Sony Ericsson Z525a

Sony Ericsson's reputation for cutting edge design is well represented with the Z525a. There's a 128 x 160 display housed under the cover while the outside sports a supplementary 101 x 80 color screen that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The VGA (640 x 480) camera is housed on the front cover as well. The z525a uses an internal antenna nothing to snag or break off and a five way button just above the dial pad is used to control most of the phone's menus and features.

Up and down buttons on the left side of the phone can be used for quick volume control and menu navigation. USB data and charging ports, as well as a headset port, are located on the phone's bottom edge.

And because the z525a's front and rear face plates are changeable with Sony Ericsson Style Up covers, you can dress it up to suit your style. Color light effects around the keypad complete the calling and messaging experience.

The Z525a's phone book can hold up to 510 contacts with multiple entries per contact. A call list remembers your most recent missed, received and dialed calls.

The phone's voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. The phone also features a speaker phone for easy, hands free talking.

In addition to a vibrating alert, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3 ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. There's even a bundled application that lets you mix your own ringtones with up to 16 tracks. Meanwhile, more ringtones can be downloaded from Cingular's MEdia Net wireless web service. Picture caller ID lets you assign a photo to specific callers. Similarly, a ringer ID lets you assign ringtones to callers. And don't forget that the Z525a's Bluetooth radio lets you use a wide range of wireless headsets for hands free calling.

Cingular Push To Talk is a walkie talkie type service that allows you to instantly reach others by eliminating the dialing and ringing steps in a regular cellular call. Push to talk calls can be made to one person or to a group of people. Choose Cingular Push To Talk as an add on service to your voice plan to enable the service on the Z525a. Cingular's unique service allows you to see who is available before you initiate a call. Plus, you can place yourself in "do not disturb" mode if you do not want to receive push to talk calls.