Cleverly, the external LED screen that we mentioned earlier also displays track details, so you can see all the track names without needing to open the phone. To listen to your music or the built-in FM radio, O2 has generously included a proprietary in-ear headset that isn't half bad. If you want to use your own pair, you can use the included 2.5mm adaptor.
Alternatively, you can use a set of stereo Bluetooth headphones to listen to music but you'll need to buy these yourself. If you feel like sharing your music, you can either use the included two-way headphone splitter or the speakerphone mode, but we found the latter wasn't loud enough.
If photos is more your thing, there's a 2-megapixel camera on the front with autofocus and LED photo light, and a secondary VGA camera on the inside for video calls. Unfortunately, activating the camera is quite fiddly -- there's no dedicated shutter button -- but you can set it as a shortcut on the homepage.
The homepage is fairly straightforward, as is the rest of the phone's interface. Once in the menu, you have access to a variety of applications, including O2's Web browser. This isn't particularly ground-breaking but you can just about view a mobile Web page on it, and it works quickly over 3G.
Unfortunately, it doesn't have an overview mode, such as the one on Nokia's Nseries phones. It's also missing a desktop mode and support for flash, so it's not as good as browsing the Web on your desktop PC or certain other phones, such as the Nokia N95.
Another application we felt could be better is the alarm clock, one of the Cocoon's headline features. It's not a massive problem but it would be nice if you could set multiple alarms and the days of the week you wanted it to go off. And we wish more phones would allow you to select your preferred snooze time.
Aside from the above niggles, we enjoyed using the Cocoon and everyone flocked around it when the external hidden LEDs came on. We also really liked the PC Suite software that comes with it, which lets you back up all your data and send messages from your computer via the provided USB cable or Bluetooth.
on Mobile Phones 
Facebook 
iPhone App 
Newsletters 
Twitter 
RSS Feeds 
Send Us Tips
User reviews2
Add your review
h201980 23 April 2009
Good: Everthing
Bad: Truly nothing
Comment: Firstly before you even open the cocoon you can feel a sense of harmony and class about this phone, the feel of the reinforced plastic that protects the phone feels very sturdy and strong, and feels it could survive the knocks and drops in its life.
The cocoon has media buttons at the side including a key lock function which is a great feature to have; after all you don’t want to walk in to library and accidentally press the play button, all the media keys give you full access to the media player without having to open the phone. The volume can be controlled be a jog wheel that is located next to the hinge of the phone. That is accessible open or closed.
The next great feature that will have your friends looking is the bight blue external display that is concealed when not in use. The external display is large enough to see from a distance. The external display give you information about who is calling you, if you have a text and who from, there is also a feature to allow the phone to give the first 3 or 4 worlds of the text, the external display also gives full MP3 names and tags that are playing, and which FM station your listen to, the display also displays a clock that stays on constantly when charging on its charging bay, so the phone could easily replace your alarm clock. You can set the brightness of the phones external display when charging or when running from battery. After all there’s nothing worse than having a display that lights up the room when you’re trying to sleep.
Opening the phone the first thing that becomes apparent is the key pad and buttons.
The number keys are nice and large and find that speed texting is going to be a pleasure to use. A directional ring is the navigation though the menus and skipping of tracks and volume when in media mode. With an ok button inside the navigation ring,
The 2.4’’ screen with 240x320 resolution complements the big keys and then you start to feel a buzz about the phone.
This 02 Cocoon blows the walkman phones out of the window with the media functions about it, firstly the 02 cocoon has a massive 2GB of memory built in, and if you feel that’s not enough you can put a MicroSD card in the phone as well up to 2GB. So that could be a possible 4GB on this phone.
The docking bay that is supplied with the cocoon offers many different features, a plug that you may plug the Arial in for the FM radio, and the charging port.
But this is where the cocoon becomes a whole new machine. 02 cocoon offers a 3.5m headphone socket outlet for MP3 outlet. Use headphones or plug the docking bay in to your stereo AUX, and play the MP3’s from the phone. So you now have a docking bay for your phone that plays on your stereo. Suddenly you see why the I-pod has been so successful with built in docking bays. But remember this is not a dedicated to just play music like the I-pod.
The cocoon is an MP3 player with the phone added on. And this is why it blows walkman totally away.
This phone is just amazing in everything it does.
The sheer elegance will have everyone wanting one. The 2megapixel camera offers a great auto focus that works very well, and takes very clear images. The video recorder is clear and perfect for the spare of the moment video capture.
This phone is not made by 02 it was made by gods! I’m sure of it…
Amazingly though it is made by 02 and they have decided to not plaster there logo all over the phone which is very nice
I am the fussiest person when it comes to phones, and this 02 phone itches my scratch every time.
I’m not going to say anything else about it… just get one! It won’t let you down
And considering the phone is now only around £90 second hand or £200 new
Now is the time…
Thanks for reading…
Lee 2k9
llan 9 October 2007
Good: Big basic buttons in a clamshell.
Bad: The colour
Comment: Being a 6'5" ex rugby player businessman...I suffer from big hands and thumbs. I drove an E50 for a while, nice phone, but like so very many of the things, it was built with tiny buttons for small people with average sized hands. The screen is clear, the default font size is big enough for us oldies, the device stays clean as it closes y'know! So far, I just love the thing.
PS I am NOT one of those types who ring home to say ... "i'm coming home, dear". I use mine for business, yes, actually calling and receiving calls from clients and suppliers! Also texting and email. The radio is good, but it really could do with presets, the mp3 facility is just dandy.
I dont use the web, but I do use the alarm clock and am looking forward to many happy months together.
See all 2 user reviews