Sony Ericsson W980i Review

Sony Ericsson’s Walkman and Cyber-shot handset ranges have been the company’s leading products in their mobile phone collection for so long, that even a novice to the world of mobile technology would know about them.  This device is for the dedicated music lovers who also have a need for GSMA themes of imaging and the Web in their mobile phone. The Sony Ericcson W980 is a multimedia device with a whopping 8GB of internal memory that has given the world of mobile technology a real shake up.

Walkman player

The Sony Ericsson w980 is a walkman phone, designed for those who just cannot live without their music. Offering its signature “shake control” as found on the W580 and W910, which allows you to change tracks, a FM radio and transmitter, a music ID application, and supported by Sony Ericsson’s PlayNow music download service.

If you like something beyond the mundane, you will get a kick out of the signature Shake control. Simply flick your wrist in different directions to alter volume levels and change tracks.  Hold the designated Walkman button down and flick the handset to the left to rewind, right to forward, and up and down to increase and decrease the volume respectively.

The main music controls can be located on the face of the device where the dedicated Walkman key connects directly to your MP3 player. Three near invisible touch sensitive circular indentations come to life when they transform into your play/pause, skip, rewind and volume controls. On par with the 8GB version of the iPhone, the Sony Ericsson W980’s massive 8GB internal memory gives you huge amounts of space to store your favourite music and various ways to store it as well. File and sort your music into playlists, or by artist, album, genre or year, The Sony SensMe feature even categorises your music by your mood! Play your fast and happy selections before that night on the town or your slow and sad section when you’re feeling blue. Find an unused frequency and you can also stream all your audio music through your car stereo using the built-in FM transmitter from a distance of 10m.

Features

Besides the Walkman player, the W980 also features text and multimedia messaging, Web browser, 3.2-megapixel camera, speakerphone, personal organizer applications, Bluetooth, USB support, and that impressive 8MG of internal memory. Like me you will be delighted to see the dedicated music controls on the front face. In addition the “Walkman on top” feature means that the large external display will show the full music player menu eliminating the need to open the phone when listening to your tunes.
The W980 is an attractive device with a black minimalist style. Offering a mirrored finish on the front fascia; it appears at first glance to be devoid of buttons but near invisible circular indentations become apparent when the phone is activated. Turn the phone over and only a small lens hole in the matt black finish suggests there is a camera included.

As the Sony Ericsson W980 is more analogous to a MP3 player than a mobile phone when shut the mysterious collection of round indents on the front of the phone give you full control over the music elements of the phone allowing access to the menus and track selections, as they are the play, stop, fast-forward, rewind and menu buttons.

Whilst the music is playing, the clear bar flashes and lights up along the bottom giving it a novelty effect and you will find the power socket, shutter and volume control along the sides. This music focused phone opts for a headphone connection via its specific dongle. Although there is no 3.5mm jack port there is an adaptor to plug in your own headphones or the excellent quality Sony Ericsson HPM-77 Stereo Portable headphones.
Music aside, the phone features HSPDA, Bluetooth 2.0 and a 3.2 megapixel camera which is amazing for its size.  The Sony Ericsson includes software applications that allow you to tag and attach a location to your shots (geo-tag) as well as being able to instantly blog your shots.

Embedded Accelerometers on the Sony Ericsson, means that when internet connected you can view WebPages in landscape for a wider view and with HSDPA connectivity. WebPages and downloads are quickly completed. Google maps are also embedded to help you easily find your way about.

Ease of use

When you open the handset you have the same functionality as a mobile phone. The concise glossy black keypad layout has the same circular pattern as found on the front of the device. Their surprisingly large size for the available space feel great under thumbs, allowing them to act easily as a dedicated music button to the list of  navigation, clear, end, call, selection and activity menu shortcuts.

The verdict

What’s not to like about the Sony Ericsson W980. It’s a smart clamshell design phone that is music to your ears. The W980 gives you full control over your music features without having to open it through its shake control and Walkman on Top features. This phone is for the stylish music fan on the go that needs to have their music constantly at their beckoning.

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