21 December 2007 By: Cosmin Vasile, Communications News Editor

Sony Ericsson W960i Review

The best Walkman smartphone

Sony Ericsson, one of the most important handsets manufacturers, is also one of the fewest that managed to educate its fans and teach them how to choose their future mobile phones. From this point of view, things are much easier for the Japanese-Swedish company, who made it clear for its consumers that it won't mix high quality music features with top-notch camera modules and latest business applications into only one handset.

Only a smart marketing politic can sell 'incomplete' products like those branded Sony Ericsson. So, what should you expect when buying a Walkman series handset? Well, there's one thing that you can be sure of – it will blow your ears. It should be branded as "Most wanted" for music freaks, because of the multimedia features that it offers. On the under hand, those that are that are looking for devices that can take high-quality snapshots will be more attached to the Cybershot series. An important segment of consumers – businessmen will also be able to choose from a wide range of smartphones, especially created to improve functionality on the go. The latter series of smartphones registered a little setback once the P1i has been launched on the market.

Even if it had all the features specific to a high-end device, the lack of speed and strange flaws in the Wi-Fi chipset made it almost a total fiasco. How did Sony Ericsson pull it out in the end? I guess the answer to this question is standing right in front of me and it's called W960i. The next Walkman series handset that has been 'stuffed' with Symbian UIQ and Wi-Fi, just to make it a (very) viable solution for businessmen.

Announced in June 2007, Sony Ericsson W960i has been made available on the market in late November 2007. The smartphone can be acquired for no less than USD 600$, but the price may rise to almost USD 800$, depending on the location. Both prices place it in the same range as Sony Ericsson's P1i smartphone, which made me believe that W960i could be the fortunate replacement for the less successful P1i.

Design

Usually, Walkman series handsets impress through their innovative designs and futuristic keypad layouts. The standard block design that Sony Ericsson W960i features strengthens the idea that the target of the smartphone is wider than its name (Walkman) may suggest.

The standard look that doesn't impress too much may be perfect for a businessman. I'm not saying that it looks dull or ugly, on the contrary, I'm pretty sure that it will attract both sides through its appealing look and rather stylish form.

The bar handset measures 109 x 55 mm and weighs around 119 grams (battery included). These numbers are not too much for a smartphone, even if it lacks full QWERTY keyboard. Instead, Sony Ericsson W960i features a standard keypad, which might seem a little bit crowded. Keys are wide but there's no space in between them, which might cause a 'lag' when texting messages. Otherwise there's nothing bad about it, as the compound used for

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Sony Ericsson manual Sony Ericsson W960i Review, Design
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W960i specifications

The Sony Ericsson W960i, released in 2007, was a standout model in the company’s Walkman series, which was renowned for its focus on music playback and multimedia capabilities. This sleek smartphone boasted a stylish design that combined functionality with aesthetics, catering to users who desired both a fashion statement and a powerful device.

One of the key features of the W960i was its impressive touchscreen display. The device was equipped with a vibrant 2.6-inch QVGA screen that supported 240 x 320 pixel resolution, providing sharp images and an enjoyable user interface. This touchscreen allowed for easy navigation through menus and music selections, enhancing the overall user experience.

The W960i came with a robust 8 GB internal memory, a significant amount at the time, allowing users to store thousands of songs, videos, and photos. Additionally, the phone supported expandable memory via Memory Stick Micro (M2) cards, making it easy for users to increase storage capacity as needed.

Music was at the forefront of the W960i's appeal. The device featured high-quality audio output and supported various audio formats including MP3, AAC, and WMA. Its Walkman player was renowned for its engaging interface, offering features like playlists, album art, and a DJ feature that allowed users to remix tracks. Additionally, the W960i was equipped with stereo speakers, providing an immersive listening experience without the need for headphones.

In terms of connectivity, the W960i supported 3G networks, allowing for faster internet browsing and video streaming. The device also featured Bluetooth 2.0, making it compatible with a variety of wireless accessories. Its built-in camera, boasting 3.2 megapixels, allowed for decent photography, enhanced further by features like autofocus and digital zoom.

The W960i also included several useful applications such as web browsing with support for various formats, email access, and a series of productivity tools. Its operating system, Symbian UIQ 9.1, offered a range of personalization options, allowing users to tailor their experience.

In summary, the Sony Ericsson W960i was a pioneering smartphone that successfully fused music and technology. With its stylish design, impressive storage, high-quality audio features, and robust connectivity options, it catered to the needs of music lovers and tech enthusiasts alike, solidifying its place in the mobile phone landscape of the late 2000s.
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