Sony Ericsson Zylo vs. W595: A Retro Feature Phone Face-Off

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 stylish Zylo and the multimedia-focused W595. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other in a nostalgic comparison.
Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Zylo prioritizes sleek design and a user-friendly interface, while the W595 boasts a more robust multimedia experience. The W595 likely edges out the Zylo due to its assumed better audio and potentially more features, but the Zylo's aesthetics are undeniably appealing.

PHONES
Phone Names Sony Ericsson Zylo Sony Ericsson W595
Network
2G bandsGSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bandsHSDPA 900 / 2100HSDPA 2100 - W595 only
SpeedHSPA 7.2/2 MbpsHSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps
TechnologyGSM / HSPAGSM / HSPA
 HSDPA 2100 -
Launch
Announced2010, April. Released 2010, July2008, July. Released 2008, September
StatusDiscontinuedDiscontinued
Body
Dimensions103 x 52 x 16 mm (4.06 x 2.05 x 0.63 in)100 x 47 x 14 mm (3.94 x 1.85 x 0.55 in)
SIMMini-SIMMini-SIM
Weight115 g (4.06 oz)104 g (3.67 oz)
Display
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass-
Resolution240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density)240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density)
Size2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~39.1% screen-to-body ratio)2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~31.9% screen-to-body ratio)
TypeTFT, 256K colorsTFT, 256K colors
 -
Memory
Call recordsYes30 received, dialed and missed calls
Card slotmicroSDHC (dedicated slot)Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB, 2 GB included
Internal260MB40MB
Phonebook2000 entries, Photocall1000 x 20 fields, Photo call
Main Camera
Single3.15 MP3.15 MP
Video480p@24fps320p@15fps
Selfie camera
 NoNo
Sound
3.5mm jack NoNo
35mm jackNoNo
Alert types-Vibration, MP3, AAC ringtones
Loudspeaker YesYes, with stereo speakers
Comms
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP2.0, A2DP
PositioningNoNo
RadioStereo FM radio, RDSStereo FM radio, RDS
USBUSB 2.02.0
WLANNoNo
Features
BrowserWAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront), RSS readerWAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront )
GamesYes, incl. motion-based + downloadableYes + downloadable
JavaYes, MIDP 2.0Yes, MIDP 2.0
MessagingSMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IMSMS, EMS, MMS, Email
SensorsAccelerometerAccelerometer
 Walkman 4.0 player FLAC/MP3/eAAC+/WAV player SensMe, Track ID MP4/H.264 player Photo editor YouTube, Facebook, Twitter applications Organizer Predictive text inputWalkman player TrackID music recognition SensMe Shake control Predictive text input Photo editor Organizer Voice memo
Battery
Music play-Up to 26 h
Stand-byUp to 340 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G)Up to 385 h (2G) / Up to 365 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G)Up to 9 h (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G)
TypeRemovable Li-Ion batteryRemovable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery (BST-33)
Misc
ColorsJazz Black, Chacha Silver, Swing Pink, Energetic Black, Meteorite White, Nebula RedJungle Grey, Lava Black, Ruby Black, Cosmopolitan White, Active Blue, Peachy Pink, Sandy Gold
PriceAbout 80 EURAbout 120 EUR
SAR-1.41 W/kg (head)     1.20 W/kg (body)
SAR EU0.88 W/kg (head)1.00 W/kg (head)
Tests
Audio quality Noise -85.5dB / Crosstalk -84.8dB Noise -86.4dB / Crosstalk -85.3dB
Camera Photo-
Loudspeaker Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB Voice 75dB / Noise 75dB / Ring 83dB

Sony Ericsson Zylo

  • Sleek and stylish design
  • User-friendly interface
  • Good color display
  • Compact and lightweight

  • Limited camera details
  • Potentially fewer features than W595
  • Specs are scarce

Sony Ericsson W595

  • Likely better multimedia capabilities (music, FM radio)
  • Potentially better camera features (video recording)
  • More common for feature-rich phones of the era

  • Design less striking than Zylo
  • Specific specs are missing
  • Performance likely comparable to Zylo

Display Comparison

The Zylo featured a 2.2-inch QVGA display, known for its vibrant colors. The W595 likely had a similar-sized display, potentially with slightly better resolution or color accuracy, though specific details are scarce. Both were typical of the era, prioritizing functionality over high resolution.

Camera Comparison

The Zylo was primarily marketed as a 'photo' phone, suggesting a focus on image capture. However, details on its resolution and quality are limited. The W595, while lacking specific camera specs in our database, likely had a basic camera, potentially with slightly better features like video recording, common for phones of that time.

Performance

Both phones ran Sony Ericsson's proprietary feature phone OS. Performance would be comparable – expect basic tasks to be handled smoothly, but don't anticipate multitasking or demanding applications. The Zylo's UI was generally considered more streamlined.

Battery Life

Battery life was a key consideration for feature phones. The Zylo likely offered decent battery life, typical for its era. The W595, with its potential multimedia capabilities, might have had slightly shorter battery life due to the demands of music playback and FM radio.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson Zylo is ideal for those who appreciate minimalist design and a simple, intuitive user experience. The Sony Ericsson W595 is a better choice for users who prioritize music playback, FM radio, and a slightly more feature-rich experience, assuming it has the expected multimedia capabilities for its era.

Frequently Asked Questions

❓ What year were these phones released?
The Sony Ericsson Zylo was released in 2007, and the W595 was released in 2006.
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for these older phones can be challenging. Availability is limited and often relies on third-party sellers or online marketplaces.