The early 2000s saw a rapid evolution in mobile technology, transitioning from basic voice and SMS devices to multimedia-capable feature phones. We're revisiting two representatives of this era: the Alcatel OT-602, a straightforward entry-level device, and the Sony Ericsson W595, a model likely focused on music playback given Sony Ericsson’s Walkman branding. This comparison examines their relative strengths and weaknesses, acknowledging the limited available specifications.
🏆 Quick Verdict
For the average user seeking a functional, no-frills device from this era, the Alcatel OT-602 likely represents the better value. Its known 104 MHz CPU provides a baseline level of performance, while the Sony Ericsson W595’s specifications remain largely unknown, making a definitive assessment difficult.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 2100 - W595 only |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 12 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, July. Released 2011, July | 2008, July. Released 2008, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 101.5 x 52.5 x 12.8 mm (4.00 x 2.07 x 0.50 in) | 100 x 47 x 14 mm (3.94 x 1.85 x 0.55 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | - | 104 g (3.67 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~167 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.4 inches, 17.8 cm2 (~33.5% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~31.9% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT resistive touchscreen, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - |
|
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB, 2 GB included |
| Internal | 3MB | 40MB |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | Yes | 320p@15fps |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | - | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront ) |
| Games | Yes | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, IM | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| | - | Walkman player
TrackID music recognition
SensMe
Shake control
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 26 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 560 h | Up to 385 h (2G) / Up to 365 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 7 h | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 850 mAh battery | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BST-33) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Titanium gray, Fuchsia, Cyber blue, Orange, Aubergine, Black | Jungle Grey, Lava Black, Ruby Black, Cosmopolitan White, Active Blue, Peachy Pink, Sandy Gold |
| Price | About 50 EUR | About 120 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.41 W/kg (head) 1.20 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.00 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality | - |
Noise -86.4dB / Crosstalk -85.3dB |
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 75dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 83dB |
alcatel OT-602
- Known CPU speed provides performance predictability.
- Likely more affordable due to its basic nature.
- Simple and easy to use.
- Limited functionality.
- Likely lacks advanced features like a camera or music player.
- Small display with low resolution.
Sony Ericsson W595
- Potential for enhanced multimedia features (music player).
- Sony Ericsson brand reputation for audio quality.
- Likely a more visually appealing display.
- Unknown specifications make performance assessment difficult.
- Potentially higher price point.
- Battery life may be shorter due to increased functionality.
Display Comparison
Without specific display details for the Sony Ericsson W595, a direct comparison is challenging. The Alcatel OT-602, being a basic device, likely featured a small, low-resolution monochrome or color LCD. The W595, positioned as a Walkman phone, would almost certainly have had a color display, potentially with a higher resolution and better color reproduction, catering to music visualization and album art. The W595 likely benefited from Sony Ericsson’s display expertise, even at this early stage.
Camera Comparison
Neither device is known for camera capabilities. It’s highly probable that the Alcatel OT-602 lacked a camera entirely. The Sony Ericsson W595 *might* have included a very low-resolution camera (likely VGA or 1.3MP), but image quality would have been extremely limited by today’s standards. Any camera on the W595 would have been primarily for novelty rather than serious photography.
Performance
The Alcatel OT-602’s 104 MHz CPU represents its sole known performance metric. This processor was sufficient for basic tasks like making calls, sending SMS messages, and running simple pre-installed applications. The Sony Ericsson W595’s processor remains unspecified. However, given its Walkman branding and likely focus on multimedia, it’s reasonable to assume it possessed a more powerful processor than the Alcatel, capable of handling MP3 decoding and potentially basic Java applications. The architectural differences are unknown, but the W595 likely benefited from Sony Ericsson’s optimization for audio processing.
Battery Life
Battery life on both devices would have been measured in days, given their limited functionality. The Alcatel OT-602, with its simpler hardware, likely offered slightly longer standby and talk time. The Sony Ericsson W595, with its potential for music playback and a larger display, would have consumed more power, reducing battery life. However, both phones would have been significantly more power-efficient than modern smartphones.
Buying Guide
Buy the Alcatel OT-602 if you need a simple, reliable phone for basic communication and are prioritizing affordability. Its known processor speed offers a degree of predictability. Buy the Sony Ericsson W595 if you prioritize potential multimedia features, particularly music playback, and are willing to accept uncertainty regarding its internal specifications, relying on the Sony Ericsson brand reputation for audio quality.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Given the limited specifications, is it possible the Sony Ericsson W595 had a significantly faster processor than the Alcatel OT-602?
While the Alcatel OT-602’s 104 MHz CPU is known, the W595’s processor remains a mystery. However, considering Sony Ericsson’s focus on multimedia with the Walkman line, it’s plausible the W595 had a more powerful processor, potentially exceeding 200 MHz, to handle MP3 decoding and basic applications. Without concrete data, this remains speculative.
❓ Would the Sony Ericsson W595 be a better choice for listening to music, even with an unknown processor?
The Sony Ericsson W595, branded as a Walkman phone, was specifically designed for music playback. Even if the processor isn’t dramatically faster, Sony Ericsson’s expertise in audio hardware and software optimization likely resulted in a superior music listening experience compared to the Alcatel OT-602, which likely lacked dedicated music features.
❓ How does the lack of detailed specifications for the W595 impact its overall appeal?
The absence of detailed specifications significantly hinders a comprehensive assessment of the W595. While the Walkman branding suggests a focus on music, the actual performance and features remain uncertain. This makes it a riskier purchase compared to the Alcatel OT-602, where at least the processor speed is known.
