Sony Ericsson Aino (U10i) Unboxing Pictures & Review

**plemix.com** · 10-13-2009, 12:07 AM

Just when I am sulking over the fact that Sony Ericsson has not released a proper high-end touchscreen feature phone for quite some time (since X1?), Sony Ericsson launches Aino. Being the long awaited high-end phone, Aino has a lot to live up to. With WiFi connection, 8MP camera, 3-inch touchscreen and Playstaion remote play, Aino seems to have a lot of wow-factors at first glance.

Okay, Aino’s package content is one to look up to. You have got the Aino phone, a battery, a charger, a handsfree set and most importantly the elegant-looking desk stand charger and the matching Bluetooth (which we will look into later).

The front panel of Aino is monopolized by the 3-inch TFT 16-million color capacitive touchscreen. The image quality is excellent. It is good for any media playback. However, one thing about Aino is that its touchscreen is limited to use on merely the media interface. And D-pad will be disabled on those touch-screen enabled media pages. Although the biggest selling point of this handset is the media features, I would still love to see a more purposeful touchscreen.

You need to slide open and get help from the D-pad and alphanumeric keypad when touchscreen function is not available. The fact that it is a slider makes it unnecessarily thicker than a usual touchscreen phone.

The keypad is kind of boring. Don’t get me wrong. The keys are spacious and thumb-friendly but it looks like it’s designed in the 80’s. In general, I think design of Aino is not really its forte.

The right side of the phone accommodates the shutter release and the volume rocker that doubles as zoom lever.

You have got the fast port on the right side. The metallic blue edge is looking good here, I have to admit.

You’ve got a key-lock at the top. (Yes! Even for a slider!)

The camera is an upscale one with 8MP and LED flash. The lens comes without cover which could turn into a scratch nightmare whereas the upcoming Satio has a stylish lens cover.

You have to remove the battery cover for the access of SIM and MicroSD. The package comes with an 8GB extended memory in the form of MicroSD.

Now here’s the best part. The phone comes along with super awesome kits such as the desk top charger and the specifically designed Bluetooth. They look like a handsome gang together that will sure gather some envious glances. And the media menu is Playstation inspired which adds a trendy touch to the phone.

Here’s a closer look at the harmonizing Bluetooth. A love at first sight for me.

With the Fast Port connection, not only can you charge with the desk top charger, you can also leave the phone on the dock and let the Media Home do the job of transferring for you automatically.

Here’s the standard Sony Ericsson menu that is ever-so-smooth to navigate.

You’ve got pre-installed Google Maps and Facebook on the phone

Aino is innovative in a lot of ways. Other than the handsome-looking kit, you can make use of the Wi-Fi connection to control your PS3 or PSP remotely and access the media contents there. You can also record VGA30fps video with it and download movies straight from Playnow Arena. It can surely do everything that a Sony Ericsson feature phone can do and better.

**Nebor** · 10-13-2009, 06:47 AM

Does it work on US AT&T 3G?

**bodeh6** · 10-13-2009, 07:11 AM

Originally Posted by Nebor

Does it work on US AT&T 3G?

Not this model. The Aino a or U10a is not out yet. That is the US 3G compatible one.

**4merly_blucific** · 10-13-2009, 09:30 AM

nice pics. Reminds me of some Japanese sliders, with the whole keyboard being behind the front piece.

**MacGooner** · 10-13-2009, 01:44 PM

Thanks for the great unboxing pics and mini review.
Could you tell me, if when needing to answer or make a call do you have to open the slider to do so or can you use the touch screen?

Cheers.

**Ph0z3** · 10-13-2009, 05:01 PM

Originally Posted by MacGooner

Thanks for the great unboxing pics and mini review.
Could you tell me, if when needing to answer or make a call do you have to open the slider to do so or can you use the touch screen?

Cheers.

GREAT pics and GREAT review of this! INCREDIBLE phone! i love this ALOT more than the Satio! The only downfall i can find with this model is the limited touch-screen use. Other than that, this phone is AWESOME! Wish the price wasnt so high, so i could order that instead of the w995. Tho the w995 is great, i would rather have the display/media of this phone.

**methodz** · 10-13-2009, 06:17 PM

Beautiful phone! until you open the slider

what a shame i really really liked the look of this phone. sexy, love the dock and the potential of this design but god i think SE messed up this model. it is like the 2009 version of the k790 which i loved too.

this phone should be qwerty running android with a FULL touchscreen and it would be a winner. but as of right now it is a loser phone

**DerekToronto** · 10-14-2009, 06:10 PM

I got the phone. It suppose to have 3G 850 but the phone cant find it. Anyone successfully connect to 850 3G?

**methodz** · 10-14-2009, 06:23 PM

did u get it from plemix? it says this on their site:

HSDPA 1900 / 2100 MHz (3G Is NOT Compatible In US & CA)

it does have a quadband gsm though.

**EMAGDNIM** · 10-14-2009, 07:37 PM

Originally Posted by MacGooner

Could you tell me, if when needing to answer or make a call do you have to open the slider to do so or can you use the touch screen?

Cheers.

I would like to know this myself...So anyone?

**randomtask77** · 10-14-2009, 08:29 PM

Apparently, you can. if the screen lock is on, you have to slide the answer key from left to right.

If the screen lock is off, you can just tap the answer key.

This is from the user guide off of the SE website. I don't have the phone.

**DerekToronto** · 10-14-2009, 09:15 PM

I google it and found on SE launch page said it was 850/1800/2100 and the North American 850/1900/2100. In which i found it odd. But i also found other popular phone review website supporting it.

Now, i visited SE Hong Kong website. It does say 900/2100. So. I guess mine is 900/2100 version. Which is fine. The phone is very beautiful and not many SE today are. The slide is solid. Web browsing on Hofo it can display from left to right without scrolling.

Originally Posted by methodz

did u get it from plemix? it says this on their site:

HSDPA 1900 / 2100 MHz (3G Is NOT Compatible In US & CA)

it does have a quadband gsm though.

**DerekToronto** · 10-14-2009, 09:26 PM

When a call comes in (without sliding it open.) you can touch(swipe left to right on the screen.) to answer or mute your call.

When you are in a call with the slide close you can mute the mic, speaker phone or end your call.

Originally Posted by EMAGDNIM

I would like to know this myself...So anyone?