Sony Ericsson Vivaz - anyone got one.

brad123 · 03-03-2010, 5:40 PM

Sony Ericsson, Vivaz, out this week it says, anyone got one or heard owt about them, im using a Nokia N97 at the moment 1 year old.

Adama · 03-03-2010, 9:45 PM

Mines on order - I think the release has slipped by a week

durzer · 04-03-2010, 9:02 PM

Ordered mine today,delivery on 15th march

Good spec and reviews,GSM arena and youtube.
First smartphone so will be a bit of a learning curve! Already started downloading symbian freeware. A spirit leval app (Engineer) and some wallpapers

sad but true.

Russellgti · 09-03-2010, 9:13 PM

I have got my eye on the Vivaz Pro.

Messiah · 11-03-2010, 8:01 PM

Saw and played with one yesterday at one of our events, along with the Xperia X10, X10 Pro, X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro.

My favourite is the X10. The Vivaz is very nice but very plasticky feel. Shame really as it is such a great looking device (IMHO) with fab features. I did think about getting one for the Mrs but too plasticky for me.

rags · 14-03-2010, 1:37 PM

I ordered one for my son - his first phone. Arrives tomorrow - will revert.

Adama · 14-03-2010, 8:22 PM

Got mine yesterday - Slightly disappointed - Bit hit & miss - Very fiddly compared to a 2g iPhone - I use Google maps a lot (after all the button presses) it's slower - The browser doesn't compare - However as a Camcorder/Camera phone (which is why I got it) it's the Dogs Doodahs! - In the next few weeks I'm gonna try an' stick some Nokia/Symbian apps on it, and will post on my results.

durzer · 19-03-2010, 10:52 PM

Just got mine and the navigation isn't the best around the functions (First smart phone though.) Screen seems ok but have had it lock up a couple of times already. Maps seem ok so far to me but had nothing to compare to. Can't work out how to change shortcuts at top of screen? Out on bike this weekend so should get some good action video to test it properly, the reason I bought this phone.
Will update.

durzer · 22-03-2010, 10:39 PM

Google maps in the mountains was quick and accurate yesterday. Still find somethings hard to find and battery life is rubbish, 2 days with a reasonable amount of use.

Here's a short vid, only in time and not size !!! Over 1MB a minute.!!!

Untitled on Vimeo

durzer · 22-03-2010, 10:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Adama

Got mine yesterday - Slightly disappointed - Bit hit & miss - Very fiddly compared to a 2g iPhone - I use Google maps a lot (after all the button presses) it's slower - The browser doesn't compare - However as a Camcorder/Camera phone (which is why I got it) it's the Dogs Doodahs! - In the next few weeks I'm gonna try an' stick some Nokia/Symbian apps on it, and will post on my results.

Any updates on apps you've used?

jimmyboy1975 · 23-03-2010, 9:07 AM

Good video Durzer.
I'm looking at getting this phone, so if anyone has it I'd also be interested to hear your thoughts. I'm a Smart Phone virgin so I'd like to hear from other virgins too who have just got this phone. Is the resistive screen a problem? Do you get unlimited internet searching? Is the battery that bad? I'd mainly be using for texting, photos and videos.

shaunstrudwick · 25-03-2010, 4:24 PM

when is X10 due to hit?

taposh · 31-03-2010, 3:21 PM

I was a smart phone virgin, but wound up getting a Vivaz as I was out of contract on T-mobile so took the chance to upgrade.

As a newbie it took a bit of getting used to touch screen but it seems fairly good, and accurate when plonking my fingers on virtual buttons. This is my first SE phone, and having had it for a couple of days I'm now used to navigation etc.

I have a blackberry bold from work - and the vivaz browser wipes the floor with it. Internet connectivity and speed to rendering screens is good. Only issue with browsing is if you have a content-laden web page, the phone itself slows down and it can be difficult to move the page around.

As I often carry two phone + iPod with me, I'm v. happy with the size and weight of the phone. This outweighs any concerns about plasticy feel - although I would have prefered a metal, or more sturday case. The back cover however is a real ar*e to get off. Involves some form of trying to rip it off. Can't see if surviving too long if you need to open it often.

Battery life is OK. Mine lasted about 2 days on a full charge - and that was with playing, downloading etc. One thing though, when the bars got low, the battery went exponentially quickly - 20% of bar does not necessarily mean 20% of batt life.

Camera is stunning. The picture quality is great. And the HD vids have real picture detail in them. To be honest its really showing up my proper camcorder (although it is mini DV).

One real, real downer on the camera though is no auto-flash. You have a light thingy you have to turn on and off manually. A real disappointment. I can't believe SE thought this would be acceptable functionality.

Also starting up the camera ain't exactly speedy (it isnt that slow mind you). But dont rely on it if you have small kiddies and are trying to capture 'the moment'.

Haven't played with some of the other stuff much. But from a quick play around the Google Maps and GPS completely wipe the floor with my Blackberry bold. Reception for GPS is good, and tracking of movement to update the maps is fairly quick and smooth.

Overall I am very happy with it. To be honest if I could have justified getting a iPhone (long story - would need to upgrade PC first............) I probably would have got that.

But as a 'free' phone on a new contract, it hits the right buttons.

Modmedia · 31-03-2010, 4:47 PM

I had a play about with one in work.. They are not a bad phone!

The best thing about them is how it feels in the hand, it is designed to feel nice in the hand and it really does.

To actually use it as a phone, though, is quite fiddly compared to my iPhone. But that's not really fair comparing to it because the iPhone kills most devices for ease of use.

Ben Gum · 01-04-2010, 11:37 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taposh

One real, real downer on the camera though is no auto-flash. You have a light thingy you have to turn on and off manually. A real disappointment. I can't believe SE thought this would be acceptable functionality.

I read that the X10 was doing the same thing and found it difficult to believe!

danfathers · 04-09-2010, 2:53 PM

had this phone for two months its currently in for repair for the 4th time actually its the second phone thats gone back which i think was a referb.

this phone is the worst i have ever had and i would stronly recomend against anyone considering getting it

in fact i wish i could take the whole thing back but O2 wont take it back because its been over 1 month if anyone knows how to get out of a contract phone then pls tell me i dont mind keeping the contract i just wont to change the phone

Please please help

and tell all your friends not to get this phone