Sony Ericsson Zylo Review

his is a global GSM phone, it can be used with AT&T and T-Mobile USA without 3G.

Introduction:

Sony's Walkman brand has given a lot to mankind, from the first mobile cassette player to the Sony Ericsson Zylo, which we are about to review. We have always liked the idea  of having Walkman-branded devices (yes, we are old school), but how will the Zylo perform as a music-centered phone? Read on to find out...

What's in the box

• Sony Ericsson Zylo handset
• 900mAh Li-Ion battery
• Manual and quick start guide
• Charger
• Headset with microphone

Design:

The Sony Ericsson Zylo has the typical slider form factor we are used to seeing in many of the company's handsets, with rounded edges, and a slightly curved back panel, which makes it pleasant to hold. The handset is rather smallish, and to operate it with one hand, you have to support it the usual way with the pinky, or even the ring finger. Well, that's why nature gave us opposing thumbs, we guess. The Zylo is built well and the slider mechanism snaps back and forth with ease.

Sony Ericsson Zylo is pleasant to hold

You can compare the Sony Ericsson Zylo with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

The screen is a regular 2.6” QVGA resolution display with average visibility in direct sunlight. The screen is able to display 262 thousand colors, and its glass cover is rated as scratch-resistant. No touchy-feely here, operating the UI is done mainly by the six buttons and the circular d-pad under the screen. The send and end buttons on both sides are decently sized and easy to press, but the two soft keys and the two little activity and clear keys are extremely small, and with shallow travel. The navigation ring of the d-pad is not the most correct of them all either, but you get used to it after some time with the phone.

Pushing the screen part up reveals a traditional numeric keypad with a smooth plastic feel on the buttons. They are fairly large and really easy to press with deep travel.

As a typical Walkman series phone, the Sony Ericsson Zylo has a dedicated button to fire up the music player on the right, just below the volume rocker. The Walkman key is also utilized as a camera button, but you have to start the camera software from the menu first, again annoying. The only other element around the phone is the charging/headset port on the left. The company is still bothering us and itself with proprietary connectors, so you will have to buy an adapter cable if you want to use another headset.

The sides of Sony Ericsson Zylo

The 3.2MP camera on the back is also a video recorder without an LED light to it (or any sort of light). There is a chrome-like band surrounding the Sony Ericsson Zylo, but our review unit was the silver version, so it didn't make much distinction. The chrome color would stand out better on the black or the pink versions of the Zylo.

Samsung B7722 Review

This is a global GSM phone. It can be used with AT&T and T-Mobile USA without 3G.

Introduction:

Thе Samsung B7722 is an enticing offer for people who definitely need the comfort of using two networks, or two SIM cards from the same carrier simultaneously on a brand name handset. The ability to change cellular subscription lines with the touch of a button on a phone with a comparatively generous 3.2” touchscreen makes it quite a novel handset. Samsung has decided that this is enough of a distinction in the overcrowded cell phone market, and has conceived the B7722 as a feature phone instead of providing it with an operating system. Let's explore the features then!

What's in the box:

• Samsung B7722 handset
• Wall charger
• microUSB cable
• Stereo headset with microphone

Design:

The Samsung B7722 is a chubby (14.3 mm thick) device with an all-plastic build. The front houses a 3.2” resistive touchscreen with WQVGA 240x400 pixels resolution, supporting 256k colors. Nothing really exciting in terms of color representation or contrast, and the phone is struggling for legibility in direct sunlight, even at maximum brightness.

Samsung B7722 is a 14.3 mm thick device with an all-plastic build

You can compare the Samsung B7722 with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

Under the screen there are three physical buttons – the middle key has Samsung's edgy shape found on a lot of its feature phones recently, and serves as a back key to return you to the previous screen. It is flanked by the send and end keys on both sides. The dual-SIM phone has a front-facing cam as well as a 5MP primary one with an LED flash beneath it on the back. The rest of the physical elements are hosted on the sides – the left has the volume rocker and the microUSB port, while the right side finds space for the lock and camera buttons, plus a dedicated key to toggle between the SIM cards.

The sides of Samsung B7722

The Samsung B7722 is fairly light at 122gr, and comfortable for one-handed operation due to the average-sized screen. It even has a setting for left or right hand operation that in contacts, for example, moves a search slider to the respective screen side, which is a nice touch.

The phone is built durable, with plastic that doesn't flex or creak when pressed hard. It feels solid in the hand, unlike the flimsy offerings we come across sometimes.