Sony Ericsson Z558i Review : Best buys for Sony Ericsson Phones UK : Sony Ericsson Z558i Reviews

Sony Ericsson Z558i Overview

Expected UK Release Date: Available

Key Features
Dual Colour Screens
Internal 262k Colour TFT Touchscreen with Handwriting Recognition
Bluetooth® Technology
Music Player
FM Radio
18 Mbytes plus M2™ Memory Stick Micro™

Design

92%

Usability

93%

Features

94%

The above ratings are average figures, which have been generated from submitted mobile phone reviews.

Sony Ericsson Z558i Review

The Z558i is the first mobile phone to be designed by Sony Ericsson which includes a touch sensitive screen & is not a Symbian based smartphone. The casing comes in a choice of two colours which are sterling black & pearl copper which provide a sleek & stylish effect to the handset. The Sony Ericsson Z558i comes with a clamshell opening mechanism which has an external monochrome screen which provides a screen resolution of 128 x 36 pixels. The main feature on the phone is its highly useable handwriting recognition touchscreen which is an internal screen & provides 262k vibrant colours with a screen resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. The Z558i supports handwriting recognition for both the English language & Thai language & the phone comes in a Chinese language version which is known as the Sony Ericsson K558c. The touch screen with handwriting recognition will be popular for those countries which complex language characters where the standard keypad is not practical. The handwriting recognition feature can be used when the user is creating a text message & the touch screen provides the perfect solution for entering difficult character. The phone measures 87.5 x 45.5 x 20.5 mm & weighs 92.5 grams with the fitted battery which is a compact & solid feeling handset. The Z558i comes with 18 Mbytes of built in memory & with a memory expansion slot which allows the user to expand the memory to suit their storage needs using a Memory Stick Micro™ M2™ memory card. The Z558i is a member of K range designed by Sony Ericsson which includes the Sony Ericsson Z550i & the Sony Ericsson Z710i which are all attractive clamshell opening mobile phones.

The user can capture all of there special moments in full colour as a still photo or a video recording using the built in camera feature. The camera is a 1.3 megapixel type camera which comes with 4 x digital zoom for capturing those closer shots. The user can create the finish they desire by selecting camera settings & photo effects to suit their taste. The user can record, play & stream video on their Sony Ericsson Z558i which can be stored or shared with other contacts. The phone comes with a VideoDJ™ feature which allows the user to create a video show by combining different video clips & adding music or images. The Z558i will provide the user with high quality animated wallpapers, menus & graphic as it comes complete with scalable vector graphics.

Sony Ericsson Z558i Mobile Phone Front View

Sony Ericsson Z558i Mobile Phone Side View

Sony Ericsson Z558i Mobile Phone Back View

The user can have a lively gaming experience on their mobile phone with the preloaded Java™ games or even download more games to suit their taste. The user can tune into the FM radio when wanting to have music with them when they are on the move or just simply tune in when they want to sit back & relax listening to their favourite radio station. The Sony Ericsson Z558i comes with an integrated music player which allows the user to listen to their favourite MP3 files or AAC music files when & where ever they desire. The user has music freedom with their Z558i as a portable companion. The user can download & change ringtones which can be played in either MP3, AAC or polyphonic sound. The Sony Ericsson PlayNow™ feature provides the user with a tool which allows the user to download ringtones from the phones desktop in only three clicks. The MusicDJ™ feature provides the user with tool to create their own polyphonic ringtones. The user can select a vibrating alert to be either activated or deactivated depending on their call situation. The vibration alert feature is useful when the user is in a meeting or a place where a ringtone will cause a disruption. The Z558i comes with a handsfree speakerphone which allows the user to take a call over the phones speakers & the users voice will be picked up by the discrete built in microphone. The user can take part in a conference call which works like a meeting style conversation with up to six contacts per call.

The Z558i comes with easy messaging features thanks to the touchscreen with handwriting recognition. The user can send & receive text messages, multimedia messages, emails & use the touchscreen to input their text. The multimedia message allows the user to create a message complete with a video recording or photo which can be sent to any multimedia messaging compatible mobile phone contact. The Sony Ericsson Z558i comes with a built in email service that provides the user with an easy to access inbox & outbox. The phone supports push email which is a service that will send emails directly to the users phone from their POP3 or IMAP server as soon as it arrives.

The phone comes with tri band technology which cover most continents & the Z558i will switch between bands with ease, to provide the user with the best network. The Bluetooth® technology provides the user with a wirefree connection between compatible Bluetooth® devices which can include the users personal computer, laptop & printer. The user can also use a USB cable to connect their Sony Ericsson Z558i to a compatible device with a USB port. The Access NetFront™ Web browser allows the user to connect to the Web from their mobile phone & search the relevant information, services & online stores.

Sony Ericsson Z558i Specifications & Features

Screen
Internal 262k Colour TFT Touchscreen (176 x 220 Pixels)
External STN Monochrome Screen (128 x 36 Pixels)

Imaging
1.3 Megapixel Camera
4 x Digital Zoom
Photo Editor
Camera Key
Video Recorder
Video Player
Video Clip
Video Streaming
VideoDJ™
SVG Tiny 1.1
Picture ScreenSavers
Picture Wallpaper
Wallpaper Animation

Messaging
SMS (Text Messaging)
MMS (Multimedia Messaging)
SMS Long
Email
Push Email
Handwriting Recognition
Predictive Text

Sound
Music Player
FM Radio
Music Tones (MP3 & AAC)
Polyphonic Sound (40 Voices)
MusicDJ™
PlayNow™
Vibration Alert
Voice Recorder
Sound Recorder

Entertainment
Downloadable Java™ Games
Embedded Java™ Games

Organiser
Alarm Clock
Business Card Exchange
Calculator
Calendar
Phone Book
Contacts
File Manager
Notes
PIM Sync
Tasks
Timer
Handsfree Speakerphone
Conference Calls
Handwriting Recognition

Connectivity
Bluetooth®
GPRS
USB
Fast Port

Network
Tri Band Technology (GSM 900, GSM 1800 & GSM 1900)

Internet
Access NetFront™ Web Browser
Modem
HTML

Memory & Talk Time
18 Mbytes plus M2™ Memory Stick Micro™
Talk Time: 5.5 Hours
Standby: 320 Hours

Weight & Size
92.5 g
87.5 x 45.5 x 20.5 mm

Sony Ericsson Phones Best Buys

Your Sony Ericsson Z558i Reviews

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Reviewer: Applist - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 7th Jul 2007

I am now using this type of handphone. Z558i. This phone is just awesome. I never regret to buy this phone. I buy this phone already 6 months. Its design, features and also usability is just suitable to me. Thanks to the people that created this phone.

Design

100%

Usability

100%

Features

100%

Reviewer: Hussaini Harun - N. Sembilan, Malaysia
Date: 31st Dec 2006

I bought it second hand for MYR 550.00. Hook it up to WAP services & download picture & games efficiently. The downside - the touch & write screen is not easy to use for English character.

Design

90%

Usability

90%

Features

90%

Reviewer: Jannie Lim - Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Date: 28th Dec 2006

Pretty good specifications & value for money I guess. Design could better but this is alright. I may be getting this phone though.

Though Camera is only 1.3MP but hey, it's just a mobile phone. Get a digital camera to take good pics, right?

Design

85%

Usability

90%

Features

90%

Reviewer: Schatzee - Shenzhen, China
Date: 2nd Dec 2006

I love this phone so much, I think I am in love with this phone. But I don't have it. How I wish I can get one of this. Can anyone give me one of this phone for free? please. In exchange of my kidney. Hahahaha I am not kidney in you. Lolz. Its a joke OK.

Design

100%

Usability

100%

Features

100%

Reviewer: Ashutosh Verma - Pune, India
Date: 10th Nov 2006

The phone is true to its value, rather it is more than that. Good overall.

Design

90%

Usability

90%

Features