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Design
Sony Ericsson Z770i marches the step of time following its rhythm. We cannot say that this model shocks us with freshness if ideas, but it looks quite decent in comparison with modern avant-gardists. In the whole average image that stays in head after getting acquainted with 770i is suitable for many models not only by Sony Ericsson — no bright individuality at generally pleasant appearance.
There is one thing we should definitely pay attention – the phone looks like when it is closed and it is even more austere inside than from outside and it adds glaze to the model.
Austerity is that thread that runs all through the model no matter if that is its appearance or menu design. No flowers and butterflies, Z770i is considered as a contemporary instrument without any decorations.
A little bit confusion was added by producer with color decisions. There will be three models available on offer: Vogue Red, Graphite Black, Exquisite Golden.




First and third variants are mostly simply “gray”, the main difference is in the strip under the model name (pure decorative function) and the color of clutch hinge. Graphite Black in the opposite had elements of dark color and steel color of inner parts.




All three variants are really nice and there is something to choose from. That decoration strip is a very interesting idea of designer. In all three variants its color is different (red, blue and golden appropriately) and this color scheme is duplicated on the ring around camera lens and on the keys. Delicate and at that quite noticeable method.



Talking about Sony Ericsson Z770i dimensions we can say that 93 x 48 x 16 mm is a good index.





Phone is confidently lying in hand and at that it does not cause any discomfort at wearing it in any kind of clothing. Its weight is helping that – it is only 91 g and this makes this model dimensions (size and weight) simply phenomenal.



It is convenient to open and close the phone with your thumb; in “field” condition the angle between two parts of the phone allows holding long conversation without any damage to your ears. It seems like these are trifles, but in general all this makes this phone to be perfect as for ergonomics.

Display
Contemporary phone should a priori have good color display and in case with clamshells this is actual for “main” screens. It happened so that the shape of the phone body implies additional screen as a rule placed on the front panel of the phone. And again we come across with tendencies of nowadays –secondary (in fact - additional) display is similar in characteristics with main display. Some producers also put some media keys near additional screen, for example player control keys. In light of this fashion it is so pleasant to go back to the forgotten epoch of monochrome displays. We should notice that producer could definitely put big color display there, but did not do that due to idea and economical considerations. Oval monochrome display of Z770i looks magnificent on square base. The rest pluses are obvious – low power consumption, great readership and in the end it is simply elegant.






Display itself is can show one line of text or any information (like time or battery charge alarm), number of incoming call or contact from phone book. Although all information is displayed in big symbols, as a rule, it does not fit the screen and it looks like a creeping line. Nevertheless it does not bother anyhow and it is a more logical decision than an attempt to show all information at the expense of smaller symbols. The rest information like batter charge or incoming messages is shown in pictograms.
Main display is playing fair – it is TFT screen with resolution of 240 x 320 pixels reproducing 260 000 colors.



Sharp numbers hide bright impressions from working with the screen of Z770i. In its turn it means that it perfectly fits surfing web and reading small letters as well as viewing photographs or video.

Keyboard
From outside Z770i is ascetic as for additional control elements. In fact there is only volume control key on the front panel.  Unfortunately, at that there is enough place on the right end of the phone, but it is placed right in the center.




In this case it is not convenient to adjust volume while conversation. All the rest control elements are hidden inside of the phone and they create interesting construction. Keys are like embossed on whole plate and separated from each other with strips of the same color with decoration inlay.





At that navigation block is not separated from digital and this makes look all body rather solid. Navigation key itself is quite elegant – four thin plates with round confirmation key in the center.



Plates are simply pasted on and “lower” arrow of our test sample was just come off. We cannot say that the phone did not lose its salable condition but it did not bother perception of this device and did not influence its work, but the fact is sad. Future users, be careful!
It looks like Sony Ericsson finally became friends with “receivers”. All new phones by this producer have these keys standard for all mobile phones keys. Two soft-keys which lost their “phone” functions simply became the part of navigation element at working with phone.



“C” key finishes our list of additional keys. This is a key for deleting symbols and a multi media key which became typical for Sony Ericsson. With help of this key you can get to adjusted “quick” menu. Digital keys have good size and response. It is quite convenient to type phone numbers without considering the size of fingers and other conditionalities. In the whole keyboard of Z770i left pleasant impressions. The fact that it follows now fashionable tendencies does not spoil its ergonomics.

Functions
Talking about Z770i we should remind that this phone is necessary for this company in order to extend the model line and we should not expect for innovative ideas from it. All novelty elements were met together or separately in other phones by Sony Ericsson and there will be no surprises as for this. At that we should note that А200 platform perfectly established its reputation as navigation and control convenience and high functional variety.
In this way Z770i is a decent representative of “all in one” philosophy because the phone can boast a great quantity of functions. In the end we can judge it by supported audio formats (MP4 (AAC, AAC+, eAAC+)), MP3, M4A, 3GPP, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, WAV, G-MIDI 1, SP-MIDI, RealAudio® 8, iMelody, XMF, WMA). And then we will instantly comprehend that Z770i can be used as a music player. Inbuilt Bluetooth 2.0 is also equipped with A2DP profile and it means that this phone can be used with wireless accessories.










Add FM radio to that with RDS function and we may state that “music” bar is cleared by Z770i with great stock.








Game and functional abilities also impress – support of Open GL ES, Java MIDP 2.1, CLDC 1.1, Java 3D 1.1; all this allows using the most contemporary programs for mobile phones with high comfort (for example in background mode). Inbuilt game Brain Trainer allows spending time with use.
Above supporting modern abilities of mobile phones in the whole this model is equipped with appropriate interesting innovations by Sony Ericsson including Mega Bass function for player, PlayNow multimedia portal, TrackID service of music identification and etc.
As for memo book, alarm and other standard functions, their realization is not changed since 2007 and if you consider them to be not convenient for you, then you can cast a stone at me with free heart.
There are such kinds of menu which take you to get accustomed for some time; there are simply complicated navigation and functional dense forests. Interface of Sony Ericsson phones is maximum friendly with users. At first switching on of the phone it will tell you everything about itself what you should know.








And in the process of use Z770i is always ready to render you aid prompting what and what for he has and why do you need this definite function and in what way you should use it.

Camera
The phone has no outer color display, no additional key for camera on the right end and it means that you cannot take pictures holding it laterally. Moreover, camera lens are placed on the front cover and so if you held the phone laterally you could rather take only portraits.



Such construction decision dictates using of inbuilt camera in old traditions. It is designed for quick pictures, not for serious photo researches. And the simpler is the process of this mode, the better it is. If it seems to take long time to launch application from menu, then you can appoint camera launch from one of navigation petals or add to multimedia menu.
Z770i has 2 megapixel camera without auto focus function which is standard for such kind of phones. Maximum resolution of pictures is 1632 х 1224 pixels and you can also take video with resolution of 320 х 240 pixels for within 10 seconds or judging by 32 Mb of embedded memory or Memory Stick Micro (M2)  up to 4 Gb.
The work with camera is very convenient and all settings are right close under your hands. It is not that there are so many of them, but some can influence the quality of final picture to some extent. Serial filming, night photographing, auto timer, balance of white, effects – all these are typical abilities of mobile photo cameras.








As it was expected the pictures quality is good if taken in good lights. When the lights were insufficient the picture could be spoilt with “snow”, noises and wrong color rendition. There is no flash and night photographing was never good as a full-fledged function.
In other words – the camera is standard and there is nothing else to add.
You can see the pictures lower here and you can also download test archive here.








Resume
Still Sony Ericsson Z770i is a run-of-the-mill phone. Such kinds of the phone can be freely distinguished as a separate category. It is not bad, it is different. We can include there all devices which are rather rich in functional meaning but without any fresh ideas; a product of high quality after trial run. Not a high cuisine, but not fast food too.
Sweating Li-Pl 930 mAh battery hard the phone is able working for three days in rather active mode (about 30 minutes of conversations a day and one hour of other functions).
This device successfully closed a hole in line of clamshells by Sony Ericsson. Inexpensive, functionally tested pone with wide range of functions at a reasonable price; many customers will like it. Austere design in this case is a matter of taste, no matter if that is a woman or a man.