| Sony Ericsson T630 |
| General |
| Network | Gsm 900 / Gsm 1800 / Gsm 1900 |
| Announced | 2003, 4q |
| Status | Available |
| Size |
| Dimensions | 102 X 43 X 17 Mm |
| Weight | 92 G |
| Display |
| Type | Tft, 65k Colors |
| Size | 128 X 160 Pixels |
| | - Wallpapers, Screensavers |
| Ringtones |
| Type | Polyphonic (32 Channels) |
| Amount | 24 Preloaded |
| Customization | Composer, Download, |
| Vibration | Yes |
| Memory |
| Phonebook | 8 Fields, 510 Items, Photo Call |
| Call Records | 30 Received, Dialed And Missed Calls |
| Card Slot | No |
| | - 2 Mb Shared Memory
- 300 Organizer Entries |
| Data |
| Gprs | Class 8 (4+1 Slots), 32 - 40 Kbps |
| Hscsd | No |
| Edge | No |
| 3g | No |
| Wlan | No |
| Bluetooth | Yes, V1.0b |
| Infrared Port | Yes |
| Usb | Yes |
| Features |
| Messaging | Sms, Ems, Mms, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Browser | Wap 2.0/xhtml |
| Games | Embedded (alienscum, Honeycave2, Minigolf, Vrally2) + Downloadable, |
| Colors | Frosty Silver, Black |
| Camera | Cif, 352 X 288 Pixels |
| | - Java
- T9
- Calculator
- Image Viewer
- Scheduler
- Voice Memo |
| Battery |
| | Standard Battery, Li-po 750 Mah |
| Stand-by | Up To 315 H |
| Talk Time | Up To 14 H |
|
Sony Ericsson - T630Round-2 with the Sony Ericsson T630
Major features
Triple band GSM 900/1800/1900 system
65,536 colour TFT LCD display @ 128 x 160 pixels
Calendar and other PIM applications
Built-in camera
GPRS and WAP 2.0
Bluetooth
Infrared
E-mail
Java games and applications
MMS, SMS, and EMS messages
Polyphonic ring tones and composer application
Coloured themes
Synchronization with PC/Apple
Problems/Issues?
Messaging lag
Small dynamic memory
Wrist strap location
Hard to remove battery
Turning off unexpectedly
Sales package (should contain):
1 x Sony Ericsson T630 handset
1 x Standard BST-25 Battery @ 770mAh
1 x Standard Sony Ericsson charger
1 x Grey wrist strap
1 x PC-sync software CD
1 x T630 Manual
Overview
Introduction
More than half a year after the market received the T610, Sony Ericsson have come back for a second try with the T630. Trying to correct the faults that were noticed the world round on the T610 the T630 performs well in most areas that its predecessor didn’t. Many things have been corrected - but with his have more problems been created? To find out in my opinion you’re going to have to read on!
The T630 has most of the features that we saw in the T610, but they have been improved and/or upgraded. The display is one main thing that’s received an upgrade, but is still the same size that I quite like, 128 x 160 pixels and still at a groovy 65 thousand colours. The camera situated on the back of the phone is the same as that in the T610. Everything we all love like MMS messages, e-mail support, coloured themes, Java and Mophun games, and all that’s in-between.
New/outstanding features
Only a few things are really new in the T630, but they are outstanding. Firstly, you will notice the whole new colour change of the externals of the handset. I received the frosted white version of the T630, which I defiantly am a fan of. The concept is simple and easy on the eyes. Whites and light greys with frosted buttons and sparkly sides just top everything off - from the outside in. The T630 is also available in a black version which I’m sure is very sophisticated also. Sony Ericsson designers sure to get a big well done from me in this area.
Another big improvement is the display type. T610 users would have noticed that there were serious sun-related issues with the display - this has been corrected in the T630. A TFT LCD display has this time round made it in, resolving the visibility issue. The size of the display is still the same, a cool 128 x 160 pixels and at 65,536 colours. Size of the display was never really a concern with T610 users, and I think that this size matches perfectly with the price range and overall feature list of the phone.
The fun bits that we found in the T610 like MMS messages, polyphonic tones, Java games and Mophun games all make a re-appearance. The T630 can also be used to send and receive e-mail messages, along with the basic SMS and EMS messages. You’re never out of the loop with all these messaging formats!
The built in camera on the back of the T630 enables you to catch some happy snaps and then e-mail or MMS them over to anyone you wish. With effects you can add to the photos and a basic editing application you can change the photos around on your phone right there and then.
Connection to the mobile world can be done over GPRS and connecting the T630 to a computer or laptop can be done with Bluetooth, Infrared or a data-cable. To connect to another mobile device you can choose between Bluetooth and infrared - most phones support these two now so sending files and receiving anything else should be a walk in the park hand in hand with the T630.
For more about the T630’s camera check out the Camera Performance section of this article along with the Major Features section for more on the other features that appear in the T630.
Physical aspects
I’ve gone over the T630’s new external looks a little, but now into more detail. The main colours are smooth white, sparkly silver and stylish chrome. A translucent plastic coating the top of the T630 with the printed “Sony Ericsson” words also add to this classy look. The overall size and weight of the handset is around 92.5 grams 102 x 43 x 17mm. It’s a nice size, and most certainly isn’t too big for your pocket or hand bag, whichever you use.
From the front you can see the see-through plastic coating on top and round the display and see how it brings out the display, and whilst doing that frames it quite nicely. Under the display are the frosted plastic keys, with the chrome directional stick. The outer square of the directional stick is also chrome, with white box labels. Black labels in the keys ensure you won’t forget what key does what ;) Around the front of the T630 and curling up over the top and around to the back is the white plastic. Smooth curves at the top of the handset and on the sides accomplish a great overall physical look.
On the back the Sony Ericsson circular logo is displayed first from the top, then under that is the camera lens, with optional input next to it. Just under the lens is an arrow pointing to the chrome window where you can make sure you look just perfect for those not so candid moments. Framed with four silver corner bars the back of the phone looks as good as the front. Sony Ericsson have planted their name on the left side of the phone vertically in silver.
Around the bottom of the phone and up the sides, but stopping at the top is the grey sparkly area I was talking about earlier. So the phone doesn’t blow you away with an all-white look, the grey contrasts nicely and takes all of the focus off the white. Three buttons on the left side and one “ >> Online” button the right are in chrome, which match with the grey background. At the bottom of the handset the input connectors are located with the gold pins.
The buttons on the left side from top to bottom are the shortcut to the camera, and the up and down volume buttons. On the left the “>> Online” button will do just as the name suggests, go online. An easy way to start browsing WAP pages without going through the menu.
The wrist strap doesn’t have an insert on the external of the phone; it hides under the removable back plate. Once it has been slid off you will see a protruding piece of plastic that it the perfect size for the loop of the wrist strap to fit in. Push it on, then replace the back cover and the strap will stay in place. Be careful when you remove the back covering again - the wrist strap is most likely to come off and jump down to the floor.
User Interface & display
The display on the T630 as you would already know has been boosted up to TFT, so yes it is viewable in the bright sun. It is also very much visible in the dark, with the backlight lighting up the whole room if you’re using it in the night. At 65,536 colour and 128 x 160 pixels, the T630’s display is the much needed improvement on the T610. The familiar 12 icon menu is back, with a replaced icon for “My Friends.” This function enables you to chat to your friends using a similar phone in almost real time, much like messaging systems on PC’s over the internet. The submenus on the main menu have icons that give you an idea of what’s inside - a screwdriver for settings, camera for the camera application etcetera. These cannot be changed, but why would you want to?
Take a closer look!
The display acts as the viewfinder for the inbuilt camera, so having 65k colours is a great advantage. You can’t see images at their full size, but you can get a pretty good idea on the 128 x 160 pixel display.
Starting up the phone you may first be greeted with a PIN code insert page, otherwise the start-up show will play on the screen accompanied with the default Sony Ericsson start-up sound. Once your network is found and your phone registered back onto the network you’re all set to use the T630.
The UI of the T630 is the same as the T610’s with its little improvements. If you’ve used the T610 or other Sony Ericsson models with an icon main menu you’ll get familiar quickly and have no trouble using the handset. When the keypad is idle, the left selection key will jump to your recent calls, and the right will jump to the “more” menu, which is one of my favorite features on the T630. Without having to open any menu’s you can quickly turn on the silent mode, enable or disable Bluetooth or Infrared, post a note on the display, lock the phone or even view the phones status. Pressing the menu key and the star button will lock the display.
To get to the main menu pressing down the directional stick is all you need to do. This stick is then used to browse around menus - it can move up, down, left, right, and inwards. When the phone is idle and you move the directional stick to the left a new SMS message will open, just like if you move it to the right the menu will open. Moving it up will go to the “My Friends” feature, and pushing it down goes straight to the phone book where pressing select on a contact will call them straight away.
Making and receiving calls
Who would have guessed that the T630 would be able to receive incoming and make outgoing calls along with all the other spunky features? It’s true; it can make and receive calls as well.
Audio quality and volume was great with the T630, I couldn’t pick out anything that needs to be commented on. The microphone is located underneath the headset icon at the bottom of the phone, it’s the small indentation. Having the microphone here will catch your voice whether you’re using the phone on your left or right ear; it’s in just the right position. The T630 is also quite comfortable, a nice overall size.
This shouldn’t really need explaining, but for those who don’t know: From the main display when the keypad is unlocked, you can simply enter a number and then press the left selection button to call that particular number. If the number is in the phone book the name of the call will change to that contacts name when the T630 puts two and two together. If you’ve got someone in your contacts that you feel needs to be called but can’t quite remember their phone number(s), never fear for the Phone Book was invented long ago. Pressing the directional stick in and then down to “Contacts” you will have to select “Call Contact” and then type in a bit of the name of the person you wish to call. Press search, and your contact will come up. Pressing the left selection key will start the call.
The T630 doesn’t have pick up/hang up buttons like most phones, but they aren’t really needed. The T630 makes use with the two left and right selection keys that act as those keys when needed. The T630 however does have volume controls on the side of the phone, so you don’t have to move the joystick to adjust audio volume. Up volume is second from the top on the left side of the handset, the down button is underneath that.
The phone book on this handset by Sony Ericsson has picture support, so you can attach images to your contacts details. When that contact calls the picture will display along with the name of the caller - very cool.
Messaging
Sending and receiving almost every format of messaging available today, the T630 covers all corners. MMS messages, along with SMS and EMS are all supported, including the support for sending and receiving e-mail messages from user-specified accounts. You’ll always be contactable (That’s a good thing, right?) when you’re friends with the T630.
SMS messages can be extra long, and an alert will pop up when you have reached the limit and are continuing onto two or three SMS messages. The normal SMS message is 160 characters, but with extra-long support you can have up around 480 characters - you can say much more than the average SMS now! EMS messages are SMS messages with a little bit extra on the site. You can attach little black and white pictures or animations, some of which are included on the T630 already for your use. SMS and EMS messages can be sent and received on the T630 - as we would expect!
MMS messages, that can be sent to e-mail addresses or directly to another mobile handset have support on the T630 for images, sounds, text, and recorded sounds like your voice. MMS messages can contain around 1000 characters along with an image and/or sound clip of your choice. Images can be obtained from the gallery pre-installed, or you can take your own using the T630’s camera. When you’ve finished creating your message in the easy to use editor under the “Picture” submenu in the main messages menu you can then send off your MMS message. Remember to set up GPRS and MMS before you try and send off any messages!
E-mail is something that I defiantly like in mobile phones. With almost every person having at least one e-mail account, most people can be contacted by e-mail. Some people even like being contacted by e-mail rather than any other method of communication. This is the digital age, so why not support something everyone uses in a mobile handset. Sony Ericsson seem to have taken this onboard along with many other manufacturers and places support for both sending and receiving e-mails. The data is sent and received over GPRS, which is somewhat inexpensive. You can have a few e-mail accounts on the T630, and they only take a few minutes to set up once you have all the details needed.
Quite slow if I do say so myself T9 Dictionaries are included for most text input boxes on the T630. If you type fast like I do, expect delays in the phones response to key presses. However, if you’re like my Mum and type quite slow - you won’t notice the difference. For me however being a speed freak I need a phone that can catch up with me when typing messages!
Connectivity
Connecting a phone these days is easier than saying the ABC. With all these connectivity options like Bluetooth, Infrared, and USB data-cable (all of which are supported on the T630) you’re most of the time able to connect your phone to a PC/laptop or another device in an instant. Bluetooth is the newest in the bunch, short range wireless radio waves that enable technological freedom. Infrared is an older option that was only until recently seen in only up-market phones, but has made it’s way down to heaps more phones. Its range is much shorter than Bluetooth and the devices must be ‘looking’ at each other for a connection to work. Data-cable is just that, a cable connected to the bottom of the phone and then to a PC which enables data-transfers.
To turn on Infrared/Bluetooth or set up other connection settings you can just browse to the “Connectivity” menu and then select what you want. I like how you can activate Infrared for 10 minutes, and then after that time it will turn itself off again. Bluetooth sub-menus include the My Devices folder with all paired devices located inside, and a special Hands free folder that contains any paired headsets. Options are there for you to configure and have a play around with.
If you’re looking to connect to the mobile internet and browse WAP pages, this can be set up from this menu as well. The “Data Comm.” Folder has all accounts that you might want to use and enables you to create one if your service provider isn’t listed. Once this is set up you’re ready to press the “>> Online” button and make yourself known in the WAP world! ;)
For more information about WAP, Bluetooth, Infrared and GPRS in the T630 head on over to the Major Features section of my
article.
Build quality
Build quality of the T630 was great; I especially liked the way that the back cover (the only removable part on the phone) has rails so that it stays in place nicely. To remove it is simple; just push in a top part of the cover and push down! The battery is then removed with some difficulty; you can read about that in the Problems and Issues section of this article.
Quite a sturdy phone, the buttons may be a little hard for some users, much like the buttons in the Nokia 5100. Aside from the first feeling that they’re a little harder than most phones, they will grow on you and you won’t notice it anymore. The directional stick shouldn’t cause too many problems, not much can really go wrong with it!
The SIM card has a simple slider that slots onto the top of the card once it’s in place. It’s not that hard to get down but you’ve got to push it down straight or it’ll be off to the side. This might not make much sense now but it will if you see the T630 in the flesh.
Battery life
Battery life was reasonable on the T630, I never really ran out of battery except when excessively using the camera which is to be expected on any phone! The battery used is a 770mAh lithium-ion battery and you can get approximately 840 minutes talk time and about 315 hours standby time.
The charging port of the T630 I find is a little bit of a trick to get in and out properly. Having had quite a few Sony Ericsson phones in the past, I’ve got used to inserting the charger at an angle and removing it by pushing it down. New users may find this a little tricky - so be prepared ;)
Major features...
Triple band GSM 900/1800/1900 system
The triple-band system on the Sony Ericsson T630 enables the handset to be used in any continent that uses either a GSM 900/1800/1900MHz frequency. Some countries that use these frequencies are us in Australia, Europe, the rest of the Asia-pacific, and some of the Americas.
Whenever you travel on business or just for leisure you can be sure that your new T630 will be able to switch frequencies without any changes made by you - it auto detects. Users of the T610 that experienced bad-reception will be glad to know that the reception is much better in this upgraded model :).
65,536 colour TFT LCD display @ 128 x 160 pixels
An advanced version of the failed display in the T630, the T610 used an STN display which performed extremely badly when in direct, or even a little sunlight. The upgrade to a TFT display is something T610 users have waited for for just over 8 months, performed good in the sun which is a great bonus. At 65,536 colours and still at 128 x 160 pixels the size and depth hasn’t changed, but they were okay in the T610 anyway.
The T630’s display is much sharper than some others, and is overall a great enhancement and certainly made my T630 experience more enjoyable.
Calendar and other PIM applications
The in-built PIM applications including a calendar, note feature, alarm, timer, stopwatch, and calculator are very useful in normal day-to-day life. You can input tasks, appointments and more into your calendar and never forget a special occasion or anything else again! The alarm feature can handle more than one alarm, which is good when you need something more than just a “wake-up!” notification. I really like the calculator application on the T630 and most other Sony Ericsson models, because the functions are in a list at the bottom of the screen and you just move the joystick to choose one that you want.
Built-in camera
The built-in camera on the T630 can take pictures at a maximum of 640 x 480 pixels and has two other sizes, large and small. The VGA resolution (640 x 480) is the extra large photo-size when using the camera application. Effects can be also applied to the pictures before you take them, and a night-mode is also included.
All these features of the built-in T630 camera are explained in more detail and with examples in the Camera Performance page of this article.
GPRS and WAP 2.0
The GPRS on the T630 enables you to connect to the world wide mobile web on your phone easily and reasonably inexpensively. The browser on the phone supports WAP 2.0, and you can also send MMS messages and download all kinds of data over a GPRS Connection.
Once set up, GPRS is your best friend for new-age mobiles.
Bluetooth
The wireless short range connection that’s revolutionizing the world is included in the T630, like it was included in the T610. Connecting your T630 to a device over Bluetooth is easy with the Connections folder on the main menu. Once in the Bluetooth section you can pair devices, connect to previously paired devices, connect to a hands free headset and setup the different options of Bluetooth on the T630.
Infrared
The infrared port on the T630 is located at the top of the handset on the left side. To match with the overall frosted white theme of the handset it doesn’t have a black panel like most infrared ports do, but has a fogged out white protector. Infrared is the line-of-sight wireless connection that works on a very short range, with both devices receiving and sending data.
You can read about Infrared and Bluetooth and the other connection options in detail in the Connectivity section on the first page of this article.
E-mail
You can send and receive all important and un-important e-mails on the go using the inbuilt main application on the T630. Once you have set up GPRS and any mailbox(es) that you’re going to use, you can connect to GPRS and then download either mail headers only, or headers and text. You can then reply to your e-mails and next time you’re connected to GPRS you can send all the e-mails in a big hit - money saving!
You’ll never have an excuse to miss those important e-mails when you’re not in front of your personal computer.
Java games and applications
When you’re in need of a little game, or need to add onto the pre-installed PIM applications on your T630 you could install a java game/application or two. They’re removable and you can get them from a whole range of places, WAP, PC, or even get them send via infrared.
MMS, SMS, and EMS messages
For all you messaging fanatics out there like me, you’ll be glad to hear about this: MMS, SMS, and EMS! Along with e-mail, there is no chance you’ll be out of contact from all your friends and family when some big news comes up or when you just want to tell someone something. MMS messages can have pictures taken with the T630’s camera included, along with text, and sound; ring tones or personal voice recordings.
SMS messages can be extra long with truncation support. EMS messages are SMS messages with a bit of spice. You can add little black and white pictures - a few are included already in the phones gallery for you to make use of!
Polyphonic ring tones and composer application
The MusicDJ program on the Sony Ericsson phones is a great little add-on. When you’re sick of the same old tunes that everyone else seems to be getting just after you have, make your own - that no one can have! The application is really user friendly; you can add all different kinds of beats from different instruments in a matter of seconds.
Coloured themes
The themes that are available on the Sony Ericsson range of phones is one of my personal favourites. The range is almost endless, with new themes being created daily by anyone and everyone. Even you at home can make a theme just the way you want it. The themes bring a whole new personality to the phone with ease; a themes menu in the gallery shows all selections available on the phone. The themes change the colour scheme of the T630, along with backgrounds and other images. The whole phone obtains a new look when themes are installed.
When you’re ready for a new theme other than the one pre-installed on the T630 you can download them from WAP sites or from the internet onto your computer and then onto your phone; with a data-cable or infrared adapter.
Synchronization with PC/Apple
If you own a PC or apple computer like most people do - you’re in luck! Synchronization with both operating systems is supported. You can synchronize all of your data like contacts and phone numbers, calendar and special appointments and more. The bundled CD that comes with the T630 has everything you need to get started; except for a data-cable or infrared adapter though. =)
Problems/Issues?
Messaging lag
When typing messages, or in other text-input boxes, but mostly when using T9 in the messaging function, you will notice quite a bit or lag when typing fast. The phone doesn’t keep up quite as well as I would have liked it to, and you will have to wait until the phone has accepted your input before you can send a message or change a current word to something else.
This is apparent in quite a few models throughout the Sony Ericsson range, and also in other manufacturers handsets; this isn’t only a Sony Ericsson problem!
Small dynamic memory
The Sony Ericsson T630 is a camera phone, and therefore I like to think that a large memory is included to store all the photos and more on. The Sony Ericsson T630’s memory (2.4mB) isn’t the smallest I’ve seen, but a larger memory for more photos would have been a nice improvement for this ‘upgraded’ T610 (1.8mB), which has about the same amount of memory.
No external memory support is included either.
Wrist strap location
When in place, the look is pulled off with the wrist strap. But aside from looking good, having the wrist strap insert at the bottom of the phone just isn’t economical. If you leave the strap poking out of your pocket, you will pull it out upside down and have to rotate it anyway. This may seem petty, but I must admit - at least the phone is straight with the wrist strap, not like some other models with the insert on the left or right side of the phone.
If you wear the phone on your wrist, when it rings or you need to do something with it you can just flip it up into your hand - but I’m not talented enough to do this yet! ;)
Hard to remove battery
I found this kind of annoying when trying to change SIM card, which I did a few times during my trial with the T630. When you slide the back cover off of the handset, the battery pops up a tiny bit, but the place where I imagine you are supposed to lift the battery out with is inaccessible for large fingers like my own. I had to tip the phone upside down so the battery was exposed more and then remove it totally. Putting the battery back in isn’t so much of a hassle you’ll be glad to hear.
Turning off unexpectedly
This particularly annoyed me when using the T630. Unexpected turn-offs in the middle of SMS messages or just general use means you would have to turn the phone on again input your PIN code and then wait for it to ‘boot’ up. I also came across quite a few freezes with my trial unit, where I couldn’t turn the phone off after it had frozen and I’d have to remove the battery and start again.
In Summary
In the end, the Sony Ericsson T630 is a well needed upgrade to the somewhat failed attempts with the T610. The T630 is sleek, simple, and small - with everything you need to organize yourself and communicate to anyone, anywhere. Bluetooth, Infrared, E-mail, SMS and MMS, and a whole new design are only a few of the things that the T630 has to offer.
Only around $750 for a feature packed phone that went quite well in most areas of my review, the T630 isn’t just a phone for those wanting an update from the T610. The T630 is great for anyone. A newbie to the market, or a mobile communications whiz will enjoy the T630. The only problems that I would be advising is the problem with the phone turning off in the middle of something - it gets quite annoying in the long run! |
| Common misspellings on this brand: eficsson , sonh , wricsson |
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