Sony Ericsson Z555 Review by 3G.co.uk
The most successful entry-level phones tend to be the ones that don't look cheap. While the spec sheet may be basic, an entry-level handset that boasts slick looks or a well-crafted chassis will be forgiven for the basic 1.3-megapixel camera or lack of 3G. The Sony Ericsson Z555i is aimed at such a market, but will it prove to be an entry-level hit or a low-budget miss?
Sony Ericsson Z555 - Prism-style
Clamshell handsets are tricky phones to master. By their very nature they are big - open it up and it doubles in length, and closing it will often double the thickness. Yet with this in mind, we were still a tad disappointed with the bulk of the Sony Ericsson Z555i. The top of the handset is emblazoned with a prism-like pattern; much like the design found on Nokia's aptly named Prism range. The Finns used it to great affect, constructing a worthy designer phone; however, the Z555 just doesn't cut it. The material feels very plastic and the visual effect is more distorted mirror than reflective glass.
Sony Ericsson Z555 - Gesture control
Behind this prism-type exterior is a hidden OLED screen that activates when you receive a phone call, text, alarm or reminder. Unfortunately, the blue text is both dim and blurred. The Z555i has gesture control, which can be used to silence calls or alarms. If you receive an unwanted call or an alarm, simply swipe your hand about an inch over the top of the OLED screen and the ringing will simply be halted. This function needs to be switched on via the Settings menu. It's a gimmick we like, though we concede that a silence button may have been a simpler option.
Turn the handset over and Sony Ericsson has included a bizarre crease down the center of the phone. The intention may have been to give the phone a symmetrical look, but it actually looks as though the cover has been damaged or squashed.
