Sony Ericsson Hazel and Elm Preview

Introduction and Design:


In our opinion, all new handsets must be eco-friendly and designed with the environment in mind. The manufacturers are slowly embracing the idea and the number of cell phones coming in boxes made from recycled paper and with letters printed in ink that doesn’t poison the environment. However, devices aimed at eager eco fans are still scarcer than chicken teeth. All Sony Ericsson models equipped with such features belong to the new Greenheart family that currently has four members – the Sony Ericsson Naite, C901 Greenheart, Hazel and Elm.

The Sony Ericsson Hazel and Sony Ericsson Elm come with identical hardware features like 5-megapixel cameras, 3G, Wi-Fi and GPS, but in different form factors.

The Sony Ericsson Hazel is a slider equipped with 2.6-inch QVGA display and small video call camera on the front side. It reminds us of the W705, but its back sports an “anatomic curve” and nice rugged pattern.



You can compare the Sony Ericsson Hazel with many other phones using ourSize Visualization Tool.

The Sony Ericsson Elm has quite an interesting back as well, but is a classic candybar with smaller screen measuring the modest 2.2 inches. We do like the metal battery cover, plus the pearly rose color solution of our prototype means this particular version does stand a sporting chance of becoming a real hit among ladies.



You can compare the Sony Ericsson Еlm with many other phones using our Size Visualization Tool.

Both models are charged via Sony Ericsson´s proprietary port, take microSD expansion cards and not last, made from recycled plastic that we have to admit we quite like.

Interface and Functionality:

The Sony Ericsson Hazel and Elm are feature phones utilizing the same interface that powers all non-smart latest handsets of the manufacturer. It looks pretty cool, is quite motley and can be easily personalized with various themes. Sony Ericsson promises that both devices will feature dedicated application for social networking that will be available directly from the home screen, but our prototypes didn’t come with it. You´ve got, however, Walk Mate that shows how many steps you´ve made on a given day. Unlike the similar program preloaded on the Samsung Blue Earth S7550, Walk Mate doesn’t provide insight on how many trees you´ve helped to save.



It is a cool thing that both devices support Wi-Fi and fast 3G connectivity. Their browser is developed by Access and really capable. Unfortunately, it doesn’t sport built-in Flash support, but still, you can watch YouTube videos via preinstalled application.



The navigational software Wisepilot that uses NAVTEQ maps and both devices will come with free trial version.



The Sony Ericsson Hazel and Sony Ericsson Elm are equipped with 5-megapixel camera with autofocus and LED flash. Its interface offers ample amount of options like face and smile recognition, macro mode, various shooting presets, white balance etc. You can capture videos at VGA resolution.





Multimedia files are managed via the well known Media menu. Sony Ericsson´s audio player has really pleasing interface with equalizer functionality and can be modified with various themes, but sadly, neither device is equipped with 3.5mm jack. We can´t say we expect much in terms of video playback capabilities either.



Expectations:

There is still some time until the Hazel and Elm get released on the market, but it seems their retail versions will be properly equipped, mainstream feature phones. We just hope they don’t roll out with premium price tags due to the eco-friendly functionality and that they both are competitive. Frankly, we would have liked to see the environmentally friendly concept developed further and in this case, handsets equipped with alternative power source like solar panels. Unfortunately, as we have already had the chance to say in our article on eco-technologies and their application throughout the cell phone industry, Sony Ericsson doesn’t intend to provide solutions based on such types of progressive ideas, since the company doesn’t really consider them advanced enough to be of whatever practical benefit. 

Sony Ericsson Hazel and Elm Video Preview: