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Sony Ericsson W995

By Joseph Hanlon on 26 June 2009

The W995 under-performs where it counts. The screen is small and of a low-resolution and the web browser doesn't inspire web browsing. HSDPA, Wi-Fi and GPS are a waste with the software provided, but worst of all, the W995 is just too expensive.

Editor's rating:6.5 User rating:6.8

Comments (29)

  • JNeail gave 9/10 on 07/08/2009 23:39

    • Good: Size, audio player, build quality, key pad, slide, GPS, screen (despite smaller size) - all good
    • Bad: Poor camera (dissapointing!), battery life, no in-built Facebook, Twitter, Skype apps? Won't sync with Exchange etiher

    Great phone - really happy with it, but... the camera is a real let down, pictures often blurred and always with colour distortion. Missing out on Key pre-installed apps like Facebook, Twitter and Skype are another negative, I don't have a iPhone, but I have an iTouch so used to the quality of apps that supports, also have a Nokia 5800 and it has this functionality out the box, which just seems a mistake to have left these out in favour of some pretty poor and useless apps like Rock Bobblehead, Sound Sensor. The GPS works well and even indoors but the Wayfinder GPS app is very below par, I've since installed Orange Maps for free which is comparable with TomTom. Final comment I'd make is that the Exchange server Sync won't or rather after putting all the correct settings in, fails to sync, suggested there is a security certificates issue and it won't support Exchange 2008 or the sync tool is broken - either way this was a feature I was looking forward too.

    Regardless, I just wanted a hardwiring, well build and reliable phone that was small and pocketable and I didn't need to worry about breaking a touch screen on and on that level I think I achieved my goal. This phone fits the bill and performs nicely.

  • ken k gave 10/10 on 05/08/2009 11:02

    • Good: Has all the functions needed
    • Bad: none

    The audio is perfect, work with double headphones (fastport and 3.5mm together), camara has all necessary settings, fun games, too many functions to discover yet...

  • robbo gave 9/10 on 04/08/2009 11:33

    • Good: all functions work enough for me
    • Bad: nothing yet

    Everyone expects way too much from their devices, for me it does enough. I don't need the net to work better than my home PC, I don't need to watch movies like at Gold Class, it does the functions well, makes calls (OMG a phone that makes calls nowadays!!!) is easy to use (especially for me being used to SE), their phones have never let me down (5 so far), I don't look like a dick like iPhone users do trying to type a SMS or wiping their fingerprints off the screen ;) and price? if you pay $1200 or lock into a contract, you've been sucked in. Paid $655 unlocked with great service from the seller. Stop thinking too much about buying a phone!

  • pro gave a review on 21/07/2009 16:45

    • Good: exellent music and camera
    • Bad: price to high

    nice phone every things good and useful but price to expensive

  • pixlas gave a review on 21/07/2009 04:20

    • Good: Camera, Media Go and Audio!
    • Bad: Internet Browser (use Opera mini instead)

    This is the best phone I have ever had. It really has it all except for the internet browser which is so so. I donwloaded Opera Mini instead which works like a charm and is free.
    Media Go rocks, I dont know why others hate it. It downloads all my podcasts and converts all my movies without any hassle.

  • pixlas gave a review on 21/07/2009 03:06

    • Good: Camera, Media Go and Audio!
    • Bad: Internet Browser (use Opera mini instead)

    This is the best phone I have ever had. It really has it all except for the internet browser which is so so. I donwloaded Opera Mini instead which works like a charm and is free.
    Media Go rocks, I dont know why others hate it. It downloads all my podcasts and converts all my movies without any hassle.

  • wig gave a review on 10/07/2009 05:23

    Fab fone but probs with wifi. any help with a solution. no wifi at all.

  • EX SEowner gave a review on 07/07/2009 03:54

    • Good: Looks
    • Bad: Pricey, MediaGo

    MediaGo software stinks!

    How does one convert video? Transfer video?
    Haven't figured it out! What a pain!

    Importing files also a pain!
    Software will "look" for media files but software does NOT have Drag and drop feature like Itunes for ease of use!

    Too pricey!

    Good riddance to Walkman phones!
    Why camera present if pictures aren't that good?

  • Mojo gave a review on 07/07/2009 03:51

    • Good: Looks, music player
    • Bad: MediaGo, Pricey, Videos

    HKD $3950 ~ USD $530

    Good looking phone, finally includes 3.5mm port, Camera is OK (use a real camera for important photos) as close-up shots are pretty good but zoom shots are terrible!

    Very pricey but expected for Overpriced Sony product!!

    Phone call quality is OK not terrific, probably also dependent on phone carrier's network!

    SE's MediaGo software SUCKS like all SE media software! Will NOT replace my PRIMARY media player, Apple's iPod, as iTunes is SUPERIOR than MediaGo!
    - Very difficult to use, does NOT have Drag n Drop feature from PC into software!!
    - Does NOT import existing files from PC well into software, very difficult adding album art to files!
    - Transfer of files to phone's media card is FRUSTRATINGLY S-L-O-W!
    - Playlist creation sucks!!
    - Apple's iTunes is THE leader in Music Software (except for video conversion)!!

    Battery life is Decent as it currently holds ~3-4 days worth of charge.
    - Turn OFF features to conserve battery life: 1) wifi 2) lower brightness 3) background apps.

    Terrible proprietary port for charging is and will forever be present.
    - SE headphones work only with port as headphone wires are too damn short and must be used with speaker wire for incoming calls
    (Why the Hell do some people like this proprietary port? It's terrible!)
    - Thank goodness that a separate 3.5mm port is available but can't use speaker wire for calls so an adapter wire is necessary!

    Very pricey as SE DEMANDS a price premium on ALL their products!
    - Explains why SE's market share is DROPPING as SE is arrogantly targeting the high-end phone market!
    - SE doesn't really have a market in North America (probably because SE knows that Americans are Intelligent enough to complain about the high price and proprietary port)!

    - SE label on front side PEELS off really easily when it should have been indented INTO the plastic instead!
    - How CHEAP of SE to do this!

    According to many news reports, W995 is THE LAST Walkman model so buy while it lasts! Ouch on the price, though!

  • tony ng gave 9/10 on 01/07/2009 16:24

    • Good: small size, all inside
    • Bad: nothing yet

    love it. Its the right size for guys pocket, and fantastic quality of music and photos. Just yesterday I watched a film in the train, works just fine at this screen size! Guess I can leave my iPhone touch at home more often. ;-)

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