Introduction

The new 256 color, MMS, Bluetooth enabled Sony Ericsson T68i was announced March, 2002. The T68i marks the next logical progression from the T68 and adds MMS functionality; raising the T68i to the top of the color phone pile, the nearest competition coming from its predecessor the T68. Instantly recognizable from the T68, the T68i is based on the same platform with important differences.

Design

Sony hasn't changed much in redesigning the Ericsson T68. This phone still has fashionable angular curves in a compact body. Its size and weight can rival that of the Nokia 8290 and 8890 series. However, Sony has managed to improve the look and feel of an already beautiful phone with good clean design with plenty of functional control.

Ericsson has this ability to produce functional mobile phones packed with options, but now with the looks Sony has come to be known for. New colors which is Artic Blue, Lunar Grey, and Dark Blue (AT&T) now instead of Ziroccan Gold or Lunar Gray, and the earpiece looks slightly different. Otherwise, the cosmetics are identical.

The T68i has a plastic body, making it light yet durable. The rubberized back of the T68, a favorite among many, has been replaced by a smooth plastic that matches the rest of the phone.

Many people have expressed their opinions of the change, since now the plastic is susceptible to scratches, is harder to handle and slips more. However, it is worth noting that the black T68 batteries are fully compatible with the silver T68i batteries, if you don't mind sacrificing looks for functionality.

Screen

Perhaps the most noticeable feature of the T68i is the bright and rich, 34 x 28 mm, 101 x 80 pixel, 256 color screen. It should be noted that the color display doesn't provide the kind of brilliant colors we're used to on laptops, however the clarity is exceptional. It provides legible text even at the smallest settings.

However the colors did wash out in direct sunlight. The ability to save backgrounds, screen savers, and themes makes full use of its colors. Just like the T68 before, it is able to fit 5 lines of text, making it a sizable screen for emailing, and text messaging.

Controls

As with small size of the phone, comes a small keypad. People with larger fingers may find the phone hard to press. However, the T68i still has the joystick found on the T68. The 5 function joystick (Up, down, left, right, press) makes navigation around the menu options and playing games simple. Completely eliminating the need to navigate with buttons.

Battery

The Standard Battery BST-14 is a lightweight 700 mAh Lithium Polymer battery (Silver). The BST-14 is identical to the T68 battery (Also called BST-14 except black). The package also comes with a standard CST-13 Travel Charger.

Sony Ericsson claims the included battery provides up to 12 hours of talk time or 16 days of standby. On a quarter-full battery, we didn't need to recharge for four days.

Minimum Rated Standby Time: 200 hours
Minimum Rated Talk Time: 400 minutes

Many variables, including carrier signal strength at your location, signal consistency (including incoming and outgoing calls), display and ringer settings, and battery charging methods and history, will affect performance.

Next >

This article is Copyright 2002-2008 Mobiledia Corp. and the review in part or in whole may NOT be reproduced in any electronic or printed medium without prior permission from Mobiledia. For information on reproducing any part of this review (or any images) please contact us.