Average Reviews:
(More customer reviews)Overall: Great phone with good organizer features and messaging. Excellent form factor and innovative keyboard is very easy to use. Build quality seems very good, although the first one I received had a "Back" button that did not work, a manufacturing flaw. The replacement arrived overnight and is fine.
Pros
- Excellent call quality. First and foremost, the M600 works very well as a phone. I am on T-Mobile.
- NO CAMERA. This was a primary factor for me, as I cannot have a camera phone at work.
- Great form factor. Unlike a lot of Pocket PC phones, this one is small enough to carry easily.
- Multiple input methods. You can use the "rocker" keyboard, which works great, the pop up virtual keyboard, or character recognition. I think that only Sony-Ericsson is still doing character recognition - you simply write on the screen with the stylus and the program types the letters. Way cool. What is a "rocker" keyboard? Well, it's not anything to do with rock-and-roll! Each key has two letters on it, and you push one side or the other to get that particular letter. An "ALT" key supports alternate letters above the normal ones. It is very fast once one becomes accustomed to the letter positions.
- Cool interface. Obviously, the UIQ 3 operating system takes some getting used to, especially after a Pocket PC device. But it looks good and works well. Be prepared for a learning curve. For example, dialing a number is as easy and pushing the numbers - there is not phone "application" such as one finds in the Pocket PC Phone world. However, this is only possible one the main "Standby" screen. In general, this device seems more "thought out" and "integrated" than a PPC. Consider it more of a MAC than a PC.
- Excellent support. Sony Ericsson has a way to send a text message to configure the internet options on the phone. Very painless. It was equally simple to update to the latest firmware. If you get this phone, be sure and get the latest firmware - it allows one to eliminate menu animation, which makes the OS much faster at rendering the menu screens.
- Great battery life. I get 2 to 3 days of normal use. My old PPC got two days at best.
- Support for Java programs.
- Touch screen, which is unusual in a smart phone. Only some games support this feature, but I found a great bowling and pool application that work with the stylus.
- The included games are pretty good, especially the Golf game.
- Includes programs to view and (sometimes) edit Word, Excel, and Powerpoint documents, as well as a PDF reader. The feature set is somewhat limited in Excel, and I actually had to change some formulas in one of my spreadsheets in order to get it to edit on the device. It definitely won't do any database statistical functions. If the Excel reader doesn't support any of the formulae in the spreadsheet, it only opens in a "viewer" mode, with no editing possible. For those with a need for complex Excel or Word documents, there is no better device than a PPC - naturally, since MS makes Windows Mobile 5 and MS Office. But the included programs work well enough. There is also a $50 program called "Documents to Go" that has better support, including database Excel functions. I ended up forking over the bucks for this program, and it has been worth the money.
- Includes support for "push" email (like a Blackberry). I do not use the phone for corporate purposes, so I haven't used this feature. It is a separate program that has to be installed.
- Supports POP, IMAP, and SMTP authentication. The inbox will store message headers forever until they are deleted from the server. Once they are deleted on the server (typically by your PC email program), the next time the M600 synchronizes email it will remove the headers. If you download a message there is an option to "delete locally", which deletes the body - but still leaves the header. If you delete the header, it deletes the email on the server. This takes some getting used to. You can schedule periodic automatic email checks separately for each inbox.
- Supports both text messages and Multimedia Messaging (MMS).
- Supports a 2 Mb Memory Stick Micro card, to store plenty of data or music. The card is hot-swappable, on the outside of the phone.
- Integrated video and music player, plus software to transfer songs to the phone. Supports DRM (which can be considered either good or bad).
- Includes backup software to allow one to back up the phones memory to the PC.
- The phone will optionally charge from a USB cable if desired. I prefer to let the battery get to around 20% and then power the phone off and fully charge the battery. It charges very rapidly - around 1 hour or so. A wall charger (European with American adaptor) is included.
- UMTS (high speed internet). This is a 2700 Mhz band used for high speed data in Europe only. BE SURE TO TURN OFF SEARCH FOR UMTS IF YOU ARE IN AMERICA - the UMTS search eats up a lot of battery. The phone can be set to only search for GPRS, which is the slower protocol.
- Includes Bluetooth support, including handsfree. The handsfree works VERY well.
- Contacts can be added to one of nine quick dial buttons, and each contact can have multiple phone numbers and a photograph assigned, plus Email addresses and (in general) just about anything else that MS Outlook supports. Ringtones can be added from MP3 files stored on the phone.
- Voice dialing and answering is fully supported, only in handsfree mode.
Cons
- Tri band. This phone does not support the 850 Mhz frequency used by Cingular (AT&T). It works fine on the T-Mobile bands. However coverage will be best around interstates and large cities. Some people prefer the "Quad Band" phones, which will roam on more networks here in the US.
- No WiFi capabilities.
- NO CAMERA. I know, I already listed this as a "Pro" item, but many people want a camera on their phone. Not on this model! However, the upcoming Sony Ericsson P1 is the same form factor as this phone and includes both a camera and WiFi.
- No EDGE support - only GPRS, which is slower. Think of it as a 28 baud modem, and that is the correct speed. However, WAP sites load fast enough using the built in browser, which loads smaller pictures of websites by default.
- The voice dialing does not include "character recognition". This means that one has to go into each phone number and record the contact information exactly as one will say it to do hands-free dialing. Be aware that voice dialing only works with either the corded or BT handsfree attached.
- No profiles. Most devices have (at least) built in profiles, or customizable profiles. Thus one could set the phone to "handsfree profile", and automatically turn on the BT, etc. This phone doesn't have this feature.
- Unable to customize the main screen. In the M600 this is the "standby" screen, and the only thing that can be customized is how much of the calendar and messaging one wants to display. One can change the five icons across the bottom, but that is it. Coming from the PPC world of Windows Mobile 5, where the entire "today" screen can be optimized, this is a bit of a disappointment. No "plug-ins" allowed!
- Relatively low memory. I have not run out of memory yet, but I am careful to close all applications after I use them. Like the PPC, this device will leave programs in memory, not actually close them. However, it is much simpler to close the programs than on the PPC. The device really should have come with 128 mb, like most of the competition. Note again that the new P1 will have 128 mb of memory.
- The included web browser (opera mini) basically uses up the entire memory of the device.
- The device can occasionally lock up. I have had this happen while adding voice dialing to the contacts, and once when I tried to make a call while the phone was just finished with another call. In each case I recovered by turning the power off and on. It has only happened three times, which is way better than my old WM 5 PPC phone, which locked up and misbehaved all the time.
- VERY tight battery cover. OK, this is a bit picky, and I know they are trying to get good tolerances in their construction, but the battery cover took a LOT of pressure to get off. I finally found that if you hold the phone upside down and use the right thumb at the base and the left thumb at the top of the battery cover, the cover can be removed - but it is still difficult. If you plan to switch batteries a lot, you might keep this in mind.
- The SIM card fits under the battery cover, and is nearly impossible to get out without tweezers. This isn't too big an issue, since 1) you can't remove the battery cover anyway [little humor there], and 2) you seldom switch SIM cards anyway.
- I synchronize my calendar with Outlook XP, and I found that my repeating annual appointments will duplicate in the phone and in Outlook if I connect the phone to the computer while Outlook is already running. So I have to be sure to close Outlook before connecting the phone. I had about 10 copies of everyone's birthday when I realized what was happening. Deleting them was, to say the least, very interesting. I ended up deleting a couple of birthdays entirely and re-entering them.
Summary:
If you are tired of large devices and MS nonsense, this phone is for you. You have to get to know the OS, and the whole point is that it ISN'T that customizable - but it is stable and dependable.
Click Here to see more reviews about: Sony Ericsson M600i Unlocked Cell Phone with 3G, MP3/Video Player, Memory Stick Micro Slot--International Version with No Warranty (Granite Black)
Put your office in your pocket with the incredibly stylish and powerful M600i smartphone from Sony Ericsson, featuring the latest version of the Symbian UIQ software platform, support for high-speed 3G (UMTS) internet access, secure push email. The phone can also serve as a handy music player or a great gaming platform. In short, the M600i has everything you need to keep in touch with friends and colleagues in every way, every day -- with a lot of fun thrown into the mix.
Design The M600i is a candy bar phone on steroids. The slim form factor makes the M600i easy to carry, hold and use. You can carry it comfortably in your pocket or in a bag. It has its own dual-function QWERTY keyboard that allows you to enter text and numbers with ease, as well as dedicated function keys. Meanwhile, the touchscreen and Jog Dial navigation make using the M600i easy and intuitive, and a large, 240 x 320 screen that supports 262,000 colors is excellent for watching video, viewing images and reading email and other messages. The phone's touchscreen navigation is intuitive, allowing you to tap any function icon on the M600i desktop to open an application.
The M600i features 60 MB of internal memory, and you can augment this with removable Memory Stick Micro media. The phone also features connectivity via USB (USB mass storage is supported), a Sony Ericsson "fast-port" for high-speed data transfers and power charging, and infrared. Bluetooth is also built-in, enabling wireless communication with other wireless devices, such as headsets, laptops, and PDAs.
Calling Features Because the M600i is a Symbian smartphone, it features solid integration of phone, contacts, and calendar applications, making it very easy to bring your office with you wherever you roam. The phone supports polyphonic ringtones, as well as musical ringers in MP3 or AAC format. For times when you want to be discreet, there's a vibrating alert. A built-in speakerphone makes it easy to talk without having the phone to your ear.
Messaging, Internet, and Tools The M600i is a 3G data-enabled device, so you know it's going to pack a lot of great Internet and messaging features. In addition to MMS and SMS messaging, push email is supported. You can take advantage of the QWERTY keyboard for messaging, or use the device's integrated handwriting recognition to write your email and SMS messages. With a carrier data plan, you can easily connect to the Internet and browse the Web with the included Opera browser. You can also use the M600i as a modem to provide an Internet connection to your laptop or PDA via Bluetooth or USB.
When it comes to important tools, the Symbian operating system has you covered. Easily edit documents you receive as attachments to emails, or that you have stored on memory card. Or use other tools, such as the alarm clock, a stopwatch, task and notes applications, a sound recorder, a and a file manager. As mentioned, fully-functional contacts and calendar applications are included, and they can be easily synchronized with other devices and services.
EntertainmentThe M600i shines as a music player, offering a great way to listen and organize your digital tunes on the go. The in-phone media player supports video and audio playback -- supported audio formats include MP3 and AAC. There's even an application, Music DJ, that allows you to compose your own musical ringtones. Mega Bass sound enhancement makes your low notes really thump, while support for stereo Bluetooth headsets means you can jam out to tunes wirelessly.
And don't forget gaming! The M600i supports Java-based games, as well as sophisticated 3D games that make the M600i great to have along when you need to turn downtime into fun time.
Vital Statistics The Sony Ericsson M600i weighs 4 ounces and measures 4.2 x 2.2 x .6 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 7.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 340 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS and 2100 MHz UMTS frequencies. Note that 2100 Mhz UMTS service is not offered by any U.S. carrier. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.
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