Sony Ericsson T270
Last January 24, 2008 in Delhi, India, the Sony Ericsson merger announced the launch of two new budget phones: The Sony Ericsson T270 and its big brother, the T280. They are a pair of affordable mobile phones with a definite flair for design. The similar looking phones are a pocket sized candy bar featuring a sleek brushed light metal with glass finish and comes in two color combinations; the Silver and Black and the sure to be a hit Copper and Silver combo. The only noticeable difference between the two is the absence of a camera lens at the back of the T270. But before you faint at the idea of a phone not having a camera - be aware first of the target audience of the T270, for it is definitely not a phone not for everyone.
According to Howard Lewis, Vice President and Head of Entry Level Products over at Sony Ericsson: "We have developed two phones that meet the needs of two distinct audiences. The T270 and T280 build on the appeal of iconic Sony Ericsson phones like the T610. They are good looking and tick all of the right boxes; whether it's for the business user wanting a compact work phone or the everyday user looking for a classic, stylish camera phone."
Sony Ericsson T270 Camera and Display
What gives the Sony Ericsson T270 distinction from its big 
brother, the T280, is the lack of a camera at the back of the unit. This is because the T270 is aimed at the business type consumers looking for a good mobile phone housing all their needs and without the unnecessary applications that would only be left to waste.
The T270 however takes pride in its gorgeous TFT screen displaying images at 128 x 160 pixels. Still not much compared to what other mobile phones have to offer, but keep in mind that this is a budget phone we are looking at and should be judged accordingly. No use comparing apples to lemons. And after all, adding more to the phone would only make it something it isn't meant to be, and that would greatly defeat its purpose.
Sony Ericsson T270 Design and Accessories
The Sony Ericsson T270 looks divine in its brushed steel casing and gives it an aura of expensiveness and sophistication. And truth be told, the absence of the camera at the back of the unit does give it a much cleaner look. And weighing in at only 82 grams including the battery, this is as light as it gets, perfect for those who like to travel light.
Don't be fooled by the words "budget phone" though as the T270 packs itself with the 
essential tools both for the busy professionals and the young casual users. For one, there is the Bluetooth connectivity so you can transfer your files seamlessly without having to get tangled in cables. For the business and traveling class, that's definitely a plus since a USB cable would only be considered as excess baggage.
And one does not have to miss out on important updates just because you do not have a computer with you all the time. That's where the T270's WAP browser comes in. Whether for checking your emails or just plain browsing as you await your next stop, the T270's Web connectivity is a great addition to the already convincing package. Whatever tasks your profession demands, the T270 can be your personal assistant and secretary.
Summary of Sony Ericsson T270 Features
- Weight: 82 g
- Width: 45 mm
- Height: 100 mm
- Thickness: 13 mm
- Network: 2G GSM 900 / 1800 (GSM 850 / 1900 for the North American version)
- Screen Resolution: TFT, 65K colors, 128 x 160 pixels, 1.7 inches
- Data: GPRS Class 10 (4+1/3+2 slots), 32 - 48 kbps
- Connectivity: Bluetooth
- Web Browser: WAP 2.0/xHTML
- Music: MP3, FM Radio
- Camera: None
- Messaging: SMS, MMS
- Expansion Slot: None
- Tones: Polyphonic, MP3, Vibration
- Software Features: JAVA MIDP 2.0
- Other Features: Calculator, Calendar, Games, Stopwatch, Built In Hands Free
- Battery: Standard battery, Li-Ion 780 mAh (BST-36) up to 300 hours stand by time and 7 hours talk time
PROS: The Sony Ericsson T270's outstanding and professional looking design is absolutely something that will give this mobile phone the edge among its class. Navigation is uncomplicated thanks to its clever navigation pad at the center and the aptly spaced buttons of the keypad. That means less mistakes especially when dialing or composing messages. The T270 also supports Bluetooth connectivity which makes file transfers fuss free. And the long battery life makes it a good choice for the frequent traveler.
CONS: As this is a budget phone with a definite target market, the absence of the camera is not an issue as Sony Ericsson already addressed that concern with the T280. That being said however, the screen could have been better. It is also disheartening to find the T270 not having an expansion slot at least to compensate for its small memory space. And while on the subject, 10 mega bytes of memory leaves a lot to be desired, especially with certain budget phones offering up to 256 mega bytes of internal memory. The lack of USB connectivity may also be a concern for some as not all computers and peripherals are Bluetooth capable.
Overall: After all is said and done, the Sony Ericsson T270 performs absolutely well and above a lot of its competition. This is a mobile phone designed after the needs of a definite audience and it does serve its purpose, and the T270 serves it marvelously. For all its intents and purposes, the T270 is unquestionably a magnificent choice.