New Sony Ericsson models: First look

Sony Ericsson K310

Sony Ericsson K310 comes to substitute the K300 model. Once again it is a cheap multifunctional mobile phone with a built-in camera and MP3 ringing melodies. It features a bigger and better looking display than its forerunner, even if still passive.

The keypad constitutes of three columns of bulgy keys. Its functional part has been replaced by a joystick and four standard functional keys. Control is standard and easy.

Small size and low weight are perhaps two of the main qualities of Sony Ericsson K310. Yet, will they measure up in a combination with phone's drab design? I myself believe that a little bit of aesthetic touch would have had a positive impact on phone's general outlook and would have helped it stand out among its competitors. The good thing is that this is the cheapest Sony Ericsson phone with camera. Its introductory price is about 130 euro.

Sony Ericsson K510

Sony Ericsson representatives would speak about the K510 model as of the successor of the much-favored Sony Ericsson K700. It seems, however, that in certain aspects the veteran is going to hold the precedence. One of them is the display as the coming K510 is going to offer a picture in a resolution of scant 128 x 160 pixels. The difference is visible at first sight. The built-in radio in Sony Ericsson K700 is another feature that speaks in favor of the old model as the radio application is missing in the new model. On the other hand, Sony Ericsson K510 comes to excel with a full-function megapixel camera.

Alike the phones described above, Sony Ericsson K510 lacks any aesthetic decorations. Its keypad is composed of tiny separated keys dominated by a joystick, which is the main control element of the device. The phone is comfortable to work with despite of the fact that its keys are somewhat rigid. I remained open-mouthed when I registered the phonebook capacity of this new toy - it fits in up to 1000 names. To enjoy it, however, make sure you have 200 euros to invest.

Sony Ericsson W300

Sony Ericsson new clamshell models were the attraction of the entire official presentation. This was especially true in the case of Walkman W300, which represents an elegant combination of black and silver shades and a juicy orange logo incrusted into dotted bedding in the bottom part of the phone's cover. Compared to the rigorous curves of the new models of classic construction, the look of Walkman W300 is truly a festival for the eye. The robust design of phone's joint is probably the only part I did not happen to like much.

The picture quality of the internal display is pretty good. Yet, a bit higher resolution would have made it even better. The external monochromatic display is noted for its brilliant legibility. Besides, it shows details about the music file that is being currently played. Thanks to the qualities of the external display and the side special control buttons, the music player can be controlled without the need of opening the device. The side orange buttons not only control volume levels, but also stop music or switch from one file to another.

Apart from this, the music player is more or less identical to those used in other Walkman models of Sony Ericsson. Music files are ordered by artists' and albums' names. An offline mode is available too. If you leave the real phone part of the device deactivated, then you can enjoy 30 hours of music. Under the phone's cover there is a memory card, which supplies the device with the space it needs. This comes to say that if you are to exchange memory cards it will be necessary to first remove the cover. In all cases, the battery remains in its place, so there is no need to switch off the phone.

Sony Ericsson W300's keypad has also received special attention from the company's designers. Keys are organized in columns, which are pretty difficult to distinguish without sight control. Never the less, keypad control is generally comfortable. A round navigation key accompanied by a square of functional keys is Walkman W300's basic control element.

New Walkman's introductory price is 230 euros, including a pair of top-quality earphones and a 256MB card.

Sony Ericsson Z530

If you want to save approximately 60 euros, get yourself a Sony Ericsson Z530 instead of the new clamshell Walkman. These phones are almost identical, with covers, music equipment and EDGE support being the only elements that differ them one from another.