Inexpensive phones with built-in voice recorder
A telephone with a dictaphone saves you from the nervous search for a pen and paper when you urgently need to write something down. Therefore, when buying a mobile, it is important to know what to look for if you are going to use this function. Let's say whether the phone call is being recorded and if there are warning tones. Some manufacturers, such as Motorola and Nokia, equip their phones with this feature to protect the privacy of subscribers. The interlocutor always knows that his words are being written down.
In the selection of our test laboratory, we presented devices with a built-in voice recorder of different price categories. It should be noted that in inexpensive models such as LG C2500 and Fly SL300m, in addition to the standard AMR format, WAV is also supported.
FLY SL300m
This phone is an elegant fashionable slider, the dimensions of which are quite suitable for both a flat women's pocket and a deep men's one. The main thing here is not to be mistaken in color - a young man with a red Fly SL300 at some event can catch the ambiguous look of a respectable uncle with stylish gray hair. Although later, it is possible that he will appreciate his subtle approach to technology and offer a good position in his company, because only someone who knows a lot about technology can rely on a tri-band device equipped with a 1.3-megapixel camera, MP3 player, 64- tonal polyphony and voice recorder. In order to satisfy the needs of the most extreme and demanding, the phone was equipped with a flashlight. Among other things, Fly SL300 supports Java applications, is equipped with IR and USB ports, and in addition to 60 MB of dynamic memory has a micro SD expansion slot. By and large, this is the first representative of the Fly family with such a wide range of features, but nevertheless, it is distinguished by a moderate price. In fact, it has no competitors, with the exception of Samsung SGH-P730, which has already been discontinued and is sold only occasionally.
The outward appearance of the device resembles Samsung D500: the same specifics of opening the slider and the arrangement of camera parts on the inner side of the upper half of the body - flash, lens and a small metal mirror between them. There are no special protrusions to open the phone - for this purpose you have to press the screen. This fact will not particularly please aesthetes, since prints remain on the display that need to be constantly wiped off. Using the SL300 closed is not very convenient due to the rounded bottom of the case - to work with the keys, you need to bend your thumb a lot. This is especially true for the "movie" button, which is located very low (a short press on it turns on the camera, a long press - to record a video). But with the controls located on the sides of the device, there are no problems. On the left side surface there is a headset connector, an infrared port and a slot for micro-SD cards (also known as TransFlash). On the right is a paired volume rocker, which works only when the phone is open, and a button for quick activation of an MP3 player. An indisputable advantage of the terminal is a large TFT display with a resolution of 176x220 pixels, displaying 262,144 colors. I must admit that it looks very impressive - the image is bright and clear, and the colors are saturated.
FUNCTIONALITY
The communication capabilities of the device are limited to the infrared port and USB connector. Experienced users will certainly be disappointed by the lack of Bluetooth, and those who like to surf the Internet - by EDGE. The built-in megapixel camera has a number of interesting settings, effects, modes and is equipped with a timer. When shooting, you can choose one of the funny frames, but you cannot edit and change the already finished photo.It is possible to specify the location where the image should be saved - phone memory or memory card.
The absence of a radio is compensated by a full-fledged MP3 player with a simple interface. In addition, there is an easy-to-use ringtone composer in the Multimedia folder. Thanks to 64-tones polyphony, the songs created sound good - novice composers can enjoy their talent to their fullest.
DICTAPHONE
What we have devoted this review can be found in the same "Multimedia" folder. The interface of the Fly SL300 voice recorder is unusual. At the top of the screen there is a column with information about the file size and date of its creation, and at the bottom there is a list of all voice memos with their name and format. Unlike the rest of the review phones, the voice recorder here supports two formats - WAV and AMR. Of course, the former provides the best quality, but at the same time it takes up more space, so if you need to record a lot of information, it is better to choose the standard AMR. The duration of the recording is limited only by the free space in the mobile memory. Roughly, a minute conversation in WAV format takes 238 kilobytes, and a video in AMR - only 42. Taking into account the total volume of the device's built-in dynamic memory of 60 MB, you can record 4 hours 20 minutes in WAV format and 25 minutes in AMR (this does not include the card's capabilities memory). Other phones in this review cannot boast of such indicators.
Call recording is performed using the call function - "dictaphone". You can listen to the clips you made without a headset, since the sound is output to a large speaker and is well heard. In general, the recorder deserves a good mark, since it features clear voice transmission.
RESULTS
Fly SL300 makes a good impression. For relatively little money, the manufacturer offers a fashionable, sleek design, not to mention functionality. The advantages of the device also include a solid amount of memory and MP3 support, a user-friendly interface and excellent quality of the voice recorder. He would also have an FM receiver and Bluetooth. We hope that in one of the following models, Fly will add these features, thereby making another step towards meeting users.
L G S2500
This model can hardly be classified as a novelty, but you can't call it outdated either, especially considering the proprietary ability to use the phone as a USB drive without the need to install drivers. Despite the budget positioning, the device does not lose its attractiveness even in comparison with more expensive models. LG C2500 has the lowest price among the selection of terminals in our review and at the same time pleases with its equipment: a high-quality voice recorder, MP3 player, FM receiver, VGA camera, Java support and 64 megabytes of dynamic memory. But the main highlight of the device is the ability to charge it using a USB cable and use it as a removable disk (flash card).
The phone is made in a classic candy bar form factor, but the design has a certain claim to progressiveness and modernity. This is manifested in the strict straight lines of the body and the shape of the speaker - it is presented in the form of horizontal stripes. A camera lens made of glossy plastic and a metal mirror also look impressive. On the whole, the device does not surprise with some extraordinary details, and some standard elements cause criticism. For example, despite the display's color rendering index of 262,000 colors, the CSTN display with a resolution of 128x128 pixels does not at all amaze with the richness of colors. In fairness, it should be noted that indoors the pictures seem bright and saturated, but outdoors, even in cloudy weather, they immediately lose their attractiveness. On the other hand, this is a budget model, and we cannot demand advanced performance from it. The keyboard, we think, will appeal to the representatives of the beautiful half of humanity, but men will have to press small buttons with their fingertips.Otherwise, instead of a joyful familiar voice, they risk hearing a grumbling: "We got to the wrong place!"
FUNCTIONALITY
In addition to the standard set of functions, LG C2500 has a number of features that are commonly called entertainment. These include a built-in MP3 player, FM radio, VGA camera, the ability to download Java games and a voice recorder. Separately, it is worth noting the presence in the "Tools" section, in addition to the alarm clock, calculator and unit converter, clear and easy-to-use options "mass index" and "women's calendar". The address book contains five hundred contacts, each of which can be assigned three phone numbers, a fax, an e-mail address, as well as a picture and a melody. The device is synchronized with a computer using a USB cable. Despite the lack of Bluetooth and infrared port, the phone stands out from the competition with the ability to use it as a regular flash drive.
The built-in FM receiver allows you to store ten radio stations and does not work without a headset, although the radio settings are fully accessible. The search for a specific wave is carried out both by manual input and automatically. The MP3 player also left a good impression with a fairly high sound level. In the player's settings, you can set all songs to repeat playback, but the lack of a rewind function is disappointing.
The player's quick access button also provides access to the VGA camera and is located on the right side surface. The secret is that a short press of this key turns on the player, and a long press activates the camera. The maximum image resolution is 640x480 pixels. Their quality is quite satisfactory for viewing on a phone display and sending via MMS, but nothing more.
DICTAPHONE
This function is located in the "Multimedia" section. Dictaphone LG C2500 is capable of recording in two formats - AMR and WAV. This is the second model in our lab to boast dual format support. The interface of the recorder is simple and straightforward, it consists of only three points: directly activating the recording, a list of made voice memos and choosing an audio file format. The duration of the recording in AMR format is up to 25 hours. WAV files are larger, so about seven hours of such recordings can be stored in the device's memory. In the general list of sound recordings, which is located directly in the "Dictaphone" folder, the name and extension of the file are indicated, and the voice note can be given any name both before saving it, or renamed already prepared.
The voice recorder in LG C2500 also works during a call. You can activate it in the call options in the "Dictaphone" item. While recording a conversation, the device does not emit any warning signals, so the function can be used for any espionage purposes, especially since the duration of a conversation is limited only by the availability of funds on your subscriber account - after all, the maximum recording duration is simply enormous. You can listen to ready-made audio files using a headset, but it is quite possible to do without it. Although it will be difficult to do this in a noisy room, the sound is not very loud. In general, the quality of the voice recorder deserves the highest praise.
RESULTS
Testing of the voice recorder option in this phone ended successfully. We managed to record the commercial information of competitors with the help of their hyper-communicative secretary, a couple of compliments and, of course, the built-in voice recorder of the LG C2500, which writes for a long time and without insidious warning signals. In our opinion, such a phone will suit people of any gender and age - it is a good example of balanced functionality at an affordable price.
MOTOROLA RAZR V 3i
At one time, the appearance on the market of the RAZR V3 model became an event in the world of mobile phones. With this product, Motorola has pioneered the trend of using thin shapes and cool metal in a stylish format.Then the novelty turned out to be very successful and won a whole army of fans, constantly updating the color scheme of its wardrobe. However, this approach has outlived its usefulness, and the manufacturer needed to create something that would not be inferior to the splendor of its predecessor.
This move was Motorola RAZR V3i, which is distinguished by advanced multimedia capabilities, prettier in appearance and received a megapixel camera. In addition, the heiress of the famous flagship has been enriched with support for micro-SD memory cards.
In the new (although the word "updated" is more suitable here), the black insert on the front panel is striking, which has become much larger and includes the company logo. The body material remains the same, the color is silver-blue. Unlike the previous model, the manufacturer's logo is translucent on the front surface of the device and has a built-in indicator that shines like the keyboard with a blue light. The external STN screen now displays 65,536 colors and has a resolution of 96x80 pixels, but it fades in the sun as before.
The device can be easily opened with one hand, after which the gaze opens to a large internal TFT display supporting 262,144 colors. The images on it have become much richer and brighter. Perhaps the reason is the change of supplier - the RAZR V3 had a Sharp screen, and the RAZR V3i is equipped with Toshiba matrices. Even in the sun, the behavior of the internal display is pleasing, since you can read everything you need without straining and distinguish colors. But from contact with the cheeks and fingers, traces remain on it, which have to be constantly wiped off - this can give few people special pleasure. Apart from minor changes in the design of the navigation key, the general appearance of the keyboard remains the same.
FUNCTIONALITY
This situation is slightly reminiscent of the plot of one of Charles Perrault's fairy tales, when one sister was unsurpassedly beautiful, but narrow-minded, and the second was plain in appearance, but had a sharp mind. The purpose of the Motorola RAZR V3 improvement was to improve the intellectual level of the device, but at the same time not at the expense of the design. If the first version of the V-series flagship was functionally just a beautiful toy, then in the new RAZR V3i the manufacturer eliminated the shortcomings that were inherent in its predecessor. The phone has a separate profile for air travel, the address book has expanded, the ability to directly print photos to a printer using Bluetooth Print Profile and support for network games via Bluetooth. The dynamic memory capacity is limited to approximately 10 megabytes, but thanks to the TransFlash / micro SD card slot, a wide variety of applications and games can be loaded into the device.
The built-in megapixel camera with 8x zoom takes good quality pictures, and the external display serves as a viewfinder. In addition, it is possible to record 45-second video clips with sound in standard 3GP and MPEG4 formats. To activate a full-fledged MP3 player based on iTunes technology, a special function key with a note is used. In its settings sorted lists of separately playlists, artists, albums and songs are presented. The sound quality, like the volume, is not satisfactory.
Among the functions required by business people, one can single out a built-in E-mail client, Bluetooth, USB slot, XHTML browser. As well as a diary, voice control, speakerphone and, of course, a voice recorder.
DICTAPHONE
The function we are interested in is in the "Tools" section of the main menu. In addition, it can be called up using a button located on the right side surface. Unlike other phones of the laboratory, in RAZR V3i you have to hold down the mentioned side key to write. This solution seemed to us unfortunate, since it excludes the possibility of putting the device aside and calmly conducting a conversation via hands-free or speakerphone. The finger gets tired quickly, and any movement or even slight deviation leads to an immediate interruption of the recording.We managed to make eight audio clips lasting a few seconds before a message popped up stating that the memory was full. It turned out that the total recording duration cannot be more than one minute. By the way, during its implementation, warning beeps sound every few seconds - apparently, Motorola is very sensitive to the confidentiality of telephone conversations. In listening mode, the playback time is displayed as a percentage, which is also very inconvenient.
RESULTS
The quality of the recording and the operation of the voice recorder in this advanced terminal do not cause delight. Fortunately, he is generally present here and allows you to quickly write down the desired address or phone number during a conversation. But it will not be possible to use the device as a full-fledged voice recorder or for espionage purposes. As for the rest, the updated Motorola RAZR V3i turned out to be successful - beautiful and rather functional. It is for those music lovers who adore listening to music, but, due to their strict aesthetic tastes, cannot afford to walk with a device distinguished by a bright youth design or large dimensions.
NOKIA 6230i
Taking into account the popularity of the Nokia 6230 and its modernized successor - 6230i, we can no doubt call them popular phones. Users appreciate their wide technical capabilities and a convenient, reliable case for a relatively reasonable price. Both of these devices are equipped with a dictaphone, which also works during a conversation. We decided to test the improved 6230i with MMC card support, improved TFT display, MP3 player, FM radio, EDGE and Bluetooth.
The phone has a strict classic design without any frills. There are no hints of a female or male component here - a typical "unisex", which is successfully used by both business women and their progressive boyfriends. The device is convenient to operate with one hand due to the fact that its lower part is narrowed. The keys are rather large in size and are located at a small distance from each other and are softly pressed. The improved TFT screen as compared to the Nokia 6230 supports all the same 65,000 colors located at 208 pixels - both in length and width. Physically, the display is noticeably smaller than that of the main competitor - Sony Ericsson K750i, but in terms of brightness and contrast it significantly surpasses it.
The slot for MMC memory cards is located under the battery, no "hot" replacement is provided. In this regard, the phone is inferior to Sony Ericsson counterparts.
FUNCTIONALITY
The main menu has two options for interface design. Nine small icons can be displayed on the screen at the same time or one animation picture for the entire display. The main difference from Nokia 6230 is the increased volume of internal memory - 32 megabytes. In fact, even if you delete all possible media files, you will get no more than 30 megabytes of free space.
The most interesting in the menu seemed to us the folders "Media", "Gallery", "Applications". Multimedia capabilities are presented by a camera, MP3 player, radio and, of course, a good voice recorder. It should be noted that the music player, despite the full-fledged work in the background, does not always recognize Russian-language ID-tags. At the same time, the sound sometimes lacks volume and low frequencies. The 1.3-megapixel camera with the ability to record video with sound provides not very juicy, although quite sharp images that look good on the phone display and a little gloomy on the PC monitor. Although the media player plays video files (in 3GP and MPEG-4 formats) of any size, it does not support the rewind function, so if you want to watch your favorite movie on the road, it’s better to take a laptop or, at worst, a PDA with you.
A typical drawback is the need to save MP3 melodies in the device's own memory, especially if the file is large.When they are saved on a memory card, the processor power of the phone is often not enough to load the file into the clipboard and play it, so instead of your favorite song, when you receive a call, you risk hearing the banal Nokia Tune.
An important factor is the built-in radio receiver. It allows you to store up to 20 FM stations, as well as assign names to them and set them as an alarm clock. The proprietary Visual radio function for our user is likely to remain unavailable for a long time, so this is a very conditional advantage.
DICTAPHONE
Access to the voice recorder is carried out from the "Multimedia" folder using only two buttons - activation of the recording (in AMR format, up to an hour) and its end. Then the files are saved in the sub-item "audio recordings" of the "Gallery" section. The number of such hour clips depends on the amount of free memory on your phone or card. Conveniently, there is no urgent need to use a headset, since the sound is reproduced at a sufficiently high volume. During a call, access to the dictaphone is provided by the left function key - among the call functions, select the word "record". In this case, it does not matter whether the conversation takes place through the speakerphone or not. But, alas, Nokia has presented an unpleasant surprise to all those who like to record telephone conversations: when recording a conversation, very tangible signals are heard in the receiver, which will immediately indicate to the interlocutor that he is being recorded. Considering that many phones from other manufacturers do not conceal such ridiculous restrictions in themselves, we consider all the Finns' arguments about the principles of the secrecy of telephone conversations of the purest water demagogy.
RESULTS
Brand strength in our country means a lot. For those who want to keep up with the times and own a phone of a reputable brand, we may well recommend the Nokia 6230i. Although this device is popular not only in business circles. And we must admit that it is not without reason - all the declared functions work perfectly, however, with some reservations, which, however, are not important for everyone. So, if a person needs a dictaphone for organizing various polls or such banality as recording the desired address and other data, then happiness will not be overshadowed. But if you want to record telephone conversations, then the constant signals in the handset simply will not allow you to take full advantage of this opportunity.
NOKIA 6111
At first glance, the device looks attractive, both in technical terms and in terms of external data. The stylish compact body is implemented in a fashionable slider form factor. The phone exudes grace, despite the fact that in the concept of this model there is no gender division of users - everyone is equal for it. However, for lovely ladies, the manufacturer has provided a delicate color scheme - silver and dark pink inserts on a mother-of-pearl white background. The male audience, in addition to the pleasant silver color, will like the black gloss.
The device surprises with its compactness, restrained lines and pleasant to the touch plastic, which gives the illusion of a solid high cost. It is a pity that such a pleasant first impression is later overshadowed by the creaking of details. From the back, the phone looks like a miniature camera. The front surface is decorated with a rather large screen and large control buttons, and the medium-sized keyboard is quite comfortable to use. Haven't you played hide and seek for a long time? We'll have to remember the basic rules of this game and connect our imagination - there is no SIM card slot in the usual place under the battery. It is hidden from the inside of the upper half, which can be opened at any time - the device is turned off automatically. Nokia 6111 is fully functional even without a SIM card, although in this case there is no access to the address book. Connectors for a headset and a charger, along with a button for opening the battery compartment cover, are located on the top under a protective plastic cap.The TFT display has a resolution of 128x160 pixels, although a product of this class could have more serious characteristics. Against the background of colorful clear pictures, some graininess still flickers, which today is more typical of budget models.
FUNCTIONALITY
The Nokia 6111 features a built-in megapixel camera, an XHTML browser, MP3 support and a Push-To-Talk function. There is support for Active Standby, while in standby mode the display shows a line of icons for quick launching of applications and basic information about the state of the device. Communication options are limited to infrared and USB ports. The built-in camera with video recording function allows you to shoot in a horizontal position. It is equipped with 6x digital zoom and flash. Additional shooting settings include a night mode and a self-timer. You can edit the captured image: cut the desired fragment or insert a frame, clipart, text or other picture. Direct printing from phone to photo printer is available via USB cable. At the same time, you need to be aware that the quality of megapixel images on paper is not amazing.
The built-in FM tuner allows you to memorize up to 20 radio stations and give them names. The radio can work in speakerphone mode and even play the role of an alarm clock, but in any case, a headset must be connected.
DICTAPHONE
The most important function for us - the voice recorder - is located in the "Media" folder of the main menu. The interface of this application is very simple, since all control is carried out by two buttons that activate and stop recording. Unlike MP3 files, recorded audio clips cannot be rewound. They are saved in the "Recordings" section in the "Gallery" folder, from there you can move them to any other folder you like.
The dictaphone allows you to make recordings both in standby mode and during a call. Regardless, the maximum duration is limited to 60 minutes. This time is quite enough for a meaningful conversation and even an interview. The recording is made in the usual AMR dictaphone format, so if you need to listen to it on a computer, the files can be converted to MP3. Voice clips made with Nokia 6111 are distinguished by clear voice transmission and absence of significant noise. Third-party sounds are present in one way or another, but at the same time they do not drown out the conversation.
On a subjective assessment of the quality of the built-in voice recorder, we would give 5 points. It is easy to use, allows you to record lengthy fragments, and during a conversation you don't have to look for the voice recording function in the main menu - all you need to do is go to the call options and find the word "record" there.
RESULTS
Nokia 6111 is one of the company's models in the fashion segment. Despite its compact size and discreet contours, this phone will appeal to the most discerning consumer. Judge for yourself, it boasts important business features such as email, EDGE support, and voice dialing. Fashionable design is also noteworthy. But at the same time, you can complain about the quality of the screen and be outraged by the lack of Bluetooth. The device has a good dictaphone, but it is worth emphasizing the rather high cost of 6111. For this price you can find more functional models from other manufacturers, for example, Sony Ericsson W550i with a large memory capacity and built-in Bluetooth-module. However, we would not be surprised if the loyalty of many buyers to the Nokia brand positively affects the sales of this stylish, but not well-equipped slider.
SAMSUNG SGH-X660
This middle-class clamshell has become the successor of Samsung X640. Functionally, the phone largely repeats its predecessor, but differs in the presence of an external display, IrDA and MP3 support. In addition to the standard features, he may also be interested in the ability to record telephone conversations on a dictaphone.A very useful detail for those who are not used to burdening their pockets with a notebook and other stationery, and you rarely find such a luxury even in more expensive Samsung models.
The budget Samsung clamshell phones have deservedly gained popularity among a large army of lovers of inexpensive but stylish phones. And a number of the latest well-equipped devices of the company, including the entry-level ones, made it possible to finally dispel the prevailing myth about "beautiful dummies".
The design of the Samsung SGH-X660 is classically understated, yet sporty and elegant at the same time. The connectors for the charger and headset are covered with plastic caps. On the sides are only the usual volume rocker, a button for quick access to the camera and an infrared port. On the front surface there is a camera lens and a small monochrome screen with a blue backlight, which, by the way, serves as a viewfinder when shooting self-portraits.
Having admired the device from the outside, we open it (after some training it can be done with one hand without any problems). Inside, in addition to the bright display, the white keyboard illumination is striking. It looks very impressive against a black background, and the main TFT-screen supporting 65,000 colors, if not amazing, does not cause any complaints either.
FUNCTIONALITY
The address book remains one of the most important characteristics of any device. In the X660, it holds 500 contacts, each of which can be assigned three phone numbers, fax, e-mail address, picture, ringtone and group, as well as a reminder. It even provides the ability to create a business card, which can later be sent via SMS, MMS or IRDA channel. However, in practice it turned out that Samsung SGH-X660 refuses to transfer business cards to devices from other manufacturers. Neither Sony Ericsson W550i nor Nokia 6230i were able to receive more or less readable data from our subject via infrared, so we will have to look for friends with Samsung phones and create our own fan club or, at worst, master the technology of high-speed data entry. to the address book under dictation. In any case, both are useful in life. X660 is able to hold 200 SMS-messages, so its owner will be able to carry on active correspondence with friends.
The device will not please music lovers with a full-fledged MP3 player or FM radio. The manufacturer limited itself to three built-in Java games and a VGA camera with video recording capabilities. The camera has a set of interesting effects, a timer and several modes: "normal", "matrix" - one image consists of nine small pictures - and "multishot". When viewed on a phone screen, photos and videos look average, but they are quite suitable for sending via MMS.
DICTAPHONE
The dictaphone is located in the "Applications" section and has a simple and intuitive interface with the ability to rewind records. The list of voice files is saved in the Sounds folder of the Multimedia section. The duration of one recording (AMR format) is limited to two minutes. The number of such two-minute clips depends on the free memory of the phone, the total volume of which is 8 megabytes (the size of one full clip is 83 kilobytes).
Along with the rest of the participants in our review, the SGH-X660 is capable of taking notes during a telephone conversation. There is no such option directly in the call functions, but from there there is an exit to the main menu, through which access to the recorder is provided. It is highly discouraged to use this model as a regular voice recorder if you do not have a headset, because subsequently nothing will help to decipher a too quiet recording. Even when the volume of a conversation is above average, you can hear it well only by leaning the device against your ear or by plugging in a headset. Dictaphone recordings cannot be listened to in speakerphone mode, which, in our opinion, is a serious drawback. But I was pleasantly surprised by the clarity of the voice.The presence of external noise also affects the quality of the recording, so during the conversation we tried to stand right next to the speakers, from where the music was pouring generously. As it turned out a little later, she does not interrupt the conversation and does not make it incomprehensible, rather, it simply interferes and annoys when you try to make out the words of the interlocutor. If the latter at the same time speaks intelligibly and clearly, there will be no problems. But in case your friend is used to swallowing the endings or beginning of words, it is better to send him to a speech therapist, otherwise difficulties may arise when decoding speech.
I am glad that no warning signals are emitted during the recording, because it often happens that it is so necessary to write down a couple of words of the interlocutor without his knowledge.
RESULTS
Good call quality, stylish design, high speaker volume and reliable high-quality case are the main advantages of this phone. At the same time, the reduced functionality of the infrared port and the lack of the possibility of loud listening to dictaphone records spoil the impressions.
SONY ERICSSON W550i
This representative of the Walkman family is the only phone in our review made in the rotator form factor. In view of the low prevalence of the latter in the mobile market, this can be considered an advantage. Sony Ericsson W550i is characterized by an unusual youthful design and high functionality. As the name suggests, the Walkman should become a kind of "wandering artist" for the owner, able to entertain and capable of many things. It is equipped with a 1.3 megapixel camera and communication capabilities such as GPRS class 10, Bluetooth and infrared. As pleasant additions, the user will receive a built-in FM radio, three-dimensional games, a media player and an MP3 player, 256 megabytes of internal memory and even removable panels in the kit.
The amusing design of the device clearly pretends to be youthful, party-oriented and advanced. Its surface is decorated with many different buttons and small decorative elements. At the same time, the developers deserve praise - the phone is designed in the Sony Ericsson corporate style, and it is impossible to confuse it with the models of other manufacturers. The plastic of the case is velvety and very pleasant to the touch; fingerprints are invisible on it.
The W550i is equipped with three speakers, making the melody sound simply superb. The music player is accessed by pressing a small button with the well-known logo in the form of a stylized "W". The key at the top of the right side surface has the same function. It is quite possible to use the phone in a closed state, you will have to open it only when dialing a number or a message. In this case, you immediately appreciate the convenience of the functional buttons - the device is easy to operate with one hand.
A significant part of the front panel is occupied by a TFT-screen with a resolution of 176x220 pixels, displaying 262,144 colors. The image on it is clear, contrasting, with saturated colors - in other words, high-quality.
FUNCTIONALITY
The terminal's entertainment capabilities were manifested in a full-fledged MP3 player, FM radio, Java support and a voice recorder. Of course, the main value is the music player, for which, in fact, the Walkman series was created. By the way, the phone can work without a SIM-card - as an MP3-player only. The package includes a headset and a disc with Disc2Phone software designed to convert music to MP3 format. The FM receiver allows you to store up to 20 radio stations in memory, there is an RDS function.
The entertainment section contains music, video and photo editors, and the file manager contains four themes that change not only the background color, but also the appearance of the main menu.
Built-in 1.3 megapixel camera with video recording capability with audio ensures good quality in bright light. It is convenient to use it, since the back surface of the phone is specially adapted for this.There is a lens and a small metal mirror for taking a self-portrait. There is also a flash that doubles as a flashlight.
DICTAPHONE
This feature is available in the "Entertainment" section under the discreet title "Sound Recording". Unlike the interface of other devices in our laboratory, there is no rewind or pause - the recorded record can only be saved or deleted. The created voice memos are saved in the "Sounds" folder, which is located in the "File manager". The dictaphone records in the AMR format, and the length of the clips is limited by the amount of free memory in the phone.
It is not necessary to use a headset to listen to audio files, since they are played through a large speaker and are clearly audible even in a noisy room. The quality is high - the voice is transmitted clearly, there is no unnecessary noise, sounds and warning signals. So you can "dissolve" your interlocutor to expose a secret conspiracy or confidential information - you write down everything you need, and he will think that he has not spoken so well for a long time.
RESULTS
Stylish youth phone with a lot of essential and advanced features. With it, you can shoot short videos for your home album in 3GP and MPEG4 formats, listen to music, send and receive e-mail, keep abreast of events with the radio and much more. The dictaphone in Sony Ericsson W550i is remembered for its user-friendly interface and high-quality recording. The device is close to the cost of the Nokia 6111, but it compares favorably with the large memory capacity, improved battery and even the duration of the dictaphone recording.
