In the past, we have employed various methods of testing, but none as rigorous as the one that was employed for the W580i. Before any revelations, we must tell you that this was neither our intention nor a procedural norm while testing phones.
On an unexpectedly wet day, we (Siddharth and I, on a bike) skidded on a treacherous mixture of oil and water on the asphalt, and narrowly escaped. While Siddharth was busy ensuring we stayed put, I saw the W580i fly out of my pocket and smash on the ground in slow-mo.
After a long line of cars, trucks and rickshaws had run over it, we managed to collect as many pieces together as was possible. Back in office, we managed to put the phone back together, and to our surprise, it still works. With this, we have to agree that the phone is sturdy enough for Indian road conditions!
Design
Hardcore Nokia fans may not agree, but Sony Ericsson does seem to be getting into the groove with its all-new Walkman series of phones. It's interesting to note here that it was SE that first departed from the tradition of 'green-means-call and red-means-cancel'.
The last I looked at an SE phone, which happened to be the W610i, the keypad buttons were the most unpleasant I had ever come across. However, the W580i does SE proud. My grouse is with the slide — it's not easy. By this I mean, you will need to strain your thumb a bit for the spring mechanism to come into play and for the phone to slide open.
That apart, W580i has a lot of character. The phone has lights on the sides that change with the theme and when the music is on. This, combined with, the lighting scheme of the phone makes it look very colorful. This is one phone you will not mind bringing out for a chat.
well recently the quality of the phone has really gone bad. I bought a new phone in june, and display stopped working in fifteen days. It been at the service centre since then, with no news of return. Bad service and depressed with the company.
