Unveiling Sony Ericsson W595s Specs Pricing Features & Flaws

Introduction to Sony Ericsson W595s

The Sony Ericsson W595s was a feature phone that made its debut in the mobile market in September 2008. Known for its music capabilities, this device was part of Sony Ericsson's Walkman series, aimed at providing superior sound and user-friendly music features in a compact form. Though it has been discontinued, it still holds a nostalgic value for those who experienced the early age of mobile music phones.

Design and Build

The W595s was designed with portability and style in mind. It measured 100 x 47 x 14 mm and weighed just 105 grams, making it easy to carry around. The phone featured a slide form factor with a smooth sliding mechanism that revealed a numeric keypad. Its exterior was stylish, appealing to a younger audience, especially with the dusty blue color option. The device supported a mini-SIM card and was well-regarded for its robust and compact build quality.

Display

The phone sported a 2.2-inch TFT display with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels, providing a decent visual experience for basic phone tasks and media playback. It supported up to 256K colors, which was standard for phones in its category during that time. The display's 4:3 aspect ratio and ~182 ppi pixel density ensured that images and text were clear and vibrant for everyday use.

Music and Audio Features

A highlight of the W595s was its focus on music playback, characteristic of the Walkman series. It came equipped with stereo speakers and supported music playback times of up to 26 hours, thanks to its efficient battery. Music enthusiasts could enjoy a quality audio experience with clear sound output. However, it did not include a 3.5mm headphone jack, using its proprietary connector for headphones instead.

Camera Capabilities

The device was equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera which allowed users to capture photos and record videos at 320p resolution at 15fps. While not comparable to modern smartphone cameras, it was sufficient for casual photography and video recording at the time. The absence of a front-facing camera was a common characteristic, as selfies were not yet a dominant trend.

Connectivity and Communication

In terms of connectivity, the W595s supported GSM and HSPA technologies. It operated on 2G bands including GSM 850/900/1800/1900, and 3G bands on HSDPA 2100. With HSPA, users could achieve speeds of 3.6/0.384 Mbps. Bluetooth 2.0 with A2DP was available for wireless audio streaming and file transfers, but the device lacked Wi-Fi support. It did feature USB 2.0 for physical connectivity and charging.

Memory and Storage

The phone offered 40MB of internal storage which was quite limited by today's standards. However, it featured a Memory Stick Micro (M2) slot expandable up to 8GB, with a 2GB card included in the package. Users could store a significant number of songs, photos, and videos provided they managed their storage space effectively. Its phonebook could store 1000 contacts with 20 fields each, and supported photo call features.

Battery Life

Powering the W595s was a removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery, offering decent life for typical feature phone operations. It provided standby time of up to 385 hours on 2G and 365 hours on 3G networks, while talk time could last up to 9 hours on 2G and 4 hours and 30 minutes on 3G. The battery life was one of its strengths, especially for music playback which could last up to 26 hours.

Additional Features

The device came pre-loaded with messaging options like SMS, EMS, MMS, and Email, along with a WAP 2.0/xHTML and HTML (NetFront) browser for internet access. Users could enjoy games with downloadable options available. An accelerometer sensor allowed for some motion-sensitive features. The W595s also featured a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing more entertainment options.

Conclusion

While the Sony Ericsson W595s may seem outdated today, at its time of release it was a popular choice for music lovers and those who wanted a stylish, compact mobile with strong multimedia capabilities. Its place in mobile history is marked by its role in paving the way for music-centric phones, offering users a blend of functionality and entertainment in one device.