The T62u is a winner.
Written: May 01 '03 (Updated Jul 07 '03)
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Pros: Great sound quality, large, easy-to-read display, works on all networks, voice activation, web compatible
Cons: Small, stiff buttons. Joystick control. Unusual shape.
The Bottom Line: The T62u does not do everything, but everything it does is done exceedingly well. Buy it!
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| dr-rjp's Full Review: Sony Ericsson T62u Cell Phone |
This phone has a lot of things to like and very little not to like. What I like most about this phone is the sound quality and the large, easy-to read display. The phone that I had prior to this one was a Motorola V60: a cute, little phone that was hard to use and read given its tiny display.
Prior to that, I had a trusty Nokia 5165. Large and cumbersome, with few of the esoteric features that vendors like to flaunt, it was like a truck: extremely reliable and able to withstand being dropped and kicked around. Three other things I disliked about the Motorola V60 was (1) the number of times it would drop calls, (2) the flimsy antenna, and (3) the inability to store more than 32 digits or characters – which precluded one from linking a calling card to an international phone number. Now, what is important to keep in mind is that I switched providers. The dropped call problems with the V60 may have been more a function of the service than the phone.
What the V60 left lacking is where the T60 takes off. The T62u (“u” for universal) is the latest incarnation of the joint venture between Sony and Ericsson and carries forth all of the features of the T60 plus more. What differentiates this phone from its predecessor, is that it is a GAIT phone. A GAIT (GSM ANSI Interoperability Team) cell phone is one that will work on TDMA, CDMA, GSM, and analog networks. It is truly a universal phone.
For those of you aren't familiar with the term, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is the world's largest cell phone standard – a digital system first introduced in Europe and then throughout Asia, Africa and the Pacific Rim. The advantages of the GSM network are great sound quality, security, international roaming, and the ability to make connections a lot faster than either TDMA or CDMA.
Ah, but I digress. Back to the T62u.
The shape of the phone may not appeal to all – turned sideways. It is sort of shaped like a large goldfish. The reason for its large “head” relative to its “body” is because it has an internal antenna and because of its extremely large and readable display. The tradeoff here lies in its small, and tightly grouped buttons which have a disconcerting stiffness to them. I guess the idea of making the button action so resistant was to prevent accidental key presses. If so, then you will not have to worry about accidentally hitting CALL and winding up with a strange, $50 roaming call on your bill. Phones like the V60 take the recessed approach to guarding against accidental key presses, but those of you used to raised buttons might find them to be hard to manage – especially with one hand.
The stiff and small buttons are really the only complaint that I have – the fact that they are backlit helps to assuage that complaint, though, because it allows me to use the phone in a darkened room or car.
Another potential point of contention is the phone’s joystick control which allows you access and scroll through the multi-layered menu and to make selections at the same time – assuming you get the hang of flicking the joystick left, right, up, and down, and then pressing it in. I did and I can easily get to where I need to be.
There are quick keys and shortcuts that you can create to navigate to places on the menu in less time than using the joystick alone. Once you get used to the keys and the joystick, the phone is really a joy to use. The sound quality is outstanding and speed of making calls is noticeably faster.
The phone uses what is called a SIM card on which is stored information about the service provider and phone features. When you first take the phone out of the box, you have to install the SIM card (sort of like using a memory card). Then, you install the battery. I have a quibble about the battery -- don't plan on swapping batteries like you would on other phones because the battery uses a tiny plug connection similar to the type used on the batteries of portable home phones. It takes a little bit of coaxing to get the plug connected and the wires to lay flat along the inside so that you can close the cover. This is a setup that Sony-Ericsson should not have used.
This phone is chock full of useful features and I recommend that you study the manual before you use it . The number of standard ring tones are limited but they can be made very loud, and you can switch the phone to silent mode and let it vibrate instead. You can program your own tunes and do so much, much easier than on any other phone I know (the V60 was a bear when it came to programming tunes).
I particularly like the voice activation features this phone has. Not only can you call people by saying their name, you can execute phone commands as well. Last, but not least, was the phone’s price – it was free with a 2-year Cingular plan. If you want to learn more about the phone, and actually get to use it online (there is a virtual phone that really works), visit the Sony-Ericsson website (http://www.sonyericsson.com/us/spg.jsp?page=start).
Recommended:
Yes
Amount Paid (US$): 0.00
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dr-rjp
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Reviews written: 4
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