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The Sony Ericsson W710i is a Walkman phone designed for the more active user. The W710i comes with the outstanding Walkman® music feature & fitness applications for the healthy active users whom love their music on the go. The phone has a clamshell opening system & comes in a choice of either performance graphite or a striking hatha violet coloured casing. The phone weighs 101 grams & measures 88 x 48 x 24.5 mm which provides a beautifully compact & useable phone. The phone kit which comes with the W710i includes a Disc2Phone music management software, a 512 Mbytes Memory Stick Micro™ M2™, USB cable, active stereo headset & an arm band which holds the phone on the users arm when the user is taking part in a gentle run or other fitness activities. The W710i is a member of the Walkman™ range of phones which include the Sony Ericsson W300i, Sony Ericsson W550i, Sony Ericsson W700i & Sony Ericsson W850i.

The front panel is made of plastic, while it is edged with rubberized framings. The sides have media player controls mounted on them; a special button allows switching between currently running applications (sport, player, standby). Many will be using the phone while on race-track, so no doubt they will have wet hands; that is why rubber on the casing is a must. Some people may have a wrong first impression, thinking that the handset incorporates more solid and strong casing than it should have, like some other models of its kind by other manufacturers, but in practice it isn't so. The engineers have built up several more layers of plastic, rubberized the framings, strengthened loop-antenna's fastening, improved loudspeaker's grill, preventing water from getting inside, yet none of these precautions provides durability enough to withstand a sheet of water. Thus it's nothing but a "sport-centric" handset, which will remain manageable only after slight hammerings or accidental falls.The handset has no changeable covers and comes in two colors Performance Graphite
and Hatha Violet. Both trims look quite good and appear to be aimed primarily at youth.
The sharpest distinction is presence of a sensor, tracking your speed, when you are running or walking. Having this tool on its board, a handset instantly moves to sport-centric range, in other words targeted at people who would really love to keep an eye on their loading. Naturally this holds true not only for sportsmen, but also for common people, going in for sports occasionally. So far only Nokia 5500 and Sony Ericsson W710i may be considered as truly sport-orientated handsets. The biggest difference between these two is that Nokia offers more solid casing and runs S60 third edition operating system, which implies it originates from smartphones, while the solution by Sony Ericsson is just an ordinary feature-packed cell phone.

The W710i measures 88x48x24.5 mm, and weights 102 grams. In view of its main function, the external display is not just large, but a really a huge thing. Measuring 1.5 inches in diagonal (26x26 mm), it retains some major advantages of monochrome screens over color ones - firstly, they perform much better in sunlight, secondly, imagine for moment that you need to check your parameters while running - even if a color display features great size and large text, there is no way you can read the information, while monochrome technology will bring no problems. That is how come a monochrome display with 128x128 pixels resolution, orange backlighting (inversion, 4 gradations of orange) is included in this handset. Obviously, you will be able to use PhotoCall here on no account, so, on incoming call you will get only name and number. When closed, the display may show status information and notes taken from the calendar for current day. All in all, the screen is really decent.

On the front you will find a 2 Mpix camera module, encircled with a metallic ring. The camera itself is powered by CMOS technology without auto-focus capability being embedded in, and thus resides in the same class as Sony Ericsson K610i. Side-mounted camera shortcut button does not work when the phone is closed. Volume rocker key is located nearby.The right side features Infrared port, and a key lock switch, which comes in handy when training.

The handset is easily opened single handedly. The internal display is 1.9 inches big, retaining a resolution of 176?220 pixels (31?38 mm) and showing up to 262 K colors (TFT). The display is on the same level with that of Sony Ericsson K750i, but is evidently weaker that current top models of the company, namely Sony Ericsson K790i. The sun seems to be not a big deal for this screen as well.Removing it reveals a 900 mAh capable Li-Pol battery BST-37. As the manufacturer claims, it lasts for 350 hours in standby mode and close to 10 in talk modeSpecial headset, the HPM-65, designed for going in for sport is also shipped in the box. Its core difference from the HPM-70, which has become a default one for all Walkman-branded handsets, is fastening. Each half has a plastic loop, ensuring firm fixation in any conditions. Quality-wise the headset appeared a little inferior to the HPM-70, but the truth is, there is not so much of a difference.The package also includes a fully adjustable armband, so that you can carry the phone when running or training. The handset in its turn resides in a plastic slot, which many be also used for clipping the device on your belt.

Menu
On the announcement of Sony Ericsson K790i/K800i everyone was prepared to see more clones of that platform coming in different form-factors. So is Sony Ericsson W710i (it can be referred to Sony Ericsson K610i as well), which copies the K790i in many ways. The model lacks 3D accelerator and takes advantage of a standard API one, mark this point well. The sequencer found on this model has 72 tones, but makes sense only when playing midi-tracks, in all other cases it is better to apply mp3 or even eAAC+.Bluetooth version for this model is 2.0, it supports EDR you can save improved energy saving mode in the menu.

Themes

So comes that some models feature alterations of standard set of icons and main menu appearance in this item, while some do not. By default this model runs Walkman theme, so much familiar to anyone who has ever seen a Walkman-branded handset even once. The first one of the offered modifications, namely Active, is rather appealing, but doesn't bring any new bits to the experience. On the other hand FemaleLine is worth of attention, as it transfigures the phone into a feminine clamshell (it seems this theme will be ruling in a handset, which is still to be announced): it provides a completely different way of menu outlook, re-shaped icons, all in all it's definitely worth checking out. The Lava theme shape-changes the entire menu appearance and makes it horizontal.

Multitasking of this device matches that of a smartphone, and is far superior to a standard handset's one. We tested this capability with the media player running, as well as three Java-applications (two games and World Time functions) and on top of that the pedometer was counting steps at the same time. At that there were no problems with managing these applications in Activity Menu mode - everything was like clock-work.

Fitness

The device is armed with motion sensor, allowing it to calculate number of steps you made during the current session. This innovative gadget has the following to offer you: two modes (Walking and Running), adjustable values of distance, time, upper and lower bounds of speed. Personal data includes age, sex, weight, height - basically everything that is essential to evaluate amount of calories spent. While running or walking the screen reflects all information you can only dream of - time from the beginning, covered distance, current speed, and user is also at liberty to switch between screens and learn more on calories consumption, average lap time or just reset all acquired data and begin a new cycle.While open, the device doesn't carry out any calculations, but once you have folded it (with Fitness mode set beforehand), the handset begins fulfilling its main function - you will know that by three sound signals. Observation accuracy is quite enough to use these functions in day-to-day activity.

Phonebook

Up to 1000 contacts with fully filled in fields can be stored in the phonebook, but number of phone numbers is limited to 2500. This means that despite ability to assign up to 5 phone numbers to one contact, you cannot go over 2500 entries. This is enough even for most active users, only few have more than 500 entries in their phonebooks.

Messaging

All possibilities for operations with messages are standard, there are templates and possibilities to create your own. Phone's memory together with SIM-card is used for storing messages. Chat function is supported. On the whole everything is just like in any other phone from this company. Only emoticons icons were changed, they became more interesting. The MMS realization is great as always, you can literally create video clips, there are lots of settings and this is one of those things that gives SE's product parity over competitors. E-Mail client can send and receive emails, all sort of encodings are supported. The emails can be stored to memory card.

RSS Feed

The settings are extremely simple, you jus specify the title for feed and its address. The phone will connect and download it. You can update only one item, or the whole feed at once. Possibilities of built-in browser are used for displaying the feeds.

Entertainment

Photos, music files can be accessed from this menu. MusicDJ function is rather interesting, even though it is a niche product and there is not much of a chance that this feature will be in high demand by users. In the editor you can create and edit ring tones, up to four tracks. Advanced version of MusicDJ is called VideoDJ, it allows editing not only music files, but also adding images and signs. The final result is presented in 3GP file which can be sent by MMS or Email, or just transferred to another phone.

Remote control - ability to control other devices via Bluetooth connection. It is standard for all phones by SE
The sound can be recorded by Dictaphone, it allows making voice tags that can be later used as ring tones. Phone calls can be recorded too, this is done from context menu there is no time limit.

Games - the phone has two games: Alpha Wing2 (space arcade), Treasure Tower (a good adventure/arcade).

Radio

Memory for 20 radio stations, automatic search and RDS function are implemented. The radio quality and presentation is the same as in case with K750i, it is okay. FM-radio would seem like an ordinary application, if only it did not have Identify Music option in the menu. While you are listening to any radiostation and a thought "I want to know the title of this song" pops up in your head, you can find the answer with the help of this feature. After activation it will store about 3-4 seconds of the song and connect to special server that will analyze the song. The result will be presented as tag scrolled in the upper part of the screen (horizontal and vertical orientations supported). At first this service will be free for SE users, it will be launched ~ this summer.

Organizer

Organizer keeps a lot of function underneath. There are three types for viewing the events: weekly, monthly or today. In last option you will see list of all events and memos, in two others you will see highlighted time or day. You can switch to required day and year, or month. Everything is pretty standard, as well as schedule input. You get the chance to name the event, define the place where it will be held, length and setup the reminder (beforetime or right at the start of the event). For the first time events can be reoccurred. Types of reoccurrence: daily, monthly. Reminders work even if the phone is turned off, unless you disable this function. To do list in this phone is quite ascetic. There are only two types of events: phone call or reminder. On the other hand, this is really enough, simplicity has its advantages. The phone features normal transfer of schedule to various devices (traditionally via IrDA and Bluetooth). Choose the required interval (day, week or month) and send all entries. I'd like to point out that the device should support PIM function in order to open and display this data properly. It is possible to send the schedule to TV-set through IrDA connection, the TV-set accepts it but is unable to display the received goods. Data can be received the same way, with the help of desktop or office PC without any additional software.Notes. The phone supports notes entry, though they are limited by length. The name of the note will be first word entered. This is not always convenient since you will have to use first word that would automatically tell you what the note is all about.

Alarm Clock. We've got changes in this one, now you have five alarm clocks, and each of them can be set up. They can work in definite week days. Besides the ringtone for alarm clock you can selet small note and picture, they will be displayed when alarm clock goes on. Any music file or radio can be seleted as the alarm itself.

Stopwatch/Countdown. Here everything is quite standard, although the same can be said about the stopwatch, that has temporary value function. The phone has special application for storing secret codes, which was a great hit in previous models, well, standard calculator is present too.

Connectivity

All communicative settings for the phone can be setup from here, starting from WAP and GPRS (the EDGE settings are same) and ending up with Bluetooth and Synchronization. I will not describe the standard options, they are standard in the first place, everything works fine. I'd like to highlight stable Bluetooth work, no problems were encountered, synchronization with other devices runs smoothly, all profiles (including A2DP, which is stereo sound via Bluetooth) are supported. Bluetooth version is 2.0 with EDR support.

WAP The browser owns separate menu item, the version is 2.0, it supports secured connections which is quite important in case you are using electronic transactions. New wallpapers, themes and ring tones can be downloaded right away, it's all available at the original web-site.Standard browser for Sony Ericsson phones is NetFront , it supports one-line web-page display and HTML.At the same time RSS Feeds support is great, it allows using the phone for reading news, announcements and materials.

Settings

This menu stores all settings related to phone's work and partly with its outlook. In the stand by mode clock can be displayed in the bottom (yes or no), you an also choose the font size, in case you select big letters it will be easy to see what time it is, but the font itself becomes transparent. There isn't anything to add, all the rest is standard.

File manager, memory size

The user has 10 MB of available memory add empty M2 memory card to that too. Here all data (photos, videos, applications) can be stored. The remaining memory is occupied by preinstalled applications, you cannot delete them. Part of memory is dedicated to phonebook, call lists, etc. The phone has simplest file manager, with its help files can be sorted by various folders, custom directories can be created in phone's memory, files can be moved there as well. With or without cable the phone can become a perfect storage, there are no problems with recording your own files, even if they cannot be opened by the phone.

Player

The phone has built-in mp3 (AAC, eAAC+, WMA formats are also supported), 3GP and mpeg4 player. It is a good way to listen to mp3 files. Besides settings you can setup equalizer (there are predefined settings: Bass, Voice, Tremble, etc), as well as the ability to create your custom ones. The sound changes according to the settings, this is noticeable.
The player is similar to the one Sony Ericsson W800i, it replicates it maximally. It is possible to minimize the player, the phone supports multi-function at full scale. There are no concerns at all, even though it's weaker than the one used in Sony Ericsson W950i.

Camera

The device is equipped with a 2 MP camera with a CMOS matrix without auto-focus.
The device supports three possible resolutions - 1632x1224, 640x480, 160x120 pixels. Two types of data compression, Normal and Fine, are at your disposal. The majority of the photos represented are in the Fine quality. The photos differ in size almost two times depending on the resolution. Thus a photo in the Normal mode takes about 300 KB when the Fine quality gives 500-600 KB. Saving the photo takes the same time not depending on the case, that is about 1-2 seconds, and that is quite well for such a file size. If to take several photos one after another (not a Burst mode but just successively) then you'll notice slightly slowing writing speed (to 3-4 seconds). According to subjective feelings the device buffer is expected for 2 MB of memory.
Video may be recorded in two resolutions (176x144, 128x96), file format is 3GP. Clip duration may be limited (up to 10 seconds) or unlimited. The quality of the clips is average and obviously inferior to many top models

Pictures made with Sony Ericsson W710i

(click to enlarge )

The loudspeaker is average volume-wise and has a great part of basses in its sounding, so the call is easily heard even on the street. The silent alarm is of moderate power or even slightly higher than this, but even this admission isn't an excuse for cases when it is too weak to be felt. The receiving part is on the same level as that of other products by the company - in other words, it's very fine.
Sony Ericsson W710i is scheduled to begin shipping at the end of August. Taking account of its standard kit, positioning in medium price-bracket appears justified, as well as its price of 260-270 Euro, which will fall down after some time to 230-240 Euro per unit. In view of absence of direct competitors and lower price as compared to Nokia 5500 (and if you take into account the shipped memory card, far lower), this solution eventually turns out to be quite appealing.

More pictures with Sony Ericsson W710i :

Source: Mobile-review