Design
In terms of looks, the K750i continues on the path set by its three successful predecessors, the T610, T630 and K700i. In regards to capabilities however, it follows on from the S700i, Sony Ericsson's first camera phone to break the one-megapixel mark.
We're quite fond of the K750i's form factor: small, black and sturdy. On the back is a lens cover that protects the 2-megapixel camera. When opened, it activates camera mode and the display is used as the viewfinder. Settings for the camera are laid out in landscape orientation which prompts you to tilt the handset 90° anticlockwise to a horizontal position. With the shutter button located on the right-hand side of the phone, this feature makes it feel like you're using a proper digital camera -- and onlookers are none the wiser that it's actually a camera phone. Once you're done, sliding the brushed metal lens cover across deactivates camera mode and returns you to the menu where you left off. If the keypad was locked before taking a picture it will return to that state.
The keypad is laid in suitable Sony Ericsson style for candybar phones. Backlit in white, there are three shortcut keys at the top, a tiny five-way navigation thumb stick, back and clear keys, and slightly raised numerical keys that sit flush with one another. On the side sits the aforementioned camera shutter, a volume rocker and a music button.
The K750i's 176 x 220-pixel TFT screen displays 262K colours, has user-adjustable brightness, and is customisable through wallpaper, themes, screensavers and a sleep mode.
Features
No doubt the 2-megapixel camera is the K750i's biggest selling feature. It will be a while until theNokia N90 becomes available, which will up the ante by adding a Carl Zeiss lens and the same resolution as the Sony Ericsson.
Still photos and video clips can be taken with the K750i, and a range of settings are available for both. Panorama lets you stitch up to three photos together, burst mode takes four shots in rapid succession, and there are 24 frames to choose from to add to your photos. Other camera features include macro for close-ups, night mode, self-timer, white balance, and effects such as sepia, solarize, and B&W. There is also a blindingly bright light beside the lens that can assist while taking a photo in dark surroundings -- or purely as a torch.
Sony Ericsson bundles a 64MB Memory Stick Duo, which clicks into a slot on the side, to store pictures, videos and music. The media player supports MP3, AAC and WAV (maximum sample rate of 16kHz) music files, MPEG4 and 3GP videos. 32MB of internal memory is onboard for contacts or alternative storage if the card gets full.
An easy-to-use FM radio is available when the stereo headset is attached and has 20 preset slots for stations. Radio Data System (RDS), which enables broadcasters to transmit artist and track information, is supported but we could only get the name of the station (eg. Nova 969) to display.
Pressing the music shortcut key starts and pauses tracks and you're able to browse the K750i's menu as per normal during playback. If you're looking for a phone with more of a music focus, Sony Ericsson will be launching its Walkman-branded W800i very soon. Alternatively, Nokia's 3G-ready N91 will sport a 4GB hard disk when it is released later this year.
Organiser features include an alarm clock, calendar, tasks, notes, stopwatch and timer. Additional Java games and applications can be downloaded using GPRS. POP3 and IMAP e-mail is also supported via GPRS -- which is somewhat slow compared to 3G networks.
Uses of Bluetooth on the K750i include handsfree calling with wireless headsets, wireless networking with a PC or laptop, and transferring files (including photos and music) between mobile phones and PDAs. Sony Ericsson also includes Remote Control, an application that pairs with a Bluetooth-equipped PC or notebook and allows users to control PowerPoint presentations, Windows Media Player (no iTunes, we're afraid), and the desktop.
On the bundled CD, Sony Ericsson includes drivers for using the K750i as a modem, software for synchronising Outlook contacts and calendar information with a PC, MMS composition tools, an image editor, and a SIM card manager. Slide show software Adobe Photoshop Album 2.0 Starter Edition is also included.
Performance
Without a doubt, the K750i is the best camera phone to hit the market so far -- and not just for its 2-megapixel muscle. Auto focus ensures that photos are sharp, although we found a steady hand is necessary for this to work.
Remote Control worked well past 10 metres when paired with a USB Bluetooth adapter on our PC. The Presenter option under the K750i's Remote Control allows you to wirelessly launch a presentation by pressing '2' on the keypad, the volume rocker on the side takes you back or forward to the next slide, while the '4' key blanks out the current slide with a black background. Similarly, the keypad is laid out with multimedia controls for Media, and keyboard and mouse directions for Desktop remote control.
It is hard to fault the K750i, but improvements could be a 3.5mm jack for headphones -- we find Sony Ericsson's ones slightly uncomfortable -- and mini-USB for connectivity, rather than a proprietary port. Even with Bluetooth activated, we found the K750i only needed to be charged every four days or so.
We give a big thumbs-up to Sony Ericsson for not only being the first to market in Australia with a 2-megapixel camera phone, but an innovative and almost flawless one at that.
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adrian32
18/09/2008, 03:33 AM
rating
10/10
i've had this phone for almost two years, and i must say, this veteran can take a beating. a real solid phone, not to mention a decent camera, great quality in fact, a decent audio player, and pretty smooth keypads..this phone is truly built to last. one of the best phones made to pioneer and be the platform for the k cybershot series
Pros: fantastic camera for a compact phone, better memory card system compared to the new tiny ones, smooth keypad and joystick for menu and texting
Cons: camera lens slide gets scratched easily, joystic area collects dust, battery stamina reduces over the years
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chemhaz
06/09/2008, 11:43 PM
rating
9/10
Greatest little phone I had. Get the HPM-70 headphones. They are way better than the ones which came with them
Pros: Great camera for the photos and video taking. Fast menu response, versatile. The FM radio great sound. It picked up a signal better than my current N95 8GB. Loads of Java apps and games for it.
Cons: Joystick was sticky but a syringe and some electro lube oil injected into it fixed it. Numerpad broke down after 18 months and case wore, but $10 got me a new one from eBay. It was easy to transplant into the new case especially with the tools included in the package.
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oryiian
04/09/2008, 01:54 PM
rating
10/10
I had this phone for 3 years.
It was easy to use.
Joystick stopped working about 3 months ago.
But other than that i love it!
Pros: Fantastic!
Wicked camera, when printed out very hard to tell it was from a mobile phone or digital camera.
Flash was excellent.
Cons: Scratches
but other than that, i need a new phone but nothing looks as good so far
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Gangaaa
26/08/2008, 04:23 PM
rating
8/10
It's a pretty good phone, with barely anything wrong with it.
i have had mine for over 10 months now and there has'nt been a problem with it.
Pros: camera, fm radio, easy to use, doesn't break as easy as other phones
Cons: camera quality isnt that good, to fat, scratches easy, the speaker scratches a lot
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jonchua24
05/06/2008, 02:57 AM
rating
10/10
Easily the BEST phone I have ever used!
Pros: All is fantastic
Cons: Scratchable body
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brittzys
22/05/2008, 11:50 AM
rating
9/10
I love this phone and the joystick is fine! no dust gets into my screen. Ive had it for 10 months so its going fine so far
Pros: Great camera lots of memory user freindly
Cons: nothing
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benq-siemens ef81
12/05/2008, 11:45 PM
rating
8/10
I like this phone. I has now k800i but before this I has k750i . It gives best music and graphic results.
Pros: Stylish body.
good camera performance.
Cons: Nothing.
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Dave
25/03/2008, 08:21 AM
rating
10/10
I've had this phone for nearly four years. Good pics, reliable, never let me down.
Pros: Easy to use
Good camera
good battery life
Don't know what to replace it with!!!
Cons: Lens cover slides open accidentally
Don't know what to replace it with!!!
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Jug
16/03/2008, 06:28 PM
rating
7/10
I liked this phones interface and user friendliness. The camera was ok and the extra storage was handy. The screen ended up dying after about 6 months of owning it but to be fair I work in a fairly rough environment where it gets its fair share of knocks and chemicals.
Pros: *Price.
*Easy to use menus.
*Good battery life.
Cons: *Screen died after 6 months.
*Sound would cut in and out whilst talking.
*Phone freezes up every couple of days requiring me to remove and refit the battery and restart.
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action49
02/03/2008, 01:51 PM
rating
9/10
I got this handed down to me after 12 months operation and it has been a gem. Camera takes some really nice shots and battery life is still borderline OK after almost 2 years since purchase.
Pros: Good battery life
Intuitive text messaging and ability to correct afterwards
Nice camera
Good mp3 player, especially with upgraded headphones
Pairs up well with my pda
Cons: Not as sexy looking as many
Occasional freezes (one a month perhaps) when lots of quick succession button pushing.
keypad lock is a bit quick, would like it to be a bit longer
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