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w900i is here - first impressions |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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myworldphone black w900i
First of all, my history of phones includes old monocrome candybars, nokia 3650, 7610, SE s700i and k750i. So, I know a little bit about the history and competition to this phone.
My most recent upgrade is from k750i to this s700i so I will discuss the differeces mostly, but try to include thoughts about everything.
This is not an in depth or long review, but I will try to make it a fair one.
Initial Impression
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This phone is exquisitely packaged. I felt like I was indeed opening up a $700 product with heavy, beautiful packaging.
Headphones and remote unit seem to be quality. Turning on the unit provides a gentle, nice orange glow from the directional pad, and white lights elsewhere. It truly feels quality. The spring loaded twist action makes it very easy to flick open one handed.
Upon bootup, some simple setup menus are displayed and then you are greeted by the big, beautiful display. This is truly a massive display compared with the k750i or w800i.
The initial unpacking doesn't feel anything like either the k750i or the s700i did. It's in a class of it's own and you can tell.
Phone/Features
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my phone info
FIRMWARE: R5AC011
CHINA SA R5AC011
CAMERA VERSION: 2.8
VIDEO CALL CAMERA VERSION: 2.8
CUSTOMIZATION: CDA102418 / 101 R1A
CONTENT VERSION: PA19
This is a very full featured phone. It supports both GSM and UTMS bands. UTMS is a high speed system available in many parts of the world including Japan. UTMS is not currently available in the United States. The w900i fully supports video calls and has a vga front camera for this which I am unable to test at this time becuase I don't have UTMS service.
I have not spent a lot of time calling yet, so I will have to update later on with more observations about calling and voice features.
The phone comes with 470 mb of free internal space as well as accepting memory stick pro duo cards. There is now an indicator light showing pro duo activity on the side of the unit. Both the memory card AND internal space mount in windows as drives.
The phone can play photos and videos at 320x240 full screen. Mp3s sound crisp and clear, and the included headphones are quite good, about as good as my $50 Sony in-ear headphones I have used before. The mp3 player is simple but very effective and usable. The MP3 player can work while you do other things with the phone in the background.
The phone features a WAP browser, but in an interesting move it also has a real HTML browser (i believe for the first time on a non-smartphone SE?) I have yet to test this out, will report back on this.
The phone features the standard email client that works well with pop email addresses.
Under settings is a new option called update service, where you can search for an update, see the current phone version, or set reminder to look for updates later on.
Camera/Video
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I decided to upgrade from the k750 partially becuase of the amazing 320x240 30 fps video capabilities of this phone. What I did not expect was all of the other camera improvements. Among the majors:
Autofocus toggle: on / off / macro - this is the first time we can shut off autofocus for instant shots (time from click to save is ridiculously fast) Also seperate macro mode is gone, and replaced by "macro" setting under autofocus... very cool.
Light: on / off / auto - this is the first time we can have the light come on automatically in dim situations while shutter is pressed.
Camera now suggests inserting a memory stick, when this is done, it auto changes to save to the stick, rather than having to manually toggle it.
Spot Photometry on/off - makes a return from s700i Very good to have
Shutter sound - can be changed to 4 different types or silenced completely in silent mode phone setting.
Still Quality - nearly identical to w800 and k750 camera for still shots, but noticably less noise/streaks in dim light. Plenty of samples will come later tonight or tomorrow!
Video Quality - Still testing but does indeed appear to be vastly improved. 320x240 30 FPS is a BIG difference. Very happy with video quality so far.
Design/Size
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This is not a small phone, but it's a good size for me. It's more comfortable to hold onto for taking pics becuase it's got a little more size to it, and the new spring loaded switchblade style swivel makes it a lot easier than s700 to open, and it's very easy to do with one hand. It's also easier to text with the larger size.
The black and orange design manages to not look like halloween, and the unearthly orange glow on the D pad and W logo will make your friends cry with jealousy.
The screen size is enourmous and really makes the phone stand out. Photos displayed on it look outstanding.
There is now a sliding lock switch on the left side of the unit that quickly lets you lock or unlock the phone.
Hold down the music button for walkman mode, hold down the camera button for camera mode. Back button still works as always, one click to go back 1 menu, hold to go back to main menu.
The bottom fast port is now covered by a rubber flap which is good for pocket-stuffers like me.
Buttons are well thought out and everything feels about right. It has a much less creaky feel than the k750 did, at the expense of bigger size.
Overall
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I really love this phone. It's a lot more than I expected to get as an upgrade to k750. It's not for everyone, but for a multimedia fan like me it's a much better phone. Some of the unexpected things like optional autofocus, auto light and spot photometry suprised me and added a lot to the purchase. Overall I feel like I got all my money's worth. I am looking forward to spending a lot of time shooting photo and video samples for you all to see.
I am sure I have forgotten to address quite a few things... please post questions or comments and I will take a look for you if at all possible.
[ This Message was edited by: bakayo on 2005-12-01 02:53 ] |
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Supa_Fly
Joined: Apr 16, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Toronto, Ontario
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When you get the chance of testing the HTML browser I'd like you to pls test or inform us how the Push Email support is for. Any information even from the manual would be great!
Congrats on your new toy; and keep it shiny.
EDIT: hehe first post!
PS anything about playing music in the background while your surfing or looking at photos as a slideshow, or even cruising through the menu or editing/adding phonebook entries simultaneously to listening to music?? I must know!
[ This Message was edited by: Prom1 on 2005-12-01 03:20 ] |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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yes when you are listening to mp3s and you hit back to go to main menu, it keeps playing in background and shows song titles at the top on a bar while you multitask. |
Supa_Fly
Joined: Apr 16, 2002
Posts: > 500
From: Toronto, Ontario
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SWEET! I now know that I must have this phone.
I can see myself getting very greedy this Xmas but I've seriously earned it. |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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The manual is absolutely sparse, it doesnt even mention the internet or WAP, much less the html browser and push.
I havent seen the html browser yet in fact, it might be integrated into the "internet services" part but I am not sure. So far I just get connection error, but in fact i dont have mobile web option for my plan, might have to subscribe to that for testing. |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@bakayo
Where did you get the handset from and which network are you using it with?
How is the in-line remote?
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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got it from myworldphone
using tmobile USA
have not tried the in line yet. looks quality tho. |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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I tried the in line remote. it works great, and the orange light glowing from it looks especially cool. It displays FM station numbers, stereo, and mode (mp3 or radio icon) but not mp3 song names, in mp3 mode it just plays an aniamtion unless you hit pause and then the animation stops. It controls forward, back, play pause and volume as well as toggles radio and mp3 modes. |
scotsboyuk
Joined: Jun 02, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: UK
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@bakayao
Is it an unbranded version you have?
Have you used it enough yet to get an idea of how well the battery performs?
"I may be drunk my dear woman, but in the morning I will be sober, and you will still be ugly." WSC |
bakayo
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 110
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yes unbranded
no i have been using it for 10 minutes, charging it for 5, etc... full charge overnight and then tomorrow i guess i will see battery life in action |
MJdub
Joined: May 07, 2004
Posts: 63
From: Who's going with me?
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[ This Message was edited by: MJdub on 2005-12-01 05:49 ] |
k750ii
Joined: Jul 19, 2005
Posts: 9
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any pics of phone menu and screen ? |
Salisbury_Steak
Joined: Apr 27, 2005
Posts: 92
From: Manila, Philippines
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I second that. What does the interface look like? Can you also take a picture of the in-line remote in action?
What are the games that came with it btw?
SE Fanboy trying a Nokia... |
AppA
Joined: Oct 29, 2005
Posts: 68
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What about the cam, it is less-covered then the k750i, so more vulnereble to dust/filth if in pocket right?
/edit:
also, is the flashlight improved? Because i see 1 LED instead of 2 (which are on the k750i/w800i)
[ This Message was edited by: AppA on 2005-12-01 12:54 ] |
Jamin
Joined: Jul 14, 2004
Posts: 168
From: Uk
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The menus look the same as usually 
But you can change the icons to look like this
and this
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Posted: 2005-12-01 03:53
