Sony Ericsson P990i Review

Overall Rating

Large display; looks good (even better with hinged keypad removed).
Good Sony Ericsson support & free software upgrades via their website
WIFI
Touch-screen control
Good PC/mobile synchronising software
Smart business card scanner

Sometimes slow / freezes - would more memory have avoided this?

Have been waiting for this Sony Ericsson P990i mobile for ages. Bought it as an upgrade on 02 for £120, not bad considering was a spare line I had with a low monthly spend. Certainly worth the money.

Found that not all the functions can be used without opening the hinged keypad which I found annoying, esp web access. So took it off, simple to do and instructions were included. Makes the phone a lot less chunky. Thought it would be difficult to text / email with small QWERTY keyboard but got used to it pretty quickly. Character recognition also useful, the stylus neatly slots into back of phone.

Battery was a bit of a nightmare to start with but soon sorted out that issue - reduced the screen brightness from the default 90% to 25%. Sounds unlikely, but 25% is just right.

Imported real-tones - sound good. Camera is good quality.

Re the operating system, I found it temperamental to start with. However, went to Sony Ericsson site and downloaded software to PC that upgraded mobile to latest software. Works a lot better. A word of warning though, all settings, contacts (and everything) will be deleted. I didn't come across any prior warning and realised later that the Synch software has a full back up facility so will know to make use of it next time!

Is a lot more stable now but still one or 2 unexplainable error messages. Over-all, a good buy, good connectivity especially with WIFI and an ideal smart-phone. Highly recommended.

Members' Comments onamdavis's Review

• themaninthevan2001 on 19th Nov 2006

  I love the Sony Ericsson P990i mobile phone! It's got so many features, and the pictures are great too, with the 2 mega pixel camera.

• amdavis on 18th Jan 2007

  Further to my original review, and to maintain my reputation of being a mobile addict, I have since got an N73 on Three and ditched the Sony Ericsson P990i. The camera is 3.2mp. The combination of the 3 network and the N73 are unbeatable. I joined the X-series Gold deal, available on Sony Ericsson W950i and N73 only at present. For £27.50 for 8 months then £45 a month. I get 300 anytime minutes, 1000 texts, 10000 free Windows Messenger messages, free realtime email, free unlimited (mobile phone) web access, free Skype calls, and best of all, for a one-off £99 I got a Sling Box that beams TV direct to my phone for free via my broadband router at home. I can watch any Sky channel on my mobile for free. Highly recommended, and no hitches so far. Ignore the rather childish Three network adverts. They don't do justice. Yes their music, sport and content is fantastic, but their business and smartphone type services are just as good.