Performance
If you've used any Sony Ericssons over the last couple of years, you'll have no problem working this one. It's essentially the same phone in a new case. There are various menu themes, most of which are clear and easy to navigate.
We have no complaints over sound quality, but bear in mind the bundled sound-isolating earphones, while above average, are still pants compared to a decent pair costing as little as £40. The phone sounds much better than the earphones let it, so upgrading is advised.
The W595 delivers good call quality and an altogether solid user experience. It's by no means an advanced phone or -- especially these days -- an innovative one. But if there's one thing Sony Ericsson (and Nokia, for that matter) can do, it's rejigging old designs from the previous year and upping the specifications with each release.
We're still not on board with the Walkman as a replacement for a decent dedicated MP3 player, but to compliment one when it's just not convenient to carry two devices, it's fine. The Creative Zen, Apple iPod or Sony Walkmans all offer better sound quality and richer music and video experiences.
Sony Ericsson rates battery life at 9 hours of talk time and 16 days of standby. With casual use you should be able to go about four or five days between charges, but significantly less if you're using this as your primary music player.
Conclusion
With all this in mind, we're happy to conclude that this is a solid, fun phone -- aside from its lack of a real headphone socket and its poor video functionality. But if you're expecting anything radically new, you might want to wait a little while for Sony Ericsson to start innovating.
Edited by Marian Smith
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emmytech 9 August 2011
Good: Media functions, text messaging, calls, YouTube, Bluetooth, battery
Bad: No standard headphone jack, web layout isn't great, no passlock option
Comment: I've had this phone for almost 2 years and I haven't got much bad to say about it. I actually have the limited edition Sakura which is gorgeous.
This phone is definitely for music-lovers, because it's built especially to store your music and play it like there's no tomorrow. I don't use shake control because I find just creating playlists a little easier. The sound quality is great. Definitely a thumbs up for the music.
The layout of the media screen is easy to use and innovative, video is okay although the quality isn't the best - ditto with the camera, but the camera has lots of functions such as frames, backdrops, self-timer, night mode, white balance and effects. If you're a gamer, this phone isn't for you - although the games are the full versions, they're not that good. Won't hold your attention for more than 5 minutes.
The main stuff I love about this phone though are just the variety of layouts and themes and the choice to basically customise your phone around you. They have lots of pictures already stored on the phone and animated backgrounds/themes which are nice. Text messaging and calling is easy, setting up speed-dial and adding your own words to predictive text requires no fuss.
Okay, bad stuff: number one on what I'm assuming is everyone's list is the lack of standard headphone jack. Instead a connector and Sony Ericsson headphones come in the box, and they're both very fiddly and annoying to use. My headphones broke in 3 months. The connector is better because you can plug in your own earphones from there but just one simple headphone jack would be so much easier. I suggest that you just do one massive update of your phone (i.e. loading music, video, pictures) because it saves you having to plug in the USB connector over and over and going through a long, complicated process that's really not necessary.
Other than that, it's just little things. The layout of the internet function is disappointing. If you want Facebook, then download the facebook mobile app for every phone (go to the FB site for more info). No twitter though. Sorry.
I'll leave this on a good note. Bluetooth is great. Easy to use, connects well, sends and receives files quickly with no hassle. Job done.
Would recommend to music-loving people looking for an informal but still very useful and stylish phone that's easy to use.
Prathamesh Sarang 24 October 2010
Good: gr8 features...
Bad: file manager is absent....
Comment: kjk
Clare Healy 7 October 2010
Good: Excellent sound quality, free Youtube, easy-to-use camera, charges quickly, great for media, and overall looks good.
Bad: Games are lame (not not gamers), the headphones that come with it are crap.
Comment: I love this phone, it is definitely the best phone I've ever had. I hardly ever had any trouble with it - it stored all my songs, videos, photos and gifs without problem and I found it very easy to use. Undoubtedly for music-lovers. I never used the shake-control thing at the side though, I found it a bit silly.
I'm a bit of a gamer so it sort of disappointed me with the games (just Quadrapop, two racing car games and some guitar-hero-spinoff come with it) but it was a lifesaver with the media. Every video, animation and song I love went on it easily. I heartily recommend it - it might cost you a bit but trust me, it's worth it. When I have to get a new phone, I'm getting this one. Best phone ever.
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