Sharp W-ZERO3 mini-review

Engadget Japanese brings us some hands-on impressions of Sharp's W-ZERO3 for Willcom in Japan. Opera v8.5 (with an improved rendering engine) is available for the unit, and it is the first version of Opera designed specifically for Windows Mobile 5.0. The W-ZERO3 also takes advantage of Willcom's new W-SIM technology. The browser offers a pleasurable experience with tabs and smooth operation even while loading pages, yet the keyboard takes some getting used to. And there's still no Bluetooth. Click on for the rest of our impressions.

The above is an image of Engadget Japanese in the function-limited version of Opera, with full-screen and screen size matching. This is what it looks like without any sort of magnification or shrinking, as is one feature of Opera.

Although the screenshot itself is a bit smaller than the actual rendering (making the characters a bit fuzzy), the real thing is as easy to read as you see in the shot at the right.

Rendering is quick (as quick as your connection speed, anyway), and even on pages busy with images, there are no problems with navigation. When you scroll, space is reserved for images that haven't loaded to be filled in later. Because more preference is given to painting the part of the document you're currently on, navigating even long documents presents no problems. Likewise, as long as you don't run out of memory, there are no issues with loading large documents in multiple windows and changing between them via the task switch. The function-limited version is temporary; Opera expects to put out a fully featured version on January 15th.

A screenshot of the same page was taken using Internet Explorer, but since there is nothing to compare, it has not been included.

(Taking a screenshot is done by pushing Fn Shift C, and is saved as a bitmap file directly under "My Device" instead of My Documents, sequentially numbered with SCRN00xx.)

A comparison with a Nintendo DS, for some reason. The "too big for a mobile phone" W-ZERO3 can hide in the shadow of the gigantic DS.

The thicknesses are similar. It is a number of millimeters thinner and overwhelmingly lighter, so under normal circumstances, one-handed uses isn't a problem. However, we'd certainly forgive them if they decided to put Bluetooth in the next model, regardless of how awkward or heavy it becomes.

The keyboard backlight is brighter than this picture makes it out to be. The offset of each key row isn't something we noticed until we tried (half) touch-typing, after getting used to the original layout (as shown in the above picture, the E key sits immediately above the S key, for example). At first, things were all the more difficult as we tried to use just our fingertips to type, but we then found that you can use the flat of your finger without accidentally inputting two keys at the same time. Since there are those of you out there with large fingers and hands, this is something you'll have to try on a display unit.

It was no use trying to take a screenshot of this feature, but playback of 640 x 480 DivX files at 25 frames per second with 128kbps MP3 audio was possible under the TCPMP media player. However (at least by default), since the framerate drops in scenes with a lot of movement, you'll want to drop down the image quality to something lower than the default when you're watching VGA-quality video or something with a lot of action. Subtitles can be read even with the image quality at "Low."

Displaying Engadget under Opera:

And in portrait mode.

It's easy to see the, uh, ads.

We haven't really used the phone portion too much yet, but for the time being, all we can say is that "we were able to talk normally." Our apologies.

A bonus. The included soft sleeve is nice in that it includes a protection sheet, but it's extremely tight; we were unable to take the W-ZERO3 out of there even after violently shaking it. So you'll want something else. So let's try using this soft case.

It's a tad big, but the thickness is just right, so it has a nice and loose fit to it. It's good for when you put it in your bag.

One issue we did happen to notice is if you were to jiggle the screen in a particular direction other than the track on which it normally slides, you'll find it is relatively loose. While at the WPC Expo, Willcom said they'd fix this, but the way it closes hasn't really been improved at all. Manufacturing discrepancies means that individual models may vary; it's not really a problem under practical use, but we're concerned about the way the slide operates in the long term. Finding a balance that allows for easy opening and closing is difficult, but this is something we'd like to see made tighter. Of course, too tight isn't really good either.

The digital camera on the unit is at the "it's just there" level, below even digital cameras of other mobile phones that have the same pixel count. It's fine if you're just taking 1.3MP pictures (such as scenery, portraits, or conveying the atmosphere), and certainly not giving out surrealistic images, but we'd at least like to be able to use macro mode and take character for quick memo pictures and such.

[Via Engadget Japanese]

[GeeksAreSexy @ Jan 13th 2006 1:04PM]

I don't think it looks particulary nice or brings any serious innovation. Japanese, being the gadjet freaks they are, will probably all be falling over it, but I don't think this will be very popular in america. Hmm, this isn't available over here yet hun?

[Mike Kim @ Jan 13th 2006 2:05PM]

nothing too impressive. although the processor speed is faster, I'll still take my Imate K-Jam over it any day. edge and wifi and bluetooth. I just wish we could somehow port that opera browser over, PIE sucks!

[hecklerz @ Jan 13th 2006 4:10PM]

So that's what that was. I was sitting on the floor having lunch at MacWorld on the 11th and the guy next to me was out-geeking my Nokia 770 with something that looked like an HTC/Q-Tek/IMate..... something, but now I know it was this Sharp W. Very cool looking and a pretty nice screen. About twice as thick as my 770 and close to the size of a fat Treo. But after getting the PSP and New Black iPod, I'll never buy another glossy black device- scratches, fingerprints galore

[Jamar @ Jan 14th 2006 7:11AM]

This phone looks great, and it would be a nice choice for those who want something better than the average smartphone, though I can not see it really taking off outside of Asia- Japan, Taiwan, and Thailand are the only places that have a (standard) PHS system. China has one too, but it's non-standard, and it doesn't even have DOMESTIC roaming- good for people who rarely leave a city, but bad for travelers. However, just because the system is non-standard does not mean that Japanese PHS systems don't work here- it takes a little bit of work on the phones, and they become fully usable- Opera and all.

--Just found out- Actually, it has Wi-Fi built in, so it would do well as a PDA/phone with the appropriate software, like Skype. Of course, that gives you limited coverage, but you can buy a PHS base station to turn a PHS unit into a cordless phone by plugging in your phone cord. Of course, if it gives off wireless interference, then it's a problem (I think that PHS 1900MHz is licensed in the US, but such things are legal in Japan and China so far.)

[alexjlee @ Jan 17th 2006 12:21PM]

you may be interested to know that the version of opera on the w-zero3 also runs happily on a jasjar with very little persuasion.

[aya @ Jan 18th 2006 2:45AM]

Do any one know if W-Sim can be used with other GSM-sim card rather than in Japan, e.g. oversea Sim card

[akira @ Jan 26th 2006 9:24AM]

im from japan - and just got myself the W-ZERO... and i would say that is one of the worst purchases ive made...

for one, in order to keep the price really low (in comparison with expensive smartphones), sharp/willcom really did cut lots of corners. to those that have touched the real thing - youd definitely agree with me that it is made of CHEAPO material.

hhhmmmm... BUGGY!!! and SLOW!!! (i guess this is due more to AS 4.x and WM5 - being Micro$oft)

no Bluetooth??? how about Infrared?

the design of the product - well, just to get to the reset switch, one has to pry open a CHEAPO plastic back lid that it bound to break if you overdo it (considering it is really difficult to slide it out)... *bummer*

what am i going to do now?

well, since i just cant throw away at least 40,000 yen - might as well use it (along with my trusty WM2003SE Axim x50v)...

thoughts...?

[H. Lalmi @ Jan 27th 2006 2:33PM]

Hi, I live in Dubai UAE. Please tell me where I can buy the W Zero 3.
If not available in my market , I want to order it by internet. So PLEASE tell me where I can buy it !

Many thanks

[zero3_user @ Jan 30th 2006 1:08AM]

This is a PHS device from Willcom and W-SIM is not compatible with GSM. If you live outside of Japan and would like to get it, the most realistic option is to get it via Yahoo auction (Japanese site, and you need to make sure the seller is willing to ship overseas). Unlike US or other markets, this PHS is virtually the only thing you can call "Smartphone" now in Japan (I heard NTT and others are working on similar phone/device, but this is the only one so far)with voice call functionality and with the flat-rate (voice and data)service that Willlcom started last May, I understand why it is very popular especially at this price even though there are problems and limitations.

[Ilona kortas @ Apr 28th 2006 4:22PM]

Hi,
Pls i just got the SHARP W-ZERO3 PHONE but its giving me a lot of headache because i am currently in Nigeria and i dont even know how to change its language to English...

Pls could you just advise about this and where to download the International Version Software to write the program to English..

I would really appreciate your urgent response.
Regards....Ilona

[Lappong @ Apr 23rd 2008 2:56PM]

hey hey. how much is the Sharp W-zero 3? and where can i buy it? probably in Hong Kong? let me know please. =) [e-mail]