Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Since this model is sold under the "Walkman" line, I will address that first.
If you don't care about the Walkman function, skip down to the other features.
Walkman features [+/-]:
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[+] Dedicated Walkman button - Instantly open the music player, or minimize it to keep playing while you use other phone functions.
[+] Playlists - The main thing missing from non-Walkman phones, you can create (and save) lists of selected songs instead of just playing everything in memory.
[+] Restarts at last playing point - You can stop it, then start it up again at the same spot. Good for long files.
[+] Music-only power mode (for airplanes).
[-] Can't re-arrange the order of a playlist (only automatic sorting or original order are available).
[-] Sometimes it adds tracks back to your default playlist after you remove them. Easily avoided by creating a second playlist, but it just seems crummy.
[-] Equalizer is presets-only[...], CORRECTION: I am an idiot. It does have a manual mode for the equalizer.
[-] Can't play WMA songs, only MP3 or AAC. That blocks out a whole bunch of online stores.
Being sold as a Walkman phone, and lacking price-justifying hardware features like EDGE data speed and a higher resolution camera, the music functions really should be a little better. It's a lot better than a non-Walkman phone, but they are charging extra for it and it doesn't quite stand up to the function of a real MP3 player.Other features [+/-]:
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[+] Slightly larger display (128x160, vs. older 128x128).
[+] Same good call quality as many other recent SonyEricsson models.
[+] Menu system is pretty good (call lists, settings, extra features) and easy to use.
[+] 156 Megabytes memory included (28 in phone + 128 memory card). That's a LOT of ring tones, games, videos, and pictures.
[+] Option for mass-storage drag-and-drop to transfer files.
[+] New "fast port" plug seems to transfer data faster than older phones.
[+] Data cable included (they sort of had to if they were selling it as a Walkman).
[+] Can use downloaded text message alerts (finally), not just included defaults.
[+] Java games/applications load a little faster than previous models.
[+] Phone can update its own operating software over-the-air.
[-] No camera button - the Walkman button replaced it. It seems like a camera justifies instant access more than playing music.
[-] The "up" shortcut is permanently set to the camera, so you get 3 custom shortcuts instead of 4.
[-] No quick menu softkey - Older models had a softkey for a quick menu in standby mode. The quick menu for silent mode and profiles is now accessed with the inconveniently-located power button. They added a press-and-hold silent mode on the # key, which I find less appealing but good enough.
[-] The ring tone speaker is slightly lower-volume than older models. It still sounds pretty good.What then?
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The only thing I really dislike is the abilities of the Walkman feature for the price. The other "bad" things are actually minor in my opinion, and if you aren't comparing the w200 directly to another model you might not care or even notice. So if the price isn't turning you away, go for it.If you're hesitating, here are some non-Walkman SonyEricsson alternatives you might like better:
Z310 - A clamshell form. A lot cheaper. It has high speed EDGE Internet access, but doesn't have as much memory as the w200. (available here)
K510 - The same size and shape as the w200. Adds a higher resolution camera and faster EDGE data speed. It sells for the same price or sometimes less, although they don't have it here.
EDIT:
I originally said the k510 had EDGE data, but all specs I find now say it is only GPRS. It does still have a better camera (1.3mp) and display (TFT), and is now available here for a fair price:
Sony Ericsson K510i Phone (Unlocked) w/ Digicell 90-Day Warranty
However, note that this is the k510i, which does not have 850MHz, while the w200a does.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Ericsson W200a Unlocked Cell Phone with MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Micro Slot--U.S. Version with Warranty (Pulse White)
The Sony Ericsson W220i combines advanced Walkman features and affordability without skimping on advanced calling and entertainment features. You can write emails, browse the Web, and do it to the sound of your music, just keep the Walkman player or FM radio tuned in and turned on. Other great features include a VGA camera with 4x zoom, a M2 memory card slot, infrared connectivity, Java, USB mass storage support, and more.
Design The W200i follows a long tradition of beautifully designed and crafted Walkman phones from Sony Ericsson. The same candy-bar style that graced other Walkman phones is here, as are the quick access buttons below the screen that make it easy to control the phone's Walkman music features. A brilliant 128 x 160 display graces the top half of the form factor, and a convenient multi-directional joystick controls most of the phone's menus and features. The phone's VGA camera can be found on the backside of the phone. The W200i contains 27 MB of embedded memory, but as mentioned, an M2 Memory Stick slot is provided, giving you storage capacities of 2 GB and beyond. USB and infrared connectivity is provided, and the phone supports USB mass storage so you can simply plug the phone into your computer and drag and drop files into the phone's memory using the included Disc2Phone PC application.
Calling Features The W200i's phone book can hold plenty of contact information with multiple entries per contact. A call list remembers your most recent missed, received, and dialed calls. The built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear. Polyphonic ringtones are included and there's even a bundled application that lets you mix your own ringtones with up to 16 tracks. Picture caller ID lets you assign a photo to specific callers. Similarly, a ringer ID lets you assign ringtones to callers. For those times you want to keep things discreet, there's a vibrate ringer mode.
Messaging, Internet and Tools If you're looking for a mobile office partner, the W200i has you covered. Support is built in for sending and receiving pictures, text, graphics, sound and video via SMS or MMS messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in still and video camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging possibilities. Instant messaging is also supported and the phone ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3, IMAP4, and SMTP protocols. There's also a built-in Web browser for downloads and mobile Web browsing. 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 W200i, including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a calendar and an alarm clock. Use the W200i's USB connectivity to connect to a computer or hand-held device to exchange and synchronize data. The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard. This means the phone can be used with the included Sony Ericsson Sync Station software, which lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks with your W200i. The phone also supports a USB mass storage mode, allowing you to store and transport important files like documents, images, and music files.
Imaging and Entertainment The built-in VGA camera with 4x zoom is ideal for catching and sharing smiles on the fly. Use your shots to keep in touch. Send a picture message, or upload to your blog for all to see. You can even connect a USB cable and send straight to a printer. The phone's camera also supports video capture and playback. Video clips are ideal for those unexpected great moments in life. Use the pictures you take as wallpaper to dress up your phone to your different tastes.
The W200i is a powerful gaming companion, too, with support for enhanced, Java-based 3D gaming. The phone comes preloaded with several games and more are downloadable from Sony Ericsson. Lastly, the W200i has an advanced Walkman MP3 player and built-in FM radio with search function and RDS, so you can load up your memory card, or tune into the radio and listen to your favorite music on the go.
Vital Statistics The Sony Ericsson W200i weighs 3.0 ounces and measures 3.9 x 1.7 x 0.7 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 7 hours of digital talk time and 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM 900/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
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