Sony Ericsson T715 deals & review

Summary

If you´re looking for something cheap, fun and yet fully functional, the T715 could be just for you. Featuring all the 3G connectivity and media functioning of many smartphones (just in a smaller, less fancy format), you could do a lot worse than invest (very little) in this little thing. With width and height dimensions not much larger than a credit card, this is one of those phones you can slip into your pocket and forget all about until the time comes to use it.

Add to that some nifty little extras like a desktop calendar and date reminder, a decent camera and some nice hook-ups to Google programs like Maps and Search, and you´ve got one of the best entry level phones around

Specs

• 2.2 inch screen, 262,144 colour TFT, 240 x 320 pixels (QVGA)
• 3G network connection
• Large keypad and font
• Smart desktop and birthday reminders
• 3.2 megapixel camera
• Up to 3.2x digital zoom
• Photo fix
• Send to web
• Video recording
• Album art
• Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
• Media player
• Access NetFront web browser
• Bookmarks
• Google search (from standby)
• Photo feeds
• Web feeds
• Speakerphone
• Video calling (main camera)
• Messaging
• Conversations
• Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
• Sound recorder
• Torch functionality
• 3D Games
• FM radio with RDS
• Java
• Video streaming
• YouTube
• Organizer
• Geo tagging of photos (cell-id)
• Google Maps
• Connectivity
• PictBridge printing
• USB support
• Stereo portable handsfree
• 91.5 x 48 x 14.9 mm
• 96.5 grams
• Colours: Galaxy Silver (piano finish), Rouge Pink (mirror finish)
• Phone memory: Up to 90MB
• SanDisk microSD support
• Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 10 hrs
• Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 400 hrs
• Talk time UMTS: Up to 4 hrs
• Standby time UMTS: Up to 350 hrs
• Video call time: Up to 3hrs

Details

Primarily being targeted at the emerging markets of places like India and China, this phone could still find many a happy owner over here too. Thanks to its no frills approach, the T715 is going to be hitting the shelves in some of the most attractive deals and contract options you´ve ever seen.

That´s not to say that this phone is too basic, far from it. It has a 3.2MP camera that while not employing auto focus, still manages to take a more than decent picture. And along with the camera itself, you´ve also got some quick options to send to web, geotagging functionality, some onscreen editing software, and the thing can also record video.

The 3G connectivity is more than okay, and the browser is simple and intuitive to use. The 2.2” screen is not large, but does a more than competent job of rendering most of the things you can throw at it clearly and brightly. The phone does especially well in direct sunlight, in fact, making it a wise choice during the Summer months!

Finally, it´s worth noting that Sony Ericsson seem finally to have given up on their own version of the memory expansion cards, and you´ll be glad to know that they´re now supporting the ubiquitous SanDisk MiscoSD.

Conclusion

So, this phone isn´t going to win any awards or set the world on fire, but it is a thoroughly competent piece of kit. If you´re not in the market for the very fastest/latest/flashiest then the T715 is well worth a look. And, if you look smart, you´ll find yourself an absolute bargain. Good luck!