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Sony Ericsson Z555i

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By Andrew Lim, CNET.co.uk
Jun 9, 2008

Sony Ericsson isn't famous for fashion phones, but that doesn't mean it doesn't make any. The Sony Ericsson Z555i is an entry-level handset aimed to appeal to fashionistas on a budget. But do style-mongers want an inexpensive stylish phone or something more upmarket? We took the Z555i out on the catwalk to see if it had what it takes to make it in the fashion mobile market.

Editors' note:

This review is based on tests done by our sister site CNET.co.uk. As such, please note that there may be slight differences in the testing procedure and ratings system. For more information on the actual tests conducted on the product, please inquire directly at the site where the article was originally published. References made to some other products or telcos in this review may not be available or applicable in Asia.

Design

Compared to the Motorola Razr V3, for example, the Z555i doesn't have a quality feel, but it is solid and will take a few tumbles. You'll either love or hate the shiny front surface of the Z555i, but we think it looks like something Barbie would be into. The criss-crossed glossy pattern doesn't really fit in with the rest of the phone's matte finish and gives the impression it's designed to appeal to magpies.


The Sony Ericsson Z555i's keypad is large and easy to use.
While we like the Z555i's large and easy-to-use keypad, the screen is smaller than we expected and low-res (176 x 220 pixels), so pictures don't look very sharp. Underneath the glossy front section, there's a small OLED screen that displays the time and incoming call and text info, which is cleverly hidden when not in use and adds something extra to an otherwise basic phone.

Features

The Z555i's simple design is matched by a simple set of features. A 1.3-megapixel camera with no flash doesn't produce the sharpest shots we've ever seen, but it'll suffice for small MMS pictures. The ability to upload pictures to Blogger is neat but again it's a shame the camera doesn't produce better pictures. In line with the basic camera is a basic MP3 player that lets you shuffle tracks and set playlists.


The 1.3-megapixel camera doesn't come with a flash or LED photo light.
A lack of built-in 3.5mm headphone jack or adapter meant that we didn't use the music player much, as we're not fans of the proprietary headphones that come in the box. The same applies for the FM radio, which also requires headphones. We must point out that a 3.5mm jack adapter is available to buy, but we think it's a shame it doesn't come in the box.

Browsing the Internet is made possible using the Z555i browser and EDGE, but the Z555i's browser doesn't render Web pages very well. Fortunately, you can download a third party browser such as Opera Mini, which shows off pages much better. The ability to download Java apps, such as Opera Mini or Google Maps adds extra functionality, giving the Z555i a more useful edge.

 
Performance And Conclusion »