Sony Ericsson Z520a Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, MP3 Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Blue/Silver)

by Sony

Product Details

• Product Dimensions: 3.3 x 1.8 x 0.9 inches ; 3.5 ounces
• Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
• Shipping: Currently, item can be shipped only within the U.S. and to APO/FPO addresses. For APO/FPO shipments, please check with the manufacturer regarding warranty and support issues.
• ASIN: B000BYPFN2
• Item model number: Z520a
• Average Customer Review: 2.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (58 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #132,047 in Cell Phones & Accessories (See Top 100 in Cell Phones & Accessories)

Product Description

Amazon.com Product Description

An upgrade to the venerable z500a, the z520a adds Bluetooth, an upgraded main display and fun lights around the keypad. All this goodness is delivered in a package that is smaller and lighter than its predecessor. With dual screens and a VGA camera with video capabilities, the z520a is a serious next-generation phone. It's the perfect handset for folks who want to get all the latest wireless goodies in one chic package. This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850/900/1800/1900 MHz). It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.

Click the image to see what the Z520 can do for you.

Design
The z520a's 65,000-color, 128 x 160 display is housed under the front cover while the outside sports a supplementary 101 x 80 color display that can display time, call information, battery and signal strength, and more. The VGA (640 x 480) camera is housed on the front cover as well. The z520a uses an internal antenna-- nothing to snag or break off-- and a five-way button just above the dial pad is used to control most of the phone's menus and features. Up/down buttons on the left side of the phone can be used for quick volume control and menu navigation. USB data and charging ports, as well as a headset port, are located on the phone's bottom edge. And because the z520a's front and rear faceplates are changeable with Sony-Ericsson Style-Up covers, you can dress it up to suit your style. The design also incorporates a unique carry handle on the top of the phone.

Calling Features
The z520a's phone book can hold up to 510 contacts with multiple entries per contact. A call list remembers your most recent missed, received and dialed calls. The phone's voice activated dialing makes calling your friends, family and associates as easy as saying their names. The phone also features a speakerphone for easy, hands-free talking. In addition to a vibrating alert, the phone supports polyphonic ringtones as well as MP3- and AAC-format ringers, allowing you to use portions of your favorite songs to alert you to incoming calls. There's even a bundled application that lets you mix your own ringtones with up to 16 tracks. Meanwhile, more ringtones can be downloaded from a provider's service (additional charges applicable). Picture caller ID lets you assign a photo to specific callers. Similarly, a ringer ID lets you assign ringtones to callers. Because the z520a is Bluetooth enabled, wireless communication headsets can be configured with the phone for total hands-free operation.

Messaging, Internet and Tools
The z520a has all the bases covered when it comes to messaging. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages. When used in combination with the phone's built-in camera, MMS opens up a whole new world of messaging fun (additional messaging charges apply). Instant messaging is also supported and the phone ships with a built-in email client.

Getting on the Internet is easy with the z520a, as it supports the GPRS protocol. When used with a provider's data plan and the phone's USB or Bluetooth data capabilities the phone can be used as a wireless modem for laptops and PDAs. There's also a built-in web browser for game and application downloads and mobile web browsing. T9 text entry, a technology that makes it easier for people to enter words and text on handsets, is built into the unit--a plus for mobile email and text messaging users.

A number of handy software tools are bundled with the z520a including a voice memo recorder, a calculator, a calendar, and an alarm clock with a timer and stopwatch. Sony Ericsson Sync Station software lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks with your phone.

Imaging and Entertainment
The z520a was designed for serious fun. The built-in VGA camera captures stills and video to the phone's 16 MB of internal memory. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be set up to fit your personality.

Java support is built into the z520a, making it a powerful gaming companion for both online and offline games. Games are downloadable via the MEdia service or you can use the handset's USB or Bluetooth data connections to load more games and files onto the phone.

Vital Statistics
The Sony-Ericsson z520a weighs 3.46 ounces and measures 3.27 x 1.81 x 0.94 inches. Its lithium-ion battery is rated at up to 4.5 hours of digital talk time, and up to 300 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the GSM/GPRS 850/900/1800/1900 frequencies. The phone comes with a one year limited warranty.

Product Description

If a cool clamshell with every possible customizing option is what you want, Z520a is your phone. You can change the front and back covers, have any combination of ringtones, images, and light effects play when a call comes in. And you can have a unique combination for your favorite friends in your phone book. Z520a is all about sharing. It has an easy-to-use VGA camera for still images and video recording to capture fun moments and Bluetooth™ and MMS to share them. A speakerphone gives your original artist music tones the sound they deserve. Z520a is all about expressing yourself. Do it. The Z520a combines crisp and clear color menus, animated wallpapers and content with unique and sophisticated light patterns which light up the phone when a call comes in and when you receive a message. Impressive color and cool light.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Pretty darned good!, January 9, 2006

By 

W. Fisher "Burns" - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Z520a Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, MP3 Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Blue/Silver) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

January 2006: I got this phone last week to replace a multiband (GSM and TDMA) S-E phone after Cingular discontinued the multiband service <grump>. I was worried that with GSM only I would not get the coverage I got previously, but I was wrong. I get really much better coverage with this phone. In fact, I would say that this phone is the best I have ever had for picking up signals.

The problems: What I have seen reported here and in other reviews are generally true. It's just a matter of how much they bother you. In particular: (1) the light turns off quickly and when it is off you can see nothing at all. (2) The outside buttons (volume and camera) are pretty easy to press by accident. OTOH, they generally don't do any harm, and they do light the light. (3) Nav key is pretty small; I can see someone with big fingers might have trouble (I don't).

The positives: (1) Seems very good at picking up signals. (2)Supports MIDI ring tones which are lots smaller than MP3. (3) Voice dialing seems to work smoothly. (4) Easy to turn ringer to silent when in a meeting or whatever. (5) Several ways to get to contacts quickly. E.g. voice dial; shortcut from Nav Key to contacts; hit a dial key to get to contacts starting with those letters.

And one final point: Go to the S-E web site to do the setup you need. They have a set of web pages to configure the phone; they ask you your carrier, phone number, etc etc and then SMS the right info to the phone to set up all the web stuff you need (except the SMS-to-email gateway, strangely. )

Overall, I am very happy with this phone; it is probably the best I have had. A few nits, but they really don't bother me much.
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After a few weeks of use, I am adding the following:

I'm still very happy. Another thing that works very well is the Infrared. I snagged some music from the internet (mostly free MIDI stuff or samples of recordings) and uploaded it to the phone with IR. It was effortless and required little figuring out. I think there was an easy-to-find place on the phone to turn IR on and my computer just pinged and asked me what I wanted to do with my new-found IR partner.

One other small disadvantage: The -beep- prompting you to speak the voice dial is quite faint. I missed it a couple times and just sat there waiting to speak the callee's name. Also, the vibrate is pretty weak. I had it in my pocket and did not even notice an incoming email. Maybe a call would be more noticable since it lasts longer.

And I agree that the camera is not too useful, at least so far. But hey, that is not why I bought it.

I'm still happy with it, and my rating of 4 stars is unchanged.

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And now 6 months later: Ok, ok, the camera button position stinks. I tend to take pictures of the inside of my pockets since it that is where it somehow manages to get pushed. But I did find that you can turn on the light by pushing the volume button twice.

Another issue which is partly my own fault: I tend to miss calls because the ring tone is too soft. That may be because the song I chose starts out too soft. Use care!
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10 months later: I took the phone with me on a trip that took me through Heathrow airport and on to Bangalore India. The multiband-edness of the phone was great...it worked well in all locations. I sent and received an SMS message in LHR, and I actually bought a pre-paid SIM card in India to use in the phone (Air-Tel) and it worked wonderfully. There are even some features that I have never seen before (immediate messages on the screen showing amount of time left for example) that worked fine.
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Probably my final edit on Sept 30, 2008: Google "white screen of death" and z520. You'll find a description of what happened. Essentially, the phone still works, but the screen is all white. Not very good for using the directory, but ok on bluetooth. You can hold the cover in a certain position and get the screen to work again for a while, but I'm in the market for a new phone...I suppose it lasted longer than most phones gotten with a 2 year contract from a service provider, but I'm not terribly pleased.

45 of 47 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Making and receiving calls, and much more, January 9, 2006

By 

Amanda Richards (Georgetown, Guyana) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (TOP 500 REVIEWER)    (HALL OF FAME REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Z520a Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, MP3 Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Blue/Silver) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

Basically, what I need in a cell phone is the ability to make calls to people I want to speak with, and to receive calls from people who need to speak with me. That's it!

Of course, any old phone will do that, but there's my image to look out for, so I also want it to look expensive and sleek, to be able to pick up signals even in office blocks, have long battery life, and have tons of cool features to talk about, even if I never use them. The ability to withstand sudden impacts and the occasional passing shower is also an asset.

So far, this phone has met all my needs as follows:

(1) It makes calls just great
(2) It receives calls clearly
(3) It looks trendy with its cute little handle-shaped antenna, which is very useful as a handle when pulling it from your bag
(4) It's not the most expensive, but it looks like a million bucks
(5) It picks up signals in office buildings (and elsewhere)
(6) Excellent battery life
(7) It fell and survived (JAN 16 - EDIT: IT FELL AGAIN AND THE INTERIOR DISPLAY IS DAMAGED. THE PHONE HOWEVER STILL WORKS)
(8) It got drizzled on and survived

Feature wise:

(1) It has a camera and can take video recordings
(2) You can set up speed dialing fairly easily
(3) It has flashing lights when it rings, and you can change the light shows (or turn the darn thing off already)
(4) Lots of memory for lots of numbers, e-mail addresses, birthdays and so on
(5) You can set different lights and ring tones for each one of your friends
(6) You can show a different photo on the display outside to the one inside.
(7) It has a stopwatch and calculator
(8) It has a loud speaker! (All the better for us all to hear you my dear)
(9) Media player, and use can use a headphone (sold separately)
(10) Voice activated commands (Answer and Busy, or you choose)
(11) Changeable covers to meet your mood (Always gray, thank you)
(12) Big numbers and letters for easy dialing and text messages (if you're the texting kind)
(13) It can vibrate!!!!!!!! (Call me back! Call me back!)
(14) I had somebody send me Crazy Frog as a ring tone, so I can REALLY annoy my favorite people. (It's got Bluetooth and infra-red for transferring data - but don't ask me how to use them - I just like saying that I have it)
(15) Lots of shortcut keys to get to things quickly
(16) Internet services (I can't use these yet, because my provider doesn't offer it)
(17) it has a very nice alarm clock feature


Things not so great about it:

(1) The position of the camera button is bad for me. I use a Body Glove case, and when I pull out the phone, I sometimes inadvertently take a picture on the way out. Similarly when trying to open it in a hurry.
(2) The picture quality isn't the best
(3) It's not easy to open with one hand
(4) While the volume buttons are conveniently placed on the side, I sometimes hit them when answering a call.
(5) The sound is kinda tinny
(6) Not enough cool ring tones (yeah, I can get more, but using Bluetooth means I have to read the manual)
(7) You have to remember to use the arrow keys to get to other tabs in the menus to see all the features
(8) Speed dialing needs two buttons (I'm accustomed to holding down one button)
(9) The lights go out really quickly before you can finish deciding what you're looking for

Overall, a great phone for the price, and it looks good too.


Amanda Richards, January 10, 2006

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Almost perfect. Nice deal for the price., December 28, 2005

By 

Rodrigo Lopez Schenkel (San Pedro Sula, Cortés, Honduras) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Sony Ericsson Z520a Unlocked Cell Phone with Camera, MP3 Player--U.S. Version with Warranty (Blue/Silver) (Wireless Phone Accessory)

I've been using this cell phone for more than a month now and up to now I'm glad with the purchase. Being a Motorola user for the past 2 years, I preferred this phone over the Motorola V3 black since now everybody has the V3. At every corner you see someone using it, whereas the Z520a is not even being sold here in my country... that, and a 60$ difference when I bought it. Also, the fact that the Z520a came with over 17 MB of internal memory and the V3 only has like 6 MB.

Now, the Pros: Nice design, sturdy construction, its small, better user interface than Motorolas, 17 MB memory for storing lots of pics, vids, themes, games, and of course, mp3 ringtones. Useful external screen, the battery last almost a week without charging. I like the file manager, it sorts files by type and gives access to the entire flash memory and the address book is very accesible, displays useful information and it's neatly organized. The external speaker plays mp3s loud and clear enough. The option for taking self portraits with the help of the external LCD is great. And the side lights are a nice add-on to show to your friends (look: shiny lights!!).

The Cons: Well, first, I would have given 5 stars to this phone if it came with any type of slot for additional storage (My kingdom for a transflash slot!)... second, both LCD screens are hard to see on a sunny day. It's difficult to open the phone with one hand (something I could do easily with my old V-551). The speakerphone is not so loud when you are in a conversation even if the volume is all the way up. Finally, I have a Motorola HS-820 bluetooth headset that I used with my last phone, but it seems the Z520a doesn't likes this headset. I cannot voice dial and if you make a call using the phone's keypad you have to keep the phone open, or it will hang the call, which is not very pleasant. Maybe its a configuration setting I'm not making but who knows. On the other hand, the wired hands-free that comes with the phone is very nice. It has great sound and you can use it as a one-ear headphone for mp3's since it has better sound than a lot of other cheap headphones.

In the overall, I think its a great phone except for those problems I mentioned. I recommend it.