headset that comes with the phone aren’t the best, but the sound it delivers is surely above average. Interesting vision from Samsung, it’s like you have two different devices stuck together. When closed, you can use the MP3 player (MP3, WMA, AAC, AAC+ and eAAC+) or the FM radio, when swiveled, you can take advantage of the GSM capabilities.
No functions of either one work at the same time, so you should be aware that you won’t be able to run music in the background and access other application related to the phone. Music player and FM radio are both offering sound above average.

Conclusion
Samsung F210 doesn’t look like any other phone, because it looks like an MP3 player. The moment you swivel the handset, it really reveals its ‘WOW factor’. Anyway, youngsters are the only target that will buy the phone, as you cannot do any business related stuff with it. Looking more like a toy, Samsung F210 offers the innovation much needed when one tries to attract young people.
The best thing I have noticed with F210 is definitely related to its look. More than appealing, the phone doesn’t feel when you put it into your pocket, or carry it with you, just like an MP3 player. It has everything that a young person would want: music, big storage space, radio and camera. Combine all these with an easy to use interface and you have the optimal phone for youngsters.
Even for someone who is not interested too much in using the GSM capabilities of the phone, the small screen could be a big issue. Probably the battery is also a negative point, as it lasts only half of the time offered by these days dedicated music phones. The inability to install any 3rd party applications is also a big downside.

GIGA-BYTE Company is actively adjusting to the subtleties of the mobile market. Together with GSmart MW700, about which we have told you recently, the producer presented another novelty – MW998 communicator, which is nothing more than a GSmart t600 modification. As MW700 our today’s model MW998 is not flaring with bright colors and does not have an inbuilt TV module that did not win attention of buyers.

Construction
By its outward appearance the novelty is maximum alike GSmart t600 communicator. This is a rather bright outstanding model different with its unusual control bodies, but still this model looks very stylish (may be even too much strict) so many different categories of potential buyers will like it – youth and sound businessmen.
Instead of dazzlingly white body of t600 this new communicator is black; the front panel together with side insets is made of polished glittering plastic.
And the back panel smoothly turning into the ends of the body is made of mat plastic. This communicator is rather big (110,5 х 55,5 х 18,5 mm) and rather heavy (140 g), but it is comfortable to hold it in your hands.
It looks like the market experience with GSmart t600 showed that the white color is not so popular and it is more plausible to make it black. It is really so, in this case this device looks quite in another way, and Asian notes in design bring some exclusiveness to the device, but not flowery as it was with t600.

The central and the biggest control body of MW998 is 4-position wheel of moving cursor with a central confirmation key. Plus to that there are six small round keys placed in the sides of this wheel, their functions are answer/cancel of conversation, menu activation, start, actions confirmation and shortcut menu for any two programs on the choice of the user. Keys have a great tactile response and are easy to be distinguished by touch due to the different sizes and sufficient space between the keys. We can consider MW998 one of the best communicators in the market as for the navigation comfort. The only thing that may alert the potential buyer in the beginning is its unusual appearance of the main control block, but after a couple of days of using it you will easily get accustomed to that.
As well as t600 all central control black of the novelty has bright blue micro lights. It looks accurate and stylish on the black background of the phone case. It is flaring, but not too much.

Additional spring loaded scroll box is placed in the upper side of the left end. By default it controls the sound volume. Here you can also find a sunk into the phone body key of soft restart.
The right end is occupied by a silver oblong key of inbuilt camera activation and with two plastic covers of the same color with the body fringing. Under these covers there is a microSD slot and a brand accessory jack hidden. It is hard to say what was the reason why the producer could not use a standard 2,5 mm minijack so a user could use any earphones together with this novelty.
In fact, there is a 2,5 mm adapter supplied with MW998, but it’s not clear what a user should do in case of this adapter loss or damage. Plus to that, the opened cover of the body really bothers while using accessories. If you keep your communicator in the pocket, the cover will definitely get hold of something there.

For connection with PC you can use a simple USB cable, the communicator has a mini-USB port in the lower end of the body.
Right here you can also find an opening of the inbuilt loudspeaker for conversations and an eye for the thong.
Metal telescopic stylus is of good quality, but it is too thin and so using it is not very comfortable.
By the way, there is an additional stylus supplied with communicator, so in case you break the first one, you won’t have to run around shops. In a whole, the design and construction of GSmart MW998 gives only positive emotions.

Filling and efficiency
GSmart MW998 is operated by Windows Mobile 6.0 Pro.
The hardware of communicator is well-known to us by other GSmart models: rather high-efficiency processor Marvell PXA270 with CPU clock 520 MHz, 64 Mb RAM and 256 Mb ROM. A user gets only 49,10 Mb and 140,84 Mb correspondingly. A rather wide range of preinstalled software which of course occupies memory, but the part of it can be deleted by the user. In the result the user gets only 19,00 Mb RAM and 117,46 Mb ROM.
The communicator efficiency is traditionally tested by a Spb Benchmark 1.6.

Display
GSmart MW998 has good characteristics: 2,6 inch VGA TFT display with a resolution of 480 х 640 pixels. The range of brightness is wide, though it has only five levels. Color transfer and sharpness simply gladdens the eye. Display is simply ideal judging by these characteristics for viewing pictures or movies. And the viewing angles leave something else to desire, horizontally as well as vertically.

Camera
MW700 has the same inbuilt 2 megapixel CMOS-sensor camera that other GSmart have, and so we can hope for a rather good quality of pictures, different from the pictures taken by the majority of other communicators presented nowadays in the market. The camera is equipped with a LED flash placed near the lens over the battery cover.
A program application interface (responsible for photographing) is familiar to us from the GSmart t600 review.
You can take pictures in JPG format in three variants of the image quality and resolution: 160 х 120, 1600 х 1200, video: 320 х 240 in wmv, mp4 and 3gp formats.
Camera settings are quite enough for photographing in any conditions: balance of white, exposure setting, using different effects. Moreover, you can choose one of the preinstalled scenes to simplify photographing: album, night, portrait and macro photographing.
As it was expected MW998 shows a rather high quality of pictures: there are few noises and even if the lights are insufficient the colors are reproduced without distortions; focusing is almost perfect. Plus to that, a camera is working rather quickly and a viewfinder is moving quite rapidly.

Communication abilities
MW998 has a full range of communication abilities. This novelty supports GSM: 850/900/1800/1900, GPRS Class 12, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, but unfortunately this device does not have an ability to increase the rate of data transfer via EDGE. For comparison, a recently reviewed MW700 supported EDGE, and todays novelty does not support this standard as well as other GSmart models.

This novelty keeps the connections perfectly, signal is stable and it is not lost even in the zones of low receive level. Sound is clear with no distortions and noises. The same concerns the voice received via inbuilt loudspeaker for conversations. If you want to record a conversation or to put some background sound onto your voice, you should use a preinstalled utility Wise Talk. With the help of this utility you can imitate such places like airport, concert hall, highway and etc spoofing your interlocutor. You can also put on the conversation any other sounds which you earlier recorded.

Among additional wireless modules this novelty has Bluetooth 2.0 and Wi-Fi (WLAN 802.11b/g); these modules work gets no complaints. Besides that, we should note that there is a brand interface with simple settings and stylish appearance for working with Bluetooth-connections.

Battery capacity is 1300 mAh. According to the MW998 passport data this should provide 4 hours of working in speaking mode and 150 hours in stand by mode.
The battery capacity rate is a wide spread one and that is why in fact the estimated time of working should be about 1,5 days, which was practically proved. If you are an economic user and you are not surfing mobile Internet and you don’t chat and etc, your communicator can stand for about 2 days and you can use a memo book from time to time.
Additional software

GSmart MW998 is supplied with a small set of brand utilities and programs, familiar by other GIGA-BYTE communicators reviews. So we will not stop describing each of them, we will just enlist the set going together with this novelty.
Utilities for the work with a phone are presented with useful programs like a black list and quick automatic dialing a subscriber.
Multi media applications block has an interesting dictaphone brand, a simple an comfortable in use audio mixer and utility for the work with java application.
The most interesting system utilities are Spb Backup for reserve copying data; it has functions of schedule record and Zip archiver.

Conclusions
The most interesting is that despite all its advantages, this novelty is not expensive and that is a definite record for the communicator with VGA display. Plus to that – a stylish design, high-efficiency filling, comfortable control and high quality of the photographs taken by inbuilt camera – all this makes GSmart MW998 even more attractive, but this communicator has minuses as well, the lack of GPS navigator considerably decreased the quantity of potential buyers of this device, and having a good size display this device could become a good automobile navigator.

To keep up with the release of new models of Touch line is not easy. The release of the first HTC Touch communicator took about one and a half years, and since that time the company already has a dozen different devices with one common TouchFLO software interface, which became standard for many other manufacturers. HTC Touch 3G’s technical features claim to be one of the fastest and most powerful communicators.

Design

HTC Touch 3G strongly resembles Touch and Touch Dual. This is the same compact monoblock with smooth contours and oval corners. The shell is made of a soft-touch material which is almost inaccessible for fingerprints.

It easily fits in any pocket and satisfies the user with excellent build quality and attractive design.

Recently, more and more users are trying to stand out from the crowd of owners of dull gray machines. For them, HTC offers a novelty not only in a black shell, but in blue, brown and even golden which in their turn distinguish 3G from competitors.

All buttons are executed in a similar style in the form of very thin rectangles. Even the scroll key is made in the form of a rectangle, but with smooth corners. Next to it, the user will have only two buttons which are responsible for the adoption or abolition of the call.

No additional buttons: this is one of the similarities of Touch models.

At the bottom there is only one slot for ExtUSB, serving for connecting to a PC, as well as to use the headset or earphones that should be connected to your device via an adapter from the kit.

The stylus of HTC Touch 3G is too thin, so working with it is not too convenient. In addition, it is equipped with foam magnetic lock.

It is used only for the most expensive devices from HTC.

Productivity

The communicator runs Windows Mobile 6.1 platform and is built on a Qualcomm MSM7225A processor with a frequency of 528 MHz. There are 256 MB of ROM and 192 MB of RAM, the user can have 56.30 Mb and 66.61 Mb. The rest of memory is occupied by various software applications and systems. But the free memory of Touch 3G, which reaches to the end user, may be different.

Productivity innovations have traditionally been tested by using Spb Benchmark 1.6.

Characteristics of the HTC Touch 3G Glofiish X900 HTC TyTN II

Spb Benchmark index 403 465 425

CPU index 2036 2399 1576

File system index 141 152 178

Graphics index 3259 2650 3500

The results can be called medium for a powerful communicator. But, let’s not forget that we have a sample, which is not intended for sale.

To explore the possibilities of video, we used the benchmark CorePlayer, with the help of three videos, differing from each other with qualitative characteristics: 320×240 / 550 kbit / s, 640×480 / 784 kbit / s, 640×480 / 1320 Kbps.

Display

If we are talking about the possibility of watching videos, we need to say a few words about the touch-sensitive display, with which Touch 3G is equipped. In this case, this is a classic display with the diagonal of 2,” and a small resolution of 320×240 pixels. This screen will seem too modest next to modern standards. Yes, for comfortable viewing movies and photos it is not the best option. But for the implementation of the interface TouchFLO it is perfect.

Camera

HTC Touch 3G is equipped with a 3.2 MP camera without autofocus, which does not let to make high quality shots.

Of course, a pleasant interface and a sufficient number of settings, such as white balance, exposure, or choose a standard plot, make the use of the camera simple enough, but the result leaves much to be desired.

Communication possibilities

Touch 3G has “3G” index in its name. This makes clear to the potential buyer that it is equipped with a full set of communication modules: GSM 850/900/1800/1900 MHz with support for data transmission via GPRS / EDGE, and HSDPA / WCDMA 900/2100 MHz.

In addition, new wireless module is equipped with Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR and Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g. Turning on / off all wireless modules is carried out through a small but nice utility CommManager. Touch 3G will operates even in areas of weak signal.

But the producer “has forgotten”, about the built-in FM-radio, which, for many fellow citizens, is more important than support for 3G.

Offline work

Touch 3G is equipped with a Li-Ion battery with a 1100 mAh capacity. I must say that this is not the maximum capacity of the battery, which we’ve seen in communicators. In most cases, the user has to charge the device in two days. In this case you can use the address book, to talk about 20 minutes a day and watch online news. If, however, you want to work with a multimedia content, you will have to charge it at least once a day.

GPS-navigation

The official specifications of the GPS-navigation are not reported.

“Cold” start takes about five minutes, but it helps to reduce QuickGPS application, loading the data on the current location of the satellites from the Internet. Any other navigation software with the communicator is not available, so we tested the browser work with the VisualGPSce annex and famous AVTOSPUTNIK Navigation Service. Results raise no objections.

Conclusions

HTC Touch 3G is a logical continuation of the line of Touch communicators. Fast processor has already become a classic interface (both external and software) which states that the new product can easily find buyers, among which will surely be those who want to change their Touch or Touch Dual with something more modern and more productive. The only thing that causes complaints is the lack of FM-radio. Along with the full support of all other wireless modules, including GPS, the lack of the receiver seems at least strange. But the cost of the novelty is quite acceptable for a productive communicator.

]]> http://www.newphonesreviews.com/htc-touch-3g-review/feed/ 0 http://www.newphonesreviews.com/sony-ericsson-w902-review/ http://www.newphonesreviews.com/sony-ericsson-w902-review/#comments Thu, 23 Jul 2009 12:33:02 +0000 Mia http://www.newphonesreviews.com/?p=605 Sony Ericsson W902 claims the title of a musical tube and is in the same level with Walkmans. But her photographic abilities will be envied by many modern devices of the camera class. It is disheartening though that the cost of the W902 does not compete with phone prices, but with communicators.

Appearance
The dimensions (110.0 x 49.0 x 11.7 mm) and weight (99.8 g) of Sony Ericsson W902 can be considered as medium – it is better to be carried in a pocket or in a belt case. The design of the innovation is strict, but without minimalism.
Moreover, the black plastic body from all sides has literally distinguished design elements. So, right end differs from the left by applied diamond-shaped notches, smoothly passing on to the right side of the unit. By this the manufacturer wanted to emphasize the key block, managing multimedia functions, located on the right facet. With this solution Sony Ericsson W902 does not look symmetrical, and that is what attracts attention. By the way, the whole idea of unbalanced design is very seductive, but manufacturers rarely gratify it with attention.
The feeling of the high cost is only intensified if you remove partly the metal lid that covers the battery – on the reverse side there is a riffling for roughness, soft inset for contact with the lens and the metal screen that simulates the electrical mass of the body. All these thoughtful little things once again underline the high status of the new item.
The front panel, covered with transparent plastic with a dark polished substrate is, of course, soiled, but it is the disadvantage of many modern tubes. The display of the device is covered with mineral glass; it is not afraid of scratches, and consequently, image eclipse in the future.
In general, Sony Ericsson W902 produces a very pleasant impression reinforced by the fact that the smooth curved lines and the oval surface are successfully combined with the sharp edges of upper ends. The play on the contrast of lines and forms, together with the broken symmetry makes the unit quite attractive.

The unit of Sony Ericsson W902, located below the display, is made in the form of protruding on the front panel keys. The manufacturer wisely decided not to implement any sensory “zests”, totally unsuitable for the harsh Russian winter, or a single keyboard, which creates a lot of problems with random functioning. But the form of government is very unusual. Above the digital block three circles are located, each containing three keys.
Complicated at first glance, the design was very easy to use. There was no false in functioning, and at the same time the buttons are easily pressed with finger pads, rather than nails, as with other models. As a result, we have a bold and original design combined with high functional management (there is even a button, which is responsible for switching between tasks), and perfect work (tactile efficiency of all buttons is ideal).
In addition, the block of multimedia keys should be noted. It is located on the right end, as well as a round button Walkman at the upper end.
They provide not only convenient management of entertainment functions, but also quick access to the MP3-player and camera. All these keys are significantly above the surface of the shell, but at the same time have a relatively tough course, so they cannot be pressed accidentally.
The only button that we would like to see in this musical phone is a slide locking button. The program blocking copes well with its functions, but hardware blocking would be better all the same.

Other Features
The phone connects to a computer via USB-cable from the traditional for the Sony Ericsson brand interface. This connector is also used for charging and for connecting an audio adapter to a standard mini jack of 3,5 mm, to which the set headphones or any others are connected.
It is probably useless to appeal to the developers of the Swedish-Japanese joint venture, for installing a normal 3.5-mm mini jack in their musical models.
A slot for a memory card of M2 format is located under the battery compartment lid. However, in order to install the card itself you do not need to remove the battery, and therefore – and do not have to disconnect the phone.
But to call this method of installing the memory card easy is hardly acceptable. By the way, in the set with the new model a card of 8 GB capacity and a stylish USB-adapter are supplied.
This amount of memory is sufficient to create a music library for a few days, and even some additional space will remain for photos. Those who find it insufficient can buy a 16 GB card, its cost, though, will not be cheap.

Time of autonomous work
If you do not use the MP3-player, but talk on the phone about 20 minutes a day and regularly work with the address book, the device will have to be charged about once every three days. But if this includes exploiting the MP3-player (for three hours a day), then the battery of the W902 will operate for two days. Well, and with continuous music playing the time will be just over 25 hours, which is a fairly high rate.

Display
In addition to the aforementioned the TFT-display of the W902 has large angles of view, high rate of brightness and clarity of the image. But its technical features are standard – 2.2-inch diagonal, with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and support of 260 thousand colors.
However, this cannot be considered a weakness. Photos on the screen of the new model look superb – loss of details is minimal, and the color is as close to the natural as possible.

Connection
In terms of communication a musical top-model has to be omnivorous. The W902 not only works in all the GSM networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), but also supports 3G networks. Access to the Internet in the GSM-network is supposed to be via GPRS or EDGE, which is faster. And the connection to other devices is possible due to a built-in Bluetooth-module with support of EDR. No criticism to the quality of communication (we have not tested only the 3G) the phone works even in areas with weak signal. However, one detail was noticed – in such problematic places the indicator signal often behaves inappropriately, descending completely to zero, then suddenly issuing the highest rate. It has no effect on the quality of communication, but nothing like that was observed in other devices.
Another module on board is the FM-radio, which is operated by an original program with a fairly strict interface. The radio is no worse than in any stereo system.
As an antenna traditionally serves the wire of headphones, so without their connection the application does not operate.

Menu
The Russian menu of the W902 – is the acme of perfection, which the developers from Sony Ericsson have reached to date. Beautifully selected colors, stylish animated icons and intuitively comprehensible structure makes the interface of this phone one of the best in its class.
For beginners tips are provided for each section, not intrusive pop-up tips, but produced with hand.
The main menu is a matrix of 3 x 4 icons, but depending on the chosen topic it may be a text menu, and a rotating three-dimensional one, and in a form of a large icon displayed on the screen. Preset themes are available for every taste. The office abilities are presented by a standard set of tools: an extensive address book, alarm clock, calculator, stopwatch, a list of calls, internet browser tool to memorize the codes, etc. The flash of the built-in camera, may also serve as a flashlight. To determine the location, the supplement Google Maps is used. There is even a utility calculating steps.
The pedometer has few configurations, but also helps to maintain your body in tone (unless, of course, you fulfill the everyday norm). And among the three pre-set games with a three-dimensional interface the famous Need for Speed was found.

Camera
As we have said, the main priority of the new item is its musical ability. Nevertheless, the camera of the W902 deserves no less respect. It has a 5 MP resolution, with a possibility to save the image up to 2592 x 1944, an autofocus and flash.
The latter, although it is LED, has an extremely bright light – not xenon, of course, but the user will hardly feel significant difference. The lens is protected by glass, but unfortunately no shutter is provided – before shooting you often have to wipe the lens.
The program of working with the camera has a simple but attractive interface, which will certainly seem familiar to owners of other camera phones by Sony Ericsson. Settings are many: image quality, white balance, enabling / disabling of the flash, the choice of one of the standard scenes of shooting (including a panorama mode), the imposition of special effects, and insertion of a frame on the photo.
The quality of images is decent. Bright vivid colors, rich details and the availability of excellent focus will be an excellent incentive not only for the transfer of shots to the Internet, but also for their print, however, the format is not more than 10 x 15 cm. Still, this is not a photo camera, but a camera phone, though with an 5-MP matrix. The camera loses a little in competition, but in general the quality of images is worthy of deep respect – even in night scenes there is not so much noise, as we used to see. Below you see the test shots, and the archive with full size photos, can be downloaded here.

And on the following pictures you can see how the image stabilizer works. The filming was carried out with a hand in a moving subway car. The first upper frame corresponds to shooting without using a stabilizer, the picture below – with the stabilizer on.

Conclusions
Sony Ericsson W902 is good in everything: the original design, sound ergonomics, high quality images, excellent music capabilities, rich set. And though everything in the new model is of the highest quality, the price does not stand up to competition. Alas, but competitors showed slightly better results at lower cost for example Nokia N79 equipped (with a GPS-navigator, a Wi-Fi-module etc.).

As a rule, simple mobile phones are almost never equipped with a Wi-Fi module. For some reason, it is believed that this is for communicators or multi-functional smartphones only. However, people around the world use mobile phones to read news on internet sites, download ringtones, watch weather forecasts. All this they do through GPRS or EDGE. This situation is beneficial to operators of cellular communication, but has a negative effect on the thickness of the user’s purse.In the meantime, there are a lot of free Wi-Fi access points in major cities, but only owners of communicators, PDAs or laptops can use them. Sony Ericsson G705 solves this.

Appearance
The thin, lightweight, compact Sony Ericsson G705 (95,0 h47, 0h14, 5 mm/98 d) perfectly fits even in the breast pocket of a shirt. It lies excellently in the hand thanks to the uneven soft-touch plastic, of which the rear cover and the hand edge are made. In addition, the rounded edges of the rear wall allow to better hold your phone in your palm.
Sony Ericsson G705 is a vertical slider, and because of this its entire front panel is a large display, covered with a mirror protective coating, and a unit of control keys. The sliding mechanism itself has a notable gap – the shell halves are slightly relative to each other, but it has no effect on the effectiveness of the disclosure. The closer of the slider is a little bit tight, but on the other hand it does not allow the device to open accidentally.
At the top end there is the «Play» key, which provides a quick start for the MP3-Player.

Unfortunately, the key is too small, so working with it is uncomfortable. At the right end, buttons of volume adjustment and camera activation are traditionally placed. But the left side is occupied only by the interface connector.
According to tradition, it is responsible for connecting to the charger/ computer, as well as to «music» adapters, to which the user can connect headphones with a plug minijack 3,5 mm.
In general, the quality of the assembly of Sony Ericsson G705 is nice, as well as the quality of materials. Of course, only the fussy control below the display cuts the eye. It should be noted that in the collection of Sony Ericsson there is a slider which has a similar appearance – the model W705, positioned as a music phone.
Outwardly it is different exactly with the control buttons – in the W705 they most harmoniously fit into the overall concept of the phone.

Management
The control unit, located below the display, has already been mentioned. Just note that it consists of a large 4-positional navigation key with a central button to confirm and six additional buttons. They are enough not only for basic work with the phone, but for the quick start of any applications.
All buttons have a flawless operation, but also a strong backlash that coupled with the gap, found in the study of the sliding mechanism, weakly corresponds with the high value claimed for the device.
The digital keyboard is executed in a single plastic panel, very nice to touch.
The roughness of the wave-like keys is high and fingers do not slide off while typing numbers. In addition, accidental activation of neighboring buttons was not observed.
Only the dim lighting was disappointing, as only the right edge is bright enough.

Other Features
When removing the back cover it is necessary to move the locking lever, located on the lower end of the shell and hook the cover by a small ledge.
But even after removing the lock you have to detach the cover almost by the entire perimeter, as it clings to the shell in striking way.
The pleasant features include the fact that the phone supports M2 memory cards up to 32 GB (maximum capacity for this size up to date), whereas in the set there is already a card of 1 GB capacity. In addition, the internal memory of 120 MB in the tube for recording address data, text or photographs is more than enough.

Display
First of all, the phone display pleases with its large size. The diagonal is 2.4 “- almost like in modern communicators, but there is not a sensory substrate.
Instead the resolution of 240 x 320 pixels and the support of 262 thousand colors there is a new tool not only for surfing mobile web sites, but also to view photos or play videos and even movies. In addition, you can boast bright colors and large living angles of vision.

Communications
The device works not only for the entire range of GSM-networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz), but also supports the UMTS networks (850/1900/2100 MHz). The transfer of Internet data is carried out, respectively, via EDGE and HSDPA. We have not tested the 3G, but the GSM was studied well enough to express the high sensitivity of the phone.
In addition, there is a bluetooth-module and what is more interesting, a full Wi-Fi 802.11 b / g, allowing you not only to connect to Internet networks, but also to organize home networks.
For this the new model has a DLNA-server that provides connectivity to any home equipment with embedded Wi-Fi modules. For example, you might organize a wireless network with your home router, and view photos from your phone in your computer. Connecting to an access point does not cause any problems – the phone clearly shows the visible networks on the screen. The user can only select the appropriate. But the work of Wi-Fi has been tested in one of the capital’s cafes with free Internet access. No criticism – websites loaded fast enough.

Wireless Modules
It must be said that by this model the company Sony Ericsson, following other leading manufacturers such as Motorola and Nokia, has decided to break the existing unwritten standards for «simple» phones. In addition to this Wi-Fi, the manufacturer has equipped the device by another two wireless modules. First – it is a usual FM-radio, using as an antenna the connected set. The interface of management program is stylish, familiar to other models of phones by Sony Ericsson.
But the second module in most cases is established only in communicators – it is a GPS-receiver. For navigation a good program Wayfinder Navigator is used, with the ability to save the downloaded maps on the flash-card of the device. In addition, you can use the well-known Google Maps.
But if you only want to know the exact location or speed, it is better to run a small utility, which provides only brief information about your location, and found companions.
The quality of the GPS-navigator is nice, but the connection is often lost. In the car, the navigator is stable only near the glass. The cold start time is approximately 5 minutes. It can be sped up, immediately after starting the device, by forcing the navigator to work in A-GPS mode, i.e. to determine its location by cells.

Camera
The camera, unfortunately, is not included in the strong points of the new model. It is based on CMOS-matrix 3.2 MP, has an LED flash, but, alas, has no autofocus, so the quality of the images is poor.
Photographing is carried out up to a resolution of 2048 x 1536 pixels. The menu of the camera and its settings are well known from the other tubes of Sony Ericsson. Among the interesting features only the possibility of putting together the panorama of three shots can be noted, though the result is often of a very mediocre quality.
The photos have good color, but variegated noises. In addition, due to the lack of autofocus the frame details are at a low level, and it is better to forget about macro.
Below you can see samples of photos, the archive with photos can be downloaded here.

Time of autonomous work
The unit is equipped with a Li-Pol battery with a capacity of 950 mAh. In the normal mode of work (20 minutes of conversation per day, working with the address book, viewing news feeds via GPRS) the device will have to be charged no sooner than after three days. On the one hand, this rate is fairly high, but on the other – do not forget that the G705 has a number of energy units that “eat up” the battery power in a few hours. For example, when working in the networks of Wi-Fi the phone will require charging after just three hours. The same index of autonomous work will be demonstrated with the enabled GPS- navigation.

Software Features
The menu of the phone is a 3 x 4 matrix consisting of superbly worked animated icons.
There are four design themes, each of which is interesting in its own way. Address book, calendar, alarm clock and other office functions are already known from other models – no criticism to the manufacturer. It is better to see what applications are installed in the phone.
The main installed program characteristics are directed on the work with the Internet. For example, there is a utility for viewing clips from YouTube, or a good program for viewing the weather forecast.
But the original screensaver showing the time in different cities around the world, or the not less interesting customized pedometer does not require an access to the Internet.
In addition, there is a small editor to edit photos taken by the phone – to turn them into funny pictures, or even comics, “gluing” on them ready images (for example, an enormous moustache on your friend’s face). Games on the phone are only two, and rather simple too.
Well, the G705 media player is a standard solution, which is found today in any phone of Sony Ericsson.
The manufacturer does not position the new device as musical, but the sound quality is very decent if you connect good headphones. But it is better not to pull out the set headphones – just buy new ones. All the more if the adapter allows you to connect any headphones with a standard 3.5-mm jack.

Conclusions
The cost of Sony Ericsson G705 is about 13 thousand roubles. The price bites, especially in view of the application of not the most expensive materials and not the most accurate development of all its elements. So the cost of the apparatus is at the level of communicators, whose capabilities are incommensurably larger. You can, of course, argue that the G705 supports 3G, but in Russia, this possibility has not yet been greatly needed, not to say that it is generally needed only by those who are often abroad. So if in a couple of months, the cost of the new model will descend to about 10 thousand roubles, this device (with embedded Wi-Fi modules and GPS) can be considered an advantageous purchase.

Appearance
The smooth plastic shell of Philips X800 is pleasant to the touch, the good shape and compact size (102 x 51 x 11 mm/110 g) are satisfactory. The front panel of the new model, like in most modern communicators and smarts, is a mirror coating.
But the side faces look a little unusual. They consist of two closed contours on the perimeter – silver at the bottom and black at the top. These contours form a broken facet with each other – bright, but elegant.
The rear surface of Philips X800 is fully removable. Under it there is a battery compartment. Interestingly, except a black lacquered panel, there are two more in the set – grey and brown with a golden hue, the latter is made of nice soft-touch plastic.
The main control unit, located below the display, is presented with two buttons that are responsible for the reception, the cancellation of the conversation, and power on / off.

The absence of traditional (even for normal phones) joystick or a cursor block affects the administration not in the best way, because there are situations when controlling the device using the touch screen is simply inconvenient.
Additional buttons are located on the sides. On the right are the double volume keys, as well as a round button activating the camera. And on the left is a sliding button which locks the phone that is simply necessary for a sensor model.
The new model is connected to computers via the miniUSB, located at the lower end. And stereo equipment is also connected through it, alas, there is no other exit. In one of the bottom corners is the habitat of the telescopic stylus. Surprisingly, the stylus of the X800 was much better than in most communicators.
The large diameter of the metal body is sufficiently long, edge lines are from high-quality plastic – all this allows working with comfort, the importance of which many manufacturers do not often consider.
If, however, to describe the appearance of Philips X800 in two words, we can say this: it looks simple, but elegant and with style. Perhaps, this is just how a classic and not the cheapest communicator is supposed to look like.

It must be noted that in the box with the X800 you will find many interesting things. First, we have listed the additional removable panels. Secondly, in the set there is a special napkin for wiping the display. And to avoid scratches on the display, the manufacturer suggests gluing on it the protective brand film, which also does not have to be bought extra. A MicroSD memory card of 1 GB is also available in the set. Well, in addition, the unit is supplied with a standard set consisting of a power adapter, interface cable miniUSB-USB, plain stereo, CD with programs and utilities, and operating instructions. The only thing one can wish is an extra stylus in case of the loss of the first.

Display
The sensory TFT-screen of Philips X800 is much larger than in most phones – here we have a diagonal of 2.8 inches and a resolution of 240 x 400 pixels. As to the indicators of the brightness, clarity and proper angles, you can call them without reservations as one of the best.
There are screen settings, therefore everything is in order.
Yes and no color problems, either – the picture looks bright, juicy, almost alive. Viewing photos on the X800 is becoming a very pleasant pastime.
And to ensure an easy management with fingers rather than stylus, the display is placed on a level with the shell and covered with a protective cover. To the sensitivity of the sensor substrate it is also difficult to present any claim.

Communications
Judging by communication opportunities the X800 is a classic GSM-device that works in range of 900/1800/1900 MHz. Data transfer is carried out through GPRS, and through faster EDGE. Connecting to other devices is carried out via Bluetooth. The phone keeps connection beautifully – no reprimands. But it is connected to the computer via classic USB 1.1, so the data transfer rate is low – about 0,5-1,0 MB / sec.

Camera
Philips X800 is not an expensive device, so its built-in 2-MP camera shines with no decent functionality. The only advantage is its autofocus, but it does not work as one would wish either – too slow to bring on and often wrong. The supplement to the camera control is executed without sophistications. The most important thing is that all of it is adapted to the administration of a finger.
Settings are few, but in this case it is not so important, because images are obtained with noise, with problems in color transfer and are not sharp, although the maximum resolution is decent – 1600 x 1200.
Below you can see the test images by the camera of X800. You can see that the quality is far from ideal.

Time of autonomous work
Unlike the camera, the manufacturer has paid much more attention to the choice of the battery – Li-Ion battery of a capacity of 1250 mAh is rather infrequent in other phones.
Perhaps this choice is due to the decent diagonal display, which requires considerable energy expenditure. The time of autonomous work is 20 minutes of day talking, watching the address book and tapes of news websites via GPRS took a whole week! According to this index it is extremely difficult to find competitors to X800 in the Russian market of mobile communications.

The main menu is made in the form of a matrix of 3×4 icons.
The manufacturer did not make the design elements variegated and bright, but was confined to only two or three colors and their shades. Nevertheless, the icons and fonts look good and stylish, and they are worked out in detail. In addition, the main menu icons, and text sub-strings are made quite large, so that navigation with the finger is no trouble.

It is impossible not to mention the scrupulous execution of the menu, common to all interface colors and style, as well as very high functionality. The interface does not pull up – all the switching and transitions between menu items are implemented promptly. The reproduction of animation also presents no special difficulties for the new model.
The phonebook of X800 is not worse and not better than in other modern devices. Typing names in the book (as well as text messages) is easier after all with the stylus – the letters of the virtual keyboard are not large enough.
For each recipient, you can enter four numbers, assign a ringtone, and set an image. In addition, contacts can be divided into several groups with individual calls.
The work with office tools (notes, alarm clock, stopwatch, world time, currency converters and values) is satisfactory. It is here that the stylus is indispensable. But a «reader» of e-books is not found in every phone. It is especially pleasing that this utility even has a number of settings, such as a choice of font size and scroll speed.
It would be better, if it could read other formats of electronic books as well, besides the simple TXT, and worked more correctly with the Cyrillic.

Even more rarely phones are able to view office files in formats such as doc, xls, ppt, pdf, html. The X800 copes with this easily.
The built-in recorder amazed with its elective sensitivity – the recorded voice was clear, without noise and other artifacts.
Multimedia features in the new model are presented in the form of a conveniently manageable MP3-player, working in background mode, and an FM-radio.
Unfortunately, the playback volume is low, so in the streets, subways and in other transport, almost nothing is heard. To say anything specific as to the quality of the sound is difficult: too low volume, for example, and almost no noticeable bass. Apparently, music, alas, is not the strongest point of the X800.
Preinstalled games on the phone are just two.
But because the X800 is supported by Java MIDP 2.0, the installation of additional software will cause no trouble. The only thing that the attention of the user should be drawn to, is the absence of a navigation key in the device, without which it is simply impossible to play most games.

Conclusions
Philips X800 is not expensive. For that money the user gets a stylish phone in a form-factor of communicator with an excellent touch screen and with an interface designed specifically for finger control. In addition, the new model is specified with an unprecedented long time of autonomous work, and a good set. Of course, the “weak” camera and the absence of a button block of cursor regulation are the indisputable bad sides of the X800, but the rich functionality of the built-in software brings the phone close to the family of smart phone- communicators, which are at least twice as expensive.
Philips will be a good purchase, if you want to get a sensory control and a big screen, but do not want to spend considerable funds for the purchase of a communicator, or you do not need all its capabilities.