Sony Ericsson S500i review

Network and connections
A phone with good qualities, able to adapt to every type of user, also offering a futuristic design. Speaking first of all about the technical aspect, we find a GSM Quadband network receiver, on frequencies of 850, 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. This guarantees optimal signal reception in any area of the world. UMTS support is missing, however it is possible to browse the Internet thanks to the internal GPRS/EDGE modem. The dedicated HTML browser will take care of correctly displaying Web pages. Very handy is the Bluetooth for exchanging files with compatible devices, as well as the USB output for syncing with your home PC.

Design and features
The exterior look of this Sony Ericsson S500i is appealing, in glossy black with details and keyboard in green aluminum. This is revealed by opening the phone with a vertical Slider movement. On the front part, instead, is the display, a 240x320 pixel TFT, capable of displaying up to 256,000 colors. The dimensions of the device remain compact, with 14 mm of thickness and 94 grams of weight. In this way one can have great portability without having to make compromises.

Main features
A phone with complete features already in standard configuration, with phonebook, calendar, alarm clock, calculator and stopwatch. Java support also allows the installation of additional software, so as to best personalize the device according to one's needs. The simplified writing support helps a lot in composing text, so as to quickly manage even E-mails, as well as SMS and multimedia messages. The RSS Feed reader, on the other hand, allows you to always stay updated with the latest News. For the voice sector, there are the speakerphone, the voice recorder and support for multiconferencing.

Entertainment and multimedia
The Sony Ericsson S500i also proves valid from the point of view of entertainment content. The 2 megapixel digital camera allows you to capture moments when needed, as well as record short videos. The quality is not excellent, but still good thanks also to the dedicated functions that help in the capture. The S500i is excellent as a player for audio and video files, so as to always have your favorite music with you, complementing playback with TrackID Music Recognition. Memory is expandable via Memory Stick Micro M2 cards. Very valid is the battery life, for operation of up to 370 hours in Stand-by.