Video capture is rather lacklustre at a max resolution of 320 x 240 at a flaky 15fps. But the shortcut keys are useful for accessing the camera features on offer and it does encourage you to play around with these settings, rather than just accepting the defaults. The LED flash is only really useful for finding keyholes in the dark, as it lacks any power to illuminate the subject – when it does, it results in a nasty blue-ish cast over everything. There is no auto mode for the flash, just as there is no autofocus – it is a fixed focus camera. You get continuous or single shot toggle, white balance, self timer and the option to turn the LED "flash" on and off. It means that you don't have to dive into the settings, select video, and then start shooting, so you might be more likely to capture whatever it was you wanted.Īlong the side of the keyboard (on the 3, 6, 9, # keys) are further shortcuts pertaining to the camera. The video button is interesting as this is something of a unique feature. The zoom is digital, so isn't worth using – you are better off sticking with the full resolution and cropping the image to get the detail you want later, or just taking two steps forward. The right-hand side also sees a dedicated shutter button, a video button and the volume rocker, which doubles as a zoom for the camera. Around the back is a 2.0-megapixel camera, with a small LED light in place of a flash. Moving around the handset you find the first glimpses of another purpose to the handset: using the camera. You get used to it, but it does feel a little funny. The design of the two shortcut buttons under the screen is rather odd too – the text at the bottom of the screen which they refer to is never in line with the part of the button that actually moves and "clicks" to confirm that action. The buttons have a distinct enough click to them, but as a phone it doesn't feel great to use: if you are an avid texter looking for an affordable device, you might find this doesn't really suit. This cheap feeling rolls over the keypad too. The plastics are smooth and lack any sort of tactile properties, so we dropped the phone a couple of times as it slipped through our fingers. The choice of materials used for the S312 matches its budget status, but takes it in the wrong direction: it feels cheap, but sitting on the table it looks pretty snappy. That said, the weight is something of a problem and probably not for the reason you'd think, so bear with us. It feels a little light in the hand, a little too light perhaps. It is relatively compact, measuring 100 x 46 x 12.5mm and weighing 80g. The S312 is a typical candybar phone from Sony Ericsson, with the screen occupying the top half and the 12-key keypad the bottom, with the usual shortcut keys across the middle. But is this a viable camera phone, or does it struggle to drag itself out of the bargain basement? The W580i phone is GSM compatible, so it’s available for carriers such as AT&T and T-Mobile.The Sony Ericsson S312 is pitched as an entry-level handset, with a few added touches that bring the camera to the fore. Music playback is first rate, the audio quality is great, and the interface functions are very similar to an iPod. The 2.0 megapixel camera performs more like a 3 megapixel camera, giving us great photos. Even during music playback, the phone functions as it should, with no noticeable delays. Using it, you’ll notice instantaneous action every time you press a key or access a menu. Unlike many feature-rich phones today, Sony Ericsson has done a good job ensuring the CPU in the phone is capable of doing all it promises. If you get a call during music playback, the song pauses automatically, allowing you to answer calls without fumbling with the keys. The headphone port accepts standard headphones, so your favorite set of headphones will probably be compatible. The phone comes standard with power adapter, USB attachment cable, headphone adapter, ear buds and a MemoryStick (storage capacity may vary). For example, if you’re dialing without looking at the screen, you’re not left wondering whether you actually hit that last key. The keys, while flat, offer good tactile feedback. The W580i excels in this area, offering clear reception and good battery life. Despite the emphasis placed on camera phones, music features, Internet connectivity, a cell phone should function first and foremost as a tool for voice communication. After spending a week with the W580i, I’m sad to give it back.įirst things first: the W580i works great as a phone. I prefer clamshell/candy bar style phones, and have never been terribly impressed with slider phones. Description: Initially, I experienced a bit of trepidation over the sliding form factor of this phone.
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