Sony Ericsson's Z520a fashioney phone
We hesitate to call it a fashion phone (we actually banetered about that whole thing in today's Podcast), but SE made it clear they've set their sights on the image-conscious consumer with their new Z520a. We didn't really think the Z500a was all that much to look at the first time around, but if the Z520 has one thing going on it's the size and lightness of the device—it's much more conservative in inches and ounces than it actually looks. Expect it to have a 65k color 1.8-inch 160 x 128 pixel display (which was mighty grainy, believe you us), VGA camera, Bluetooth, and a quad-band radio that actually doesn't do EDGE this time.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
Tim Shundo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Too. Many. Cell phones.
Must. Get. All of them.
me @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
When are SE cell phones going to get "send" and "end" buttons?
jake @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
what's with the gigantic belt clip?
iskra @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
#3: that's a bottle opener - SE is aiming at next Octoberfest buyers.
VVff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
"set their sites" is wrong. It should be "set their sights". Fix it.
boss sauce @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
VVff right on-- I was going to be the word bitch but glad you stepped up.
Love the bottle opener-- that's the kind of convergence I can buy into!
Jeff @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Design seems a little wonky. Have a feeling people will like the button style better than the Z500A, though - one thing a lot of people criticize on that phone is the recessed buttons.
Oddly enough, a lot of people seem to like the look of my Z500A... just this weekend, two totally random people I don't even know asked me if they could look at my phone. I almost felt embarrassed to tell them it was free with the carrier subsidy. People always seem to think it's a higher-end, more expensive phone, when in reality it's basically the bottom of the line.
The Z520A looks basically the same feature-wise, but with bluetooth (I guess that's what "QuickShare" means) and no EDGE. Meh, I don't find EDGE all that fast to begin with - I still end up waiting like 30 seconds for a short page of text to come up whenever I use Cingular's web service.
I do think the Z520A is somewhat uglier than the Z500A. At least the Z500A has a fairly standard shape, even if it is big (for a flip phone) and maybe a little too "rounded" for some people.
benhc911 @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
damn, i was going to point out the "site" issue
W Tafe @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Anyone notice it looks like the Z200? hope it isn't a flop like the Z200 and has to be recalled like the Z200
Jody @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Why and when was the Z200 recalled?
Andreas @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
It's kinda interesting seeing Sony Ericsson
releasing all kinds of kick-ass phones in
Japan. And this is what we get..wow..
A crappy makeover of what the now discontinued Z600 model should have looked like when it was first released.
I work within retail, and judging from conversations I've had with Nokia and SE,
they have no intention of standardizing
for instance QVGA displays, which I think everyone would benefit from. Surely, the
cost of making a single type display would
be more efficient in the long run.
Manufacturers should come up more solid products, not just relase 40 phones with
different button layouts. I'd like to
see some quality buttons instead of
wiggly rubber or plastic ones, and less
plastic casings.
Or, how about putting up a list on the
website where users can petition for
features of upcoming models?
Bee @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
How much do you think this phone will cost? I love it, but if it is more than $200, I won't buy it.
Lady in Red @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Sony has a good name - so why go and spoil it with and ugly phone that looks like a glorified bottle opener? LEARN FROM SANYO SEXY PHONE DESIGNE LIKE THE 8100 - come on Sony you can do it too.
Reesey @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
the phone isant going to cost over $200, yea it looks like it would, and it probly should, but they are going to launch this phone at a good price to the customers. :)
Ana @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Do u people know when is it coming out for sale?? And by the way I LOVE IT!
sumer @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I would like to know when it will come out also, i have been waiting forever!
Ana @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
So i found yesterday one site where they have this cellphone in preorder so it may come out like REAL soon.. it is about $400, go to mobilecityonline.com u can find it there.
megan @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
i read on phonescoop.com that this phone will be available thru cingular mid to late october
Marcus @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I sure hope to god cingular does not get there hands on this phone. I think they will ruin it there crap they put on other phones. But funny thing, i am a customer of their service i just hate for them to lock down their stuff on it, im getting this phone preorded to replace my z600 which has served me well.
kri @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I think it looks great. I actually really like the back loop bar that all of you seem to be making fun of. In Japan, they have these small hooks you can attach phone straps to. I have tons of phone straps and soon I will actually have a place to secure them.
to see phone straps: http://www.strapya.com/cutie-pop.htm
Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
FYI-Letstalk.com has this phone available
Joel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
this phone is $99.99 at cingular.com
markflo @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Not only is Cingular offering the phone for $99 with a 2-year contract, but they are also offering a $30 mail-in rebate, for a SWEET net price of $69. Can't beat it for the form and features of this phone -- I'd pay another $50 for a TransFlash slot, though.
Joel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Does anyone know which phone is the best out of these ones, Samsung P207 or Motorola V551 or the Sony Ericsson Z520a ? thanx.
mr.T @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Samsung P207 has EDGE (Z520a doesn't) P207 also has an interesting speach recog for typing emails... P207 has POP3/IMAP4 client preloaded so the phone may be geared to emailing. It is only a tri-band with 5 hr talk time. not sure about the blue tooth...
Moto's v551 has EDGE w/ quadband w/ bluetooth. It has most of the features you want in any phone, but the talk time is less than 4 hours. (SE v520a claims it has 7 hours). Moto is a good basic phone with email/web capability (with EDGE), but lacks fun features, I think.
Joel, it all depends on what you actual use vs what seems cool. I have a notebook with wifi and wireless broadband, so I don't really need EDGE, but the BT is a must, so I went with SE Z520a. Moto would have been my second choice, but the limited talk time (less than 4 hours was the decision point).
Joel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Thanx, does the camera in the SE Z520a take good pictures? Is the call quality good? thanx again mr.T
Todd Gatherum @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
This phone is free through myrateplan.com apparently.
Alec @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Im fron mexico and I have one SE Z520a! Its amazzing! but i didnt configure to internet! What can i do?
Thanks
anirban @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
can i know how much z520a costs in india.be gratefull to u if u
mail to me at shomeanirban@rediffmail.com
Dominique @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The "handlebar" you refer to as a bottle opener is actually the antenna. It is an excellent design as it prevents the problem that most external antennas provide of snapping off. It also provides excellent reception. I am dissapointed that it lacks edge, but the Bluetooth feature on such a low priced camera phone makes it my choice for budget customers.
Dominique
Cingular Wireless
SSG White @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Just got this phone for free from Cingular (got two for free actually) and it has all of the features you could want. If you want Internet I would recomend you get a lapttop, but that's just me. BT, VGA, 4 X Zoom, spkrphone, voicedial, and in a small light weight package. I have had tons of probs with Moto phones, decent luck with mid to high end LG, and SE phones are now my choice. Great phone better price
Jamie @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Uhmm, a good phone is way more important than looks in my humble opinion. I had the nightmare that is the v551. I am getting this one, well the 520a that is, on an upgrade but I just realized... what kind of connection does it use on the charger? I really don't want one like the v551- my current issue. And does the bluetooth really work? And is this phone gonna be another lemon. It seems like ya'll are saying this phone is a redo of a previous model. Does that mean the quirks have been worked? Man I really hope so. Any industry people that can answer, please do. My stress level can really use a calming effect right about now.
Gregg @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
The Bluetooth on my SE T610 worked flawlessly, so I would imagine the newer 520a should be fine too.
Joel @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Does anyone know which is better, The Sony Ericsson Z520a or the Sony Ericsson W600 Walkman? Thanx.
Johnny @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I just ordered this phone for free from Cingular - i am upgrading from the T616 0- ill let you all know how i like it...
Jerome @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I just upgraded to this phone from a v180. lol yes, I know that phone is just a joke. But moving along, this phone is great in comparison to that phone, and many others that I seen. I was going to get the Razr, but at least on paper, the specs seem to be pretty close everything from size and weight to capabilities and funcitions. I did get 2 free at cingular after online discount, and mail-in rebates. I am also 10 states away from my home, and my reception has remained at a full 5 bars the entire time here.
Robert @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
How did you get it free with Cingular? It's listed as $49.99 after rebate when I look on their site.
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I just got the phones yesterday and have been pretty impressed with them, with one flaw though - I can't seem to figure out the 4x zoom. I'm only getting 2x out of mine. Any suggestions ??
The bluetooth works flawlesly between my Dell Pocket PC, even put a couple of real (song) ringtones on it over the Bluetooth. Voice command works well also, and receptions been good too.
But that camera/zoom thing has me bothered...instructions say to use the volume, but that adjusts the brightness. The scroll ring adjusts the zoom (on my phone), but only to 2x
Chris @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Get it on Amazon.com ... it's -$100.00 after their savings.
John @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
You can get the SE Z520a FREE at WireFly.com
Same Cingular call plans and they also added a free vehicle charger too. I also downloaded software at SonyEricsson.com (PC Suite, Applications, Drivers and scripts, Imaging)
The only problem I'm having is finding accessories. (protective case) Other then that, Seems to be a decent phone.
Allie Crow @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Does anyone know where i can find style-up covers for this phone?
Thanks!
Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hi! Looking for Outlook sync capabilities, and I'm considering the V520a or Motorola MXP220, which is much more expensive. Is anyone using the Outlook syncing feature of the V520a, and how is it working out for you? TIA Bill
Bill @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Hi! Looking for Outlook sync capabilities, and I'm considering the V520a or Motorola MXP220, which is much more expensive. Is anyone using the Outlook syncing feature of the V520a, and how is it working out for you? TIA Bill
Andrew @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Do this phone have the feature that you can label a picture to a number? So when someone calls you can see the picture with the phone closed?
Justin @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
"Hi! Looking for Outlook sync capabilities, and I'm considering the V520a or Motorola MXP220, which is much more expensive. Is anyone using the Outlook syncing feature of the V520a, and how is it working out for you? TIA Bill"
- I am actually selling my Motorola MPX220 on ebay. I've had the phone for a few weeks now ,and recently during calls I hear beeps then the call is dropped. Menu's take seconds to bring up... and the Camera isn't so good, or the screen's refresh rate is slow. When viewing or taking pictures they look bad compared to my old Nokia 6620. The phone is packed with features being that it has Windows mobile 2003 ,but the phones features all work just decently to Okay.
So, I plan on getting the SE Z520a. Anyone know how the camera's quality is ? And is it easy to connect via Bluetooth to a PC to use the phone as a modem ?
Thanks.
Melody @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Ok a few answers for everyone:
1. I was considering this phone, the Motorola RAZR, and the MPX220. The RAZR is expensive and I heard the only good feature is the looks -- the earpiece volume is bad (I've had the Motorola V300 and V660 and they both have the same software which has a low volume, and you have to put the earpiece exactly at a certain angle on your ear or you can't hear a thing). The MPX220 is also expensive and I've heard from a lot of people that it has many flaws (such as dropping calls as mentioned above). SonyZ520a supposedly has better reception, longer talk time, and is lighter. So I opted for this phone because of the low price.
2. For those of you buying this online outside of Cingular, please be careful! I would avoid places like Wirefly.com or Letstalk.com, since they are notorious for ripping people off and rejecting rebates. Instead, go to Amazon. The price will be the same, and Amazon is really reliable about rebates!
3. On the Cingular website, this phone was free after rebate during Thanksgiving week. Sometime during the following week, they raised the price so now it's $49.99 after rebate. If you plan on keeping your phone number, you should get the phone from Cingular or forget about the rebates. If you buy your phone anywhere else and port in your old number, your rebate is no longer valid. This is a Cingular policy and not specifically related to this phone.
4. According to the descriptions online, this phone does show the picture of who's calling on the screen outside of the phone.
5. The accessories for this phone (like style-up covers) don't seem to be available yet. I'm guessing it's because it was released in Q4 2005 (October). They should be selling the accessories soon, if they want to make any profit.
6. The Sony Ericsson W600 phone definitely looks better than this phone, but remember it's also more expensive. Also, because it has a lot of other devices integrated into one (the FM radio player & widescreen gaming for example) I'm guessing they're going to compromise on phone quality because it's already going to be a great seller; also because it's one of the first types of this phone it will be kind of like a guinea pig and not a flawless phone. Really it's hard to say since they both have good reviews for now. I personally like flip phones and smaller, lighter phones which makes the Z520a the obvious choice for me. You have to decide what's important to you -- price and functionality (Z520a), or looks and extra features (W600).
7. It says this phone synchronizes the calendar and contacts with your PC. The only way I can think of that working is through Outlook, unless they give us some CD with software to do this (doubtful).
Hope this helps! I'll update you all when I get my phone and let you know if I come across any problems.
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
I have (2) of the Z520a phones, got them Friday, and yes it will show the callers picture on the outside screen and assign a different ringtone to that caller if you'd like.
Haven't tried the synchronization yet for Outlook, but the bluetooth works flawlessly.
***However, as I stated in message 38 (above), both Sony, Cingular, and the instruction manual say the phone has a 4x zoom controlled by the volume, but both I and the Cingular store I went to yesterday could only get 2x out of the camera, and it's controlled by the navigation ring, not the volume. The volume controls the brightness. Not that this might matter, but if your paying for something advertised as such, you expect for it to work.
Let me know how you others have faired with this zoom feature.
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
>>>Bill and Justin<<<
I will try the sync capability with the Outlook (I think it's a scaled back version for Windows Mobile) on my Dell Pocket PC later today and let you know how things go. I don't have a bluetooth/USB adapter for my desktop (yet) to try it to that Outlook. Been using the cradle to sync the PPC to the computer.
Jim @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
First I'd like to say that these GSM phones w/ their feature are new to me, as I upgraded from an old TDMA Nokia (of 5 yrs). So it's gonna take a short time to figure my way around these features.
But in the few minutes I had to try syncing my Dell PPC to my phone, I was able to send selected appointments to the Z520a via bluetooth. But I think the lack of a complete calendar sync is on the PPC side, as at the time it was asking to select appoinments to send. Maybe Outlook (on the desktop) is more capable of a complete sync ? But there were no hic-cups w/ the phone accepting the push from the PPC and storing the info in the proper places (automatically).
The "synchronization" feature on the phone asks for a WWW address to pull information from. I'm not yet ready to play with this feature and get socked with additional charges (have accumulated enough right now), but maybe next billing cycle.
Maybe this was of no help, not sure. But I'm not through yet on figuring out the capabilities of this phone.
Brianna @ Dec 19th 2005 12:54AM
Do the faceplates for the Z520a (white, silver, etc.) come in the box with the phone? I seem to be getting conflicting answers...