Sony Ericsson Z300 Review

Published on: 07 June, 2006 by PhoneArena Team

The Z300 is a classic clamshell without any whatsoever surprises. No extras are presented either, such as special mechanisms to open it for example, but at least the antenna is internal, which helps for the overall relatively small measurements of the phone. Made entirely out of plastic elements it has three color levels: the internal part, the hinge and a thin margin around the display are made of silver shiny plastic; the battery cover and the main part of the front panel (the exchangeable) are made of dark grey shiny metallic plastic; and the rest of the phone, which is the frame is out of smoked plastic without a shine, and that way in the upper part of the phone are gathered 3 different colors (without counting the logo of the manufacturer), which is not that esthetically good.

Rounded and having small measurements and internal antenna, the Z300 is easy to handle while closed, but opened it definitely is not one of the most stable phones and you might have problems with the movements of the unstable upper panel. It is strangely heavy and the phone tilts when left lying opened on its back, leaning towards the upper panel, which is quite rear and not very pleasant. No problems carrying it, but since it is relatively thick it cannot be comfortably placed in a narrow pocket, like jeans for example the little weight makes it comfortable to carry in a shirt pocket. To open it with one hand requires not little effort and overall this operation is hard to accomplish. The phone is not very stable, such as when pressed on the battery cover makes an irritating squeak and the plastic gives in as well. The upper shell has an unpleasant fitting when closed in horizontal direction which is visible, and when opened it is not quite stable and makes an irritating noise when starting to close.

It would be good if the phone had fewer colors. The manufacturer decided to do that, since the smoked grey is neutral among the different colors of the panel (which in this case is exchangeable), but it would better if it was in the same color range as the rest of the housing, which is not exchangeable the silver one.