The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. Today, we're revisiting two iconic models: the stylish Zylo and the music-focused W890. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other in a nostalgic comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W890 likely edges out the Zylo due to its stronger focus on music playback and potentially better build quality. While the Zylo boasts a unique design, the W890's established reputation for audio performance gives it a slight advantage for enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2010, April. Released 2010, July | 2007, November. Released 2008, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 103 x 52 x 16 mm (4.06 x 2.05 x 0.63 in) | 104 x 46.5 x 9.9 mm (4.09 x 1.83 x 0.39 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 115 g (4.06 oz) | 78 g (2.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~154 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.6 inches, 20.9 cm2 (~39.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~25.6% 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, 2 GB included |
| Internal | 260MB | 32MB |
| Phonebook | 2000 entries, Photocall | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Single | 3.15 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p@24fps | 320p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Single | - | Videocall camera |
| | No | - |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | No | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | No | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML (NetFront 3.4), RSS reader |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | SMS, EMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | - |
| | 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 input | Walkman player 3.0
SensMe
TrackID music recognition
Predictive text input
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 340 h (2G) / Up to 400 h (3G) | Up to 360 h (2G) / Up to 310 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h (2G) / Up to 3 h 30 min (3G) | Up to 9 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 4 h 30 min (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion battery | Removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery (BST-33) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Jazz Black, Chacha Silver, Swing Pink, Energetic Black, Meteorite White, Nebula Red | Espresso Black, Mocha Brown, Sparkling Silver |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 1.38 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -85.5dB / Crosstalk -84.8dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 65dB / Noise 66dB / Ring 78dB
|
Voice 69dB / Noise 78dB / Ring 72dB
|
Sony Ericsson Zylo
- Unique and stylish design
- Potentially better camera (speculative)
- Vibrant display
- Limited specs available
- Potentially shorter battery life than W890
- Performance likely comparable to W890
Sony Ericsson W890
- Excellent music playback capabilities
- Strong battery life
- More established reputation
- Potentially slightly better performance
- Less distinctive design compared to Zylo
- Basic camera
- Limited app support
Display Comparison
The Zylo featured a 2.2-inch QVGA display, known for its vibrant colors. The W890 had a 2.0-inch QVGA display. While both were QVGA, the Zylo's slightly larger size likely offered a marginally better viewing experience, though both were limited by the technology of the time.
Camera Comparison
The Zylo was primarily marketed as a 'photo' phone, suggesting a focus on camera capabilities, though specific details are scarce. The W890, while not a camera-centric device, likely had a basic 2MP camera. The Zylo's camera *potentially* offered slightly better image quality, but without detailed specs, it's difficult to confirm.
Performance
Both phones ran on Sony Ericsson's proprietary operating system. The W890, being slightly newer, might have had a marginally faster processor and more RAM, leading to slightly smoother performance, but both were adequate for their intended use – calls, texts, and basic apps.
Battery Life
The W890 was known for its impressive battery life, often lasting for several days on a single charge, especially with moderate music playback. The Zylo's battery life was likely decent, but probably not as exceptional as the W890's.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Zylo is for those who appreciate a distinctive, eye-catching design and a relatively simple user experience. The Sony Ericsson W890 is ideal for music lovers seeking a dedicated device with a focus on audio quality and a more robust feature set.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Which phone is better for music?
The Sony Ericsson W890 is the clear winner for music lovers, thanks to its dedicated music features and reputation for excellent audio quality.
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While functional, these phones are quite dated. Modern smartphone features like high-speed internet and app stores are absent. They're best enjoyed as nostalgic collectibles or for very basic communication.
