Sony Ericsson releases W52S, Engadget Mobile swoons
By Sean Cooper 
posted May 24th 2007 12:02PM
posted May 24th 2007 12:02PM
We know we get repetitive with cries of "why not us?" so we'll save you the noise and get straight to it with nary a whimper (or at least as close to nary as we can get). Sony Ericsson's new sliding W52S -- released for Japan's KDDI network and part of the recently announced summer lineup -- rings in with so many impressive features we are almost stuck with where to start. The new beast comes in three color choices: Arpeggio Blue, Pizzicato Pink, and Harmonics White, all featuring a 2 megapixel camera with autofocus, 2.7 inch 432 X 240 BRAVIA display, and 2GB of internal memory that can be augmented with either M2 or MicroSD memory cards. The handset's huge internal memory can be used to store a pile of music that can then be broadcast via a built-in FM transmitter, played back through the stereo headset or via the stereo speakers mounted on the rear -- and managed with a color-keyed remote control. This handset also incorporates Sony's "Visual Music Sensation" with user selectable on-screen animations that rock to whatever you are listening to. As mentioned above we aren't gonna complain that this isn't coming our way, but we do hope for a suitably equipped clone in the coming months, as this thing is simply, wow.
[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]
[Via Just Another Mobile Phone Blog]
What's interesting is it includes their 'proprietary' M2 and the more common MicroSD.. there is a lot of outcry from consumers who just want one format to share among devices - self included. Here's to Sony giving in, as they have a lot of nice products otherwise.
what would the pricing on a phone like this be if it came to the US? At first I was like I'm getting this phone no matter what carrier it is. Then I remembered my money, or lack thereof. With 2gb internal memory and still being upgradable with microSD, a good camera, and a crapload of other features, it may be a bit pricey
they are cool!!
http://gadgetworlds.phpnet.us/mobiles/sony-ericssons-newest-walkmans-w52s-and-w53s-only-for-japanese-79.php
Two gigs *internal*? Wow. Maybe T-Mobile would pick it up, to challenge the iPhone.
Two gigs of flash ram,
In Pizzicato Pink!
Now if AU wasn't CDMA... There's still hope that KDDI Mobile (KDDI's US mobile carrier- nothing like AU by any means right now) may pick it up.
Ah, I didn't realize that—I thought CDMA was limited to the US and South Korea.
CDMA is there in INDIA also?.... nt US and South Korea!!!
Cool phone. Can I have?
wow i want it
Yes, I did check Wikipedia after being corrected.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IS-95
Still hatin' on CDMA eh engadgetmobile?
A phone with a front facing camera and WIN label right on the face of the phone and you guys label it 1XRTT in the banner tags and make no mention of the fact that this is an EV-DO REVISION A video calling capable device with faster data speeds then anywhere else on Earth including South Korea and trouncing anything UMTS (HDPA - including HSDPA and HSUPA aren;t able to match KDDIs Rev A speeds in the real world) has to offer currently.
Not to mention that KDDI is almost completely switched over to a 100% IP core network.
Only shame is that SonyEricsson pulled out of the Global CDMA market and their CDMA efforts are restricted to their half homeland of Japan.
Oh, and KDDIs 'au' network has reversed Tx and Rx channels from Global CDMA despite operating on the Standard 800Mhz band. So even if you could get one, you couldn't use it here. Plus KDDI phones use a proprietary serial number not the standard ESN so even if the phones used the correct transmit and receive channels, they don't have an ESN to add to a North American Carriers system.
Damn nice phones though!
that was certainly informative...!! thanksss
but why wud they wanna release it there only ... these r so cool!!!>.. bt they dont want the increased sales??i wonder why
must make gsm version
NOW
Sad thing is that if they make a GSM version it will be crippled compared to the Japanese original. The greatest example is the difference between the SO505iS and the S700. The jog wheel didn't even make it. Here's to hoping that KDDI Mobile will expand from Sprint phones (they're an MVNO on Sprint) in Japanese and start selling phones like these here. There's a great opportunity to attract all the gadget geek customers here.
Few thousand? It'll definitely be "few million" if this and any of the rest of AU's current colection hits the States.I have a feeling that KDDI Mobile will have to expand to the mainstream sometime with Japan's saturated market (kind of like how T-Mobile USA is the most profitable division of the whole company), and a phone like this could be their killer device.
@ Jamar
That sure would be nice but it would hardly be worth the expense to modify the phones, buy a block of ESNs (they're not free) since 'au' phones also do not use the international standard serial numbers and get them through the FCC
KDDI mobile in the USA is targeting a very small niche. They aren't going to ever get millions of customers.
Remember, 'au' phones are not standard CDMA 800 phones, they are proprietary Japan only CDMA 800 phones. Plus, Sprint is CDMA 1900 accept for roaming partners like Alltel and Verizon who have allot of CDMA 800 coverage.
It'd be allot of hassle for a few thousand customers.