The Sony Ericsson P990 UMTS and WiFi smartphone is official

At last. After all the leaked photos, Sony Ericsson really had no choice but to officially announce the Hermione P950 P1000 P990 "well ahead of availability." This 3G (UMTS) smartphone has the same dimensions as the P910 but adopts the Symbian OS 9.1 and UIQ 3 software platform while throwing down with WiFi (802.11b), Bluetooth, a 2 megapixel camera with "photo light," video calling, FM radio, MP3 and MPEG-4 player, and keyboard (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or Russian) underneath the flip-down keypad. Web browsing is accomplished in landscape mode on the 2.8-inch QVGA screen using the new Opera 8 browser and is "prepared for all major push e-mail clients." The unit ships with 80MB free memory and a 64MB Memory Stick Pro DUO card in the box. The P990 will drop in Europe and Asia in Q1 2006. More pix after the jump.

[Thanks, everyone who sent this in]

[Jonathan @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

WOOOW!!!! I want one!!!

[Beun @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

[quote]
Web browsing is accomplished in landscape mode on the 2.8-inch QVGA screen...
[/quote]

The screen seems to be square... How would it matter to have it landscape or not?

[Cem @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I'm not sure about this phone. The features are nice, but the design could be better in my opinion. It's too bulky.

[Verbal_Kint @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Not really square #2, look here http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p990/p990.jpg

(picture from clubsonyericsson.com)

[H3660 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

What no hard drive?! GPS would have made it complete! Come on SE, Treo/HTC give us an 'All-in-One' device.

[Dave Zatz @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Wow, those are some nice specs! Probably too nice for my wallet, but one can hope. :)

[Jonathan Marks @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I hope they listened to Engadget and others when it came to the software side.... The 800 and 910 were not finished from a lot of user perspectives. Try and use the jotter while talking to someone on the phone. And it needs to be thinner (Is that a 990 in your pocket or are you just pleased to see me, etc.). I hope the front is not prone to breaking like my old 800 was (if the supporting tabs break, the buttons are useless).

I guess the announcement in the UK is timed to fit the Symbian show tomorrow in London

[Henrik @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I was really hoping this would be announced with W850, but maybe later today...

[Galley @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Mmm... Opera 8...

[Luis Camino @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

by the way, in case you didn't notice, the press release doesn't say anything about the flip being dettachable, nor pictures showing the phone without the flip are available...

that . plainly . sucks

and . i'm . all . w850

[Delta737 @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

The flip is dettachable. When you watch a "local" product page (like the Dutch or German) there are a lot of pictures without the flip!

[TZK @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Keyboard seems cramped - as all upright orientated phones go. I really wish more landscape kBs would be released. Of course, the HTCWizard is nice.... though, it dosnt have memory expansion? Thats insane.

[Luis Camino @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

thanks for the finding delta737!

[iDriveX @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Is this guy remote controlling his television with it?

http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/products/p990/p990_offhand.jpg

[David @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Looks like my Kyocera Palm Smartphone from many eons ago. Albeit with a requisite color screen for today's customers.

[I.E @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Without flip
http://www.sonyericsson.com/images/spgc/CWS31AFW_14380high_35_0_4000.jpg

[leon @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Hmmmm, the qwert should have been on the outside of the flip (with the numbers on the inside, how often do you need to input numbers?) but wifi!? Cool!!!

[Chris P @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Don't really like the flip. It was acceptable with the p800 as you got more screen underneath it, but using it to cover up a qwerty keyboard seems silly when other people have managed to integrate the numeric keypad into a qwerty keyboard without any problem. Other than that, looks like quite a cool device.

[lkluj @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Well, it IS a killer device. I want one. My p910 suddenly got old :/

[Nuno @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

" a 2 megapixel camera with �photo light,�"

ahaha funny :P

[HITMAN TYTY @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

HELLO!
In my oppinion SE made a BIG mistake by copying the "PALM" device! I really loved Sony Ericsson(I had P800,P900,P910i) but P990 doesn't impress me at all! WHAT IS WITH THAT SCREEN? THAT "QWERTY" is mayby for my little sister:D
The good thing is 2MP camera...but.....P990 I think will be a failure! :((((((((((((((

PS: Nokia 9500 rulz! No opponent for its keyboard! Sorry for my english!

www.smartphones.bravehost.com -->it's mine!

[Tom Ellison-Newton @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

After using the P910 for 12 months, I've got used to the large screen. Having the buttons on the flip was never a winner, but sacrificing the screen size to put the qwerty keyboard on the device was a bad move I think.

Other than that, the P990 is what the P910 should have been.

Sorry to be negative.

[Daley Wear @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This phone looks damn fine, but now i have a dilema....
I have been looking at the new HTC/O2 XDA Exec. Do you think i should still buy that, or wait and hold out for the new SE P990??

Cheers for the advice.

[Duffboy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

http://www.sonyericsson.com/spg.jsp?cc=gb&lc=en&ver=4000&template=pp1_loader&php=php1_10336&zone=pp&lm=pp1&pid=10336

[warrenpeace� @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Ugly. And I can't imagine that flip up phone pad lasting long. Some people are harsh with their stuff and I can see that snapping off before long.

[Snowmobile @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Actually, the screen's surface area has increased, which is more important than the diagonal measure IMO.

[Doug Thacker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

One word: Yes!

[Doug Thacker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

One word: Yes!

[BaconBandit @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Let me be the first to point this out - Sony loves macs. Why?
Look ...

http://www.sonyericsson.com/images/spgc/CWS31AFW_14374high_28_0_4000.jpg

Is that a powerbook running iCal? Why yes it IS!!!! HaHA!!

Moto, where's your A1010? BRING IT!!! (I'd actually prefer theirs over the Sony's)

[Doug Thacker @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This thing appears to have everything - and more - that I wrote about here, here, and here.
Only, it wasn't Nokia who did it, or will do it, but rather Sony Ericsson.

The only thing that might keep me from buying this (other than the FCC), is if you can't turn off the shutter sound the camera makes.

[Oliver @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

the thing i don't quite understand is how the flip comes off..

If you just take the keypad off then you will be left with the bit it connects to sticking out. Or is the whole bottom section removable and replaceable with a new one that lacks the keypad?

I think it looks great without the flip and might just sway me away from getting the Nokia N70.

[Jimmy @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This solves my main two issues with the P910

- Camera. 2MP auto-focus with lens cover and flash is perfect.

- Crappy syncing. Nice to see that they've gone with the industry standard - SyncML. It'll sync like magic with a Mac now.

WiFi, 3G, radio, etc. are all just bonuses to me. :)

[constant @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Looks like only thing missing is EDGE. And that's a pity :-(

[i.p.freely @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I didn't see anywhere saying it was being sold in US. Does it mean I have to go to Europe to get one of these?

[Snowmobile @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

@ #31

It comes with a piece to put over the hinges to hide and protect them, as wel as being aesthetically more pleasing.

http://www.sonyericsson.com/images/spgc/CWS31AFW_14380high_35_0_4000.jpg

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Whoa! I was thinking of getting the imate JAM but this might just be the one. Would prefer Windows mobile 5 but hey, can't have everything. Hope they manage to make it a tad smaller though considering that the screen size is reduced. Anyone know how good SE are at keeping to release dates?

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Hmm...if theyre keeping the same form factor, how did they manage to fit same screen AND add qwerty pad? Must either be longer or fatter....

[JREAU @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

I am the only one who cares that this thing is fully 1 inch thick? Where do I carry it? I've been waiting for this thing for a while but the Moto Q is looking better and better

damn, can't believe I just said that :(

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Dang, thats almost as thick as my laptop. They have to do something about the thickness! We want high powered specs AND high powered sex(iness)

[Slaven @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

"Hmm...if theyre keeping the same form factor, how did they manage to fit same screen AND add qwerty pad? Must either be longer or fatter...."

It's the same diagonal size but the screen is fatter without device being fatter (vertical bevel around the screen on older P900/P910 was fatter so it wasted some space). That said, the screen is higher res (320x240) so it will be sharper!

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Ok nice:D If i get one i'm definitely taking that flip pad off. I've tried the p910 and its just about the size of an ipod. I think i can live with that in a pda phone (no, not smartphone) so lets start talking anticipated launch price (P910 didn't get much cheaper). Any takers?

[some dude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

But will it have the Bluetooth Handsfree profile? My P900 (nor the P910) can work with many wireless car interfaces (i.e. my Acura TL) because of this glaring ommission.

[some dude @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Just answered my own question...it WILL have the Bluetooth Handsfree profile! Check this page:

http://my-symbian.com/main/index.php

[F. Villa @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Why not issue this phone as quad-band and it should work in most places? Why this i, c, a models?

[inhibitech @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

This is not gonna be cheap

[JREAU @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Right On!!! # 41 - the truth is, if this thing costs less than $700.00 U.S. I'll be first in line.
Just for the record - my PowerBook is 1 inch thick.
As sexy and thin as the Moto Q is, I refuse to use a Windows device.

I say the phone will retail for $700.00

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

700USD prolly means we'll get it for 500GBP over here (a rip off). Truth be told i'd pay even 700GBP IF and ONLY IF it turns out to be as sweet as it appears. I'm hating the fact that i have to wait till next year though. Hope it hits the UK before US as is usually the case (will be keeping an eye on the german market as well).

[AG @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

ITS AN INCH THICK ??? Oh no way!!

The specs mention an FM radio, nice.

But smaller screen it looks like. Im sticking to my P910i for a long long time =)

[kane @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

Leave more space to the screen! Remove the little tiny keyboard!
Then I will consider.
But I still like walkman phone more.

[TechAnimal @ Dec 19th 2005 2:06AM]

51. Posted Oct 10, 2005, 8:19 PM ET by AG
ITS AN INCH THICK ??? Oh no way!!

The specs mention an FM radio, nice.

But smaller screen it looks like. Im sticking to my P910i for a long long time =)


Screen is the same size AND higher resolution that the P910. Thickness bothers me as well but prolly wont stop me getting it