The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was a dominant force. Today, we're revisiting two of their offerings: the txt, known for its QWERTY keyboard, and the W580, a stylish slider with a focus on music. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W580 likely edges out the txt due to its more refined design and stronger music capabilities. While the txt's QWERTY keyboard was a unique selling point, the W580’s slider mechanism and audio features provided a more premium experience for the time. Both are relics of a bygone era, though!
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| EDGE | Up to 177 kbps | Class 10 |
| GPRS | Up to 60 kbps | Class 10 |
| Technology | GSM | GSM |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, June. Released 2011, October | 2007, March. Released 2007, July |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 106 x 60 x 14.5 mm (4.17 x 2.36 x 0.57 in) | 99 x 47 x 14 mm (3.90 x 1.85 x 0.55 in) |
| Keyboard | QWERTY | - |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 95 g (3.35 oz) | 94 g (3.32 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 240 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~157 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.55 inches, 20.1 cm2 (~31.7% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~26.6% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| | - | Wallpapers, screensavers |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB. 512 MB included |
| Internal | 120MB (100MB user available), 64MB RAM | 12MB |
| Phonebook | Yes, Photocall | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | fixed-focus | - |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 2 MP |
| Video | Yes | QCIF |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/HTML(NetFront), RSS feeds |
| Games | Yes | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.1 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push email, IM | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email |
| | SNS integration with native Facebook and Twitter clients
MP4/H.264 player
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Voice memo
Predictive text input | TrackID music recognition
Walkman 2.0 player
Predictive text input
Organizer
Pedometer, calories counter
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 23 h | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 416 h | Up to 370 h |
| Talk time | Up to 3 h 12 min | Up to 9 h |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 1000 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Black, Blue, White, Pink | Style White, Urban Grey, Boulevard Black, Metro Pink, Jungle Green, Velvet Red |
| Price | About 60 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.26 W/kg (head) 0.57 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.92 W/kg (head) | 0.74 W/kg (head) |
Sony Ericsson txt
- Unique QWERTY keyboard
- Potentially faster text input
- More compact form factor
- Likely basic camera
- Limited performance
- Potentially less stylish design
Sony Ericsson W580
- Stylish slider design
- Stronger focus on music playback
- Potentially better build quality
- Smaller screen (potentially)
- Slider mechanism could be prone to wear
- Text input less efficient than QWERTY
Display Comparison
Both phones likely featured relatively small, low-resolution color screens typical of the era. The W580's slider design *might* have allowed for a slightly larger display area, but the difference would be minimal. Expect limited viewing angles and pixelation.
Camera Comparison
Both phones likely had rudimentary VGA cameras. Image quality would be poor by today's standards, suitable only for very basic snapshots. Don't expect any advanced features or high resolution.
Performance
Performance would be limited by the processors of the time. Expect slow menu navigation and basic functionality. Neither phone would be suitable for modern apps or multitasking. The txt's keyboard *could* offer a slight advantage in text input speed, but overall performance would be comparable.
Battery Life
Battery life would depend on usage, but both phones likely offered a decent standby time. The W580's slider mechanism *might* have slightly impacted battery life compared to the txt's simpler design.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson txt is for those who appreciate a physical QWERTY keyboard and a more utilitarian design. The W580 is for those seeking a stylish, music-focused phone with a premium feel, even by 2000s standards. Both are primarily for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones lack modern features like internet browsing, app support, and cellular connectivity. They are primarily collector's items or for nostalgic use with older SIM cards.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely find these phones on online marketplaces like eBay or through vintage phone collectors. Condition and price will vary greatly.
