Sony Ericsson P1 Unboxing Options

[Mizzle]

Today I received a Sony Ericsson P1 review model from UIQ Technology. Here is the unboxing of the beauty. Some accessories are missing (Bluetooth GPS, docking station), I know, but it'll give you a pretty good idea of the handset either way. More photos after the jump

From the Unofficial Sony Ericsson Blog:
http://blog.se-nse.net/2008/01/28/sony-ericsson-p1-unboxing/.

[scotsboyuk]

I have thought about getting one of these, but never seemed to have got round to it. I remember when the M600 first came out I liked it, but wished it had a camera, etc. The P1 does, but what with new SE smartphones in the works I think I shall never be acquainted with the P1.

[qwerty12]

My sister got a P1i. Nice phone but I really don't like the WiFI on it.

[scotsboyuk]

What's wrong with the WiFi?

[qwerty12]

It only supports B (Not G) and it has problems connecting to my router unless the WPA is turned off. I have a PSP, 3 computers and a N800 which works fine with WPA.

Also (this is more of an annoyance), the 1st wifi access point you connect has to be unsecured otherwise, it will not create the "DefaultWifiAccount" which enables it to connect properly.

Otherwise,its a great phone with apps like Coreplayer and ports of Duke Nukem 3D etc.

[scotsboyuk]

I don't find a lack of g support to be too much of a problem given that many, if not most, access points support b. The WPA issue sounds a little annoying though.

[qwerty12]

That is true. I guess g support will be good when 8+ MB broadband becomes mainstream properly.

I don't think Sony Ericsson would produce a product with broken WPA but I know for sure it doesn't like my Netgear with WPA on.

[scotsboyuk]

Perhaps it;s the firmware version you are using? If it is a widespread problem then I hope they fix it in their next smartphones. Wi-Fi is such an important part of a smartphone these days it really needs to be 100% spot on.

[qwerty12]

I'm sure it's the latest firmware (it's o2 branded though). I know with the P990, there is an 11+ page on esato about wifi troubles.

[scotsboyuk]

It would also be nice if the Wi-Fi reception in handsets could be a bit stronger so as to pick up weaker signals.

[qwerty12]

I agree. Me and my friend with his P990 were in the same place. My N800 picked up 2 AP's while the P990 found none. I have to admit though, the P990 was SE's first WiFI product AFAIK.

[scotsboyuk]

My N95 can't pick up my home network in the next room whilst my laptop can. I think I can alter the settings for the N95's WiFi though.

[Mizzle]

The problem with the WiFi on P1 is because of the metal coating on it. It really weakens the signal reception. I've compared to my W960 (same hardware) and W960 is WAY better.

[qwerty12]

Wow, I think the metal coating is a good idea but a optional wifi aerial would have been great then.

[scotsboyuk]

Gosh I never even thought of that! It seems such a simple thing too! You would think that something like that would have shown up in testing although perhaps it did and SE thought the loss in performance was worth the benefit of using metal for the housing.

[Mizzle]

It was the same thing on W880 - this was why there have been so many problems with the network reception.

[scotsboyuk]

I must admit I like a metal casing, the handset feels very nice in the hand with a metal on it, but at the end of the day I would rather have good performance over aesthetics.