Sony Ericsson T303: budget 2G phone that looks nice but few features

Alex Zaharov-Reutt
Wednesday, 05 March 2008 19:53

Opinion and Analysis

Although we live in a 3G world, 2G phones are still around, especially in the pre-paid market this phone is destined for. The T303’s slider design, a mirrored screen and a bit of chrome polish make it more stylish than your average cheap phone, but the rest of its features are quite basic.

One of the few truly smart phones on the market today still lumbered with a 2G connection is the Apple iPhone, although a 3G version is rumoured to be arriving within the next four months.

But 2G mobile phones, which are presumably cheaper to make than 3G phones, still have a place, especially for those who want a relatively stylish looking phone to make phone calls, send text and/or picture messages and take basic photos.

While no price has been released for the Sony Ericsson (SE) T303, it can’t be all that expensive if it’s destined for the pre-paid market, although as you’ll see, tech-savvier consumers will probably want to buy something much more powerful, even though that will mean spending a lot more money.

SE are pushing the line that the T303 offers ‘designer good-looks without the price tag to match’, and for cash-strapped teenagers, University students or anyone without a massive budget to spend on a new phone, SE’s marketing line could well resonate.

SE also says that the T303 “Does the basics well, whether that’s camera, Bluetooth or FM radio”, “provides pocket-sized convenience”, and promises “premium good looks thanks to a metal and chrome finish”.

Lykke Tærsbøl, Senior Designer at the Sony Ericsson Creative Design Centre said that: “The T303 is a great addition to the Sony Ericsson T-line of products, combining premium finish and materials with a good feature-set to deliver ‘style with substance’. The balance between shape and size in combination with the design makes it a truly eye-catching product. Our aim was to create a phone that would function equally as a daily companion as well as something to show off on a night out."

So, while the phone isn’t a fully fledged smartphone by modern standards, there are a few modern features (both present and missing), including one that is very odd indeed. Please read onto page 2.