The K750i is the undisputed bestseller in lineup Sony Ericsson. The model turned out to be so successful that even now, after more than a year has passed since the start of sales, this device is one of the absolute hits of the market. Motorola's RAZR is still a long way off, of course, but the segment of the K750i is different. This flagship from Sony Ericsson has established itself as the best-in-class tool for the mobile photographer. Even Nokia at one time was unable to shake the position of the Swedish-Japanese alliance. But if the Finnish manufacturer SE did not move from the pedestal, then it certainly got closer (remember the solutions with Carl Zeiss optics).
Competition in the mobile phone market has resulted in new life good old brand Sony - CyberShot. Now the logo, well-known to photographers, will also appear on Sony Ericsson phones, and it is quite justified - the same sequel to the super popular K750i is the best camera phone in its class. The K790i is about to hit the market, but it is already predicting potential hits.
This top business solution will become the new flagship of the SE camera phone line, and it is also the first CyberShot phone. Experiment of the Swedish-Japanese alliance in in this case not as risky as it was with the Walkman last year, but there are a lot of pitfalls here too ...
Specifications
Standard: GSM 900/1800/1900
Size (mm): 105x47x22
Weight, g: 115
Nutrition:
Li-Ion, 900 mAh
Talk time, min .: 420
Standby time, hours .: 350
Display:
TFT, 262 144 colors (262 k), 320 x 240 pixels
Camera, MP: 3.2
Memory, MB: 64
Memory card:
Memory Stick M2
Supports media up to 2GB
JAVA: Yes
Bluetooth: Yes
Polyphony, number of votes: 72
MP3 / FM: Yes / Yes
SMS / MMS / E-Mail: Yes / Yes / Yes
Phone book, number of cells: 1000
WAP / GPRS: Yes / Yes
EDGE: Yes
Infrared: Yes
Voice dialing: Yes
Handsfree: Yes
Alarm clock: Yes
Organizer: Yes
Voice recorder: Yes
Calculator: Yes
Currency converter: Yes
Estimated price, $: 500
The main advantage of the novelty is, without a doubt, the camera. Here and 3.2 megapixels, and autofocus, and a xenon flash, and a protective cover in the manner of the same CyberShot cameras, as well as a wide range of settings and excellent thoughtfulness of this use of the phone. However, this is not the only element that makes the K790i stand out. The model is a real hi-end in its class, being equipped with a slot for a memory card, an MP3-player, a magnificent display, EDGE support, built-in Bluetooth, infrared and other delights of our time. However, this is all in theory, but the practice is as follows ...
Modifications
To avoid confusion, consider the next modifications of the platform on which our today's hero is built:
- K800i - UMTS (2100MHz) / GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz (GPRS only supported), for Europe, Asia-Pacific, Middle East and Africa.
- K800c - UMTS (2100MHz) / GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz (GPRS only supported), for mainland China.
- K790i - GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz (both GPRS and EDGE supported), for Europe, Asia-Pacific, North and South America.
- K790a - GSM 850/1800/1900 MHz (both GPRS and EDGE supported), for North and South America.
- K790c - GSM 900/1800/1900 MHz (both GPRS and EDGE supported), for mainland China.
As you can see, the K790i is the most interesting for Russia. There will also be deliveries of K800i, but the UMTS service is not yet supported by any of the domestic operators: according to the most optimistic forecasts, 3G networks will come to us only next year. The difference in price, of course, is not in favor of the K800i. That is why we decided to consider the K790i as a more urgent option for the Russian market.
Outside
The design of Sony Ericsson K790i is designed in a business style, which emphasizes the positioning of the model as a business solution. The body is only slightly smoothed in the corners, the color scheme is conservative - black with gray accents. Such solidity is appropriate, let us recall the indignation of many users about the appearance of the W800i - frivolity and focus on the youth audience clearly did not correspond to market realities. It is not surprising that the replacement of the case for a strict "casing" from the K750i was literally put on stream and was in demand. In the case of the K790i, the design exactly matches the price of the device, and the potential audience will clearly be satisfied.
The only thing that can confuse the K790i in appearance is the form factor, because the novelty, despite the tangible cost, is made in a candy bar. Fans of Samsung and LG are unlikely to be delighted, but Korean brands have their own policy regarding the appearance of models. For Nokia and SE, conservatism in terms of the form factor is familiar (the Finns only recently presented their first slider - Nokia 6111, and the Swedish-Japanese alliance has not yet resorted to it at all; the attitude to clamshell phones from both vendors is also not warm - their number is the model range of each is minimal). In addition, given the popularity of the predecessor model, it would be wrong to talk about the simple form factor as a disadvantage.
The ergonomics of the model is not as straightforward as in the case of the K750i: as for the software filling, the sequel turned out to be just as thoughtful and logical, but the dimensions and weight have increased significantly. It is wrong to consider the device as something beyond reason, but the massiveness of smartphones has clearly become closer.
The build quality and materials are on top, traditional for SE. There is no backlash, the body does not creak, and the coating leaves the most positive impression - the feeling that it will peel off after a month of use is not even close.
Now let's turn to the set of elements. On the left there is a key for calling up the shell of the FM tuner or MP3 player, it can also be assigned to the last used of the two. This solution is similar to what we have already seen in the recently reviewed W300i, so the K790i is not a pioneer here.
At the bottom of the left side there is a slot for a Memory Stick M2 standard. This model is also similar to the W300i, and therefore our regular readers are already familiar with the new format. We will dwell on it in more detail below, when describing the hardware filling of the K790i. Structurally, the connector is notable for a plug attached to the body, as well as for the possibility of "hot" media change.
On the right there is a volume rocker, a two-step button (this is an important nuance, the same LG P7200 was equipped with a regular key) of the camera and an IrDA "window". This "geography" is common for SE camera phones, it is explained by the horizontal orientation of the body when shooting. This does not cause any inconvenience; on the contrary, it contributes to ergonomics. But the placement of the IrDA port on the right, and not on the upper end is a controversial step, when communicating with other devices it can cause unnecessary discomfort. However, nothing critical, the habit will fix the problem.
On the upper edge of the case there is an on / off button - small but convenient; her accidental press unlikely.
The interface connector for charger and a sync cable, as well as a headset. The format, of course, is proprietary (only Motorola regularly equips the middle and upper class of its products with miniUSB), however, the usual 3.5 mm jack is placed on the headset cable (HPM-70). There is also a strap attachment for wearing on the wrist, which is not supplied in the kit.
The K790i keyboard unit is conservative in design, to match the body - it itself is a slightly rounded rectangle, and each of its constituent keys is also a rectangle. The composition looks simple, but in practice it is quite convenient, even speed dial SMS does not cause discomfort. The travel of the buttons is average, but clear; they are located close to each other, however, the sufficient size of each smooths out this nuance; the backlighting is unusual - purple, very pleasant and effective, which makes the phone convenient to use in the dark, and people around will appreciate it. This is not to say that the K790i is ideal in terms of the keyboard, especially within the SE lineup (for example, the same K750i), but the model is definitely above average in this respect.
So, we summarize the external examination. Sony Ericsson K790i is a discreet and conservative but stylish phone for serious people. This is exactly the impression one gets from the model's appearance. The device is not at all a tiny one, and its weight is quite significant, but for a potential audience this is unlikely to be a deterrent. In general, the K790i has no major flaws in terms of exterior. Even the workmanship is traditional for SE at a high level. Let's see what's inside ...
Inside
The hardware of the K790i is notable primarily for the camera. As already mentioned, in this regard, the model can compete with very many competitors, and in its class it is even a leader.
The design of the Sony Ericsson K790i CMOS camera is static, but there is a complete set of a mobile photographer - a self-portrait mirror, a flash, and even a shutter with an automatic shutter mechanism. The second is especially remarkable. Unlike most modern phones, the K790i has a xenon flash rather than an LED flash. This allows you to get closer to the subject. In addition, the use of close to natural xenon light does not require color correction. In addition, xenon flashes “charge” faster (one second versus five for LEDs). The advantage, though insignificant, is pleasant.
Noteworthy are the photofeatures that are uncommon for most camera phones, and the SE places particular emphasis on them. For example, BestPic will help you choose the best shot: four shots are taken before pressing the shutter button, and four more after. The user can only choose the best and delete the rest. Red-eye reduction is also possible, and the anti-shake function compensates for slight hand-shake when shooting. The results can be sent immediately via Bluetooth and MMS, as well as uploaded to the weblog. The page is created the first time it is loaded into the weblog, after which a text message will be sent with the address and login information. An example of how the function works can be seen. In addition, mini-keys are located on each side of the screen, which simplify the use of the K790i, and the model's photo communication is also notable for its support for the PictBridge standard for printing. It is entirely possible to connect your phone directly to a compatible printer using USB cable and print photos without using a computer (tested on Lexmark P450, the bundle worked quite correctly). Finally, the K790i also has support for DPOF (Digital Print Order Format) - the function of pre-ordering frames for subsequent printing (activated from a photo browser). When a memory card is inserted into the printer's slot, the selected frames are printed automatically in the correct number with or without date.
The camera settings are not satisfactory - there is everything you need, even more, given the aforementioned functionality. There are four options for image resolution from 640x480 pixels to 2048x1536 pixels. We especially note the variety of shooting modes (in addition to the standard - the aforementioned BestPic, panorama, frames and series). But the effects are few - monochrome, negative, sepia and solarization. The flash cannot work as a flashlight, autofocus is not forcibly turned off. Regarding the latter, however, we note that the "Infinity" function blocks autofocus, and it is rather difficult to imagine other reasons for turning it off, in addition, there is the "Macro" mode. It is also noteworthy that the K790i has an autofocus illumination. There are seven creative modes, in which all the necessary settings are written in advance: "landscape at twilight", "portrait at twilight", "snow", etc. switch with one touch using a special key above the display - and this is better than a simple "manual" mode. There is even spot metering. The digital zoom is very powerful - 16x.
The camera takes pictures in horizontal mode, this solution is traditional for SE and is very convenient in practice. A hitch can be triggered by adjusting the zoom, which is carried out using the volume rocker - given element it is small enough and tight, which is why fluctuations are inevitable when the frame is enlarged / reduced in the process of video shooting. But the protective shutter on the ergonomics side is smooth and clear, it opens easily and immediately activates the camera application.
The work results are as follows (maximum quality settings):
Sony Ericsson K790i camera zoom
The photos we received can be characterized as very high quality. At good lighting Sony Ericsson K790i is able to compete with similar “soap boxes”. The results of the camera of this model will be useful not only for MMS and phone book illustrations, but also for electronic storage on a computer or on a 10 x 15 cm printer - Tested with Lexmark P450. Our photo expert undertook to evaluate the novelty in more detail:
Photo expert opinion(Alexey Goncharov, [email protected]):
In the camera phone market, Sony Ericsson is a recognized grandee. The company's approach to the implementation of its mobile cameras is reasonable: it relies not on the number of megapixels (a magic indicator for a common user), but on the quality of the finished images - a very reasonable strategy for creating a positive image among consumers. Many consider the cameras in SE phones to be the best on the market for a reason and deservedly so - since the days of the S700i photomodule of unprecedented quality. Finally, the K750i solution won this title, which was very intelligently implemented in all the company's top models over the past year. For several months now, many lovers of "mobileography" have been impatiently awaiting the release of a new generation of Swedish-Japanese cameras - no one doubts that this will be a real breakthrough in the industry. The K790i is the first CyberShot phone.
Let's start, as always, with the physical characteristics of the new product. So, we have a jpeg file with a size of 2048 x 1536 pixels (3.2 megapixels) with a resolution of 72 dpi. Let's "raise" the last parameter to 300 dpi and get a picture of linear dimensions 13 x 17 cm. Well, worthy - just right for those who like to collect mobile photo albums. What about quality? Let's start with the bad: SE engineers couldn't do anything about noise when shooting in artificial lighting - they are still present in the pictures. Their number, however, is minimal, but enough for a typical picture of “photography by phone”. It is worth noting, however, effective noise reduction algorithms: without cluttering the picture with excessive "sharpening" they adequately cope with their task. Xenon flash also does its job much better than traditional LED flash. It's almost useless to shoot outside at night - there is no revolution here. But with daytime photography, everything is just great: there is definitely something to see here. The color balance is determined correctly, the photos are clear throughout the entire area of the frame, bright, saturated, practically without geometric distortions, artifacts and aberrations. You probably won't be able to distinguish a picture taken by SE K790i with a naked eye from a picture taken by an "adult camera" - the Swedish-Japanese phone shows remarkable results. If you find fault, then you can note the not the widest dynamic range of the photosensitive matrix of the camera phone - on contrasting planes in bright sunlight, you can notice the "whitening" of some parts of the picture. "Whitewashed" fragments, however, do not look like bright spots with sharp edges: in SE's performance they look like a kind of intelligent dragging in the background and even add expressiveness to the picture. Autofocus works on a solid five points: significant improvements are noticeable here, even compared to the previous model. The device is perfect for macro photography - you can see for yourself.
Verdict? Sony Ericsson has met all the expectations of its users. The best mobile camera mid-range - the real CyberShot.
Now the video. Here the maximum for shooting is 176 x 144 pixels. Format - MPEG4 (15 fps). You can configure the recorder with the same settings as the camera. The quality for such an advanced product is low:
The screen is a definite plus of the K790i. It is made using TFT technology, displays 262 144 colors (262 k) and has a size of 2 inches, but its main advantage is its high resolution, it is 320 x 240 pixels (QVGA), which makes the image very clear. In addition, the quality of the picture pleased me. The display of the model is bright, contrasting, saturated, there are excellent viewing angles and good response times. Not Motorola ROKR E2 yet, but not Samsung or Nokia anymore. The high level of brightness is especially noteworthy, in this respect the K790i looks just fine, one of the best in its price category. The display remains well readable in the sun.
The phone memory is built-in 64 MB. If you plan to actively use an MP3 player, and even think to often shoot with a built-in camera, then you cannot do without a card. Fortunately, there is a slot for it, but the format is specific - M2. This is a compact version of the Memory Stick, a kind of answer to the miniature micro and mini SD specifications.
Initially, it was reported that the K790i will be equipped with a 64 MB card, but at the time of testing, a final decision on this matter was not made in SE. Perhaps the volume will be more significant. In any case, the shortage of carriers of the new standard at first can be considered a disadvantage. By the beginning of sales of the model (June-July), this nuance is unlikely to be a significant disadvantage, except that the pricing policy of the Russian market often differs significantly from the official one. Judging by the latter, by the way, the cost of M2 will be approximately equal to the cost of a Memory Stick Pro Duo.
The M2 is four times smaller than the Memory Stick Pro Duo - only about 1.2mm thick. Since mobile phones operate at 1.8 volts, the M2 was designed with support for both 1.8 volts and 3.3 volts, which is used by products that are compatible with the standard Memory Stick. The set with the card comes with an adapter for Memory Stick Pro - by analogy with the mobile formats SD-specification. It is expected that the delivery of M2 with a volume of 256 and 512 MB will begin in April (previously the release was planned for March), 1 GB - in May 2006. K790i supports media with a capacity of up to 2 GB, which allows full use of the model for both photo and video shooting, and for storing music and other data.
Wireless connectivity of the K790i is represented by an infrared port and a Bluetooth module. It is gratifying that the manufacturer has remained true to himself, having left the “infrared” in the model. Most manufacturers today do things differently, depriving customers of their versatility. Regarding Bluetooth, we note support for stereo headsets, which makes the novelty also a very good music background - it's strange that SE did not want to leave this nuance exclusively to Walkman, but for the K790i this is only a plus. Support for EDGE has not gone anywhere either. In terms of sociability, the model is redundant, even sophisticated pros will be satisfied.
The software part of the novelty under consideration is remarkable - there are a lot of interesting functions, ordinary possibilities are expanded. This part of SE phones is traditionally the strongest, even in comparison with Nokia. The K790i uses a new version of the software platform. Its most important difference is that now it is quite possible to run two Java applications at the same time, and with the ability to switch between them. Of course, the background work of the MP3-player allows you to do the same on other phones, but the K790i is unique in that the second application can be not only a player, but any user software. Unfortunately, it was not possible to test this SE promise in practice, the test sample did not have such an opportunity. Otherwise, the innovations are not so significant - the alarm clock and organizer have improved, context menus and tips have appeared, as well as a number of other changes in the evolutionary order.
The phone book of the model is designed for 1000 contacts. For each, you can save up to 6 phone numbers, as well as a lot of additional information, even write down the date of birth. In the presence of a group, you can assign a photo and a melody to contacts, including MP3.
The organizer includes a calendar (up to 300 events) and a to-do list (up to 80 events). Alarms (five profiles are available) have two modes - regular and daily. In the presence of a timer, stopwatch, calculator, voice recorder, melody editor and much more - the set is really redundant.
I would especially like to note the pre-installed toys - an interesting variation on the theme of marine photography, as well as golf. The latter is a continuation of the fun already familiar from earlier models (for example, T300 and T310), but now completely in 3D:
Both softphones are well made and decently tighten. The high level of preinstalled games for SE is the norm, remember at least the great variation on The Sims theme in the Z520i. Returning to the serious part of the software essence of the K790i, we also note that the phone contains a full-fledged file manager, which will undoubtedly come in handy for advanced users.
Although this is not a Walkman, the player in this model is still implemented at the highest level - similar to the W810i. It is notable for its very good functionality and the ability to run in the background. Convenience is also up to the mark, and the performance of the softphone is not satisfactory. The K790i player boasts an equalizer, playlists and other genre delights. I was pleased with the thoughtfulness of this part. So, for example, when playing a JAVA toy, you can change the radio frequencies with the volume rocker or scroll through the player's tracks. We do not even mention answering SMS without interrupting playback - such trifles are easier than ever for the K790i. The best part is that for all the functionality, the novelty did not even think to be capricious - everything worked like a clock.
Of the interesting features of the K790i, we also note a web browser with HTML support and correct display of both pages and Cyrillic on them. We can also mention the horizontal display, the SmartFit function for autoscaling, as well as launching basic functions and settings using the hardware keys in one click.
In stock and mail client which boasts Push E-mail support. It turns the K790i into a complete work tool for business people.
Among the entertainment ...
... there are also such as a good photo editor ...
... and a softphone for remote control.
Serious applications are also available in abundance, but we cannot single out something, the set, although exhaustive, is without "highlights":
Remarkable is the support for RSS - a rare but relevant feature. We have already mentioned it in the W300i review.
As for the phone settings, then everything is logical and well thought out. Brand lovers will appreciate it, third-party users will quickly get used to it.
Sony Ericsson K790i is powered by a 900 mAh battery, which is not a bad solution by today's standards. The manufacturer itself promises up to 7 hours of talk time and up to 350 hours of standby time. During our tests, the mobile phone functioned for almost four days with intensive use (15-20 minutes of calls, 5-10 camera shots, 5-10 minutes of GPRS-WAP, 15-20 minutes of games, 10-15 SMS, 2-3 MMS per day ). In the continuous MP3 playback mode at maximum volume through the headset, the K790i lasted 20 hours and 39 minutes. The indicator is just excellent.
Finally, let's dwell on the subjective. Sony Ericsson K790i has a very good quality and loudness of the ringtone; when using MP3, the polyphony sounds excellent. The power of the vibration alert is sufficient in most cases. The sensitivity of the device did not cause any complaints - the signal reception of the K790i is at the level of the price analogs of other manufacturers.
Their opinions about the prospects of the model especially for Ferra. ru were expressed by some of the largest players on the Russian market:
Expert assessment of the market prospects for Sony Ericsson K790i:
Tatiana Moskaleva, Head of Public Relations (DIXIS, www.dixis.ru)
According to our forecasts, this model will be quite popular, and there are a number of reasons for this. К790i is a continuation of the bestseller K750i, supplemented with important bonuses: the device is equipped with a built-in digital camera 3.2 megapixel with autofocus and xenon flash, the model is integrated with support for blogs and search google systems, there is a technology for direct printing of photos (bypassing a PC), as well as the BestPic function, which allows you to make 9 full-fledged frames (with a resolution of 3.2 megapixels) with one key press and so on. In fact, it is a full-fledged competitor to photographic cameras. It is no coincidence that “Cyber Shot” appears in the name of the model - the product implements many technologies of the parent company Sony, widely known throughout the world for its achievements in the field of digital photography. Basically, Sony Ericsson is traditionally strong in the segment of camera phones with advanced business functions, and previous products of this level enjoyed considerable popularity. Considering this, as well as the innovative capabilities of the new product and the attractiveness of the design, we predict a significant success for this model.
Roman Malyshev, head of technical department (Svyaznoy, www.svyaznoy.ru)
Today's camera phones are looking more and more like digital cameras, and the K790i is one of the brightest examples of such hybrids. Today this camera phone has one of the best cameras... If we add to this the successful design and the richest set of functions inherited from the super popular K750i, the new model has every chance of becoming a sales leader. The significant disadvantages of the phone include a new type of MS M2 memory cards - the prevalence of carriers of this format is still very insignificant, and therefore it remains only to believe the manufacturer's promises to rectify the situation. Otherwise, literally everything in the model contributes to its hit - from a reasonable cost to a recognizable brand. One of the potential favorites in our range.
Summarizing the testing of the hardware, we note that the SE turned out to be an excellent mobile phone - balanced and of high quality. Somewhat embarrassing is the specific slot for a memory card and the low quality of video recording, but these are uncritical nuances, especially since everything else is solid advantages. Especially in the K790i, we were pleased with the traditionally excellent battery life for SE phones and an excellent camera.
Alternative
Sony Ericsson K790i had no direct competitors at the time of testing, and it won't appear in the near future. At the beginning of sales, provided that the price tag is overstated under the "$ 1000" level, indirect opponents of the novelty will be the 5-megapixel LG KG920 camera phone, as well as Nokia smartphones with Carl Zeiss optics (e.g. N90).
Indirect competitors in this case act exactly as an alternative, they cannot be considered as rivals of the K790i. The devices at the beginning of sales of the K790i will be comparable in price, and they will include powerful cameras. However, these are still devices of a different level than our hero.
Closer to the reviewed device Samsung D870 is a new flagship from Korea, which is also expected on our market this summer. Although it is made in a slider form factor, it is very close to the K790i in terms of characteristics: a 3-megapixel camera, QVGA-display, a slot for a microSD memory card, etc. An important advantage of the D870 is its small case thickness (only 13 mm), which makes the model a true fashion solution. In addition, there is a video output and built-in ability to view "office" files. On the side of the K790i, there is a better implementation of the camera and music, as well as better communication skills. The prices for these new items are comparable (the expected cost of the D870 is about $ 550-600), which makes them, if not direct, then at least their closest rivals.
Verdict
Sony Ericsson K790i is one of the best camera phones today, especially considering the small size and light weight for such a high-quality solution. Outside the camera, the model also looks decent, although not so impressive. Given the hitiness of its predecessor, the new flagship will certainly be in good demand. Connoisseurs of the K750i will love it. And other users will surely find a lot of interesting things in the new product. Undoubtedly a very successful model and one of the potential bestsellers this summer.
Summary
pros
- Wonderful camera
- Reasonable price
- Good ergonomics
- Excellent functionality
- Impressive battery life
- Solid design and quality workmanship
- Nice display
Minuses
- Controversial form factor
- Poor video recording quality
- Specific memory card format
- Lack of built-in ability to view "office" documents
- Lack of hardware 3D graphics accelerator
The Sony Ericsson K790i is a solid camera phone with great functionality, good portability and a reasonable price tag. Most of all, the model will suit the demanding male audience and those for whom the camera is especially important in the phone.
Approx. Ferra.ru
We mark the phone for a balanced combination of functionality, mobility, ergonomics and price
One of the most successful models in the company's line of mobile phones. A successful model that broke sales records and was enthusiastically received by fans of the brand. The business style of the Sony Ericsson K790i mobile phone is aimed at business people who value high-quality gadgets. To create a retro phone Sony Ericsson K790i, high-quality and durable black plastic with separate brown inserts is used. Thanks to its compact size, the device fits comfortably in the hand and does not take up much space. The build quality of the phone model is very high and squeaks are not observed when using it. The plastic of the gadget is resistant to mechanical stress. Even after long-term use, there are no visible abrasions or scratches on the case.
On the left side of the Sony Ericsson K790 mobile phone there is a button for activating the radio and player for listening to music. The lower part of the left side of the phone contains a layer for inserting an M2 memory card. To protect the slot, a special rubber cap is used, which is fixed to the device body. On right side the model houses a volume control button, a special two-level button for activating the camera and infrared port. It is very convenient to use it for a person with any hand size. On the upper end of the device there is a button to turn the gadget on and off. At the bottom there is an interface for connecting a charger cable and other headset. Find the strap attachment here. It can be purchased separately.The block of the numeric keypad in the Sony Ericsson K790 retro phone includes elastic and responsive buttons. There is a backlighting of the keys allowing them to be used in low light conditions. Using the buttons, you can quickly dial a phone number or write a text message. Pressing the buttons of the digital block does not cause the appearance of extraneous sounds. On the back there is a camera peephole hidden by a stylish plastic shutter. It moves with a light movement of the fingers. There is a flash and a speaker of the gadget nearby. A small mirror is placed under the camera's peephole for easy selfies.
Mobile phone screen Sony Erickson K790 supports TFT technology and is capable of transmitting a rich and clear picture in any lighting level. The display measures 2 inches. Quite enough for surfing the internet or reading text messages. The device screen has high viewing angles. Strong side phone is a camera. It allows you to take clear and high-quality pictures. Has many custom adjustment options. The battery holds a charge for 3 days with an average intensity of use.
You can buy a Sony Ericsson K790i phone at a low price on our website.
Appearance
Rear part the body is made of a material that is pleasant to the touch, thanks to which the phone is protected from scratches - no defects have appeared over the entire period of operation, there are no scuffs or any other external damage, despite active use apparatus.
One of the most controversial design elements of the K790i is the camera shutter. On the one hand, this element bears a stylistic similarity to Sony cameras, on the other hand, the camera lens is reliably protected from both scratches and dust. This is where the positive characteristics of this structural element end, then a few words about the shortcomings.
The curtain is made of a material that is quickly covered with scratches: they appeared only a couple of weeks after the purchase. There are no deep scratches, and soon you just stop paying attention to small ones. In general, it would be possible to make the shutter from a material like the one from which the front part of the case is made, this is some kind of metal alloy that is resistant to the effects of an aggressive environment. But, alas, that is, that is, and the curtain, in my opinion, is one of the weakest structural elements, in addition, the opening-closing mechanism quickly looses, and a noticeable backlash appears. Over time, it does not increase, which is good news.
In general, for me the ideal design of the shutter is the one used in Sony Ericsson W800i / 700i (the design of the K500, K600, W550, P990 can also be included here) - the shutter is compact, does not stick out. Again, it is almost impossible to open it when you take the phone out of your jeans pocket, and in the case of the K790i this is not uncommon, often the phone is taken out into the light with the shutter half open.
The camera shutter button located on the right side of the phone has also lost its former gloss - the key is worn.
I liked the phone's screen very much: thanks to the mirror backing, it remains readable in sunny weather (the predecessors S700i and W900i did not differ in this), in addition, the display became brighter. I would also like to positively note the cover of the screen: it is resistant to scratches, there is still no damage. Of course, I would like a screen larger than the current one (S700i was 2.2 inches, W900i - 2.1 inches, K790i - already 2 inches), again, there is also free space. We can only hope for a future flagship, since the phone is no longer only a means of communication, but also a device for surfing the Internet, watching movies, reading books. A big screen for these purposes it is vital.
Now a few words about the joystick, which has become the talk of the town.
Problems with the joystick have been known since the days of the T610 (I won't list the entire model range, but I had an ailment with the joystick in the aforementioned T610, K700i, W800i, and currently and in the K790i). In my device, glitches (they mean inappropriate joystick behavior when I press to the right, but instead it works like "input") appeared a couple of months after the purchase. I clean the joystick periodically; some say that the problem is in the software, some in the mechanics, but that doesn't make it any easier for me: sometimes it becomes very inconvenient to type. For example, in the typed word after the letter "m" is followed by "n", in order to type the text faster and not wait a few seconds that pass when choosing a letter to be entered into the text, I press the joystick to the right, and instead it works like "Continue »And offers to send a message. Naturally, you can wait, but there are situations when you need, for example, to make a quick call, but the joystick also acts inadequately and instead of scrolling down the list of subscribers in the phone book it can work as "Call", which is very, very inconvenient.
Since we are talking about typing, we cannot but say about the keyboard. In my opinion, it is quite convenient, although some people note that the key block is underestimated. Anyone else is a matter of habit. Recently I noticed that the coating is peeling off the keys "3" and "6" ... with the rest so far everything is in order, what caused this - it is not clear, it would be fine if the paint would peel off evenly, but here there are only two chosen ones.
Separately, it is worth noting the block of soft keys, as well as buttons for the Internet browser and Activity menu. The auxiliary buttons are small in size, but there are no complaints about this part, everything is convenient. You can also note the fact that people who have not previously encountered Sony products Ericsson, they are somewhat perplexed, not seeing the green call button and the red one for the end call in front of them. This is already a matter of habit.
There is also such a moment related to text, more precisely, to SMS. K790i, as you know, is made on a new platform, one of the features of which is the ability to store not 200 messages in the phone's memory, as before, but 1000. Everything would be fine, but when the memory is full, the phone starts to slow down, the list of messages scrolls slower, of course, you can erase messages more often, but the problem, apparently, is with phones with QVGA screens (240x320 pixels), I tried to dump messages to the K610 to the maximum (there were almost 1000 SMS in the memory) - everything worked very quickly, without the slightest delay.
Multimedia
Although the phone does not belong to the Walkman family, focused on high-quality music reproduction, nevertheless, in this respect it is not bad. The built-in player does not shine with settings (there are only four of them, it is possible to adjust the sound to personal preferences), but, in general, the player is good. The phone uses a proprietary headset HPM-70 (black), which has a 3.5 mm jack, which allows you to fit your headphones. The phone cannot boast of anything special in terms of music playback, it is pointless to compare it with the same W850 in this respect, there is a player new version, and the sound already claims to be something, the K790i is somewhat simpler in this regard. The sound is quite loud, in the subway you can listen to music at about 80 percent volume.
Speaking of the player, I cannot fail to mention the HBH DS-970 stereo Bluetooth headset. She worked fine with the phone. Auto-connection is supported (it is convenient - just turn on Bluetooth on the phone, and a working headset connects to it itself). In terms of sound, the headset is subjectively similar to the HPM-70. The only drawbacks I can attribute is the impossibility of answering, this is, of course, inconvenient, you have to either press the headset key or go to the phone every time. Also, there is no possibility of broadcasting the melody assigned to the subscriber, every time when an incoming call is heard a standard trill is also not very interesting, there is something for the company to work on. From design features accessory, it should be noted that there is no attachment, a clothespin could be provided. When you walk fast (it's generally impossible to run with it, it dangles from side to side), the headset starts to dangle back and forth, you have to hide it under your jacket, but then it is already impossible to remotely switch songs and answer calls without reaching for the phone. In addition, during operation in the autumn-winter period (by the way, there was no particular cold weather), the braid on the headset burst. Again, the operating time will suit only those who do not listen to music very much - the headset worked up to 4-5 hours, this is not enough. But, in general, I liked the device.
Many people complain that the phone does not read Russian tags. The problem is solved simply: for example, we take iTunes and change the encoding in it - voila, here are Russian letters instead of krakozyabr.
Of the design features, we can note the presence of the Play-pause key on the left side. Thanks to this button, you can listen to songs without opening the player - just press this key and the music will start playing. There is also the possibility of setting: either we continue listening to the last song, or the phone turns on the radio or the player, depending on what was listened to the last time. Another nice thing: when the player is minimized, the current composition is displayed as a scrolling line on the phone screen, if you switch a track or start playing it (you can switch between songs using the volume keys).
I can’t say anything about the radio, I don’t use it. RDS is, it catches normally. Oh, yes, with a headset connected, the radio can be set to alarm.
Speaking about the role of the phone as a player, one cannot but mention memory cards. The phone now uses a new format of cards - Memory stick micro (M2). I will not go into technical details, for ordinary consumer changing formats means, first of all, that when switching, for example, from K750 to K790i, he is forced to change the memory card. The built-in memory is enough (about 80 MB), but living without a card is not very fun. If you use your phone as a multimedia device, you will have to buy a card urgently: a snapshot in maximum resolution"Weighs" about 700-800 Kb. In the end, I reached a volume of 2 GB (there were 512 MB and 1 GB), there were no problems with the cards, the first two were made by Sony, the last one was Sandisk. I liked what is in comes with the adapter is not for an ordinary Memory Stick, but for a Memory stick duo, thus, the card can be used both in old types of phones and in photographic equipment.
So far, the cost of the cards is quite high, the price difference between old and new generation cards is significant (the original Sony Memory Stick 1 Gb costs about 900 rubles, M2 - 1500, "regular" 2 GB - 1700, M2 - 2600). The difference is obvious.
You can also watch movies using your phone. Of course, the screen is not the most suitable for these purposes, it is too small, but from the technical point of view, there are no complaints: the phone shows 240x320 30 fps movies without any "brakes". The only moment is some "thoughtfulness" when entering the video player menu. When there are several dozen clips on the card, the phone may take some time to process them.
Current firmware- R1GB001, it has the ability to preview video files in the Gallery when the selected object starts playing. I have never seen this on devices from other manufacturers.
The phone turned out to be quite "tenacious", on average it works for a couple of days from one charge: 5-20 minutes of calls, 30-60 SMS, an hour or two players, plus the Internet and ICQ. I conducted an experiment: in Jimm, the phone worked for about 14 hours until it was completely discharged - a very good result. The earpiece is weak, you have to talk at maximum volume. The call would also be louder.
Photography
Key feature of this apparatus is its camera. The manufacturer offers K790i as a "two-sided classic phone", that is, on the one hand - a telephone, on the other - a camera.
One of the factors in buying this phone was the camera. You can argue for a long time whether the phone needs a camera, or is it evil, but I made a choice for myself: it's better to have a phone with a good camera than without it at all. Even Nokia, which launched the release of the "orthodox" Еseries, devoid of cameras (the E70 had a camera, but in general the line was promoted as an office tool, where the camera is an unnecessary attribute, the lack of a photo did not affect the price too much), is now rebuilding its line.
Over the entire period, about 3000 photos were taken from the phone, the number of saved photos on the computer is about 800 MB. Several dozen photographs were printed, in quality they are quite comparable to an inexpensive camera, pictures are especially good in sunny weather, macro photography is traditionally good, and it is very good to shoot flowers. In student life, and in the harsh office routine, filming documents helped out more than once. The pictures are excellent, the text is easily recognized by the appropriate programs and converted to Word format. There is an interesting opportunity to send a fresh photo to your blog directly from your phone, but having sent a few photos, I gave up this venture.
The xenon flash should be noted separately. Thanks to her, the quality of shooting in the dark has improved significantly. Previously, a proprietary MXE-60 accessory could be used for these purposes - connected to the phone through a standard flash connector. All the characteristics and capabilities of the camera have been described in the corresponding review, there is nothing to add here.
Separately, I would like to say about the quality of video recording: it is absolutely bad. For budget phones nothing else, but the flagship, even though it is not offered as a phone for video recording, like the Nokia N93, could be equipped with higher specifications: nevertheless, video recording at the level of the K700i three years ago will not please the owner who often uses this function. There is still no competition in the model range: the W900i has long been discontinued, and the P990i is focused on a different market sector.
Applications and programs
The wonderful program My Phone Explorer is used as the main tool, the current version is 1.5.9. Thanks to it, it is possible to fully synchronize the phone with the computer: contacts, SMS, notes, reminders, call history, and other data can be saved in it. It is possible to work with the phone's memory and memory card, it supports downloading applications to the phone. Even the phone's battery level and signal reception are displayed! Again, communication with the phone is possible both through the cable that comes with the phone and via Bluetooth.
To convert video files, I use the Winavimp4 converter program, the simplest utility, converts video for both iPod and PSP. There are a lot of videos on the network 240x320, but in a smartphone avi format, so it's enough to download the video file you like and using this small program in a few minutes we have ready file for viewing on a regular phone
For fans of creativity, there is the Sony Ericsson Themes Creator program (the latest version is 3.10), with its help you can independently create a theme for any Sony Ericsson phone, you just need to choose a model. The program has the ability to preview themes, as well as the size of the pictures for each model.
Of the applications installed on the phone, Opera mini should be noted, which more than once helped out at a time when there was no computer and Jimm at hand (0.5.2). In general, life can be divided into 2 stages: before the appearance of these applications and after. Earlier it was impossible to imagine that a phone would replace a computer, for the second year I have been using these two applications, and thanks to the multitasking of the K790i, you can simultaneously correspond via ICQ and surf the Internet.
You can use the built-in Photo DJ software to edit photos, but I prefer full-fledged Photoshop on my computer if I really need to tweak something from the footage.
The new SE has the ability to flash via GPRS: now, in order to update the software, it is not necessary to go to the service or use the SEUS (Sony Ericsson Update Service) on the computer, the phone can independently search for new software on its own, if it is found, it will offer the owner to update the firmware; convenient function.
Conclusion
What can I say in the end? The model turned out to be very successful, to some extent the popularity was influenced by the next series of "Bondiads" released at the end of last year, I often hear: "Oh, this is James Bond's phone!" - although mine is in black, not silver, as in the plot. The device combines everything you need: an excellent camera, a good player, multitasking. The model is liked by both schoolchildren and adults, everyone who loves technology and new technologies.
Related links
- Standard: GSM 900/1800/1900, EDGE (K790i) UMTS (K800i);
- Dimensions: 105 × 47 × 22 mm;
- Weight: 115 g;
- Screen: 2 ″, 240 × 320, 262144 colors, TFT
- Battery: Li-Poly, BST-33, 900 mAh;
- Memory: 64MB + support Sony cards MemoryStick Micro (M2);
- Camera: 3.2 MP (resolution up to 2048 × 1536), with autofocus and xenon flash;
- Ringing tones: 72-voice polyphony, MP3 support
- FM receiver with RDS support;
- MP3 player;
- Support for RSS feeds;
- Standard organizer features.
Foreword
In this article, we are testing the Sony Ericsson K800i, but all the data is relevant for the K790i as well: the first differs only in the support of third generation networks (UMTS), instead of EDGE in the K790i, and, therefore, in the presence additional camera in the speaker grill for making video calls.
Appearance and ergonomics
Compared to the previous models (in particular, with the K750i) the phone has become a bit bigger. The company cannot be accused of unnecessarily inflating the model, because the main reason for the change in dimensions is the display, which now has a QVGA resolution (240 × 320 pixels). It would be a mistake to use a display with a lower resolution and size, because it is very useful not only when using modern functions(for example, for browsing websites or modern games), but even when using the phone as a camera, there is no compromise here, since the company positions this phone exactly as a camera phone, and for the viewfinder and viewing captured images, you need the highest possible resolution.
The design of the model has changed slightly compared to the K750i. All shapes have become more rectangular, which, together with the iron speaker, edging around the display and along the contour of the phone, as well as metallic soft keys, gives the impression of a more serious and collected device, which certainly inspires confidence. The phone has become more masculine, so it is unlikely to suit the fair sex.
It is worth mentioning the control keys separately. Together with the joystick, they are grouped into a single block (and not scattered, as in the K750), tightly fitting to the display and matching it in color, which looks quite stylish and harmonious. This grouping made it possible to add, in addition to the traditional keys, one more - for accessing the Internet. This arrangement did not negatively affect usability - the keys feel well and the percentage of misses and errors is minimal.
The keys of the digital block are located at a slight angle, which, after a short getting used to, allows you to use them quite comfortably. It's nice that Sony Ericsson decided to abandon the QuickShare inscription located at the bottom of the models in the K700i and K750i. It took up a lot of space, which in the candy bar form factor can be considered an unaffordable luxury. An additional factor that prompted the company to take this step is a different positioning of the phone: now the most important thing in it is the capabilities of the camera, and therefore focusing on CyberShot functions is a higher priority than pointing out QuickShare.
There are some interesting buttons to the right and left of the speaker. They simultaneously act as limiters, protecting the display from scratches if you put it face down, so you can use the phone for a long time until you try to press one of them (however, they do not activate any unique functions, so in this case, you will lose very little). A very interesting solution.
On the left side of the phone there is a button for playing a song from the media player. If the headphones are not connected, the phone will ask if you need to use the speaker. Moreover, the device will not switch to the player itself, but will simply start playing the song on which you stopped last time. In this case, a bar will appear at the top of the screen for a few seconds, displaying the name of the song and its artist, and then the player will completely work in the background. Pressing this key again will stop playback accordingly.
There is a slot for a flash card next to the media player button. Traditionally, Sony promotes its own memory card formats, while the phone, despite the larger dimensions than in the K750, uses miniature memory cards - MemoryStick Micro (M2) instead of MemoryStick Duo and Pro Duo. It is difficult to judge the justification of such a transition, and it is unlikely that it will definitely please the end users - naturally, cards are more expensive than their larger predecessors, and the abundance of carriers of different formats does not make life much easier. Although the situation is not entirely pessimistic - you can already find 1 GB cards on sale now, and a special M2 adapter is supplied with many products, which is outwardly identical to a full-size memory card into which a micro is inserted.
On the right side of the phone are the traditional volume keys, which also perform menu navigation and zoom functions in shooting mode. As in previous models, when you press them in standby mode, the screen displays status information about the current profile, phone model (probably in case you forgot it), available memory, battery status (charge level in percent, without the forecast of the duration of the work), as well as the presence of alarms.
Below (specially for pressing with the index finger right hand when shooting) the shutter key is located. It has two steps of pressing and is used to switch to shooting mode (when fully pressed from any state of the phone, even with the lens closed), as well as to take pictures (as in most cameras, a partial press focuses, and a full press takes a picture). The infrared port is located at the very bottom.
At the bottom there is a microphone and a port for connecting a charger and a data cable, the same as in the K750i. If you are going to switch to this device from old Sony models Ericsson (K700i and earlier), keep in mind that the charging has changed, so your car accessories and extra charging in the office will need to be updated.
On the back of the phone there is a loudspeaker (the volume is normal, it cannot be called high - you may not hear some ringtones on the road), a xenon flash (we will talk about its advantages and disadvantages later) and a sliding camera lens cover. The lens is located on a certain ledge (apparently, the lens itself has become quite voluminous) and, together with the cover, noticeably adds thickness to the device.
When working with the phone, it lies in the hand very well, but during a conversation, because of this bulge, it is not very convenient to hold it - there is nothing to rest your fingers on, you have to hold the phone quite low behind the battery cover and there is a chance that the phone just pops out of your hands.
However, the bulge adds a small plus to the phone (undoubtedly less significant than a minus): as you can see in the photos, when the phone is lying on its back, its upper part is slightly raised, that is, the phone looks like the display is facing you.
When you move the lens shutter, the shooting mode is activated, even if the keypad was locked on the phone (in this case, when the lens is closed, the keypad will return to the locked position). That is, you can switch to camera mode through the menu, using the shutter key and sliding the shutter. The shutter itself looks quite stylish, but it cannot be said that it is very convenient to use: because of its rather slippery surface, it is not always possible to open the lens quickly, over time it looses significantly, and often you can open it when not necessary (for example pulling the phone out of his jeans pocket). Finally, it should be noted that the curtain surface is noticeably scratched over time.
The battery compartment cover can be opened quite simply - by pressing on the upper part from both sides. The phone uses a lithium-polymer battery BST-33 with a capacity of 900 mAh, such a battery is installed in some of the company's modern phones: W850i, W950i, M600i, W900c, W900i, V800. Of the minuses, we can say that both the battery mount and the SIM card retainer put too much pressure on their charges: as you can see in the photographs, the inscriptions on the battery have erased, and the paint on the SIM card has been erased after the first time.
Menus and functions
The menu is traditional for Sony Ericsson - four rows of three items each. The company is actively promoting its Internet services and is a little upset by the fact that in the main menu, the entire first section is devoted to the PlayNow service, which allows you to download ringtones and other content from a special site - this service could be embedded, say, in the Internet item, and make the first position of the main menu much more useful.
Otherwise, all sections of the menu are quite logical - Internet, entertainment, Cyber-shot (camera), messages, player, file manager, contacts, video call, calls, organizer and parameters. Let's take a look at the structure of the menu, in parallel disassembling functionality apparatus.
Internet
You can get to the browser in the usual way by pressing the corresponding key on the left or select the desired bookmark from the quick access menu (via the corresponding key). It was made quite competently, no serious drawbacks could be found. You can view the site in both portrait and landscape orientations (and, in the second case, unnecessary panels will be removed and you will be able to use the entire screen resolution - 320 × 240 pixels). There are options for saving the page, disabling pictures and cookies, as well as setting the required scale. Smart-Fit eliminates horizontal scrolling.
Of course, you will hardly be able to view most modern sites stuffed with graphics and animation comfortably, but with sites optimized for PDAs, of which there are a lot now, problems are unlikely to arise - everything will be correctly and conveniently displayed.
As a demonstration of the capabilities of the browser, we can give the following example: we managed to replenish the phone account from the phone via a secure connection rather quickly via the PDA version of the Yandex.Money website (). The ability to manage your account from your phone opens up some pretty interesting perspectives.
Entertainment
Here you will find access to the radio, games, a video player, three programs: VideoDJ, PhotoDJ, MusicDJ, the purpose of which is clear from the name, remote control of the computer, sound recording, as well as a short demo video telling about the capabilities of the phone.
The radio has not undergone any major changes compared to the earlier models: the same work in the background, RDS support, installation of presets and the ability to play radio through the loudspeaker. As usual, the headset acts as an antenna, so the radio will not function without it.
There are three preinstalled games in the phone: Foto Quest Fishing (a very beautiful two-dimensional game for photographing fish - note that you don't need to eat or fish, but take pictures - very humanely and positively), Mini Golf: Castles (three-dimensional and quite interesting golf) , WTA SRTennis (famous 3D tennis, installed in many of the company's phones).
Of the set of VideoDJ, PhotoDJ and MusicDJ, I liked the second one most of all: it offers quite large possibilities for processing photos, while the rest are unlikely to be used by users often.
The most interesting thing about sound recording is the ability to record a conversation. When a large percentage of communication takes place on a mobile phone, the ability to replay the conversation can be not only useful for personal use (for example, if you need to remember the same house number), but it can also serve as strong evidence of the dialogue that took place (“You say you did not promise me money ? Let's listen ... "). In most phones, this possibility is practically not implemented: either you can record a short excerpt of a conversation, or only one side (yourself or the interlocutor), or the interlocutor will hear a characteristic signal warning him about the recording (the laws of some countries prohibit making a recording without the knowledge of the interlocutor), or all of this together. Sony Ericsson K800i implements the function well - recording is not limited in time, two-way and without notifying the interlocutor. To complete perfection, two things are missing: the automatic recording function (so that during a call you do not have to go into the menu. True, you can bring this menu item for quick access to "My Links" and activate it before picking up the handset) and the ability to rewrite these sound files to the computer (this limitation is bypassed by transferring the recorded file to the "Ringing signals" folder).
Posts
Here you can view and send SMS messages, EMS, MMS, E-mail, as well as view RSS feeds.
E-mail works quite correctly for both receiving and sending, there were practically no problems with encodings. Supports work with multiple accounts, POP3, IMAP, SMTP protocols, it is possible to work over a secure connection, and you can also change port numbers. Mail can be checked automatically at specified intervals.
Of particular note is the support for RSS. It is extremely relevant due to the widespread use of the corresponding channels on the Internet (today, almost every regularly updated website and blog has RSS support), as well as the minimum volume of transmitted traffic (after all, only headings and text are transmitted, as a rule). With the current GPRS tariffs, downloading a dozen RSS feeds will cost literally a few cents, which is good news.
Navigation through the RSS feeds is made quite understandable (first you select a channel, then you can reveal the content of the heading you are interested in), it is a pleasure to use this feature: there are no problems with the Russian language, the fonts are well chosen, the function is supported automatic update channels (if new information appears in the channel, the corresponding icon will appear in the top panel).
Turntable
The mp3 player is made quite well; there is a possibility of sound reproduction both through the headset and through the speaker of the phone. A simple equalizer, the ability to create playlists - in a word, it will be enough for unpretentious users. I liked the fact that when starting songs, a smooth increase in volume is used, fade in (when playback is stopped - fade out) - it is very useful when using both a speaker and headphones (you don't have to shock anyone around or your ears).
And, of course, if you are going to use your phone to listen to music, immediately purchase an additional memory card - 64 MB is unlikely to satisfy even the most unpretentious users.
Camera
Below are the raw photos captured by the phone with automatic settings(first four), in document shooting mode (5 and 6) and macro (7 and 8).
As already noted, in order to get into the camera mode, you can use the menu, the shutter button, or simply move the camera shutter. The phone has a completely understandable settings menu, moreover, the most frequently used functions (image size, focus, flash mode and some others) are duplicated in digital block keys, that is, you can change them by pressing the corresponding number, and not moving through the menu, which greatly simplifies the work in conditions when you do not want to spend a lot of time on the picture.
Now let's take a look at the options for shooting settings in the same order in which they are located in the phone.
- Shooting mode
- Normal
- BestPic. Unlike panoramas and frames, this is extremely useful function that many users will surely like. By pressing the shutter once, the phone takes a series of nine shots in a second, after which it remains to mark the ones you want to keep (from zero to nine). BestPic will be very relevant in almost all cases: when taking pictures of moving objects, when shooting portraits (so as not to redo the frame if a person blinked), as well as in low light (so that the picture does not turn out blurry due to a trembling hand).
- Panorama. In panorama mode, you take three pictures in sequence from left to right, which are "stitched" into a single frame. The function is curious, but not very useful: for truly spectacular panoramas you need professional equipment and a tripod, and the phone is unlikely to get high-quality pictures - it is almost impossible to avoid noticeable joints between shots.
- Framework. Overlay a variety of hand-drawn pictures as a background. After playing around with a function a few times, you will likely forget about it.
- Shooting conditions
- Automatically
- Landscape at dusk
- Portrait at dusk
- Landscape orientation
- Portrait orientation
- Beach / Snow
- Sport
- Document
- Image size
- 3 megapixels. Using smaller resolutions, of course, only makes sense if you save space.
- Focusing
- Automatically
- Macro
- Infinity
- Photo flash
- Disabled
- Automatically
- Reduced red-eye effect. Dual flash is used.
- Self-timer
- Effects
- Disable
- Black and white
- Negative
- Sepia
- Overexposure
- White balance
- Automatically
- Cloudy
- Fluorescent lamps
- Incandescent lamps
- Measurement Mode
- Normal
- Centre
- Image quality
- Common
- High
- Shutter sound (4 options)
- Time and date in the photo
- File counter
- Save location
The ability to record videos is poorly implemented - with this positioning of the phone and a three-megapixel camera, the resolution of 176 × 144 pixels, 10 fps is simply no good. If the possibility of video recording was present, the device would have received an additional and very significant competitive advantage.
Particularly pleasing is the preservation of the sequence of images after deletion. That is, if you took a hundred frames, copied them to your computer and deleted them from your phone, the next shots will start from number 101, and not from the first. Very convenient for active use.
Unfortunately, the K800i lacks a flashlight, unlike the K750i. Users will react differently to the absence of this simple feature - some people do not need it at all, but for some it may turn out to be a serious disadvantage. This is explained not by the company's whim, but by the flash device - unlike the K750i, it is xenon (which is used in conventional cameras) and is designed for pulsed light.
File Manager
Navigation through files is quite comfortable, it is possible, without switching to other programs, to play melodies and mp3, and also, which is very important, to open text files, including in Russian, as shown in the photo.
Directly from the dispatcher, you can send the necessary files in a convenient way (via MMS, E-mail, Bluetooth and infrared). Sorting by name, date, file type and size is supported.
Video call
We will skip the possibilities of this menu item, since in our latitudes it is completely irrelevant.
Challenges
The call list is traditionally divided into categories: all received, outgoing and missed. Nothing new has been implemented, everything is as usual.
Organizer
Here you can find access to alarms, applications, calendar, tasks, notes, synchronization, timer, stopwatch, calculator and code memo. In a word, a standard set of a modern functional phone. The alarm clocks are especially pleasing: now there are five of them, they can be configured for single and multiple sounding, any melody or mp3 can be used as a signal.
Options
All phone settings are located here, they are grouped into five categories: general, sounds and signals, display, calls and communication. It makes no sense to disassemble each item of the settings - they are all obvious and understandable.
Results and prices
During work, there was an annoying bug - sometimes the phone did not automatically connect to the Internet: for example, you click on a button to send and receive mail, the phone shows that it is busy looking for a server, but the image of the globe does not appear in the top panel, so the phone takes a long time and tries to complete the task to no avail. This can only be fixed by rebooting. There were also common freezes - the phone stopped responding to any actions, you had to remove and reinsert the battery. Hopefully, this is a flaw in this particular test model, it is not intended for commercial use.
On the whole, the phone turned out to be decent and harmonious - the features are at a very good level, there are practically no flaws, the design is quite stylish and at the same time classic - most users will surely like it. In general, the prospects for this model are very good.
One should hardly expect a quick decline in the price of the phone, because this is a top-end model in its segment, which will surely find its buyer, and for the mass consumer the company's portfolio has a sufficient selection of devices.
Surely many readers are interested in the question of choosing between the K750i and the K790i / K800i: which phone to buy and whether it is worth buying a more expensive model for owners of K750i. By and large, the novelty has no revolutionary differences from its predecessor. Yes, it is more attractive (of course, this is a subjective point of view), it has an improved camera, a display with a higher resolution, some new features (in particular, an RSS reader), in a word, it has been improved in almost all respects. But some giant leap that could open up fundamentally new horizons for using the phone (which happened, for example, when phones with built-in cameras appeared, or when they crossed the megapixel line) did not happen. At the same time, at the time of this article publication, the K790i / K800i are about twice as expensive as the K750i.
So if the price of a phone plays an important role in your choice, and if the functionality is of fundamental importance, and not the fact of the presence of the top-end model, you should buy the K750i. If twice more expensive model you are not scared away, then you will get a device that is improved in many respects, but not revolutionary.
It is worth considering carefully the choice between the K790i and K800i models. Despite the almost equal prices, it might seem like a better option to get the K800i, as the model has a higher index and supports 3G networks. However, do not forget that in our country the possibilities of working in UMTS are unlikely to be useful in the near future, but EDGE, which is present only in the K790i, has been working in the capital for quite a long time. So if you often go online through mobile phone, you should opt for the K790i.
The phone was provided for testing
by Sony Ericsson
A Cyber-shot digital camera and a small and sophisticated phone, equipped with EDGE technology and many functions, are combined in one device. Carry the K790i with you and have a 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, photo and video stabilization and built-in xenon flash at your fingertips. BestPic technology allows you to quickly capture a series of frames with a single press of a camera key. Choose the best. Delete the rest. The camera stabilization function compensates for slight small hand movements when taking photos and videos. You can instantly share your photo with friends and family using Bluetooth and multimedia messages, or upload it to a weblog.
According to readers of ZOOM.Cnews
Sony Ericsson K790i:
Ergonomic, functional, affordable, has a capacious battery, has a good camera, masculine, handsome, can replace a player, heavy.
SPECIFICATIONS
ergonomicFunctional
Affordable
Has a capacious battery
Has a good camera
Male
Beautiful
Can be a replacement for the player
Light
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MAIN TECHNICAL SPECIFICATIONS
Nutrition
Battery capacity: 950 mAh Battery type: Li-polymer Talk time: 7 h Standby time: 350 hAdditional Information
Features: function of stabilization of photos and video images; Announce date: 2006-02-01General characteristics
Type: phone Weight: 115 g Control: joystick Case material: plastic Case type: classic Number of SIM-cards: 1 Dimensions (WxHxT): 47x105x22 mm Type of SIM-card: regular SAR level: 0.5Screen
Screen type: color TFT, 262.14 thousand colors Diagonal: 2 inches. Image size: 320x240 Pixels Per Inch (PPI): 200Calls
Type of melodies: 72-voice polyphony, MP3-melodies Vibration alert: yes Melody editor: yesMultimedia capabilities
Camera: 3.20 million pixels, 2048x1536, xenon flash Camera functions: autofocus, PictBridge support, digital Zoom 16x Video recording: yes (QCIF, 3GP) Max. video resolution: 176x144 Video playback: 3GP, MPEG4 Audio: MP3, AAC, FM radio Voice recorder: yes Max. video frame rate: 10 frames / s Games: yes Java applications: yesConnection
Interfaces: Bluetooth, IRDA, USB Internet access: WAP 2.0, GPRS, EDGE Standard: GSM 900/1800/1900 Synchronization with a computer: yes Use as a USB storage: yes Modem: yes External antenna connector: yes Protocol support: POP / SMTP, HTMLMemory and processor
Number of processor cores: 1 Built-in memory: 64 MB Support for memory cards: micro Memory Stick Memory card slot: yesPosts
Additional functions SMS: text input with dictionary MMS: yesOther functions
Speakerphone (built-in speaker): yes Flight mode: yes Profile A2DP: yes Sound coding modes HR, FR, EFR: yesNotebook and organizer
Organizer: alarm clock, calculator, task scheduler Search by book: yes Exchange between SIM-card and internal memory: yes| Screen | |
|---|---|
| Screen | TFT |
| Diagonal | 2 " |
| Color rendering | 262144 colors |
| Permission | 240 x 320 pixels |
| Call and multimedia | |
| FM tuner | |
| Data transfer | |
| Bluetooth | |
| Infrared port | |
| E-mail client | |
| GPRS | |
| MMS | |
| Camera and video | |
| Number of pixels | 3.2 million pixels |
| Battery | |
| Conversation mode | 7 h |
| Standby mode | 350 h |
| Dimensions and weight | |
| Width | 47 mm |
| Height | 105 mm |
| Thickness | 22 mm |
| The weight | 115 g |
