Amazon.com Hands-On Review
The Sony Ericsson P910 is the latest incarnation of the company's popular P-Series of communicator style smartphones. Like other smartphones, the P910 runs a real Operating System (OS) and works much like any computer or personal digital assistant (PDA) would; that is to say, you can purchase new software to be installed on the device in order to add new functionality. In the case of the P910, the OS is the Symbian OS, currently the dominant smartphone OS. As such, there is a large developer community and an equally large catalog of software available for the device. The beauty of this is that you get all of this computing functionality in a device that weighs under 5.5oz (155g) and measures only 4.5" x 2.3" x 1" (115mm x 58mm x 26mm) in size.
Type emails on the integrated QWERTY keyboard.
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Record still photos and videos with the integrated VGA camera. |
The P910 is a hardware and software update to the P910, and maintains most things in common with the older device. But not everything is the same. For example, the P910 has a new 262k color touchscreen display that is brighter than the older model's display, and has an adjustable brightness level for saving power, something the older unit lacked. The user interface has also been tweaked, offering larger icons and better use of color. The P910 also sports a larger battery and managed to achieve 12.4 hours of continuous talk time on a single charge. The internal memory storage was boosted to 64MB (from 16MB), and application RAM was doubled to 32MB, which means you can run more programs at the same time.
Two other very significant upgrades include support for Memory Stick Duo Pro memory cards that are available in capacities of up to 1GB (as opposed to 128MB for the P900) and the addition of a full QWERTY keyboard. The QWERTY keyboard is on the back side of the numeric keypad, which has a new hinge that allows you to support the entire weight of the device from the keypad without worry. The new keyboard is cramped, but for many people it will be much more convenient than having to use a stylus and handwriting recognition or the virtual on-screen keyboard.
How will you use your P910? |
The P910 includes good Bluetooth support, which lets you make use of wireless headsets and other devices, such as Bluetooth GPS units. The built-in antenna is a reasonable performer and works on networks both in and outside of the USA. The P910i works on T-Mobile and all international GSM networks while the P910a variant will work on Cingular, T-Mobile, and on many international networks - but not all of them. You'll also find a decent speakerphone and an uninspiring VGA camera that records still photos as well as videos.
If you are a mobile warrior, a good email client that supports POP and IMAP email access, a great web browser, and a new suite of software for reading and editing most Microsoft Office documents will keep you in touch with your business as well as your friends and family. When you are just trying to relax, however, the ability to play MP3 files and the inclusion of a stereo headset in the box will let you put those large capacity Memory Stick cards to good use.
Sony Ericsson's P-Series handsets are great performers, but they are starting to show their age a bit now that we are seeing literally dozens of new Microsoft PocketPC based PDA phones on the market. But even though the new devices might be faster and more powerful, few manage to balance being both a good PDA and a good phone as well as the P910 does.
Pros:
- Both QWERTY keyboard and stylus input
- 12+ hours of talk time
- 1GB memory cards available
- Large, bright, colorful display
Cons:
- Expensive
- Keyboard is very cramped
- Slower than PocketPC devices
What's In the Box:
P910 handset, standard battery, travel charger, 32MB Memory Stick PRO Duo, Memory Stick adapter, SyncStation with USB, stereo portable handsfree, carry case, wrist strap, cleaning cloth, 1 extra stylus, flip replacement, flip replacement tool kit, PC Suite CD, applications and content CD, user manuals.
--Reviewed by Michael Oryl, editor in chief of www.MobileBurn.com
Customer Reviews:
A smartphone "that is".......2006-06-07
I have had this phone for well over six months now and it is the single best piece of electronic equipment I have ever owned.
I am a Staff Sergeant in the Army. The Military applications of this phone are extremely helpful in my job. First off, it reads and creates Word documents and Excell. It reads Acrobat reader and Powerpoint. If the phone can't read it, you can store the document on the memory stick and with a card reader on your key chain, you can plug it into any computer and read everything.
I have a 2 GB memory stick high speed card. I have computer files that contains Form flow for my job. I even use it in my Playstation Portable. None of this extra data interfers with the phone's functions.
If you are in the Army, just imagine having your leader's book at your finger tips. Wanna phone that will work in Iraq? I have the P 910i version. It works anywhere I have been. Even the reception is better than a normal cell phone. Plus the fact it is unlocked, so any sim card will work.
I have my phone set up to use the internet. It works great! I can look up anything I want. I even ordered things out in Hoenfels Germany and got what I wanted before we redeployed! Try that with any other phone!
Even though there are other phones that can do a lot of the same things I mentioned I ask you this, "can you add programs just like a computer to YOUR phone???" This one you can. I don't care what the other reviews say about this or that doesn't work, mine does! Not only that, the Sony website does support the phone. If worst comes to worst, you can always call Sony Ericsson and they will configure your phone thru a SMS. It's just too easy!
I am very dependant on my phone. I use it every single day for something. It even syncs with the Outlook calender on my computer. Once again to any soldier, I know a lot of training schedules are done with outlook. How would you like that in your phone?
Some people will say the phone is too big. I say it is just right. I wouldn't want it any smaller. If they can do it, just make it slimmer. It would be too small for all it's functions if it was downsized. It's perfect the way it is and from what I have seen, it's way smaller than any PDA/cell phone combos.
Normally I wouldn't write a "Hallmark card review" which I have seen so many products that didn't deserve it on Amazon but this is such a good product! I am a big fan of the P 910i and when the P 990i comes out, I am going to buy it.
Last thing and the bottom line. I read a article in a magazine while waiting at the dentist. It talked about the way cell phones should be if the experts designed one. Everything I read in that magazine the P 910i has. If you want a smart phone that lives up to it's name, then wait for the P 990. The price will be worth it, especially when you learn to use all the functions.
One thing about that too. You don't need to spend hours reading a tech manual learning how to use this phone. I had a girlfriend who I gave my P 800 to. She just kept messing with it and learned to use it just fine. She didn't even need me to help her. Yes, that means it's easy to use without calling her... "not too bright".
Pretty Good Stuff.......2006-03-13
I bought this phone to get a complete organizer for my busy schedule. I was pleasantly surprised to find a well designed phone. It has alot of great features and some very standard features that are good enough for me. Im not the most tech saavy person, but this phone helps me out alot in my day to day.
Plus I dont have to carry a phone and pda, now its just the phone.
My only problem with the phone is the size....If they made this
phone to be slimmer like the RAZR, I would buy another in a heartbeat. Oh year batteries last for almost 3 days full!!!
One one full charge, pretty good if you forget to charge sometimes.
But the size of the phone would be my only concern, other than that, this phone is extremely useful in my day to day planning.
Most reliable phone/PDA combo, hand's down! (don't even THINK about a Treo).......2006-02-25
So, I survived the Treo 600/650 thing...barely. Then after hearing my Treo reset 5 times in one evening (while doing nothing but sitting on the counter charging), I decided to pitch it and go with the P910a I'd been looking at for a year. Especially in light of the class actions that got filed by users and companies alike over the Treo ROM's reliability.
I should mention a bias I had going into the purchase decision:
I previously had a Sony Ericcsson T616 for 3 years that had been kicked across the street (more than once--don't ask), had been soaked in water, and generally abused--but it always worked. Further, a friend of mine watched his SE T68i get submerged in a piping hot cup of java, which he then cleaned and used for another 2 years (with no defects--other than the occasional sticky key). BTW, he still has his T68i and a 1 year old Treo 600--guess which one still works and which one doesn't :)
I should also mention that the Treo I got had been for free (my company had some crappy app for field engineers written only for the Treo--thanks, Sun!), but the p910a was $500 out of pocket for me via Amazon and that I was a P910a "late adopter" with the P990 coming out right around the corner (although I expected that the "introductory" price of the forthcoming P990's $799 was out of reach for me financially). Even free, the Treo was overpriced :)
I don't ask much out of a phone. I just want ALL the features to work ALL of the time, every time. I also want to be able to add applications and customize it without fear of OS crashes/freezes and for it to remain usable.
I've had the P910a for 3 months and I love it! Not one unintentional reset, the apps just work, and it does bluetooth syncs quickly and easily (a must-have, no cords should be required for any information appliance made after the year 2000!)
The jog dial is nice for quick access (although it does take all of 5 minutes to get used to). The keyboard feature is good to have for quick SMS's, but the one thing I miss relative to the Treo is the back-lighting on the keyboard (difficult to respond to SMS's in the dark with the P910a's flip keyboard.)
I tried it with and without the flip on. It's much easier to do typical phone tasks with the flip attached.
The SD card issues (price/size, etc.) are the same as the other phones (except you get more "free" memory with this phone).
The handwriting recognition software is excellent! It just works.
Other than the occasional usability quirk (getting to speakerphone mode is a little tedious--it needs a single button instead of calling, waiting for sound, then opening the flip), I have nothing to complain about. Although I was always fond of how well SE products work (especially if you have a Mac).
The bluetooth headset pairings I've tried have always worked better on the P910 than on the Treo.
One other thing: the beauty of this device is that it has never been sold locked to any company/network. So, if you change carriers (or if you're stuck on "Cingular Blue--the old ATT wireless", like me, and don't know when you'll be forced to "Cingular Orange"), you can have no fear that the SIM and your number will certainly migrate to the new service.
Product of the time. best choice for all in one device........2006-02-02
My basic idea of phone was only making calls. It is the reason I had a phone that doesn't even do SMS for 5 years. Thats' right 5 years.
Now I wanted few things on the go, storage on the go, Music player and PIM. Being phone an absolute necessity and my hatred for filling up my pockets with lots of gadgets, I was searching for a device that can do all.
It was a close call between Palm Treo and Sony Ericsson P910a. I am glad I chose P910a.
I took the key board plate off. now mines looks like a PDA than a phone. There are few quirks, I don't like but overall would give it a 4 1/2.
Since my idea is not to duplicate everybodys comments, I will just added new stuff that needs improvement
* There is no way to figure out where the sound recorder saved the file.
* I cannot lock the screen immediately with the flip removed (I have to wait for the timer to lock it)
* Could have packed little bit more processing power to it.
An awesome PDA Phone from Sony Ericsson.......2006-02-02
Got this almost 3 weeks back. I wanted to discover its features first, before writing this.
Undoubtedly, the best mobile phone I ever had (had a Sony Ericsson T637 prior to this).
The Symbian operating system is awesome and never crashed so far. P910i does not have common problems that are reported by my friends (who use Palm Treo 650, Siemens and HP PDA phones).
Here are the CONS:
1) Not an EDGE phone. It is NOT big problem, unless you are a heavy duty internet user.
2) The pouch provided for the phone could be better designed.
3) Battery life could be better - especially with Bluetooth it gets drained faster. This is a typical problem with all bluetooth phones I have used.
Here are the PROS:
1) The flight mode is quite a smart design (you can turn off the phone and use all other PDA, video, audio features).
2) The touch screen is very nicely crafted (better than my Palm-V).
3) The additional memory stick helps a lot for music, to download attachments etc. (I got a 1 GB memory stick duo pro and the combination rocks!!).
4) The speaker phone is much better than many Motorola models.
5) The Jog Dial does a great job, when the flip is closed.
6) It comes with all accessories - you do not need to buy anything, other than the Bluetooth headset. Kudos to Sony Ericsson for saving money to customers!!
7) The headset's stereo effect are unbelievable.
8) Handwriting recognition is really nice (like my old Palm-V).
9) The PUSH Email feature is a nice feature.
10) The camera and video recorder are OK (I do not care about these for business purposes - I would use a high pixel camera and a camcorder for that).
11) The screen colours are better than comparable Nokia/HP/Palm models.
12) You have everything built into one mobile phone (MP3 player, sound recorder, camcorder, office needs like word, spreadsheet, PDF etc.).
13) Can use the wall charger and old DCU-11 cable that I used with my old T637.
I would give a 4.95 for this wonderfully crafted phone. GREAT UNLOCKED PHONE for the price I paid ($249.00)
Product Description
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