Sony Ericsson T68

Sony Ericsson's T68 is small and slim and its antenna - which so often sticks out and destroys the look of a phone - is internal.

But while these are probably the first things you'll notice about the T68, they certainly won't be the last. This phone is bursting with features.

It is tri-band GSM which means it will operate in the US as well as Europe. It also has support for GPRS, so if you decide you want to pay for the fast data services that technology will offer when it becomes available during early 2002, you won't need to switch phones.

The 256-colour screen is the phone's key selling point. It is great to use and even makes browsing Wap sites seem like fun.

On screen, text can be set to one of three sizes. Set small, Wap pages can be read by scrolling up and down. Set big, you won't strain your eyes.

Speaking of scrolling, Sony Ericsson has implemented a sort of joystick button which provides four-way directional movement, while pressing the pad inward selects the option that has been scrolled to in much the same way as a button is used to select with a PC mouse. It's very easy to get to grips with, making light work of the nine icons used to navigate the phone's main functions and settings.

The T68 is small but it's light too, at just 86g.

Ours was slate grey but the nice gold option is the better one.

As well as a built-in modem which can provide internet access when you hook up to your notebook laptop, the phone can communicate using infrared or Bluetooth wireless network.

Again though, this is most likely to appeal to users of notebook PCs, many of whom have infrared or can have PC card Bluetooth adapters fitted easily. It is most likely you'll use these on a day to day basis to update the phone's calendar and address book from your PC.

The T68 is at the cutting edge and as a result it's unsurprisingly expensive. If you wait long enough the price will fall, but at the moment it's purely a phone for 'gotta have it' gadget freaks.

Price
With contract £180; With no contract £500

Contact
Sony Ericsson: 0870 523 7237 www.sonyericssonmobile.com

ALSO CONSIDER

Nokia 9210
For those with more money than sense.
£429 with contract
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Computeractive, Issue 95