The Sony Ericsson K850i

• Author: Moby
• Filed under: Sony Ericsson
• Date: Feb 22,2008

What can we expect from Sony Ericsson next? Following the success of the K810i and the K800i, Ericsson has come up with the K850i which is not really all that different but lives up to our expectations for their new generation of handsets.

In terms of its design, the K850i is obviously an evolution of the earlier Cybershot versions with the large 256K-colour screen (now made bigger by a fifth of an inch) dominating the front. The concept of the K850i seems to be modelled after the digicams we know today with a convenient slider switch for shifting shooting modes.

We were pleased to see how Ericsson has scrapped the mechanical lens covers in their old versions and replaced them with automatic ones with the K850i. There is a catch though, as a layer of fingerprint-prone plastic protects the cover. So, expect to add an unnecessary step before taking pictures - cleaning the surface. You might as well have a soft cloth ready all the time to clean the front and sides as well. Also, reaching out for the dedicated camera on and off button can prove troublesome especially when taking photos in the dark.

We also like the K850i’s unique battery compartment. Unlike most handphones, this Cybershot features a convenient sliding door which allows you access not only to the battery but the SIM and the expansion card slot (which by the way can accommodate microSD pr M2). Also, this new handset features what they call as the D-pad (actually encloses the 2 and 5 keys) which works just like a navigation pad. If you ask us, this novel idea of joining the Keypad and navigation key in one is very creative.

In terms of functionality, the K850i is filled with cutting edge features - HSDPA 3G, GRPS, Edge, Bluetooth 2.0, an FM radio, a wireless stereo playback. It lacks Wi-Fi, which we had actually expected since it is not a smartphone in the first place.

As far as features are concerned, the K850i doesn’t really bring that much new stuff. Its interface is much like that of its predecessors. We noticed how it has added a novel way of managing multimedia files, though we are not pretty sure if it is even worth noting. The K850i is equipped with an accelerometer as an evolution to the pedometer of the W580i. However, it only functions solely to determine display orientation (changes to landscape when the handset is turned sideways). The sensor can also be used in playing one pre-installed game, Marble Madness 3D, which we surprisingly enjoyed playing.

The K850i offers an all-in-one media player which enables you to manage music, videos and photos conveniently. Its digital imaging feature is actually good enough - comparable to mid-range digicams today. Its autofocus, Xenon flash, second LED, and shooting modes and options all contribute to very satisfactory photos.

The Cybershot K850i has lived up to our expectations for the next batch of Sony Ericsson phones. It has a great well-built design, convenient ergonomics, and all the important features you want from a high-end phone. But still, wouldn’t it be great to have a camera with Wi-Fi and 8GB on-board memory? Though that might be something to drool over, the K850i deserves being a close second choice.

The Sony Ericsson K850 is available for $446.00 at ElephantCellular

tagged: 3G, HSDPA, Sony Ericsson, Keypad, Wi-Fi, K850i, 5-megapixel, K800, K810, Xenon Flash, Autofocus, Cyber-shot

The Nokia N95 8GB: The N95 Now Made Way Even Better

• Author: Moby
• Filed under: Nokia
• Date: Feb 22,2008

The phones Nokia has been coming up with in the recent years are very impressive - and they have done it yet again with the N95 8GB. It is one of the most technically advanced of all smart phones that we have seen.

The N95 by Nokia features amazing network connectivity (read: GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G and HSDPA) plus a 5-megapixel autofocus all wrapper in an unbelievably sleek and minute package. The N95 8GB features all these as well as it is its updated version. Though the N95 8GB proves to be a little chunkier than its older brother, it makes up for the additional weight quite well.

The 8GB version is packed with a larger screen for a more exciting viewing experience. The navigation keys at the bottom have been made smaller, yet easier to press. We also noticed how response time is quicker for this unit, and boot-up time is quicker by many notches. Very notable is its black casing, which made this phone sexier and more classy. Another thing we found interesting though is its two-way sliding mechanism which allows hiding of playback keys when the phone is not in use. The two plates of the slider are not prone to shifting, which we found very annoying with the N95 predecessor.

The omission of the expansion card slot in the 8GB version is noteworthy. Though it already has a huge onboard flash memory, we still find it unfortunate that this phone has stripped us of the freedom to expand memory and to switch memory cards. Nonetheless, being a multimedia mammoth, it allows you to install as many applications as you can.

If you think the N95’s camera cover is a good feature, you will be disappointed to know that the 8GB version has done away with that. On the other hand, this can actually be great as it avoids the chances of accidentally activating the camera on your pocket which can happen very often with the N95.

Nokia has tried to come up with a solution to the complaints of many N95 users when it comes to battery life. The N95 8GB comes with a larger capacity 1200mAh BL-6F battery which does make a difference, although only to a slight extent.

We have always found upgraded versions of old mobile phone models disappointing. However, the N95 8GB is surprisingly not disappointing at all. Needless to say, Nokia did a satisfactory job in addressing most of the issues that came with the original N95, and the N95 8GB is definitely a good successor. The bigger screen, fashionable black shade, increased RAM, and more compact built are among the few things to like about this handset. However, if you currently own an N95, we won’t find it practical to upgrade to an 8GB and spend $100.

For what it’s worth, the N05 8GB is still one of the most feature-filled handsets to ever enter the market. In fact, it has been difficult for us to compare it with another phone at par with its features.

The Nokia N95 is available for $679.89 at ElephantCellular

tagged: 5-megapixel, 3G, HSDPA, GPS, PDA, Wi-Fi, Nokia, 8GB N95, Symbian, Smartphone

Samsung SGH-G800: The Pioneer in 5MP Camera Phones

• Author: Moby
• Filed under: Samsung
• Date: Feb 22,2008

Samsung has revolutionized handy technology when it came out with the first ever 5-megapixel camera phone in the form of the Samsung G800. The beautifully sleek G800 has benchmarked the new generation of camera phones. However, it does not only have a 5MP camera to boast about, it also has full features crammed in this great handset.

Samsung has been known for its ultra slim phones, but the G800 probably does not qualify as slim. It weighs about 129g which makes it relatively heavy, too. However, this added bulk is well compromised if you take a look at the G800’s features.

The design of the G800 is seemingly centered around its camera. which we have already expected. At the back is a cover that protects the camera lens and the Xenon flash. The G800 is held horizontally when you take a picture, and there is a dedicated shutter button and a volume rocker for zooming in and out. Aside from these dedicated keys, there are not much buttons to notice in this phone. All keys are mechanical, though we were pleased to see them to be large and laid out quite well. Pressing the Keypad might be a little tough at first, and will need some getting used to.

As far as features are concerned, the 5MP sensor, the autofocus and the Xenon flash (assisted by LED lights), 3x zoom, red-eye reduction and image stabilization are all enough to take camera phones into an entirely new level. It is the closest you can ever get for a digital camera on a phone. We are also glad that it sports a microSD expansion slot to hold more pictures. There are basic photo editing tools pre-installed in the G800, as well as a video editing suite.

The G800 is more than just about the camera. It also features a music player, an FM radio, and 3.5G HSDPA connectivity which allows you to browse at speeds up to 7.2Mbps. It can also support Java games and cool applications such as Google Maps.

In terms of performance, we were actually impressed with the photo quality and the speed at which the camera executes. It looks just like a real camera which take photos with quality that are just like the real thing. We find it even better than that of the Nokia N95, Ericsson K850i and the LG Viewty. The Xenon flash may not have been the brightest, but the photo quality is quite excellent even at low lighting conditions. The music player did its job quite well too, though we would have appreciated it if it rendered pages well on its installed web browser.

The G800 is truly an outstanding phone. Being the first in the family of 5MP camera phones, it truly lived up to our expectations. Though some may find it oversized, the features it bring well compensates for the added bulk. However, if you are used to putting your phone in your pocket, you might as well go for something slimmer with similar features. Nonetheless, we still recommend this phone for its excellent features and performance.

The Samsung G800 is available for $518.00 at ElephantCellular

tagged: LG, 5-megapixel, HSDPA, Keypad, Samsung, SGH-G800, N95, K850, Viewty

The Nokia N82: The Rightful Heir to the N72 Throne

• Author: Moby
• Filed under: Nokia
• Date: Feb 22,2008

After the overwhelming success of the N72, Nokia has come up with another handset which they hope to become the next N-series bestseller. We find it to be a noteworthy successor of the N72, and we won’t find it surprising if it becomes an instant hit as well. This is also partly because the N82 is relatively affordable as compared to the rest of the N-series. In fact, it is by far the most affordable of all the feature-rich Nokia camera phones.

The Nokia N82 is a candy-bar type phone with a comfortable size and a good weight distribution. The back side of the N82 becomes interesting as it houses a 5-megapixel camera featuring Carl Zeiss optics and a Xenon flash. It has also an autofocus feature and a dedicated camera key making things more convenient.

The N82 has one major shortcoming, though: its unreasonably small Keypad. Let us just say, they’re not the type of keypad most people in their right minds would like. However, we will give them an average rating on this aspect since they allowed ample spacing in between the keys. We still believe Nokia could have done a better job. The backlighting is not strong enough, but it can actually do a decent job.

The audio port of the N82 is found on the top edge, which is rather unique - no more worrying about protruding sides when you put your phone in your pocket. On the left edge are the microSD expansion card slot, port and the charging connection, while on the other side lies the stereo speakers, shutter, volume controls and gallery key.

If you are familiar with the N95, then there really is nothing new to talk about. The only thing most notable is its Xenon flash and a smaller 2.4-inch display. It runs on the Symbian S60 third edition so it should be easy on Nokia users.

When it comes to performance, the N82 is quite impressive. First, we believe that the Xenon flash in the N82 is one of the most powerful ones we’ve seen so far in a camera phone, which is a great thing. We also liked the larger capacity battery which allows talktime of 260 minutes and standby for over nine days. Third, it is also worth noting that the N82 is equipped with a 128MB RAM, which makes responses very quick. We have tried running different applications on the background and noticed no stalls.

In terms of picture quality, N82 shots are among the best we have seen so far, even better than the Sony Ericsson K850i on many instances. It is unfortunate though that this unit can’t stand on its sides like normal digicams. Night shots are pretty impressive too, thanks for the Xenon flash.

The N82 deserves to be considered as the successor of the N72. If you wish to upgrade, then this is probably a great option. It is excellent as a camera as well as an all-around phone. It does have its imperfections, but we still highly recommend it.

Get Unlocked Cell Phones at ElephantCellular

tagged: 5-megapixel, Sony Ericsson, Keypad, Nokia, N82, Carl Zeiss, Xenon flash, Symbian, HSDPA, N72, N73, N95

The LG KU990 Viewty: LG’s Best Camera Phone Yet

• Author: Moby
• Filed under: LG
• Date: Feb 18,2008

In case you were wondering, we also do find the name to LG’s new camera frame a little strange. Who would have thought of the word “viewty”? Anyway, the LG Viewty KU990 is LG’s latest handset which is packed with great, impressive features. It is a phone with a 5-megapixel camera that has autofocus features and a xenon flash. If you ever wonder how convenient it might be to integrate your trusty digital camera into your phone, then wonder no more.

The KU990 does not only have this 5-megapixel camera to brag about, but it also features a large touchscreen which allows us to view images taken easily. As if this was not enough, this phone makes it easy for you to shoot videos at 120 frames per second, watch them in slow motion or upload them to Youtube. At some point, you make feel like you own a camera with a cellphone, than a cellphone with a camera.

We have reviewed a number of camera phones and put bluntly, they just don’t look aesthetically pleasing enough. However, the KU990 lives up to its name as far as “viewty” is concerned. In fact, we believe that it is one of the best looking cam phones ever. Its design exudes a functional feel, yet it also has an elegant charm that it looks more high-end than the previous LG phones in the past.

The KU990 has a large, attractive touchscreen, and the 5-megapixel camera is located at the back, towards the top left. Next to it is the autofocus light and the xenon flash. The camera unfortunately does not have a lens cover. At the side of the camera, there is a rocker disc which you can conveniently push up or down if you want to adjust the volume, scroll through the menu, and zoom in and out, amongst other possible things. We find it a little difficult to press sometimes, but it should be an interesting feature.

What we like best about the KU990 is that its screen is very responsive and you can set it to vibrate each time you touch it. The icons in the software interface have an attractive layout and we found it very finger-friendly. Another thing we like about this phone is that its proprietary web browser is probably the best we have seen on a handset. Pages can load relatively quickly too, with a theoretical download speed of 1.8Mbps. It disappointingly does not support Wi-Fi.

The KU990 takes relatively great pictures, with exceptional performance in capturing fast moving action. We consider the picture quality excellent if compared with other camera phones today. Viewing photos later on is convenient and cool, as its photo viewer has amazing slideshow features with just a click of the camera. It is also armed with great photo-editing applications which may not be as sophisticated as Photoshop, but does its job quite well.

The LG KU990 Viewty is actually an impressive phone considering how LG do not have as much experience with camera phones. If you want a phone which can capture all those moments conveniently, the KU990 is definitely worth checking out.

The LG KE850 is available for $429.00 at ElephantCellular

The LG KU990 Viewty is available for $509.89 at ElephantCellular

tagged: LG, KU990 Viewty, KE850 Prada, 5-megapixel, touchscreen, Youtube, 3G, HSDPA