I've owned the p800, the p900, the p910, and now have the p990... and have to say that they seem to get worse with time... Clunkier, more restrictive, and more prone to lag, and slow response times. Whether it's to do with my phone being an Orange model or not I don't know, but start up and shut down times are risible... It's a phone, and it takes nearly 40 seconds to start up... Ridiculous.

In all fairness the p910 was actually my favourite, with the addition of software like Sman, Tracker and Smartmovie... it became the device it was supposed to be. Completely accessible, able to play Divx files, and quick and responsive.

This will almost certainly be the last time I buy from the SE P series... I've had enough... bloated, restricted, and underpowered. The only reason I bought it was an upgrade from the p910 contract was free.. on a tariff that gave more for less money...

Should be in the rubbish bin. I've had nothing but problems with my P990i.

Bought the Sony Ericsson P990i to upgrade from really old T610, I wanted to use a better camera and email facility. I only have a few faults.

The phone 50% of the time, turns itself back on when I've switched it off. I have to remove the awkward battery case to stop this. Every time.

Can no longer receive or send MMS messages without "Kern applic Failure la la la " message appearing. The helpful chap in the Orange shop cannot fix it.

It's painfully slow to start, open applications, switch applications.

You can delete a selected bunch of messages in the sent box, but not in the inbox, it's 1 at a time or all of them. ??

Battery life's not great, It's heavy and bulky.

It's really hard to get to the handsfree quickly, especially if you're driving. Because it's so slow.

I can't really fathom out how to use the PC software and visibly see what it's backed up.
Sony give you a help email address at the back of the manual. They haven't replied over 3 messages/3 months. I'm scared to do the software update in case the phone gets worse.

It's absolutely awful at keeping the correct time, I lost 15 minutes in 3 weeks. You can however set time updates, but... you get these almost every couple of hours, have to scroll down 13 countries to select uk, confirm. It's all a bit of a kerfuffle.

The gaming is good though, and the screen pixel quality, camera quality, durability (dropped it a few times, still works ok), volume, video calling. WAP browsing's quick.

Good job I'm not the stressy type.

I have been a P series fan since the P800 came out. I have owned all and have found the P990i to be a huge disappointment. I upgraded from the P910i and still prefer to use it. It seems to be the best P series phone. WiFi is nice, internet browser could use a lot of improvement, but so can the browser for Windows 5.0. The screen seems to be very finicky for touchscreen purposes. The stylus is located in a poor position. Battery cover is very difficult to remove. Volume on the handset is very attenuated which makes it hard to hear out of in a car or average noisy environment. Sony has replaced the phone once and did some kind of software upgrade to improve it, but there is no change in performance or reliability. If you don't need WiFi or a 2 megpix camera, buy the P910i. I have no issues with my P910i

The Sony Ericsson P990i is a very bad product. Considering its retail price, it is not really worth it.

Right, before I start my ramble please understand this and remember it as you read. I am a life long fan of the 'P' series PDA phones having owned every one and recommending them across the board to everyone.

The P990!!!!!!!!!! read on.

I have had a P990i for some 4 months now it is my second one, the first being faulty with numerous defects. I think 4 months is long enough to give a reasoned review.

I have the following problems with this phone;

Cannot use calendar, any attempt to access it results in a small box flashing 'busy' for 30 seconds before it tells me their is insufficient memory (I currently have 62MB on the phone and 960MB on the card). After this I have to restart the phone (again)!
The phone only rings on calls as and when it decides to, I can put it on my desk here with a full signal, call it from my landline and 3 to 4 times out of 10 it will not ring!

The whole phone process is extremely slow, painfully slow to be precise taking a long time to switch between screens in any application.

The video camera is useless, if videoing a person speaking the words are spoken almost half a second before the person moves their lips!

People will tell you to go to task manager and close the programs after you use them, why does the phone not do this if your not multitasking (try it its laughable). Their was no need to do this on the 910.

Sony will tell you to re-load the software from their update service (done this 76 times), restart it to free up memory blocks (usually occurs 6 - 10 times per day) or master re-set (very convenient).

Add to this a little story for you to read; at a New Years Eve party I received a call during a conversation with a person I had just met (yes the phone actually rang, novelty) after the call he looked at me and said "P990 eh" and then proceeded to reel off all the defects on the phone I have plus a lot more! does he have a P990? NO he is an independent reviewer of hardware released by or used by Orange and as he said and I quote "they are rubbish, simply rubbish".

To summarise, it's useless and I am really surprised by this after having all the previous incarnations of the 'P' series (910i was brilliant).

A very shoddy device which will cost SE many loyal customers, me included.

Sorry SE but the truth is painful.

****Update

Hi again,

Posted review of this phone yesterday.
Since then it completely failed just flashing black and white.
I called Orange, they sent a replacement and it arrived at 9am this morning (nice one Orange)

Guess what, it has all the same faults straight out of the box, this phone is absolute rubbish, don't go within a million miles of it, get a cheap phone and a notepad, way better.

Marcus (extremely disappointed)

I was very excited about getting this phone, but I am now a bit depressed.

The frequent software glitches and hangups that I get with the Sony Ericsson P990i mobile phone are now very frustrating, and I am not multitasking.

I have owned the P990i for about 2 weeks and I LOVE IT. If you use the phone properly you will find out it does not crash. When you finish using a program you CLOSE IT. Try using the task manager for multi tasking. That should solve the problem. Give the phone a chance. It is an awesome phone and one of the best phones I have owned. I used to be a Nokia customer but after buying the P990i I stopped and transfered to Sony Ericsson right away. I read many bad reviews about the P990i but i still bought it. Most of the peoples reviews i have read don't even know what the Task manager is. Obliviously its gonna freeze if your using 5 programs at a time. Lets not forget its a Phone. I recommend it to every one. Trust Me.

I have had the previous two versions (Sony Ericsson P900 and the P910), and they all worked brilliantly. I was really looking forward to the Sony Ericsson P990i mobile phone, and I waited until October to upgrade, as I heard there where software issues. Since then, I have had to replace it three times. Vodafone have been good in replacing them immediately, but they have told me over the phone that they have had no complaints. However, the relief when I read the Reviews on Review Centre, that so many of the other reviewers, also on the Vodafone network, agree with me that this is probably the worst phone ever produced. It is a real relief that as a business user (not a great computer buff), that I am not alone in owning a worthless piece of plastic. It makes me feel human again, and not a complete dunce.

Sony Ericsson have got to sort the issues out.

I can only agree with all the other comments here. When I bought this phone I bought it on the list of functions - and they are impressive (tri-band phone, radio, camera, video player, Internet access, etc., etc.). But having all these function is no use at all if you can't work out how to use them - and this is the biggest failure of this phone. The user interface is truly appalling.

A good user interface is one which is intuitive to the user; one which is organised the way the user thinks. And a user thinks in terms of what they want to do (phone someone, take a picture, access the internet, etc.). But this phone's user interface is not organised like that. Instead it is organised based on the functions they have built into the phone. So if you want to access the Internet you'll look in vain for an "Access the Internet" function. Instead there are some internet-connection functions under Connection manager and other elsewhere - but nowhere does it tell you how to make them work together - you have to use trial and error. It took me weeks to work it out.

Likewise the camera. The quality is good - but the way the controls for the camera have been organised is bizarre. You spend half your time trying to work out where the camera controls are rather than concentrating on the picture.

As an example of how bad the user interface is, whilst I was still trying to work out how to use this phone (it comes with a 150-page User Manual which is as badly organised as the user interface) I bought my daughter an iPod for her birthday. This does not come with a user manual; it has a single instruction sheet which basically says - plug into a USB port on a computer go to this website and click the "download" button. I did this and it downloaded the software, configured it, searched the PC for all the video clips, photos, and music (which were all over the place as one would expect given a teenagers' propensity for tidiness), organized it, indexed it, synced it with the iPod, uploaded it and updated the software). Now THAT is a well-designed user interface.

Meanwhile after spending days struggling to get the phone's WiFi to work I finally found by trial and error that if you have your Wireless LAN set up to NOT broadcast it's SSID (recommended for security) then this phone cannot link to it.

I have been a Sony customer for years - and this is my second Sony Ericsson phone in succession. But it'll be my last and I most certainly won't be buying another SonyEricsson. I am instinctively NOT an Apple fan, but having seen the iPod ease of use at first hand, if the Apple iPhone is half as good as the initial reviews say it is, then Sony Ericsson is dead in the water as a phone manufacturer and I'll be an Apple convert.

Terrible phone don't get - although packed with many features it has too many problems to name

I loved my Sony Ericsson P9901 for about a day. Then the problems started... I really really wish it worked properly but my problems are well explained by everyone else who has one. These phones are just not right at all.
Big software problems which causes the phone to lock up/freeze a lot.
Takes about 5 minutes to reboot it each time and it happens several times each week. This phone has completely put me off Sony Ericsson phones as they knew these phones were not right but they released them anyway. I'm looking for a new phone right now and can't wait to send this piece of junk off to be recycled!

I really want this phone to be good, infact it would be nice if even average but it pains me to say that it is absolute Junk, its not even heavy enough to be a door stop. I've had mine for 2 months, I had a P800 before then Nokias in between. The symbian software seems so un intuitive, it's an absolute git to use, When trying to wrestle it out of the case to answer its all too easy to acidently reject the call, the software is really buggy as well as rubbish. Here's a list of errors with mine still un resolved.
P990i Problems 21_11_06 (on Vodaphone)
1.Call monitor fails to log all calls - some are logged and some are not? No obvious pattern for this
2. Clock keeps appauling time, loses around 3 minutes a week. I had a wind up Timex as a child that was more accurate
3. Answer button randomly disconnects incoming calls when pressed, other person is told that I have disconnected. I then have to try and call them back which doesn't always work
4. Phone lock code is randomly asked for when trying to answer a call before it will bring up the menu that allows me to answer. Normally by the time i've entered the code then pressed the 'Done' button, its too late to answer the call as its gone to voice mail
5.After using a bluetooth headset (Sony Ericsson) the phone then won't revert to using its built in ear piece and speaker, often then crashes when trying to get it back on with the only solution being to remove the battery and restart the machine.
6. Answer key does not work with Sony Ericsson bluetooth head set, the same head set works perfectly fine with other head sets, even a Nokia! It does work fine with the ear piece version supplied however.
7. The speaker phone option randomly fails to work, usually it works initially however eventually it decides not to work despite be available and selected in the menu, the only way to get it working is to switch the phone off and back on again.
8. Generally the software is diabolical, if somebody calls whilst writing a text it disregards the text and I have to start again. If the text is longer than a standard single text message, it warns me when I try to send it (which is fine) then I am left with 2 choices, either send it as a multiple text, or cancel it in which case it deletes the text, there is no option to edit the text back into a single text message length.

I have given the phone a 1 star rating only because there is not an option for zero stars. Its crap, Sony Er' should be ashamed of it, it's been released before the bugs were sorted and the usability assessed and properly developed.

I have used Ericsson and Sony Ericsson phones for a number of years now (5 or 6). I have had the P800 and P910, both of which were great phones. So I was very excited when the P990 was announced. It seemed to deal with most of the small things the previous phones lacked. It had a very clear screen and a usable keyboard, amongst other new features. The only issue I could see was with the scroll wheel. It was 5d on the predecessors, but it now seemed to only be 3d. No matter, I can learn to live with that.

However, that all paled into insignificance when measured against what is actually wrong with the phone. I am a Vodafone customer. They have been fine. They have replaced my P990 3 time now. Every phone has had the same issues, and each one I get seems to find a few new ones.

- The phone is better looking than its fore-runners. It feels very solid. The screen is crystal clear, and only slightly shorter and slightly wider than the P910 (in order to fit on the keyboard). The phone loses nothing from this decrease in screen size. The picture quality, and the fact that some application (like the internet) can be used landscape, are an absolutely acceptable trade-off. The keyboard is great. I have pretty chubby fingers, and I have no issue typing at a reasonable rate with my 2 index fingers. The keys feel firm (not rubbery), and the feedback is very positive.

- The camera is also very good. Yes there are better out there, but 2MP will be good enough for a 6x10 photo print. You have to work the settings a little to get good results, and don't even think about low light if you want to print your picture. However, for a phone it is just the job. It has digital zoom, flash, exposure settings and a decent quality video recorder.

- The interface is a little tricky to get to grips with, especially if you have used the P800 or P910 before. However, as with these things, you get used to it.

- The video playback is fantastic. I have a piece of software for converting DVD to MP4. The quality is amazing on playback. I can say no more. Sound quality is fine, and headphones (with mic) are supplied.

- The MP3 player is also fine. Reasonable functionality; just the job. you will need to add more than the 64Mb memory stick supplied.

- There is a spreadsheet and document editor, as well as a PDF and presentation viewer, which are all fine.

- One of the coolest functions is the business card scanner. Take a photo of a business card and it uses OCR (optical character recognition) to put all the details into an entry in the phone book. I have tried many types of business card, and it is pretty good.

- The FM radio is good. RDS etc.

That is the end of the good stuff. Here are some of my issues so far. I will try to keep details to a minimum as I could go on for days...

- When I am performing a task with the flip closed and I decide I want to open it half way through (texting, e-mailing, taking a photo) the phone just locks up. Only taking out the battery will sort it (my friend gets the same problem, but when he is closing the flip mid task).

- The phone has random memory errors and closes applications midway through a task.

- There are plenty of other random errors (E32USER-CBase etc). Phone locks, and removing the battery is the only way out.

- Some applications just do not open sometimes. They are selected, the icon blinks and nothing happens. Sometimes needs a reboot to get things moving again.

- The 5d wheel of the old phones has been replaced with a 3d one, and a button for moving back out of applications. Not as good as the old phones, but you get used to it.

Basically, the software is not very good. I have the latest version. A few of my friends have the same phone and the same issues. If Sony Ericsson cannot sort it then I am going to swap this one for something different. I am very disappointed. I think this phone could have been good. It was 6 months late and not working properly.

It is great on paper, but not good in practice. Perhaps you should wait for these issues to be sorted before purchasing, or look for an alternative. ********** UPDATE TO MY REVIEW OF 21st NOVEMBER 2006. **********

In an effort to give the phone one last chance I bypassed Vodafone and contacted Sony Ericsson support by phone. I got through very quickly and they were very helpful. They gave me the address of their repair center and I posted the phone recorded delivery.

About 5 days later my phone came back and it 100% improved. I still have the odd reboot (once or twice every 2 weeks but my phone is never turned off so I kind of expect it) but other than that it is working fine. I would recommend to anyone who is having issues to do this. It is well well worth it and proved to be very little hassle.

Battery life is longer.
Applications open quicker.
Phone is more stable.
Very very few memory errors (and they never stop the phone working when I get them).
No more call drop-outs.

see my previous review for more detail on the phone itself.

REMEMBER TO BACK UP THE PHONE BEFORE SENDING FOR REPAIR. They reset the phone and install new software. All the memory will be cleared. Also remove and keep the battery, battery cover, sim card and memory card. Best of luck.

My primary purpose of buying this phone was as a PDA. The back up and synch functions actually work this time which is a major improvement. But if you buy this phone prepare to be saddled with a software more unstable than a virus ridden windows 95. I think Sony shouldn't have launched this phone without first stabilising their software. My recommendation is the Nokia E63 if you want all the functions of the P990i on a stable platform. Only drawback is the camera.

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.

I have been waiting a long time to get the Sony Ericsson P990i and I am a little disappointed that in 3 weeks I have had 4 handsets - all with the same general problems. Clearly SE have released this product onto the market place without fully testing the new OS. Several problems!

1)To use the currency converter you have to put in the current USD exchange rate, even if you want to go GBP to EURO or Yen to Kroner.
2)If you answer a call within 2 rings it sends a busy tone!
3)It flicks between desktop, keys locked and screen saver constantly without pressing anything thus wasting the battery.
4)Generally won't use personal ring tones.
5)Software is very slow.
6)Middle key that does most things is hard to press

The Sony Ericsson P990i is an excellent phone! I bought mine from mobileshop.com who to be fair, were excellent, ported my number and delivered the phone within 1 day. Phone was free, 18 month contract and £30/mo, on o2 with 400 mins and 100 texts. I think this was a bargain considering the phone has been out about 1 week.

After owning both the P900 and P910i, I am slightly disappointed as the front is like stepping back in time to the P900 (well the flip certainly is as the buttons look very similar). I think SE should have put more effort into the flip as it seems a little "oh that will do" for me.

Overall a good phone, which to be honest, probably blows away all other Smart Phones out now or within the next year, SE has the edge because they have made proven winners in both the P900 and P910i.