Sony Ericsson W890i

Ultra-slim, shiny and chic, Sony Ericsson's slimline W880i candybar 3G Walkman phone has wowed plenty of people and slipped into many pockets since its launch early last year. Now Sony Ericsson has refreshed the successful formula with the W890i, adding a little cosmetic tweakery, some feature enhancements and an upgraded 3G high-speed data capability.

Sony Ericsson has softened the lines of the super-thin W890i newcomer, adding a few more curves while keeping the 10mm waistline suitably waif-like. The rice-thin keys of the W880i have been replaced by a more finger-friendly (but less minimalist) numberpad arrangement. However, the stylish look and feel has been maintained, with an elegant brushed metal casing around the back and front in silver, brown or (exclusive to Vodafone in the UK) black.

Under the bonnet, Sony Ericsson has super-charged the W890i's 3G capability by adding high-speed HSDPA technology, enabling download and internet surfing speeds of up to 3.6Mbps. Music is naturally top of the agenda, with the latest Walkman Player 3.0 software inside, featuring Sony Ericsson's SensMe mood-matching tune selection option. Supplied memory has been upgraded in this new model, with a 2GB Memory Stick Micro (M2) card in-box, providing room for up to 1800 tracks. The overall music package has been enhanced too with the welcome addition of an FM radio.

It's good to see Sony Ericsson upping the pixel count on its Walkman phone cameras. The W890i has a 3.2-megapixel shooter on the back panel (the W880i had a 2-megapixel one), although again there's no room for a flash or autofocus.

As you'd expect from a higher-end phone like this, all the regular 3G downloading, streaming and video calling functionality is included, with a secondary camera perched above the display for face-to-face chatting. The screen here is a reasonably-sized 2-inch QVGA (240x320 pixels) TFT display, capable of resolving 262,144 colours. It's not the biggest screen around, but is well-proportioned on this compact handset and is as bright and clear as you need for its multimedia capabilities.

The subtle spruce-up to the W890i has had minimal effect on the dimensions, measuring in at 104 (h) x 47(w) x 10 (d) mm and weighing 78g. The smooth curved edges make it feel comfortable to hold, it's well-balanced, and the build quality is excellent. Criticism of the W880i's sharp-looking but sometimes fiddly to use sliver-like number keys has been addressed; the buttons are now larger, curved and well-proportioned, making them easier for thumbs or fingers to use without compromising on the phone's elegant look.

The main D-pad navigation panel - which doubles up as the music player controls in Walkman mode - is similar to the W880i's, with surrounding softkeys, clear button and Activity menu key flanking it. The Activity menu is a handy utlity for pulling together useful and most likely to be used functions and apps into one place, to cut down on app-hunting time. The rationalised keypad layout now has prominent Call and End keys too.

OBRIGADO

ve had the Sony Ericsson W880i, and it was a very good player, and saw this model W890i, so I bought it.

Your qualities:

A device super slim and lightweight, great for those who do not like hoods.

optimal configuration, look very good, super thin.

The only problem for me to use it much and the battery does not last that long, but it passes.

I am very pleased with the unit and the ANSWER THE EBAY.COM AND SELLERS.

THANK YOU.

CARLOS H. H. ELIAS

Excellent phone, but not for the US

Always liked Sony Ericsson phones, needed an upgrade for my old W810i, thought the 890i would be it. The phone is great, small, sturdy appearance, user friendly menu, I like everything about, just the fact that I was not able to get the internet functions established for the US market, or more specific using internet features within the AT+T wireless system.
This phone was never sold in the US, I obtained it through an overseas seller from Hongkong. The guys at the AT+T store really liked the phone, - but were unable to help me to set up the server connections settings in the phone to connect to their server.
AT+T customer service on the phone was extremely eager to help, but was as well unable to get it establisghed.
SONY USA dropped the ball as soon as they heard were I got the phone from. Very disappointing.
I got another phone since for use in the US, but kept this phone for use while on travels in Europe, where it works fine with all features.

thanks for the cell phone you just want to ask a questi

thanks for the cell phone you just want to ask a question is for all companies that I have a boost mobile and do not know if this will serve but thank you very much I have in my hands the cellular

I Have been cheaper on a use sony ericsson W890i .

you send me a use cellphone not a band new phone.I will tell everybody that you are no good.NO more buying from you..