Review: Sony Ericsson S710a

Features:

• Unique swivel design w/ oversized 2.3-inch 262K color display
• Multiple data communications: Bluetooth, Infrared, and EDGE
• Integrated 1.3 megapixel still/video camera w/ 8x zoom and flash
• Integrated MP3 player
• Video and picture Multimedia Messaging capable*
• Mobile Instant Messaging capable*
• Embedded and downloadable 3D gaming
• Polyphonic ringtones and super tones
• MEdia Net capable*
• POP3/IMAP4 e-mail clients: BellSouth, SBC, and Earthlink preloaded
• Up to 510 contact phone book
• Operates on 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks

Pros: The design of the phone is something new and interesting. It is a step away from the traditional candy bar phone and claim shell phone. I love the screen on this phone. The colors and bright and vibrant. The external speaker is wonderful. You can hearing the phone when it rings and the built-in speakerphone works well too. Having EDGE makes it nice when browsing sites and downloading different themes for the phone. The radio signal that the phone picks up is actually pretty dang good for a Sony Ericsson phone. Being a traditional Motorola phone user, this phones seems to work great. I get a full signal basically where ever I go within the Seattle metro area. The phone also allows you to use a Sony Memory Stick to increase the phones storage for MP3s, pictures, and other files. Having a shutter over the camera lens is nice since those always seem to get crap on them from being in your pocket.

Cons: Retail price is $449.99 (with 2-year contract) according to Cingular’s website. Bluetooth in the phone works good, but I have to manually force it to connect to the my bluetooth car kit. The phone is pretty thick. It’s dimensions are 4.2 x 1.9 x 1.0. The weight isn’t too bad (4.8 Ounces), but having the thing in your pant pocket or shirt pocket makes it feel like you are walking around with a brick in your pants. I seem to get frustrated waiting for the cursor and other actions to take place. The processor in the phone is a little slow. Sony packed in a lot of features into the phone that make the processor have to work pretty hard.

Overall: If I had a lot of money to burn and wanted to sport something "different" as my phone, I would pick up the phone. You have a lot of features and options you can do with the phone.