Digital Trends

Sony Ericsson P910a

May 17th, 2005 | by Brandon King

Features and Design

The P910 comes in 3 varieties: the a, c and i models. The P910a version operates on the 850/1800/1900MHz bands (Cingular), the P910i operates on the 900/1800/1900MHz bands (T-Mobile), and the P910c operates on the 900/1800/1900MHz bands (Chinese carriers). U.S. customers looking to purchase the P910 will not find it at their local storefront. This leaves them with two options: order unlocked versions directly from Sony Ericsson, or from an online dealer. You will NOT find it if you walk into your local storefront, which means that you won't find any activation deals or rebates. Regular firmware and software downloads are available at the Sony Ericsson website only.

The dimensions of the P910 make it small enough to fit into a pocket, but large enough that the screen is easily readable. The external phone keypad is backlit and folds down to reveal a non-backlit QWERTY keyboard. The attached hinge feels strong, but is likely to wear with use. Included in the package contents is a replacement bottom so that the user can remove the keypad entirely and operate the phone more as a ‘smart-PDA'. Talking with the keyboard open results in a very smudgy screen — one reason we liked the flip down design. Also, flipping the screen down activates the speakerphone which was loud enough for our tastes and very clear.

Along the left edge is the power button, wired headset port, and IR port, along with Sony's ever-present jog dial. The top is clear of all buttons and ports, giving it a clean metallic look. The right side contains the Memory Stick Pro Duo slot (a token 32MB MS Duo card is included), the camera button and the desktop button. The bottom edge contains the Sony Ericsson proprietary ports for the A/C Adapter, headset and the desktop cradle. On the back of the phone there is the VGA camera lens with a mirror for taking self portraits, and the connection for an external antenna. Aside from the flip down keypad, the front has two indicator lights. One for Bluetooth connectivity and the other being power/message indicators. Folded, the screen is 1 ¾” wide x 1 ¾” tall, and open, the screen measures 2 ½” tall. The disc shaped USB docking station that comes with the unit concerns us slightly. The only support propping the P910 up is the angled force on the dock connectors at the bottom.