Sony Ericsson W508 review
Network and connections
A young and fun phone offered by Sony Ericsson on the market, capable of satisfying every kind of need. The network receiver is a GSM Triband, which works on the frequencies of 900, 1800 and 1900 MHz. Signal quality is thus always very good, also thanks to the Dual Mode for taking advantage of the UMTS network. Browsing the Internet is really easy and above all fast, thanks to the internal modem for the connection, with HSDPA data traffic management. Pages are thus displayed by the HTML browser just like with home ADSL. It is also possible to exchange files with other devices, thanks to Bluetooth, or connect to the PC via USB 2.0 cable.
Design and features
An additional cover is included in the package, to change the look of the W508 according to your mood. The colors are bright and go well with the fresh and dynamic design. The clamshell structure shows a small OLED display on the upper outer part, handy for viewing basic information. Inside instead is the main one, a 240x320 pixel TFT with a maximum display of 256,000 colors. The keypad is instead a standard numeric one, with round and comfortable keys. On the outside instead there are some keys dedicated to audio functions. Of course the phone is supplied with stereo headphones, in true Walkman style.
Main features
The proprietary platform does not allow for excessive customization, however Java support makes it possible to install compatible utilities and games. The features are nevertheless complete, from the phonebook for contacts to the organizer for managing your appointments. There is no lack of alarm clock and calculator. Writing messages is quick thanks to T9 support, allowing you to quickly compose E-mails as well. The Gesture Control is interesting, a sensor that recognizes the passing of a hand at a distance to control some functions. There is also support for YouTube, to upload and view videos directly from the network.
Entertainment and multimedia
Like every device in the Walkman series, the W508 is also focused on music functions. The media player thus allows you to play audio and video files of various formats without problems. You can also use Shake Control, to manage the playlist with movements of the phone. The dedicated external keys are essential for managing tracks, without having to open the device. As for the photography side, there is a 3.2 megapixel camera, capable of delivering good quality images, also thanks to Zoom and autofocus. The available memory is expandable up to 16 GB via Memory Stick M2 cards. There is also an AM/FM radio receiver, so you can also listen to your favorite broadcasts, with RDS function.