Comprehensive Review Sony Ericsson W395 Specs Prices Pros & Cons

Design and Build

The Sony Ericsson W395 shines with its compact and handy design. With dimensions of 96 x 47 x 14.9 mm and weighing just 96g, it slips comfortably into pockets and fits nicely in the hand. Constructed with a focus on usability, the phone embodies the signature sleek aesthetics typical of Sony Ericsson's Walkman series. The phone uses a Mini-SIM and is available in a range of attractive colors including Dusky Grey, Blush Titanium, Fiesta Black, and Happy Pink, appealing to a variety of tastes.

Display

The W395 features a 2.0-inch TFT display, supporting 256K colors. Although small by today's standards, this screen size was typical for its time and provided a vibrant display experience. With a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density), and protected by scratch-resistant glass, the W395's display is robust and delivers clear visuals suitable for its basic multimedia functions.

Performance

Being a feature phone, the Sony Ericsson W395 does not boast an advanced mobile operating system or powerful processing power like smartphones today. Instead, it offers smooth performance for basic telephony and multimedia options. Its interface is intuitive, making menu navigation seamless and direct.

Storage and Memory

The device comes with an internal storage of 10MB, which is minimal by today's standards, but typical for a feature phone from its era. It supports a Memory Stick Micro (M2) card slot expandable up to 4GB, and a 1GB card is included, offering adequate space for storing music, contacts, and messages. The phonebook can store up to 1000 entries, with the ability to save multiple fields for each entry and support for photo call functionality.

Camera

The Sony Ericsson W395 is equipped with a single 2MP main camera that can capture basic, good-quality photos. Video recording is also supported, although this feature aims more towards capturing quick, spontaneous moments rather than producing high-quality video. As is common with devices from its era, there is no front-facing camera.

Sound and Music

As a part of the Walkman series, the W395 places significant emphasis on audio performance. It comes with built-in stereo speakers providing good sound quality for listening to music and taking calls on speaker mode. Although it does not feature a 3.5mm audio jack, it delivers an impressive audio experience through its sound enhancements and comes with FM radio capabilities, allowing users to enjoy music and news on the go.

Connectivity

The device supports basic connectivity options, including Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP for wireless audio streaming and a USB 2.0 port for data transfer and charging. However, it does not support WLAN or GPS functionality, focusing instead on simplicity and ease of use. Internet access is facilitated via GPRS and EDGE, which, while slow by modern standards, provided sufficient connectivity for browsing and downloading at the time.

Battery Life

Powered by a removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery, the W395 offers good battery life, capable of standing by for up to 480 hours and delivering up to 8 hours of talk time on a single charge. The music player can run for up to 12 hours and 30 minutes, making this device a reliable companion for those who rely heavily on their phone for music playback.

Software and Features

This feature phone supports messaging formats like SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, and IM. It runs a proprietary OS designed for simplicity and effectiveness in performing basic tasks. The browser supports WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML, suitable for basic browsing activities, and an RSS reader is included for convenience. The availability of motion-based games and support for Java MIDP 2.0 allows users to enjoy basic gaming experiences.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson W395 is a classic representation of the feature phones that once dominated the mobile landscape. Its compact design, dedicated music features, and basic yet reliable functionality made it appealing to many users during its time. While it does not compare to modern smartphones, it remains a nostalgic symbol of a transitional era in mobile technology, valued for its straightforwardness, durability, and the novelty of embedded entertainment features.