Hands-on with the Sony Ericsson P990
By Peter Rojas 
posted Apr 6th 2006 8:00AM
posted Apr 6th 2006 8:00AM
Yeah, we know it hurts that Sony Ericsson has no plans, at least as of right now, to ever release the P990 here in the States, but here's something that might make you feel better: the QWERTY keyboard on this phone is pretty crappy. To be fair, five minutes is definitely not enough time to make a proper assessment, but the impression we were left with after playing with the P990 at the Sony Ericsson booth is that the keys are way too small and not tactile enough for easy typing.
Anyway, to refresh your memory on the specs, the P990 runs Symbian OS 9.1 with the UIQ 3 software platform, and has a 2.8-inch QVGA touch screen display, built-in WiFi (802.11b), Bluetooth, a two megapixel camera with a "photo light," video calling, FM radio, MP3 and MPEG-4 player, and a keyboard (QWERTY, QWERTZ, AZERTY, or Russian) underneath the flip-down keypad. Click on for a few more pics.
Close-up of the flip-down numeric keypad.
Close-up of the QWERTY keyboard.
That black thing on the left isn't part of the phone, it's a security attachment to make sure no one walks off with it.
Any news on the date of availability, say for Germany and/or Switzerland?
Bad thumbboard? That's a deal breaker. :(
Considering how much I use the kb on my treo, I know I would have a very hard time enjoying a device where basic text entry is not as easy to use.
Does anyone know if the P series have smart text fields like Palm does? By smart text I mean things like how if you type "wont" it will automatically insert the appostraphe for you to make "won't"?
That feature is another bonus to the Treos.
Was looking forward to this phone but I think I'm going to go for the N80 instead.
Huh? You say the keyboard is carppy only because it's not going to be released in US? ;D
Anyway. Looks nice. Hope they fix the keyboard.
Dammit S.E.
Why? Why? Why?
I've been waiting for this thing for almost a year now - even passing on a great deal on an unlocked HTC Wizard for $150.00 so I could save my duckets for this thing.
Then you tell me the keyboard sucks???
Damnit man - what am I supposed to do now? I can't go home - I can't go home man! What am I supposed to do now?
It's gold Jerry, gold!
JREAU,
You passed on an unlocked HTC Wizard for $150?
Shame on you - you don't deserve the P990.
It's such a shame. I'm sure the only reason why SE left WIFI out of the M600 is to avoid cannibalisation of the P990.
But the M600 is so much nicer, it just needs WIFI..
I've owned every P series phone since the p800 I have the p910 now. When the p990 hits the shelfs I'll have that too.];D
I've used the keyboard on the treo and I find it easier to use the one on my p910.
Gimmi the M600 with WiFi, I promise I promise, I won't ask for anything else. Do think the P990 rocks though!
so, uhmm, do you like get the same speeds from UMTS as you would WiFi (for streaming and stuff)?
Oh, btw, just order the P990i from any location (except US) and voila! You have it in the US (don't understand why they have to officially release it in the US for people to buy it)
SE says if you live in the United States and you purchase this from overseas, they won't support it in either location & it voids the warranty.
And by the way, how has YOUR call quality been on the P910i? My friends are constantly complaining. Anyone know who has the best call quality? Is it the handset or the carrier?
Where does this non-US news come from? This is the only site I've found to say that. {{in denial}}
Hm, any mobile workshop would take it to repair. About keyboard, of course it's not to use with a fingers, but with special pen IMHO
Pum's right - I suspect the majority of P990 users won't spend much time on the thumb-board, opting instead for the stylus. Anyone who's used a P-series phone will be quite comfortable with the character recognition software and Symbian 9's is supposed to be even better...
bollocks about the warranty... all SE products have an Intl warranty.. i am currently testing a prototype P990 and the keyboard is very good...
I keep wondering how the phone's flip connection looks so smooth once the flip's been taken off. Can anyone explain that one? I know I expect to get this phone for the US ASAP. And from what I've heard the phone does have a 2yr Intl warranty.
The P910 has never been officially sold by a carrier in North America either, and yet there's even a P910a. You won't get any real support from a T-Mobile or Cingular store... you have to go to smaller shops. I'm sure it will be the same for the P990i.