Sony Ericsson P990i Review

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Sony Ericsson P990i
2.2 stars
Average rating for this product is: 2.2 out of 5

From 10 ratings and 19 reviews

Thumb down 26% of users recommend this product

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Hank Bolliday's Review of Sony Ericsson P990i

19th Mar 2007

Overall Rating

2 stars
  • Value for money
    1.5 stars
  • Time Phone Owned
    1 - 6 Months
  • Battery Life
    3.5 stars
  • Reception
    1.5 stars
  • Reviewers Network
    Vodafone
  • Screen Quality
    4.5 stars
  • Features
    4.5 stars
  • Style
    2.5 stars
Good Points

Sync with Outlook. Touch screen. Hand-writing recognition.


Bad Points

Reception. Slow. Confusing.


General Comments

I have owned the P800, the P910 and now the P990 so I am not new to these phones. Sure they are bigger than a standard mobile, but right since the P800 they have been a lot more than a phone. For me the ability to take MS Outlook contacts, diary, reminders, etc out of the office has always been the reason for buying one, and I am prepared to overlook some of the other shortcomings in order to get that.

The trouble is, this latest incarnation of the phone is a step backwards.

On the plus side, the size and weight is about the same as the P910/P900 (all bigger than the original P800!). The screen is slightly bigger, but not in any really usable way. The keypad is better than before and I would suggest removing the flip - it makes the phone a bit smaller and you lose nothing. (there is now a screen/keypad lock slider on the side of the phone so removing the flip does not cause the same problems with making inadvertant calls all the time as with previous models).

On the minus side, the GUI (graphical user interface) has changed for the worse. It is confusing, very slow (you often sit there for a second or 2 waiting for a press on an icon to actually do anything!). Its very frustrating. Oddly, the reception seems to be worse (in fringe coverage areas) than the P910. I have had the unit changed by Vodafone and it is still the same. Finally, switching on the the hands-free speakerphone is no longer a single a click (like most other things).

All in all, there are a lot of very smart features in the P990, but reaching them is often so complicated that you tend not to bother.

I would not buy this phone again - if I could find something else to deliver the same integration with Outlook (that does NOT use Windows CE/Mobile like the latest Palm Treo- which is vastly MORE frustrating in my opinion) I would dump the P990 tomorrow.

Sorry Sony, as I have been a great fan up till now. :-(

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