It's a decent phone with good reception. The media player is a mixed blessing
The media player is a mixed blessing.
Sure, it plays music and audiobooks and it sounds fine but ...
Bad news....
1. The controls are still too SMALL and NOT that user friendly. Fastforward/Reverse dials are Too small so it's easy to skip a file and it scrolls to fast forward/backwards!! Also, goto comment 4.
2. Media Manager software STINKS! Have NOT been able to install or use it so just drag n drop files onto media card
3. Without a playlist, the media player has LOTS of problems playing the files; creating a playlist IN the phone is a reall PAIN esp. if you have to categorize >1 song; imagine Manually ADDING 400 files into a playlist on the phone?!
- Must create playlist beforehand with song files in folders before transfer or else it'll be a problem playing those files! What a PAIN!!!
4. Media player settings do NOT allow songs to "remember playback position". This is especially frustrating when listening to audiobooks!! Imagine listening to an audiobook near the end, a phone call comes in, media player stops, later after the call, resume audiobook playback. The file starts at the Beginning instead of resuming where it left off before the call! Damn frustrating!
- Also, drag n drop transfer time is LONG! For >400 files, tookk ~45-60 minutes!! It's ridiculous as iTunes can transfer similar amount of files to iPod much quicker!!
5. SE insists using their proprietary port. Adding insult to injury, it's located on the side not bottom of the phone! Too many people have already commented elsewhere about this problem!! Don't get me started with this!!!
6. Pricey!
7. Tech support is not very good! Standard, preset email responses and terrible spellers. Reps should check their spelling before replying!
8. May have issues if phones are bought (i.e. imported) into countries that do not carry SE phones (i.e North America is NOT a primary market for SE phones so a majority of the phones are Imported).
9. Control settings are standard across SE phones, mostly, but some settings are confusing and hidden under Sub-menus!!
10. Where's Wifi?!
11. Camera should NOT be included since it lacks autofocus and flash! Only meant for daytime shots! Could've used the room for better controls or something!
Good news....
1. Good reception
2. Music quality playback is good
3. Accepts BST-40 battery, not just BST-33, which has a higher charge capacity so it'll increase the usage time! Woo Hoo!
Rating: 7/10


