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K660i - A review |
Paul in LA
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 138
From: Los Angeles
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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 ] |
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NightBlade
Joined: Jul 29, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Nessebar, Bulgaria
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Great review. 
Great phone.  |
oddie k750
Joined: Jan 05, 2007
Posts: 399
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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.
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Paul in LA
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 138
From: Los Angeles
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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...
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sadeghi85
Joined: Oct 13, 2007
Posts: 341
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Nice review and nice phone. |
NightBlade
Joined: Jul 29, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Nessebar, Bulgaria
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Could you post a few pics of the Media menu in action. Am quite curious to see it.
I wish my K810 had it... |
Paul in LA
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 138
From: Los Angeles
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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...
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NightBlade
Joined: Jul 29, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Nessebar, Bulgaria
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Thanks. |
oddie k750
Joined: Jan 05, 2007
Posts: 399
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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. |
manster
Joined: Feb 22, 2008
Posts: 36
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Can you post the camera interface i'm really looking to buy this. |
Paul in LA
Joined: Jul 23, 2007
Posts: 138
From: Los Angeles
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On 2008-03-30 10:28:47, manster wrote:
Can you post the camera interface i'm really looking to buy this.
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PeterKay
Joined: Jul 08, 2003
Posts: > 500
From: The Ummah
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nice review mate, thanks.
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Pop Lover
Joined: Jun 15, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Amman, Jordan
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nice One...Thanks |
Muhammad-Oli
Joined: Jun 13, 2004
Posts: > 500
From: The NZ of L
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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!
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2008, 2009, 2010 Best Australasian Member. |
Pop Lover
Joined: Jun 15, 2007
Posts: > 500
From: Amman, Jordan
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@Paul in LA
what about the Loudspeaker?
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Posted: 2008-03-29 19:21
