The third Walkman phone launched to date, the W900i is also possibly the most feature-packed model so far. In addition to having a 2-megapixel autofocus camera and Memory Stick Duo slot as with the W800i, the new Sony Ericsson swivel handset now comes with enhanced 30 frames-per-second (fps) video recording, 470MB of onboard memory, as well as 3G connectivity. While its bulky swivel design may be a major gripe for some, the W900i remains a phone that many power users will find hard to resist.

Design

Design At 109 x 24 x 49mm and weighing 148g, the W900i is probably one of the larger handsets in Sony Ericsson's arsenal today and certainly not one that slips into tight pockets (think Motorola's pink RAZR TV ad). Its black glossy surface also tends to attract fingerprints and greasy stains, which can be quite an eyesore for some users. The phone is available in white as well.

On the flip side, the larger size of the W900i offers a comfortable feel when making calls. The big number keys are also responsive and very intuitive for SMS texting. Most of all, we like the semi-automatic swivel design which most users will find similar to its predecessor model, the S700i. One push of the top display panel and the phone snaps into place, revealing the number keypad. The swivel mechanism works both ways, so the phone caters to both left- and right-handers. A selection of sound effects is available for the swivel action.

The layout of the buttons on the W900i is somewhat similar to the W550i, with everything accessible when the phone is closed, save for tasks associated with the number pad. This basically means you will need to swivel open the handset when text messaging or dialing a number manually.

On top of the standard Walkman feature buttons for activating the player, playing and skipping tracks, the W900i also comes with common functional keys as well as camera activation, video call and Internet buttons. Of special note are the two programmable "skip track" keys (when not in Music Player mode) and the Activity Menu button that offers quick access to new events, my shortcuts and bookmarks.

The W900i's large 2.2-inch, 262K-color TFT with QVGA (320 x 240-pixel) resolution is sharp and crisp. However, like the W550i, it does not have a lens cover for its camera, though Sony Ericsson has assured that this is protected by a high-density scratch-resistant material.

Features

Packed to the brim with imaging, music and gaming features, the Sony Ericsson W900i is a phone that can keep you entertained for hours while on-the-go. Its onboard 2-megapixel camera not only produces great images at up to 1,632 x 1,224 pixels, it performs admirably for night shooting, too. The mobile is also ergonomically designed in such a way that it feels like a camera when held in the closed horizontal position.

Expect to find a whole range of camera functions such as 8x digital zoom, photo light, panorama shooting mode and filtering effects. Users can also do some basic picture editing with the PhotoDJ program provided. While video recording is limited to 320 x 240 pixels, the footage is captured at a smooth 30fps and the length of the video appears to be restricted only by the memory space available.

As with other Walkman phones, the W900i is capable of producing high-quality music from both its headset and onboard speaker. The integrated music player supports both MP3 and AAC formats, and comes with playlist creation utilities. MusicDJ, a basic music program that comes preloaded, lets you create customized polyphonic ringtones. The bundled wired remote headset triples as a handsfree kit and FM radio controller.

The W900i also comes with a music mode option--a standard feature on Walkman phones--which allows users to deploy just the audio player alone without having to turn on the handset. This is a great feature for those who want to listen to music in places where mobile phone usage is not permitted.

Where interactive entertainment is concerned, the W900i supports 3D gaming as well as Java MIDP 2. It comes preloaded with three fun games: Asphalt 3D, PowerBall Arcade and QuadraPop.

One of the best features of this Sony Ericsson is its large storage capacity. The handset comes with a whopping 470MB of onboard memory, while the Memory Stick Duo slot is rated to handle cards up to 2GB in capacity. This means users need not worry about space limitations, be it for storing photos, music, games or videos.

Controls and buttons on the W900i are generally intuitive and responsive, though we experienced occasional lags when accessing certain functions. In addition to the standard PIM features, the W900i is equipped with a full range of connectivity options from Bluetooth and 3G to USB and infrared. As expected, the Sony Ericsson handset also comes with speakerphone function.

Performance

During our testing, we experienced no problems with either reception or voice quality. The 900mAh Lithium-ion battery lasted not more than two days on moderate usage, which is disappointing considering that the earlier W800i offered better battery life.

The highest SAR value for this handset is 0.7W/kg, which meets international guidelines for exposure to radio waves.

Verdict

The good: 2-megapixel camera with autofocus; good image capture and audio capability; 30fps video recording; 470MB of internal memory plus expansion slot; multiple connectivity options.

The bad: Bulky; laggy performance; mediocre battery life; only triband support.

The bottom line: If you can get pass the large form factor and steep price, the Sony Ericsson W900i is a powerful handset that should be meet most mobile imaging and multimedia needs.