Sony Ericssson Vivaz review (2)

No device can be perfect and so is the Vivaz, which also comes with some flaws. But still then, the Sony Ericsson Vivaz offers a comprehensive set of features in-keeping with its peers, including Wi-Fi, navigation, stereo Bluetooth, video calling, email and TV-out. Youtube, Facebook et al also come preinstalled.

Setting up the Wi-Fi and email was quick and easy and the Wi-Fi remained connected through walls and floors. Most of the above, including the issues, however, is secondary to the excellent camera and HD video functions that the Vivaz boasts.

The camera has face detection and takes good quality photos, even if the auto focus is a little slow in night mode. The HD video is also quite capable for a device of this size and can capture footage of a high enough quality to watch on all but the biggest TVs and certainly good enough for any celeb spots or snapping people getting splashed by cars in puddles that you might wish to put on YouTube.

Finally, and perhaps the most important, yet overlooked feature in this day and age – telephone calls. If you ever remember that this is what your handset is for amongst all its bells and whistles, the SE Vivaz will prove to be no more effective or user friendly in this medium than it is in text-based communication.

When the Vivaz has a good signal the call clarity is very good, however, it doesn’t find or hold a signal particularly well – we tried it on two different networks - and, when below a few bars, Vivaz users or the recipient of their call will miss out on every other word or the call will drop out completely.

To call the Vivaz a failure, or a bad handset would be unfair as it will no doubt suit some personal tastes and on the right network signal strength may not be as much of an issue.

Sony Ericsson Vivaz boasts of some good features and the handset itself excels aesthetically. If you are comfortable with or even learn to love the Sony Ericsson Symbian interface this may be the right phone for you.

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