Sony Ericsson Equinox Phone, Black (T-Mobile) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As T-Mobile's new only-SonyEricsson-model, the T717 ("Equinox") has some, but not all, very nice features which are common to most SonyEricsson phones.
"Push" email! There isn't any reason why all phones shouldn't be able to do this, but only SonyEricsson bothers to. Push email means instant email delivery to your phone, no "dial out" interval needed because it is always connected.
Runs Java applications (games, Opera Mini, etc) very well. Games run smoothly, unlike Nokia's or Motorola's mid-price offerings.
Runs multiple games/apps at once. I can simultaneously run 2 games, 2 different web browsers, and Google Maps. That's pretty impressive for a phone this price. I don't yet know what its limit is. Obviously you don't "need" to do this, but it means you can do things like check a website without closing the game you are in the middle of. Note that your experience may vary, as apps take more memory when they have been running for some time, vs. just being opened.
SonyEricsson's handy popup menu is included (the little 2-box/camera button on the keypad). This is a little popup window which has tabs for currently-running applications, a list of custom shortcuts, and some other stuff. Remember all of those applications I was running? I can push this button and see everything the phone is doing.
Reception is improved over older models, which weren't too bad either. I can use this phone in a few corners where others don't work.
As always, sound quality is just fine, and the ringer is also loud and clear.
The display is a fine resolution of 240x320 with high visibility and well-saturated color.
Any sound file can be set for any sound function. Alarms, SMS, email, and ring tones can be customized with any MP3 or MIDI you load to the phone (with simple drag-and-drop mass storage mode). The phone does not throw a fit if the MP3 is too high quality, or if the file is not in a special folder.Now here's the lame stuff about the T717, all due to T-Mobile's meddling with what otherwise would have been the perfect model T707:
1. 2 of the 4 D-pad shortcuts are permanently set to recent calls and the phonebook. This is completely stupid, because the Send key is already a shortcut for recent calls (like every other phone in the world), and one of the softkeys below the screen is already set to the phone book! Those fascist punks at T-Mobile hijacked 2 of your shortcut keys for functions which already have dedicated buttons!
2. T-Mobile has removed Sony's awesome TrackID feature, present on most of their phones including the T707, but not the T717. TrackID records music via the microphone (e.g., playing in a restaurant or in a TV show), then connects to a server to identify the song. What is that song playing in the background of that video? Sony would tell you, but T-Mobile doesn't want you to know.
3. T-Mobile has insisted on some goofy rotating animated main menu, instead of the standard 4x3 icon grid like other Sony models (and like most other brands). Instead of 12 icons, you get 6. Everything is buried deeper than it normally would be with a normal menu, and unlike non-T-Mobile SonyEricsson models which allow different menu styles, T-Mobile will not let you change it.
4. Though T-Mobile is "nice" enough to not block Opera Mini from accessing the Internet (as they do on other phones), the phone is still hacked by T-Mobile to block unsigned games/apps. Ad-supported free games, unsigned messaging apps, and other such things won't work, even though you paid for the phone and the Internet service to use it.
5. The web softkey on the home screen is permanently set to the T-Mobile home page. You can change the web browser's homepage setting, but the web shortcut still goes to the page T-Mobile wants you to see.Although this phone is actually less-restricted than other T-Mobile options, and has a few powerful features, it is still not a substitute for buying an unlocked, un-hacked phone outside of a carrier's offerings.However, despite T-Mobile's evil input, this phone is actually better than their others. If you want to access your GMail account on your phone, but don't want a Blackberry or Windows phone, this is the only T-Mobile phone with instant email delivery. The large screen and strong processor (compared to other brands in the same price range) are good for running games (so long as they don't need Internet connection). For a lot of people, this is a 4-star phone. But I have to give it 3, knowing how much crippling has been done to it.Tips:
1. If you are annoyed by the unnecessary complexity of the media menu, there is a simple file manager under the organizer menu. I have a shortcut directly to the file manager.
2. This is a great phone for Opera Mini 5 (much better than the built-in browser on any phone--go to [...] on the phone and download it), but thanks to T-Mobile it is unable to install the unsigned beta version. Either use the signed version of 4.2, or poke around on the download page for 5.0 until you get to the signed option.
3. Google maps runs just fine on this phone, but for some reason Google's download page has trouble identifying the phone and serving a working version. If this is still screwed up when you try it, go to [...] instead, and download it from them.
4. Of course T-Mobile removed SonyEricsson's links to [mostly] free games, ringers, and apps. However, you can still point the phone's browser to [...] to download a bunch of free stuff.

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Offering a thin flip design, the stylish Sony Ericsson Equinox mobile phone for T-Mobile features enhanced design elements and unique pulsating night effects that help you to never miss a call or text message. Enabled for T-Mobile's expanding high-speed 3G network, the Equinox offers fast data delivery and an enhanced Web-browsing experience that lets you connect quickly to social networking sites. It also includes GPS capabilities for navigation and location-based services via Google Maps or the optional Telenav software.
With eye-catching night effects, you can give your five favorite people their own, unique pulsating light effect and when a call comes in, you'll know who it is in a flash. The custom light features come in amber, sapphire, beryl, diamond, and amethyst, and the Equinox also has an array of changing wall paper themes that will ensure you're always color coordinated.
The Equinox has a 3.2 megapixel camera and is pre-loaded with an integrated application that lets you shoot video and easily upload it directly to YouTube. It also boasts an integrated FM radio and Bluetooth stereo music streaming as well as gesture control that lets you reject incoming calls or silence an alarm with the wave of a hand. Other features include memory expansion via Memory Stick Micro (M2) media, digital audio player, access to email and a full range of messaging options (including instant), organizer tools, speakerphone, and up to 10 hours of talk time.

Key Features
Fast 3G connectivity via T-Mobile's HSDPA/UMTS network (1700/2100 MHz bands, UMTS/HSDPA; see more about T-Mobile's 3G service below)
Quad-band GSM phone for good global voice connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz bands)
Built-in GPS provides real-time location on maps, driving directions, and more (additional charges for optional software applicable).
Control your phone without having to touch it with Gesture control, which lets you mute an incoming call or snooze the alarm by simply sweeping your hand over your phone. The phone camera functions as a sensor to register movement.
2.2-inch LCD screen (240 x 320 pixels, 262K color depth)
Alpha-numeric keypad
3.2-megapixel camera/camcorder with up to 3.2x digital zoom, geotagging, video light when shooting video clips,
Photo Fix helps you optimize image quality by adjusting light balance and contrast after you have taken a picture.
Digital audio player compatible with MP3 and AAC formats
Transfer your media files between your phone and PC via drag and drop with downloadable Sony Ericsson Media Go software. File conversion is hassle-free too: Media Go automatically converts films and music files to give you the best possible quality.
FM radio with RDS
Bluetooth 2.0 connectivity with stereo music streaming (A2DP) capabilities as well as hands-free headsets and car kits.
Memory Stick Micro (M2) slot for memory expansion up to 16 GB (100 MB internal memory on the phone)
Full messaging capabilities including SMS text, MMS picture/video and IM instant messaging (via popular services including AOL, Yahoo!, and Windows Live Messenger)
Mobile email lets you access your inbox anywhere and even attach pictures and more as you would on your PC.
Web browser (Access NetFront Browser) with support for RSS feeds.
Organizer tools including calendar, alarm, tasks, notes, stopwatch, and calculator.
Airplane mode allows you to listen to music while the cellular connectivity is turned off

Vital Statistics The Sony Ericsson Equinox weighs 3.3 ounces and measures 3.8 x 2 x 0.6 inches. Its 920 mAh lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 10 hours of talk time, and up to 384 hours (16 days) of standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies, as well as T-Mobile's 3G network (1700/2100 MHz).
What's in the Box Sony Ericsson Equinox handset, rechargeable battery, charger, wired hands-free headset, quick start guide, user manual

T-Mobile Services
High-speed data connectivity via T-Mobile's 3G network: In addition to its quad-band GSM connectivity, this phone is also compatible with T-Mobile's UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile Web2go content portal. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year's end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services.
In areas where the 3G network is not available, you'll continue to receive service on the via T-Mobile's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.
While this phone is optimized for use with T-Mobile's high-speed 3G network, many of its functions will also work well on the moderate-speed EDGE network. If you plan to access the Internet extensively on your phone, 3G network coverage may serve you best.
Activities that work well on EDGE or 3G networks:
Email, instant messaging, and texting
Downloading ringtones, CallerTunes, wallpaper, light data files
Sending photographs via e-mail or picture messaging
Activities that work best on a 3G network:
Viewing content-heavy websites (lots of images or videos playing)
Viewing YouTube and other video files (they will play on EDGE, but require loading time)
Uploading large files (photos, videos, presentations) to sharing websites
Downloading large files from an e-mail or a website

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