Posted by Paul in LA
Well I just picked up a K660i as I wait for the phone I'm really waiting for the C702.
In the meantime this is actually a nice little phone. Though it does appear it is a replacement for the K550i, the K660i is not a cybershot series. Though in my opinion it is vastly better in every way than the K550i. Including picture color reproduction. Yes the K550i does have AF and closeups would not be that great with the K660i. But the few pics I took with the K660i I have been quite impressed with the quality.
PROS:
1. Build quality. Though it's all plastic the build quality with the K660i is very impressive. Everything fits well. There are no visible gaps around seems (Nokia N82, hello?) and the battery cover fits quite well. Putting your finger on the battery cover and moving back-n-forth does move it about less than 1mm. Pretty good imo. As well there is zero creaking when pressing on the battery cover or using the buttons. Although the phone is mostly gloss plastic the black band around the phone is rubberized and feels somewhat gripy when holding it.
2. Buttons. Though it is crowded the buttons are quite easy to use and I have not had any issues hitting the wrong buttons. Nor is there any creaking when pressing them.
3. A200 firmware. No need to go into detail here. But it's a lot better than the last version. I notice much less lag than I did with the W910i.
4. Music player. Excellent. Walkman 3.0 is simply great.
5. Internet. This model uses a different browser than previous ones. It's quite good, even though I'm only on EDGE here in the US. If I had 3G it'd be fantastic. Pages load quickly and the shortcut keys are well laid out and very easy to use.
6. Ear volume. One of the loudest I have heard on a SE phone. And I've owned quite a few.
7. New camera UI. Again this is a A200 change, but much better than the last version.
8. Google maps. It now comes standard with the phone. The ONE issue is it's not full screen as the version you download yourself. As well I have yet to find a way to minimize the built in version like you can the downloaded one. Kind of a bummer imo. And I think the only way to update the built in one is through updating the whole phone.
9. Joystick. Easy to use. Good, positive feel when pressing. The edges are slightly raised so when your thumbs on it it's quite easy to use, imo.
CONS:
1. Absolute finger print magnet. Not an issue for me, though.
2. I'm having some issues with video recording. When playing it back there's a loud buzzing present. As well quite a few callers have said they notice a buzzing sound when talking to me. I think this is more of an issue with my phone as opposed to the whole model.
3. It appears you can only change 2 short cut keys as the others are locked.
Over all I am quite impressed with this phone given it's a low entry model at relatively low price. A nice simple to use phone with quick internet features and a camera that while it doesn't have AF the pics seem better in color saturation than the K550i. For me this is a perfect back up phone. The build quality (again even though it's all plastic) is very impressive. Yes it's a freaking finger print magnet, but I'd rate the quality on par with the T650i, and even in the top 5 of SE models. The back light on the keypad is great, not too bright. Not too dim. The screen is good in bright daylight as well. Not quite as good as the T650i, but much better quality than the K500i in colors and in broad daylight.
Here's some pics taken with the K660i. It was overcast, not great conditions for pics, but they're not bad. Setting was fine...
[ This Message was edited by: Paul in LA on 2008-03-29 23:25 ]
Posted by NightBlade
Great review.
Great phone.
Posted by oddie k750
Nice review.
Have you tried the cam in low-light conditions? Does it have similar vertical stripes problems as the v630's 2mpx non a/f cam? Thanks.
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-03-29 20:15:03, oddie k750 wrote:
Nice review.
Have you tried the cam in low-light conditions? Does it have similar vertical stripes problems as the v630's 2mpx non a/f cam? Thanks.
Yeah lowlight is not one of the strong points. Though I do recall a lot more green tinting in lowlight with the K550i.
Here's several pics taken at fine setting...
And here the setting is fine again but night mode...
Posted by sadeghi85
Nice review and nice phone.
Posted by NightBlade
Could you post a few pics of the Media menu in action. Am quite curious to see it.
I wish my K810 had it...
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-03-29 21:43:01, NightBlade wrote:
Could you post a few pics of the Media menu in action. Am quite curious to see it.
I wish my K810 had it...
Posted by NightBlade
Thanks.
Posted by oddie k750
Thanks fot the low-light shots. Yeah-look about the same as the v630's. Think your right though about the color reproduction being better.
Posted by manster
Can you post the camera interface i'm really looking to buy this.
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-03-30 10:28:47, manster wrote:
Can you post the camera interface i'm really looking to buy this.
Posted by PeterKay
nice review mate, thanks.
Posted by Pop Lover
nice One...Thanks
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Awesome review dude! And very very nice pictures too.
Thanks very much!
One thing to note about the V630i/K660i comparison above is that they have exactly the same camera module. So they should have roughly the same performance as each other because I don't think SE would change the drivers much between the phones!
Posted by Pop Lover
@Paul in LA
what about the Loudspeaker?
Posted by c_vignesh
Nice review mate
...thinking of switching from my 
K550i...doesnt the lack of AF affect the performance of the camera or maybe i should wait for G700 ... and get my first taste of UIQ 
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-03-31 15:50:34, Pop Lover wrote:
@Paul in LA
what about the Loudspeaker?
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-03-31 17:12:14, c_vignesh wrote:
Nice review mate
...thinking of switching from my K550i...doesnt the lack of AF affect the performance of the camera or maybe i should wait for G700 ... and get my first taste of UIQ
Posted by Paul in LA
3 annoying issues thus far...
1. Buzzing. Nearly everyone I call says "Is there a bee in your phone?"
2. When you receive an email the icon appears on the main screen. If you answer a call the icon disappears even if you haven't checked it. No real annoying, but...
3. I dropped the phone less than 3 feet and center buttons are now bulged out and hard to use. My fault, but damn, sure damages easily.
Posted by c_vignesh
Have u tried updating thru SEUS to see whether the buzzing stops
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-04-01 17:14:42, c_vignesh wrote:
Have u tried updating thru SEUS to see whether the buzzing stops
Posted by c_vignesh
Oops .... why dont you try updating through GPRS / EDGE on the phone itself
Posted by Muhammad-Oli
Possibly data costs will mean thats too expensive. Do you have Boot Camp on your Mac? It could be worth getting (well think its free with Leopard). Although, you need to pick up a copy of XP anyway.
Posted by Paul in LA
On 2008-04-04 08:35:40, Muhammad-Oli wrote:
Possibly data costs will mean thats too expensive. Do you have Boot Camp on your Mac? It could be worth getting (well think its free with Leopard). Although, you need to pick up a copy of XP anyway.
The phone update feature is never up to date like SEUS is. My K790a still said no update available 6 months after I bought it.
[ This Message was edited by: Paul in LA on 2008-04-04 16:09 ]