Sony Ericsson's W42S 3G Walkman phone for Japan

We've been feeling the Walkman love from Sony Ericsson for what constitutes forever on a tech timeline. Oddly, Japan is only now getting their first taste of these little musicphones with the newly announced W42S. However, don't feel sorry for our former tech overlords just yet, the W42S packs in a cool 1GB of internal memory which can be supplemented with up to 4GB of Memory Stick Pro DUO expansion and sports a power saving mode allowing up to 30 hours of music playback. This 3G (CDMA2000) slider also features a 1.3 megapixel cam, a 2.2-inch 262k color QVGA LCD, FM radio, an EPG to keep you hip to the TV schedule, and a feast of dedicated player controls including a new mechanical wheel unique to Walkman phone navigation. And by partnering with KDDI, owners can snag music over-the-air via the 5 million downloads per month strong LISMO music service. No price announced but "local media" is reporting that this musicphone will fetch $181 (with contract and telco rights to your vital organs we presume) when these drop in late June. Click on for a few hands-on pics.

[Via Impress Watch]

[Joe Henson @ May 22nd 2006 8:28AM]

Apple has to be very careful... these Walkman phones are getting really nice!!

[[X]Becky[X] @ Jan 4th 2007 9:31PM]

I want it....Anyone know if it is comming to the U.S?

[xunling @ May 22nd 2006 8:40AM]

id like to buy it, does anybody know a company that ships notebooks and otherstuff from japan to germany?

[strider_mt2k @ May 22nd 2006 8:44AM]

My bro-in-law has a Walkman phone, and it's really nice!
Suprisingly so, with common-sense features like a headphone/headset that allows you to use standard headphones.
I was really impressed by it.

[Ssco @ May 22nd 2006 9:18AM]

Looks pretty cool, but I think the W850 that's just been announced just pips it on the looks front.

I don't think they really knew what to do about the back of it

[panasianbiz @ May 22nd 2006 9:24AM]

Those phones really do look good! Has anyone heard how the download ownership will be handled? Will users own the music and be able to transfer it to other devices, or will they essentially be renting it?

[Intrepid @ May 22nd 2006 9:32AM]

Joe Henson, whilst I agree entirely with you - can we stop talking about that annoying company.
I do think I might buy one when they get realeased in Aust.

[waiting for apple phone @ May 22nd 2006 10:02AM]

holy fxcking moses that is one hot handset, agreed with #3 that the W850 might be a little more my style but in my eyes no one comes close to sony ericsson. with walkman and cybershot phones coming out SE is the shit but lets get some phones for N America OK???

[PanMan @ May 22nd 2006 10:14AM]

Does it also include a TV viewer? An EPG isn't very usefull without one. (not totally useless, as you can see what your missing, but otherwise...).

[tke918 @ May 22nd 2006 10:18AM]

This phone could be a good music player but the reality, it is not.
1. This phone doesn't play mp3.
2. 1GB internal memory can be used only by "au Music port", LISMO, or downloading from their authorized sites. Your existing music library on PCs cannot be imported. You have to re-rip your CDs.
3. 30 hours of playing time is for the internal 1gb memory. It's only 10 hours if MS duo is used.
4. Sonic Stage CP is needed to transfer music to MS duo.
So, this one has so many kinds of restrictions to play music :(

[.ed @ May 22nd 2006 10:32AM]

#6 your wrong, all japanese and US Sony Ericsson phones play MP3, this has never ever been an issue.

[Jonathan @ May 22nd 2006 10:49AM]

1. Sony annoys me.

2. #6 10 hours isn't too bad....

[Joe Henson @ May 22nd 2006 11:48AM]

thanks tke918,

why can't Sony get this stuff right?

[Keija @ May 22nd 2006 11:50AM]

#7

where'd you get your information from??

i guess you mixed that up with ol MS Walkmans that only supported atrac 3.

I myself own a W810i.. It's an awesome phone and it does support mp3. You have to use a software to get your music on the phone, called disc to phone, which is lots better than sonic stage but way too slow -.-.
anyway I think it'd be weird if the japanese Walkman phones would differ from the others!

I can really recommend the Walkman phones, they are a true Ipod competitor!

[Simon @ May 22nd 2006 12:09PM]

you can't get it shipped from japan, because AU phones don't use SIM cards and they aren't transferable between providers.

Also, the AU music software is Japanese only software, and is incompatible with English OS's, or so all the sales people in the shops here say, There is a 4GB hdd phone here as well already using the same system. That software is not from sony, but from AU and they have it in all of their music phones. It's actually nice that u can load music onto mem sticks, shame it's only via sonic stage, but still it means we can do it.

So don't dis sony for all the info about it. It's got little to do with them. the phone companys work very differently here. And if it is ever released in other countries then it'll be very different.

Also, sony has released other music playing phones here, Docomo has had one for about ages and you can now get it for free. It also has the suica e-money payment system so I can buy my shopping and use the trains with it too.

[tke918 @ May 22nd 2006 1:12PM]

Here is the URL.
http://plusd.itmedia.co.jp/lifestyle/articles/0605/22/news066.html

[pat @ May 22nd 2006 1:13PM]

It's definitely a beautiful looking phone though.

[A Gupta @ May 22nd 2006 2:06PM]

So what's this mechanical wheel for, anyway?
BTW... awesome phone. If i was looking to import to replace my W600i (great phone,BTW, totally backs up everything about Walkman phones being iPod competitors, even with only 256MB of memory) this'd be the one. I love SE's styling!

[Marc Mayor @ May 22nd 2006 2:51PM]

Good comment first poster. I was about to buy an Ipod and now cancelled this and decided to wait for these new Ericssons...

[kappuru @ May 22nd 2006 3:01PM]

I have a sony ericsson w800i, and you can just drag and drop AACs and MP3s to a folder on the memory stick, with windows explorer.

[flamer's grill @ May 22nd 2006 3:18PM]

You can't import/unlock this phone because it's a *gasp* CDMA phone. I know, blasphemy! SE doesn't make CDMA phones! Maybe not in North America, but they do in Japan and these phones are flippin' sweet.

Now, if you could somehow convince Sprint or verizon to activate one of these phones on their network, you couldn't do much with it. KDDI/au, the CDMA carrier in Japan this phone is meant for, uses 800mhz for voice (like verizon) but they use 2ghz for data. Verizon and Sprint both use 1900mhz (1.9ghz). So very doubtful you could use this in the US for anything phone-related. Certainly not usable in Germany/Europe, the heart of GSM country.

Still looks awesome, though. I wish we had phones like this in the US for $181.

[Elaine @ May 22nd 2006 5:30PM]

OH MY GOD, why are they not bringing this (or something similar that's sim-cardable) to the States? This is the exact phone/mp3-player I've been looking for ever since my Zen Micro quit on me for the fourth time and my current Sony Ericsson's speaker made everyone's voices only audible in quiet rooms!!!!!

DAMN YOU SONY for inspiring gadget lust that can't be fulfilled!!

[Mike @ May 22nd 2006 11:31PM]

Notice that on the Site for this thing, the music is of Apples Garage Band. in

[xunling @ May 23rd 2006 12:14AM]

hey guys - i need a favor

W H E R E C A N I B U Y I T ?
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?????????????????????????????????????????
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[Alonso Polar @ Aug 20th 2007 9:26AM]

Hi people, I'm selling my W42S like new with accesories, contact me at: [e-mail]

Best regards
Alonso

[Alonso Polar @ Aug 20th 2007 9:28AM]

Hi people, I'm selling my W42S like new with accesories, contact me at: [e-mail]

Best regards
Alonso

[-DUA- @ May 23rd 2006 1:13AM]

This phone will NOT play "normal" mp3 files. This is because all of the mobile phone service providers here want you buy music from their music shop.

Until they stop being so greedy, it will never be a serious competitor and the iPod will continue to dominate here too.

This phone will probably not work overseas...it's normal to have Japan-specific models.

[B-. @ May 23rd 2006 3:11AM]

I have a regular K750i, my wife has a W800i, they both play MP3's straight out of the disk. No probs. Just drag it onto the Memstick & play away. Totally love it and foresakes my need to an additional MP3-player.

[demetrius @ May 23rd 2006 5:18AM]

omg. this thing looks so damm good. threw my w810i desires out the window. crud. crazy. wow. no no no. crud.

[jdaisy1 @ Jun 18th 2006 3:45PM]

where can i purchase this phone and will it work in the u.k as im very interested in the sony ericsson japenese models they are very interesting thanko you.

[Max @ Jun 20th 2006 7:52PM]

I find it funny to read all of the misinformation from people here. First of all a lot of AU phones do work in the States. I have a very old model that works fine in certain places of the states. Second of all you can transfer music from your pc to the phone. It will play mp3. That is what the usb cable is for that comes with it. I have reserved this phone so I will be picking it up on Friday. I can't wait to actually be able to use it. I am not sure if this phone is global or not because I didn't really check. I do know that it is bilingual though. Please people quit putting stuff on here if you really don't know what you are saying is actually true. At least say that you are not sure when you say stuff, because when you don't some people may think what you are saying is definitely true.

[poch @ Jun 25th 2006 5:50AM]

for all you guys out there. i own 1 here in japan

1.to be able to put mp3s u need mem sticks its not possible to put mp3s on its internal 1 gig memory.
2.you need to have a japanese windows XP to run the sonic stage cp that comes w/ it. an english sonicstage cp will not work already tried and tested it ^_^

hope this helps ^_^

[James Storck @ Jul 5th 2006 5:28AM]

I have the phone too. I want to install the sonic but I cant cause I dont have the japanese XP...

how does the sonic stage put the files on to the memory stick? What is the format?

i dont know if i am explaining my question clealy enough but for example with the psp they say you needed programs to create the correct folders and what not....but we can just create our own folders and place the files in them and it is readable on the psp

[Phoenix @ Jul 20th 2006 1:20AM]

I purchased this phone 2 days ago (I live in Japan) and am quite happy with it. the only problem that i can find or am having with the phone is the MP3 Playback. Ive purchased an extra memory card, imported mp3s from windows to the card. The card shows up when its plugged into the phone and so does the mp3s, but when i try to play them, i get an error message saying "cannot copy unknow data".

So, i would say no, this phone does not play MP3's yet. I still have some more tinkering to do with the phone, but right now, im dissapointed because of the MP3 playback as i opted to purchase this rather than an Ipod.

Great price though through AU, only $50 dollars or so (exchange rate is decent right now).

[zrul @ Aug 14th 2006 12:54PM]

Damm!this phone totally cool...how come this phone canot play mp3 file n i think tat a sad one.if it can play mp3 mybe i will buy one.if someone know the detail bout this phone?could you tell it to me.n how bout the shipping from japan to malaysian n also the dealers tat i can buy it n how bout the price in malaysian curency.hope i can get reply as soon as possible..

[Allan M. @ Aug 16th 2006 6:48AM]

I would like to buy a W42S. Does anybody know some compania that transports cellular telephones of Japan to United Kingdom??? Thank you for the help!

[Allan M. @ Aug 16th 2006 6:51AM]

I would like to buy a W42S. Does anybody know some compania that transports cellular telephones of Japan to United Kingdom??? Thank you for the help!

[moon @ Sep 4th 2006 3:57PM]

I got one.
All music gets needs conversion via S/W.
MP3s compressed and stored in memory stick. S/W is Sony Sonic Stage, comes with the CD in the box. Downloaded music, ripped CD ripped compressed and can be stored in 1GB hard and/or memory stick. S/W is AU Lismo, CD also comes with the box.

Not a true MP3 player as such as files need conversion, it's only a phone still.
Not worked out how to connect actual full song instead of a ringtone to an address. Anyone tried this ?

Has TV function but goddamn expensive to use that. Don't bother.

Selling cheap, US$25 during summer sales in Japan. 2 months and getting out-of-date here.

[Carlos R @ Sep 25th 2006 6:47AM]

Got one also. All software is in japanese. First, question is will software work on english WinXP. Second question is will latest Sony Sonic Stage from North Americaln web site work with compatible format? I'm tring to find the most convenient way to load music to my phone. Thanks in advanced

[Chase @ Sep 26th 2006 9:51PM]

I also picked up one of these phones. If you modify the setup inf file (copy the cd to your computer first), then you can install the Japanese version of Sony Sonic Stage on an English OS. Just change the line where it says supportoslang from Japanese to English. I am still having issues getting the software to correctly recognize the w42s when connected via USB. If anyone has had sucess, could you please share how you accomplished getting music to the phone, either internally or on an external msduo card.

Thanks

[christian @ Oct 18th 2006 4:47AM]

got this phone last week...since everyone saying that it won't play mp3s then how do u convert the files and transfer them to the phone? i transfered mp3 files to the memory stick but it wouldn't play it :=[ so if anyone got an answer please reply back...thanks!

[Madtrancefreak @ Oct 19th 2006 1:17PM]

This phone is one of the best looking handsets on the market.... but in terms of being a practical music phone it SUCKS!

As has been said, it doesn't allow u to play MP3s... making the 1GB of space pretty useless coz u have to rip CDs all over again. Since it's an au phone u can only play music with the au player in the au format... which SUCKS! I have to use a virtual DVDROM drive to make CD images with my MP3s and rip that virtual CD onto the phone... takes forever and i don't get track names or data :(... oh and what sort of a phone won't recognise midi formats .... simple polyphonic tones :S

What's worse is that all the software is in Japanese and most of it is incompatible with western XP versions... esp. the SonicStage!

Also the phone won't allow u to play some 3gP files, esp. music videos (for some odd reason).

There is no user base for this phone yet so I don't know where to get ringtones, themes or apps.

Having said all this, I have to say that the design is EXCELLENT... typical Sony class and style! But... it fails at its key selling point... I'm lucky that I got the set for free (coz the Chunichi Dragons won their league and I live in Nagoya! :)) I woulda felt ripped off if I paid for it....

Any feedback, advice or comments will be much appreciated.... I say don't go out of ur way to get this phone.... u can get a better deal with the new W850

[zak @ Oct 24th 2006 2:28PM]

Could someone please let me know were i can get one of these and how much it wold cost to ship to the uk. Not to bothered if i cant get mp3s on it im sure i will work it out. thanx

[XYZ @ Nov 2nd 2006 7:20PM]

NICE!

[Jamar @ Nov 18th 2006 5:19AM]

Can't wait for my next vacation to Japan to pick one up- even if the phone functions don't work in the States, at least it makes a good Walkman.

[ramon m. tacuban @ Dec 5th 2006 12:09AM]

could we possibly enjoy this phone here in the phils,?having our local network?
plese comment

[Q @ Dec 11th 2006 11:01AM]

Hello this is to anyone selling the W42s, I welling to take off two your hands, that right I want to buy two, I really like the phone, please email me @ [e-mail]

[MRE @ Jan 4th 2007 7:24AM]

To say that the software from AU does not work on American OS is incorrect. I currently am running it on XP and it works fine. You DO however need to install and enable Japanese on XP, as the software is not in the least bit language aware.

I have not used the music functionality, but do use the camera a LOT. I still need my roommate to point and click for me since I cant read Japanese, but it works fine.

Also, once you install the mmc, photos go straight there rather than the built in mem, and are accessable in windows as an external drive. Copy and paste.. cant be easier. I have tried this with mp3s though and have not found a 'simple' loading solution. Also,VIDEO is stored on internal, and thus only fetchable from the AU software.

[MRE @ Jan 4th 2007 9:53AM]

I am going to reply to myself by saying two things: 1 - a correction.. Audio Port works fine (In Japanese), SonicStage as on the CD will not install. However, I have written a walk through to get the English version of Sonic Stage working at:

http://w42s.blogspot.com/

[Mei @ Jan 7th 2007 7:13PM]

http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_ericsson_w880_leaks_on_tmobile-news-239.php