After a couple of days of using the Sony Ericsson G900, I’m completely blown away by the great features of this “smartphone in a not-so smarthphone form factor” mobile phone. Sony Ericsson hit the sweetest spot on making this mobile phone a special smartphone catering to mobile users who are in need of a not so complicated, simple and yet powerful smartphone. In fact, with a 5MP camera to boot, the Sony Ericsson G900 can be more aptly categorized as an “all-around multimedia smartphone”. So, here’s our full review of the Sony Ericsson G900 (Red).
Hardware Features, Design and Specs
The Sony Ericsson G900 sports a slim form factor which reminds you of older models such as the T310 and the T600. The unit I have is a red and black design with textured grey lining on the side which adds to the classic appeal of the phone. Examining the right side of the phone you’d find the camera button on the lower part, the screen lock key on the middle and the volume control on the top most part of the side. While at the top is the power button. On the other side of the phone, you’d find the stylus which is tucked firmly in its slot. And a little lower is the USB or FastPort which with a LED indicator below which lights up in green when the phone is charging and red when the phone’s battery is running low. In the inner side, if you take out the battery cover, you’d find the memory stick micro slot.
At the upper back portion of the phone, you’d find the 5MP main camera with the Flash above it which also serves as a Flash light. The Sony Ericsson G900 also has a secondary camera which is located above the LCD screen. This is used for video calls. Below the main camera is a speaker which you can use when playing ringtone. You’d also notice a slightly protruding ridge below the speaker which is used to let the sound out even if the phone is lying on its back.
Going back to the front of the phone, we go now to the phone’s numeric keypad. The Sony Ericsson G900’s keypad features your usual mobile phone keypad. Above it is your usual “back” button on the right side of the navigational wheel, while on the left side is your usual “C” button. The phone’s navigational wheel is used for controlling all the phone’s functions especially if you’re not fond of using the phone’s touchscreen features. Above these two buttons are quick keys for messaging and opening the notes function.
Software Features
The Sony Ericsson G900’s main screen consists of the usual icons at the top of the screen representing connectivity options, signal strength indicator, battery meter, and the task manager icon. Below the screen the three basic functions, Calls, Menu and More. Directly above it are 5 icons which you can choose which of the functions you want displayed. You can navigate through these icons using the navigational wheel or by tapping on the screen using your fingers or the stylus. As a default setting the five icons displayed are My Shortcuts, Alarm, Reminders, Messages, Main Menu and Favorite Contacts.
To go to the Main Menu, simply push the button at the center of the navigational wheel or tap on the “Menu” icon on the screen. At the upper corner of the screen you’d find a quick arrow key that would bring you back to the dekstop screen. Again, you can navigate through the Menu using the navigational wheel or by simply tapping on the screen.
The G900’s Main Menu features a 3×3 grid of icons which is pretty much what other Sony Ericsson UIQ-based mobile phone.
One main difference of the G900 with other Sony Ericsson phone’s which utilizes the UIQ platform is the minimized treatment to the Task Manager. Whereas before the Task Manager has its own screen, tapping on the Task Manager icon would only pop out a small window containing some of the tasks which you can access.
The Sony Ericsson despite not being included in the Walkman phone series of Sony Ericsson also functions as a Walkman player with its own multimedia player menu and interface similar to other W-series phones of Sony Ericsson.
Conclusion
After a few days of using the Sony Ericsson G900, I am totally blown away by the simplicity of its approach to the smartphone functionality. The G900 is your typical mobile phone with voice and calling features. But what makes it different from the rest of the mobile phone crowd is the fact that it has other “smart” functions such as PDF viewer, mobile internet browsing, geo-tagging of photos, GPS, Wi-Fi, RSS Feeds reader and more.
But the best part is the fact that the Sony Ericsson G900 has all these features and yet won’t cost you too much as compared to other smartphones. I got my wife’s unit for around $287 only. What phone could possibly give you all those features for such a price?
The Sony Ericsson G900 is definitely an under-rated mobile phone with great features.
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