![]() Like the two top soft-keys the D-pad can have each direction assigned a shortcut so that a single tap from the homepage gets you to your favourite features. The other physical controls are from left to right and top to bottom call and call end/power buttons, and app launcher and backspace buttons. These change function depending on what application you’re using and can be customised to link to whatever you like from the homepage. The two shortcuts either side of the central main menu link correspond with the soft keys that flank the phone’s central D-pad. On the homescreen you’ve got the usual arrangement of notifications along the top, a large space in the middle that can be filled with a choice of five widgets (Facebook, Twitter, Notes, Clock, Myspace) and shortcuts along the bottom. The Sony Ericsson Cedar runs a proprietary OS but it’s very easy to get to grips with. Obviously typing speed is limited by the layout, and can’t match what you’d get on a full qwerty arrangement but so far as T9 keypads go, it’s great. The action of one or two of the keys – mostly notably ‘0’ – is a bit mushy but overall they provide a decent level of feedback. The stepped arrangement makes it really easy to pick out each row of keys, while each individual key is more than wide enough to easily tell apart. The tough and perfectly flat plastic finish means it should resist scratches well and doesn’t pick up reflections as much as more flexible, wobbly examples. Inevitably it’s only so much use for watching video or browsing the web but otherwise it holds up well with punchy colours and decent viewing angles. This actually means it packs in the same number of pixels as a number of budget smartphones, but thanks to its size it looks considerably sharper. The phone’s screen is a 2.2in colour LCD with a resolution of 240 x 320 pixels. This is what we’d expect for such a budget phone though. On the back is a camera but at only 2-megapixels and without autofocus or flash, it’s next to useless in anything less than bright sunshine. ![]() Sadly, it’s a little fiddly so is difficult to operate blindly. It’s also worth noting that there is a volume control on the right edge, as these can sometimes be omitted on cheaper phones. You don’t get a card in the box but it’ll support up to 16GB ones. There are no immediately obvious causes for concern when it comes to connectivity either, with a headphone jack up top, microUSB on the left edge, and if you prize the back off you’ll find there’s a microSD card slot as well. Also, both front and back have a matt finish, which gives the overall look a muted feel and should help keep the phone looking good for longer than glossy rivals, as scratches won’t show up as badly. The gentle swoop it creates along the phone’s side along with the overall curve of the back looks elegant and simple. You can get a few different coloured backs – though they seem pretty rare – but we have the silver version here. Styling is never likely to be a strong suite at this price but as these things go, the Cedar looks very nice. Despite this feather-like leaning, the plastic body feels nice and solid with little discernable flex. Thankfully it’s nice and lightweight at just 84g. Dimensions are 111 x 49 x 15.5 mm so it’s around 10mm shorter and narrower than you’re your average smartphone, though not the slimmest device going. The form factor of the Cedar is as classic as they come, with a 2.2in screen sitting above a cluster of navigation controls and a 12-button keypad. Selling for around £50, it undercuts even the cheapest smartphones by a considerable margin, though currently isn’t widely available on network deals. That said, if your priorities are still call quality, battery life, and ease of use, then something like the Sony Ericsson Cedar might be right up your street. With smartphones getting ever cheaper, the market for so called feature phones is rapidly dwindling.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |