Weaknesses
The screen is certainly nothing to write home about -- its viewing angle is poor, so if you look at it from any angle other than straight on the colours look murky and washed out, not that they're great to begin with. And while the menu system is easy to understand, the mini joystick is a fraction too recessed, making it sometimes fiddly to get to the icon you're after.
If you want a phone that takes decent snaps then this isn't the model for you. The camera has a lowly VGA resolution so when you view photos full screen on a laptop they're so blocky you'll think your mates are made of Lego. There's no flash either, so taking pictures down the local dingy boozer is out.
Sony Ericsson has made a bizarre choice when it comes to wireless support: there's no Bluetooth, but you do get IrDA (infrared). Infrared ports are fast disappearing from the latest laptops and phones, so its usefulness is somewhat questionable.
Conclusion
The W200i is definitely more functional than flash. The design is a tad dull and the joystick is fiddly, but it has excellent music features and is very easy to use.
Overall, we reckon it's a decent bet for those looking for a cheap pay-as-you -go music phone, however if you can afford to spend around £70 more, the Sony Ericsson W810i comes with a reasonable 2-megapixel camera.
Edited by Jason Jenkins
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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User reviews3
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Andrew Lennon Shepard 1 December 2010
Good: Unimaginably good music player, fantstic earphones, does very basic internet suprisingly well, easy to use, camera performs well in bad light, nice interface
Bad: When fantastic earphone break your buggered, small screen, pointless video recorder, no bluetooth
Comment: This review, bear in mind, comes actually from 2006 when I brought this fone as a wee 11yr old for about 30quid. And for the time it was amazing, fantastic music, a camera (which to an 11 yr old was amazing) and plenty of nice features, not to mention a pair of jolly nice earphones.
But of course, all things must pass, it got lower and lower tech and I found I was at loss without bluetooth, a better camera and a bigger screen. And 6 months later I got quite frankly bored. And, of course when the earphones broke it was either use the adapter and be forced to use a cable about a mile long or and ipod. Guess which?
And eventually it was stolen at a classic car show. Full of old people. Hmm........
tobyj94 1 November 2009
Good: Battery Life, WALKMAN
Bad: Lack of bluetooth, Average camera
Karen Gardner 10 July 2007
Good: Excellent music player!!
Bad: Not found anything yet!!!
Comment: Just had this phone - wanted it mostly for the music player! which is excellent, but need a bigger memory card for more tracks.
Love the slim style and the buttons are just right. Battery life good, I like everything about it so far!! my daughter has the w810I and apart from the camera, I think mines better!!
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