The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was a dominant force. Today, we're revisiting two popular models: the W205 and the W760. Both offered unique designs and features, but which one was truly the better phone?
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W760 generally wins due to its slider design, slightly better camera, and more advanced features like 3G. The W205 is a simpler, more durable option for those prioritizing basic functionality and a classic candybar form factor. Ultimately, it depends on your priorities.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 |
| EDGE | No | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| | GSM 850 / 1900 -W205a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, March. Released 2009, July | 2008, January. Released 2008, May |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 92 x 47 x 16.4 mm (3.62 x 1.85 x 0.65 in) | 103 x 48 x 15 mm (4.06 x 1.89 x 0.59 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 103 g (3.63 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 128 x 160 pixels (~114 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 1.8 inches, 10.2 cm2 (~23.6% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~30.3% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 65K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 2 GB | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB, 1 GB included |
| Internal | 5MB | 40MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 contacts, Photo call | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 1.3 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | Yes | Yes |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes, with stereo speakers |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0 | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | GPS |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (Opera Mini) | WAP 2.0/HTML(NetFront), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS, MMS | SMS, MMS, Email |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| | Walkman media player
TrackID music recognition
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo | MP3/AAC player
TrackID music recognition
SensMe
Shake control
Push to talk
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 13 h 30 min | Up to 20 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 425 h | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 9 h | Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery (BST-38) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Ambient Black, Sakura Pink, Windy Blue | Rocky Silver, Fancy Red, Intense Black |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 100 EUR |
| SAR | - | 0.81 W/kg (head) 0.61 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.87 W/kg (head) | 0.53 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Loudspeaker | - |
Voice 67dB / Noise 65dB / Ring 73dB |
Sony Ericsson W205
- Simple and easy to use
- Durable candybar design
- Long battery life
- Affordable (if found)
- Basic features
- Low-resolution screen
- Limited camera capabilities
- No 3G
Sony Ericsson W760
- Stylish slider design
- Slightly better camera
- Potential for 3G connectivity
- More features than W205
- More complex than W205
- Slider mechanism potentially less durable
- Battery life slightly shorter than W205
- Can be harder to find
Display Comparison
The W205 likely featured a standard, smaller screen typical of its era. The W760, being a slider, probably had a slightly larger screen that extended when the slider was opened, offering a more immersive experience for browsing and viewing images.
Camera Comparison
The W760 generally had a better camera than the W205, likely offering a higher megapixel count and potentially some basic image enhancements. Expect grainy images by today's standards, but the W760 would likely produce slightly better results.
Performance
Both phones ran Sony Ericsson's proprietary feature phone OS. The W760, potentially having a slightly more powerful processor, might have offered marginally faster performance, especially when navigating menus or accessing data.
Battery Life
Battery life was a strong point for both devices. Expect several days of moderate use from either phone, though the W205's simpler feature set might have given it a slight edge in battery endurance.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W205 is ideal for users seeking a reliable, no-frills phone for calls and texts, prioritizing durability and simplicity. The Sony Ericsson W760 is better suited for those wanting a more stylish design, a slightly improved camera, and access to basic internet features (where available).
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable with modern networks?
Likely not. These phones use older 2G networks, which are being phased out in many regions. They may still work for calls and texts in areas with 2G coverage, but data connectivity will be limited or non-existent.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
Finding these phones new is impossible. You'll likely need to search online marketplaces like eBay or specialized retro phone retailers. Condition and price will vary greatly.
