Sony Ericsson S500 (Review)

IceBus · 20 Jul 2007 at 12:43

RoB- said:
The keys are fine to text with, they do require a decent 'press' like most phones. I'm really happy with mine it does everything I want and with a 4gb memory card I am using it as an MP3 player. The only problem I have is that the update service software and disc2phone software that comes with it doesn't work on Vista. This should be rectified in September though.

IceBus - Did your S500i come completely network unlocked? Mine is and can take any sim. Also what games did you get on it?

Pretty sure mine is unlocked as I got it at Carphone Warehouse and Orange say they're not currently offering the S500i lol. Games wise I've got Brain Juice and Lumines Block Challenge - not the best selection lol.

I can't get the update or disc2phone software working on XP either and the phone always fails to validate when I try updating over the air.

I'm glad you like it thoug Rob, I didn't want to have steered you in the wrong direction.

I agree that the buttons are fine for texting and I'm as fast with this as I was with my K750i. It's not like the Razr where the buttons have no travel, you do get feedback when you press.

Think I might go the Bluetooth headphones route when I get back to uni as I like the idea of having just the headphones out and controlling my phone while it's in my pocket.

R0B75 · 20 Jul 2007 at 13:21

I too got mine from Carphone Warehouse and the same gaes are on it. i've played the games and they are decent. Best mobile games I've played for sure.

I would have gone bluetooth but the battery life is noticeably short via that method so went for the standard headset.

IceBus · 20 Jul 2007 at 14:41

RoB- said:
I too got mine from Carphone Warehouse and the same gaes are on it. i've played the games and they are decent. Best mobile games I've played for sure.

I would have gone bluetooth but the battery life is noticeably short via that method so went for the standard headset.

How short do you reckon?

R0B75 · 20 Jul 2007 at 15:13

IceBus said:
How short do you reckon?

Well whenever I've used Bluetooth in the past I've the noticed the battery drain a lot quicker. I suppose it's in the same that your battery drains more quickly if your making calls on your phone, as opposed to it being idle. So if your are using Bluetooth and making calls you will be charging it every I reckon.

Xez · 21 Jul 2007 at 21:51

Really like the look of this phone and have always like Sony Ericsson phone. Just wondering how much you paid for it? The cheapest i can find it without a sim is £188.

Cheers

IceBus · 21 Jul 2007 at 22:47

Xez said:
Really like the look of this phone and have always like Sony Ericsson phone. Just wondering how much you paid for it? The cheapest i can find it without a sim is £188.

Cheers

Free contract upgrade I'm afraid.

Xez · 21 Jul 2007 at 23:49

Read some reviews online and thers a lot of cases of the keypad cracking, just wondering if you text a lot and if it's held up ok?

IceBus · 22 Jul 2007 at 00:16

Xez said:
Read some reviews online and thers a lot of cases of the keypad cracking, just wondering if you text a lot and if it's held up ok?

I've been texting a fair bit and no problems yet. I'll keep you posted.

GeForce · 22 Jul 2007 at 00:26

RoB- said:
Well whenever I've used Bluetooth in the past I've the noticed the battery drain a lot quicker.

Don't forget the Power Save mode for Bluetooth that's available in the Bluetooth Settings Menu. Reduces the current draw by the Bluetooth chip a dramatic amount.

Jon

hittman · 22 Jul 2007 at 00:57

very nice review. Phone looks nice. could you post a picture of it with another phone? Just so I know how big it is etc.

R0B75 · 26 Jul 2007 at 15:48

Xez said:
Read some reviews online and thers a lot of cases of the keypad cracking, just wondering if you text a lot and if it's held up ok?

Well my keypack has started cracking. Keys 2,4,6,7 and 8. I'm a bit pee'd off if I'm honest. I mean, if in less than 2 weeks this can happen, what will happen to it in 6 months?

Looks like a trip to the Carphone Warehouse.

Shame because other than this the phone is stunning and perfect for me.

GeForce · 26 Jul 2007 at 16:03

RoB- said:
Well my keypack has started cracking. Keys 2,4,6,7 and 8. I'm a bit pee'd off if I'm honest. I mean, if in less than 2 weeks this can happen, what will happen to it in 6 months?

Seems like an all too common problem in this phone

semi-pro waster · 26 Jul 2007 at 18:35

GeForce said:
Seems like an all too common problem in this phone

That is a pity, I've just received one yesterday and it seems great so far with a couple of very minor irritations like a lack of inbuilt memory and that it doesn't seem to have a clock screensaver that I can find.

GeForce · 26 Jul 2007 at 18:40

semi-pro waster said:
it doesn't seem to have a clock screensaver that I can find.

Intriguing. Not under Settings > Display > Sleep Mode Clock ?

That's where it is on my K810i, but I haven't used an S500, so I wouldn't know

Jon

semi-pro waster · 26 Jul 2007 at 18:45

Cheers for the reply but nope, I had a K800i and a W800i before this so I expected there to be the option. However I can only set a picture as the screen saver or nothing at all as far as I can see unless someone cares to point out where I'm going wrong.

GeForce · 26 Jul 2007 at 19:08

Just some info:

It's official now. Sony Ericsson said that the green paint goes into reaction with the plastic (an unexpected reaction) and weakens it. That's why you don't see yellow S500 phones with this problem, cause the yellow paint is made of a different chemical.

They also said that the phones which are released after the 27. week will no longer have this problem, and older phone owners who have this problem will have their handsets fixed by SE.

From the Esato forum thread here .

Jon

shaffaaf27 · 26 Jul 2007 at 19:37

how loud are the buttons on it when you click and text...?

with my w810i, they are verry loud, and it annoys anyone in the room when i am texting, esp in the night, seeing as i share a room with my little bro, who is trying to sleep.

semi-pro waster · 26 Jul 2007 at 19:49

On an entirely subjective scale about as quiet as my 6230 (only other phone I have to hand), I don't know if you'd hear them if you were trying to sleep but the only real way is to actually go into the phone shop and try it for a proper comparison.

IceBus · 26 Jul 2007 at 20:47

semi-pro waster said:
That is a pity, I've just received one yesterday and it seems great so far with a couple of very minor irritations like a lack of inbuilt memory and that it doesn't seem to have a clock screensaver that I can find.

It automatically does it. Close the slider to lock the phone then after a few mins tap the volume key to light up the display clock

My keypad is still fine but it's good to know SE have acknowledged it and will fix any problems I encounter. I'll try and get a picture of it with my K750i at some point.

semi-pro waster · 26 Jul 2007 at 20:49

IceBus said:
It automatically does it. Close the slider to lock the phone then after a few mins tap the volume key to light up the display clock

Thanks, I was just about to edit my original post as I'd discovered this by accident while playing around (you can do it as soon as the screen goes black on mine), I prefer if the clock is always up on screen though but no matter, it is a small quibble with the phone overall.