2 Megapixel Cyber-shot™ Camera with Auto Focus

FM Radio RDS

Bluetooth™ Technology

Media Player

Multi-tasking

EDGE Technology

64 Mbytes Memory Plus Memory Stick Micro™ M2™

Music recognition

 

Weight: 85 g

Dimensions: 102 x 46 x 14 mm

Talk Time: 7 Hours

Standby: 350 Hours

 

Features: 85 %

Usability: 85%

Design: 90%

 

The Sony Ericsson K750i now has a new sibling of the legacy, Cybershot branded phones: Sony Ericsson K550i. This phone has a 2MP (Mega Pixel) camera. It is a replacement of the outdated K750i, which has seen glory and is still a hot favourite in markets all around the world. Let's not go on with the praise which will never end and just move on with what is more enticing-the phone's review.

 

This feature packed phone comes bundled with a Sony quality Stereo Headset, Fastport USB Cable, 64MB M2 Memory, Charger, Manual and a CD that contains dozens of software.

 

Even if you are new to camera phone photography or the Cyber-shot phone menu, the new Sony Ericsson K550i is designed to be an intuitive integration of highly-specified digital camera with a mobile phone. Simply by sliding open the lens cover, the camera is activated and the Cyber-shot menu appears in the phone’s 256k TFT high resolution screen, which at 1.9” serves as a clear viewfinder. Taking an image with Autofocus makes it even more simpler for amateur phone photography. Once an image has been captured, sharing it can be done in a number of ways, each one a simple process; Picture blogging again makes it simple to send images to a blog site; support for Memory Stick Micro (M2) allows the user to transfer images easily between compatible devices and Bluetooth 2.0 provides for simple sharing with other phones and Bluetooth-equipped devices. If a user wishes to print out their latest holiday pictures, PictBridge makes it possible to print directly via USB from the Sony Ericsson K550i to a compatible printer.

 

The Sony Ericsson K550i comes with a TrackID™ music recognition feature which allows finding the name of the group or artist and the name of a song they like, quickly and easily. The user simply records a few seconds of a song they have heard which is sent to TrackID™ which is powered by Gracenote™ Mobile MusicID and all the information regarding the song is sent to the user within seconds. The K550i comes with a FM radio complete with RDS which provides a text feed from the radio station for the user to view information whilst listening to their favourite radio station. The phone comes with a built in media player which allows the user to playback music and video in the most popular video and music formats. The user can download all their favourite music and enjoy a fun music experience on this mobile handset. The user can playback all the fun video clips that friends have sent to them. The PlayNow™ feature allows the user to download a new ringtone within 3 clicks which is a fast way for the user to buy a ringtone they desire. The Sony Ericsson K550i supports MP3 and polyphonic ringtones.

 

The phone comes with style up covers which let the users create an individual feel and look to their mobile handset. The handset comes with useful everyday features which include an alarm clock, stopwatch, calculator, calendar, notes, tasks, phone book and business card exchange. The user can share contact details easily using the business card exchange feature and manage the phone book easily which stores all the contact names and numbers. The user can use a selection of features when on a plane or in a hospital as the flight mode ensures the phone does not interfere with the plane’s communication system. The user cannot make or receive calls when in flight mode as the radio transmitters are deactivated.

 

As nothing is perfect in this world, same is the case with this phone. There are few features that the manufacturers could have improved for making it stand a level up of its competitors. Speaking about the camera module, the 2 MP camera could have been a 3.1 MP which is a must in a latest phone like this, it has the same LED flash instead of the Xenon flash as seen in K790i/K800i. The other non-impressive feature of this phone is that the Memory Card slot is under the battery cover, which kills the entire concept of Hot-Swapping.

 

The Sony Ericsson K550i costs around Rs. 11,500. It is 1.5K more expensive than the K750i. At this price anyone would still settle in for the K750i which has much better camera quality, if CyberShot is what one is looking for. But at the same time there is no doubt that the K550i is a better phone with upgraded software and EDGE technology completing the whole new mantra of connectivity.