Available as part of the eco-friendly GreenHeart line, the Sony Ericsson Elm goes where few green-minded phones dare venture: coming packed with useful features. While it won’t challenge some of the company’s more robust models, it does come with a number of capabilities that make it an attractive choice among users looking for just a little more than the basics.
Physically, it sports a candybar form factor with sharp angular corners and a curved back panel that makes it easier to hold in your hand. The design is very traditional, with a small 2.2-inch screen (320×240 resolution) and T9-style keys. Display is actually very good, with sharp lines and a nice color, while the rubbery, curved buttons make for very comfortable typing. The handset itself is made from recycled plastics, but it does feel quite sturdy.
As a phone, the Elm makes for above average calls, with clear voices coming through on both ends of the line. Sony Ericsson utilizes their new “noise shield” technology on this phone, which works to filter background sound, allowing for clearer conversations to come through. I have to say that it works, with folks on the other end reporting good sound even while I made the calls from a busy location. Battery life is decent, lasting a likely two or three days on normal use.
Intended as a “green” handset, it comes with a slew of eco-friendly features, some of which can border on the annoying, such as the nag screen telling you to unplug your phone and the constant drop into sleep mode. The “green” apps are quite gimmicky and are only likely to turn off more users.
Fortunately, that’s not all there is. Apart from the usual basics (messaging, PIM tools), it comes with aGPS (along with Wisepilot, Google Maps and NearMe), a full HTML browser (with both 7.2Mbps HSDPA and WiFi), a number of social netwoking widgets, Bluetooth and a 5.0 megapixel camera module. The camera is particularly good, managing decent-looking photos. Music playback quality is impressive, as it’s right up there with Walkman phones. Unfortunately, they saw fit to burden the device with a proprietary jack.
Overall, the Sony Ericsson Elm is a good phone. While I doubt serious treehuggers buy into this eco-phone business, the handset does bring plenty of higher-end features to complement it. Priced between $250 to $300 unlocked, it’s not bad. Considering what’s already available out there at the same price range, though, it could be a tough sell.
