Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)I wavered between giving this phone four or five stars, and settled on five when I considered its target market - the entry level. It's clearly better than any other phone in this segment if you ask me. Does it stack up to more expensive phones? No, not completely. But it has a lot of features usually reserved for higher-priced models, it's pretty good looking and it gets really good reception, which is still the most important thing to look for in a phone.
The features that sold me on this model vs. the competition in its price bracket were the external color screen (with photo caller ID!) and the EDGE support. These are not common features in lower-end phones. The camera, to me, was almost a bonus - although it obviously comes in handy with the photo caller ID (it is not required, though - you can upload photos from your PC and use them too). Photo quality is what you'd expect from a VGA camera phone - not bad, but it's pretty obvious what sort of device you used to take pictures with. Honestly, if you want to take serious pictures, buy a real camera. The screen quality was a pleasant surprise - I'd read some complaints about the brightness and readability, but I think both screens are perfectly fine, and I find them useable in any sort of light.
If you read a lot of reviews, some people say this phone is built like a tank, while others say it feels "cheap". I think this contradiction can be explained by the quality of the plastic used in the phone's construction vs. the feel of the hinge assembly. Honestly, the plastic cover of the phone is matte plastic and feels a bit brittle (the phone's covers are replaceable, so maybe you can find something better), but the hinge really bears special mention because it lends the phone an especially solid overall feel in use. It is a Japanese-style hinge with a positive and quite forceful "snap" or "click" in either direction - both when you open and when you close it. It is not simply spring-loaded or magnetic like most hinges on American or European phones. I wish more phones used Japanese-style hinges here, because it really does give the phone a quality feel. I have had a lot of problems with hinges going loosey-goosey over time on other flip phones here and I really doubt that will ever be a problem with the Z500a.
Call quality is probably as good as it gets in this country, despite the internal antenna (which was apparently stowed for cosmetic appeal, but I kinda think the phone looks like it's missing something without the stub). Talking mobile to mobile while in motion, there can still be an occasional dropout and there is an obvious delay (my wife and I each have this phone, which is how we've tested this), but talking land-line to the Z500a it's almost difficult to tell the Z500a user is on a cell phone at all. A definite improvement over our old Siemens phones.
In regular daily usage, this phone is really a pleasure. Some people complain about the recessed buttons, but I don't find them difficult to press and this sort of design helps me avoid pressing buttons by mistake. The phone's interface is clean and never gets in the way, the menus are responsive and quick, and the phone book seems to store quite a lot of information for each contact. Combined with the good call quality, the EDGE high-speed internet support, the dual color screens, the camera, and the high-quality hinge assembly, I think this phone's a real winner in its price bracket.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Ericsson Z500a Phone (AT&T)
Incredible style meets powerful substance in this clamshell from Sony-Ericsson. With dual screens, a VGA camera with video capabilities and support for high-speed EDGE data networks, the z500a is a serious next-generation phone. It's the perfect handset for folks who want to get all the latest wireless goodies in one chic package.
Design Sony-Ericsson's reputation for cutting edge design has been brought into the clamshell arena with the z500a. There's a 128 x 160 display housed under the cover while the outside sports a supplementary 96 x 32 color display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The VGA (640 x 480) camera is housed on the front cover as well. The z500a uses an internal antenna-- nothing to snag or break off-- and a five-way button just above the dial pad is used to control most of the phone's menus and features. Up/down buttons on the left side of the phone can be used for quick volume control and menu navigation. USB data and charging ports, as well as a headset port, are located on the phone's bottom edge. And because the z500a's front and rear faceplates are changeable with Sony-Ericsson Style-Up covers, you can dress it up to suit your style.
Calling Features The z500a's phone book can hold up to 510 contacts with multiple entries per contact. A call list remembers your most recent missed, received and dialed calls. The z500a's voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. The phone also features a speakerphone for easy, hands-free talking. In addition to a vibrating alert, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. There's even a bundled application that lets you mix your own ringtones with up to 16 tracks. Meanwhile, more ringtones can be downloaded from Cingular's MEdia wireless web service. Picture caller ID lets you assign a photo to specific callers. Similarly, a ringer ID lets you assign ringtones to callers. Lastly, the phone supports Cingular's "Fast Forward" call forwarding device, which enables you to effortlessly forward your wireless calls to your land line phone.
Messaging, Internet and Tools The z500a has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun. AOL Instant Messenger is also included and the phone ships with a built-in email client (Cingular messaging charges apply). The email client is preconfigured for accounts from some of the most popular ISPs, including Bellsouth.net, SBC Yahoo, and Earthlink.
Getting on the Internet is easy with the z500a. It supports the GPRS protocol, as well as the new, high speed EDGE data protocol. When used with a Cingular data plan and the phone's USB data capability, the phone can be used as a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs. There's also a built-in web browser for MEdia downloads and mobile web browsing. Cingular's MEdia service lets you receive and send emails, read news headlines, get weather updates, download games and ringtones, and more. T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit-- a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.
A number of handy software tools are bundled with the z500a including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock with a timer and stopwatch. Sony Ericsson Sync Station software lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks with your z500a.
Imaging and Entertainment The z500a was designed for serious fun. The built-in VGA camera captures stills and video to the phone's 6MB of internal memory. Video capture length is only limited by the amount of available storage memory and the phone supports playback of both MP3 audio and MPEG4 video files. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be set up to fit your personality.
Java support is built into the z500a, making it a powerful gaming companion for both online and offline games. Games are downloadable via the MEdia service or you can use the handset's USB data connection to load more games and files onto the phone.
Vital Statistics The Sony-Ericsson z500a weighs 3.88 ounces and measures 3.66 x 1.93 x 0.94 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 10 hours of digital talk time, and up to 10 days of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 850/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
What's in the Box Sony-Ericsson z500a handset, lithium-ion battery, travel charger, user's manual.
Click here for more information about Sony Ericsson Z500a Phone (AT&T)
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