The K550 is pitched as an entry level Cyber-shot phone. It’s a feature-rich handset with a 2mp camera, nice imaging applications, FM radio, a memory card slot with a 512MB card in it, and a budget price. The styling is Sony Ericsson’s current skinny package (14mm thick) with a circular navigation keypad and thin metallic alphanumeric keys -keen texters may get sore fingers initially, but after a while they keys prove pretty comfortable to use.
Flipping the phone over reveals the active lens cover. Sliding it down activates the camera interface automatically; the cover also exposes a self portrait mirror. Just beside it there are two powerful LEDs which serve as a photo flash or a flashlight.
Be warned: the Cyber-shot logo does not necessarily mean great camera performance. Picture quality is comparable to that of the W850/W880 rather than the K750/W800.
Overall though it’s a good phone – lots of memory, good battery life, Flight mode. We were pretty pleased with the design and the construction of the K550. It looks good, and feels nice to touch, and fits perfectly in your hand.
• Mid-range winner
FEATURES 85%
SALEABILITY 90%
Be warned: the Cyber-shot logo does not necessarily mean great camera performance. Picture quality is comparable to that of the W850/W880 rather than the K750/W800.
Overall though it’s a good phone – lots of memory, good battery life, Flight mode. We were pretty pleased with the design and the construction of the K550. It looks good, and feels nice to touch, and fits perfectly in your hand.
• Mid-range winner
FEATURES 85%
SALEABILITY 90%
SPECIFICATION
Size
Length 102mm
Width 46mm
Depth 14mm
Weight
85g
Main display
TFD, 256K colours, 176x220 pixels
Camera
2MP, autofocus, dual LED flash, video(QCIF)
Connectivity
Quadband GSM, USB 2.0, IR, Bluetooth 2.0
Battery
Standby 350h
Talk time 7h
Features
microSD card slot (512MB supplied), music player, imaging tools
Size
Length 102mm
Width 46mm
Depth 14mm
Weight
85g
Main display
TFD, 256K colours, 176x220 pixels
Camera
2MP, autofocus, dual LED flash, video(QCIF)
Connectivity
Quadband GSM, USB 2.0, IR, Bluetooth 2.0
Battery
Standby 350h
Talk time 7h
Features
microSD card slot (512MB supplied), music player, imaging tools