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8 April 2008
By: Cosmin Vasile, Communications News Editor
Sony Ericsson W380i Review
Funky music phone with Gesture control function
Sony Ericsson W380i is a low mid-level ranged clamshell, which introduces new features
into the handset market. Besides the external touch music controls that seem to take
advantage of the 'haptic feedback' technology, the clamshell also features gesture control. It
is surprising that the Japanese-Swedish joint-venture decided to test new technologies by
embedding it onto entry level products. Still, this policy will probably make these handsets
sell much better than any other device in their range. Without impressing too much through
its design, Sony Ericsson W380i proves to be an excellent choice for those music lovers
that cannot afford an expensive Walkman series mobile phone.
Announced in November 2007, Sony Ericsson W380i clamshell was out on the market four
months later, in March 2008. Even if it is cheaper than its Walkman series predecessors
are, W380i is still worth no less than USD 320$ (SIM free) and is available in four colors:
Electric Purple, Magnetic Grey, Black Champagne and Black Orange.
Design
Sony Ericsson W380i features a clamshell form factor, but it will not stand out in the crowd.
The phone can very easily stay in a youngster's hands, as well as in a businessman's. It
looks funky, but serious at the same time. Measuring 92 x 49 x 16 mm and weighing 100
grams (including battery), the handset fits perfectly into a medium sized pocket. The
excellent plastic used gives the phone a stylish and trendy look, but W380i is still far from
being a fashion phone. Unfortunately, unfolding it with a single hand is out of the question or
at least very hard to carry out.
External keys are limited to a dual volume key found on the right side of the clamshell, and
the three touch controls placed near the secondary external display. On the left side of the
phone, the proprietary Sony Ericsson port enables users to attach the headset that comes
in the sales package, the charger, or the USB cable for synchronization. There is a bad part
and a good part about this kind of port. While you cannot charge the phone and listen to
music to the headphones also, instead you can charge the battery of the phone during
synchronization with a PC. This will definitely take more time, but at least you get this option
that is not available for too many handsets. The front part of the clamshell features the
secondary external OLED mono display (128 x 36 pixels resolution), which is not visible
until you activate the music player or unfold the phone. At a first glance, the 3 external
music controls placed right under the small OLED display seem to have only an ornamental
purpose, but they're touch keys that control the music player and feature 'haptic feedback'.
You don't need to press too hard on the keys, but only pat them gently as they are very
responsive.
The 1.3 Megapixel camera has been placed above the small screen together with the
speakerphone. On the back of the phone, you will notice a small keylock that unlocks the
external touch keys, so you can start the MP3 player without unfolding the clamshell. The
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