Unveiling the Sony Ericsson Z558 Specs Pricing Pros & Cons

Overview of Sony Ericsson Z558

The Sony Ericsson Z558, launched in September 2006, represents an era when mobile technology was advancing rapidly but still grounded in the style and feature sets of the mid-2000s. Known for its distinctive clamshell design, the Z558 catered to users who appreciated both functionality and aesthetic appeal. Though it has since been discontinued, the Z558 remains an interesting study in the evolution of mobile technology.

Design and Build

The Z558 is characterized by a compact and sturdy design, measuring 87.5 x 45.5 x 20.5 mm and weighing just 93 grams. This made it easy to carry in a pocket or small bag. The clamshell form factor was particularly appealing to users who preferred a flip-open mechanism for answering calls, which added a physical layer of screen protection when closed.

The Mini-SIM slot of the device indicates its compatibility with the standard SIM cards of the time, allowing for straightforward connectivity on GSM 900, 1800, and 1900 networks. It featured a resistive TFT touchscreen with 256K colors, a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, and a screen size of 1.9 inches, making it suitable for navigation and basic media viewing despite the limited screen-to-body ratio of approximately 28.5%.

Display Capabilities

The Sony Ericsson Z558’s display was adequate for its time. The 1.9-inch screen provided a modest but functional area for users to interact with the phone’s interface. The screen resolution of 176 x 220 pixels, while not high by today's standards, offered clear enough text and imagery for basic use, such as browsing through contacts, messages, and simple games.

With its resistive touchscreen technology, the Z558 required a firmer touch compared to modern capacitive touchscreens, which was typical of phones from this era. This touchscreen allowed users to navigate through the device’s menu system with relative ease, even though it lacked the precision we expect from current devices.

Memory and Storage

Internally, the Z558 had a storage capacity of 18MB. For users needing more space for contacts, messages, or multimedia files, the device supported Memory Stick Micro (M2) expandable storage of up to 2 GB. This expandability was a significant feature at the time, enabling users to store substantial amounts of data and multimedia relative to other phones of the same period.

The phonebook capacity allowed for up to 1000 entries with photocall functionality, enabling users to attach photos to contacts for easier identification of callers. Additionally, the call log could store details of up to 30 received, dialed, and missed calls.

Camera Features

The Z558 came equipped with a 1.3 MP camera, which was quite common during its release period. This camera allowed users to capture moments in a simple and straightforward manner. Although the camera specification may seem limited compared to modern standards, it was adequate for casual photography and basic video capture with QCIF resolution capabilities.

While the phone did not feature a front-facing camera, it nonetheless offered a decent photographic experience, particularly for users who did not prioritize high-quality media capture.

Sound and Audio

The audio features of the Z558 included a built-in loudspeaker and vibration alert types. Although it lacked a 3.5mm headphone jack, it supported downloadable polyphonic, MP3, and AAC ringtones, which allowed for a personalized auditory experience. The phone's stereo FM radio with RDS support provided an additional entertainment option for users seeking music and news on the go.

Connectivity and Communication

Connectivity on the Z558 included Bluetooth support for wireless data transfer, but no WLAN capabilities were present. USB 2.0 provided a wired data transfer option, allowing users to connect the phone to a computer for synchronizing data. Lacking modern features such as positioning and smart connectivity, the phone predominantly focused on GPRS Class 10 for internet connectivity.

For messaging, the device supported SMS, MMS, and email, reflecting a time when mobile internet was becoming more prevalent but not universally accessible. It also featured a WAP 2.0/HTML browser, enabling basic internet browsing, albeit limited by the technological constraints of the time.

Battery Performance

The device was powered by a removable Li-Ion battery. It offered a stand-by time of up to 320 hours and a talk time of up to 5 hours and 15 minutes. This performance was typical for feature phones of that era, balancing between power consumption and the limited battery technology available at the time.

Price and Market Position

Upon release, the Sony Ericsson Z558 was priced at approximately 120 EUR. It was available in two color variants: Sterling Black and Pearl Copper. This pricing placed the device in the mid-range segment, making it accessible to a broad audience seeking a balance between features and affordability.

Conclusion

The Sony Ericsson Z558 remains a noteworthy piece of mobile history. It bridged the gap between basic feature phones and the more advanced, yet-to-emerge smartphone category. With its practical design, expandable storage, and adequate camera capabilities, it served the needs of many users during its time on the market. Although technology has since progressed significantly, rendering phones like the Z558 obsolete, such devices paved the way for the innovations we enjoy in today’s mobile technology.