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Edited by : Paul Matt 
Updated: 16 July 2004 

Sony Ericsson K500 series: An entertainer with different faces
The bar-type K700i receives lots of positive feedbacks. The multimedia features are rich enough to attract the users. So it is logical for Sony Ericsson to use the similar platform to produce more models. The born of K500 series can be said caused by this reason. In fact, the new K500 series is K700i¡¦s simpler brother. In term of features, K500 series lacks many things like FM radio, bluetooth. Although it uses a large 1.9 inch 65K TFT colour screen, the pixels are reduced to 128 x 160 resolution instead of 176 x 220 pixels for K700i. The smaller screen affects the picture quality shown in the handset. The internal memory is reduced to 12MB also. Some good features are maintained, like the support of Java 2.0 and Mascot Capsule® Engine Micro3D Edition from HI Corp to enable faster and content rich multi media games. 

In order to push the games, the press release of K500 series stresses the gaming ability. A MultiAction joystick is added, together with the 3D gaming engine to enhance the gaming experience. The storage of game is not limited too, meaning that users can make use of all 12MB to store the favorite games, all together, around 45 3D games. The K500 series phones also supports the Gameboard EGB-10 accessory to change the phone to a gaming console.

K500 series also uses the dual front design, phone in the front, and camera in the back. The camera is a VGA standard, while users can still choose the enhanced mode to enlarge the pictures sizes to mega pixels one. Also, 4x digital zoom and video capturing are offered too. The new enhancement of K500 camera is the len shutter open key. Like the S700, and S710a, opening the lens shutter can activate the camera. It is easy to capture still images or the funniest video. 

Besides imaging, music features are the key components of the K500i. The MP3 player is still here although you cannot enjoy long playback time now due to the memory limitation. But with this, MP3 ringtone is supported. K500 series also supports up to 40 chords polyphonic ring tones. Sony Ericsson K500 also features 'PlayNow!' technology to fasten the music download procedure. The concept is like the 'Quickshare' to enable to take and send a picture out in few steps. With 'PlayNow!'  Users can download the favorite ring tone within 3 steps.

K500 series has two different models. The K500i and K508i. The latter one with blue keypad is typically designed for Chinese market. Besides, all the features are the same. According to the Sony Ericsson staff in Shanghai press conference, the K508i exists because of the simplest reason: offering more choices. It is true because the handset competition is keen in Asia regions. More choices means more chances to please the users. 

Click to enlarge the images


The new K500 series is a mid-range multi media phone

   
It is the downward version of K700i. Some good features like MP3 player, 3D game engine are kept, while no more FM radio, fewer memory

The side

Another blue color


     
The camera back includes a bottom to activate the camera by one push

The blue back

The 3D gaming engine enabled 3D style games


    

The UI and embedded graphics
The MP3 player


 

The K508 is for China market. The features are the same as K500i while the keypad look like different

Comparision between SE K500 series  and SE K700i

K500 vs K700i
VGA camera vs VGA camera (both of extended mode)
65K TFT display vs 65K TFT display
3D gaming engine vs 3D gaming engine
128 x 160 pixels screen vs 176 x 220 pixels screen
USB, IrDA connection vs USB, IrDA, and Bluetooth connection
12MB memory vs 40MB memory
no FM radio vs with FM radio
MP3 player vs MP3 player
Shutter open activated camera vs NIL
PlayNow vs NIL

Sony Ericsson K500i / K508i Specification

* NIL = No information
* please visit manufacturer's official website for accurate information. The information above is for reference only

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