Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #3019 in Cell Phone Accessories
• Color: Black/Chrome
• Brand: Sony Ericsson
• Model: TM506
• Released on: 2008-09-03

Features

• Svelte, eye-catching clamshell phone in chrome and black compatible with T-Mobile's 3G network (available in select markets)
• Compatible with T-Mobile's MyFaves service--unlimited calling to your five most called contacts
• 2-megapixel camera/camcorder; Bluetooth for handsfree devices and stereo music; M2 expansion up to 4 GB; digital audio player
• Up to 9.5 hours of GSM talk time (3.5 hours on 3G networks), up to 250 hours (10+ days) of standby time
• Includes: handset, battery, travel charger, wired handsfree headset, quick start guide

Amazon.com Product Description
With an all around eye-catching design, the compact and stylish clamshell Sony Ericsson TM506 for T-Mobile keeps you connected to your closest friends and family members with T-Mobiles myFaves. It's also Sony Ericsson’s first handset supporting T-Mobile's HSDPA 3G network (in select markets), which provides fast web downloads and multimedia messaging. With built-in GPS and Telenav Navigator software, you can get turn-by-turn directions via voice and screen as well as see nearby restaurants, gas stations, and more. Other features include Bluetooth for handsfree communication and stereo music streaming, a 2-megapixel camera/camcorder, memory expansion via Micro Stick Micro (M2) media, digital audio player, and up to 9.5 hours of talk time.

The eye-catching, compact clamshell TM506 delivers an exceptional Web experience thanks to T-Mobile's 3G network (available in select markets).

T-Mobile Service
The TM506 operates on GSM 850/1800/1900 networks and can handle high-speed data connectivity via T-Mobile's EDGE network (which stands for "Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution"). This high-speed, mobile data and Internet access technology is fast enough to support a wide range of advanced data services (with average data speeds between 75-135Kbps), including video and music clips, full picture and video messaging, high-speed color Internet access, and email on the go.

It's also compatible with T-Mobile's UMTS/HSDPA 3G network, which operates on the 1700/2100 MHz AWS spectrum. This phone is designed to automatically connect to the best available network (3G or GSM/GPRS/EDGE) to provide faster data speeds when accessing the Web or downloading content from the T-Mobile t-zones content portal. T-Mobile is currently rolling out its 3G network, and it expects by year's end that its high-speed data network will be available in those cities where a majority of its subscribers currently use data services.

Call your favorite people with T-Mobile's myFaves service, which allows you to call up to five of your most common contacts--on any network, even landlines--without using any of your minutes. You'll also get free domestic long distance and no digital roaming charges anywhere across the US on all calls. (All myFaves plans require a two-year contract.) Learn more about myFaves from T-Mobile.

Download cool new games, HiFi Ringers (real songs by today's hottest artists), MegaTones (instrumental versions of songs), and wallpapers quickly, as well as stay connected via the Web, instant messaging, and email.

The sleek TM506 comes in silver and green models, each with an ebony black front clamshell.

Phone Features
The Sony Ericsson TM506 proves that good things come in small packages. Its compact design fits into any pocket, purse or briefcase for consumers on the move. A thin outer display (1.1-inch, 128 x 36 pixels, monochrome) on the sleek ebony gloss clamshell allows you to glance at caller ID without having to open the phone. It also provides current time, signal strength, and battery life. The interior screen measures 2.2 inches, has a 240 x 320-pixel resolution, and supports a 262K color depth. The alpha-numeric keypad has a unique overlapping circular design surrounded by lighted accents and they have a rubbery feel for easy keying.

The phone has 32 MB of internal memory, which can be expanded via optional Memory Stick Micro (M2) media, up to 4 GB in size. The internal phonebook provides storage for up to 1000 contact entries, with up to seven phone numbers per entry as well as an email address, street address, and web URL.

The integrated Bluetooth technology (version 2.0) allows handsfree communication with a compatible headset as well as the ability to exchange files with another Bluetooth compatible device. And, with the A2DP Bluetooth profile, you can stream your music to a pair of compatible Bluetooth stereo headphones. Additionally, you can connect to your PC using infrared or USB.

The 2-megapixel camera provides several resolution options for either saving for print or sending via MMS messaging. Other features include a 2.5x digital zoom (for use at lower resolutions), panorama multi-shot capabilities, white balance and brightness adjustments, night mode, multiple color effects and frames, and a self-timer. The camcorder function of the camera can shoot in two modes: for as long as you have available memory for saving or a maximum of 45 seconds for sending via email or MMS. Share special moments with T-Mobile's My Album online sharing as well as the phone's video blogging capability.

The in-phone media player supports video and audio playback--supported audio formats include MP3 and AAC--and it features playlists as well as shuffle and repeat modes. It also includes a "Music Mode" that shuts down the phone functions so you can listen on an airplane or anytime you don't want to accept calls. Meanwhile, Digital Mega Bass and stereo widening combine to enhance your listening experience.

The TM506's built-in aGPS (assisted GPS) navigation capability along with the Telenav application enables you to always know your location get turn-by-turn voice-assisted directions. It also provides the ability to add geotagging information to your photos so you'll remember where snapshots were taken.

The phone offers a full range of email, text, and multimedia messaging options, including access to personal email viewed through the included Access NetFront web browser. It also supports RSS feeds, allowing you to use your phone to view up-to-the-minute news and other content from selected Web sites and blogs. Just subscribe to the feed and let it come to you.

Other features include:

• Messaging: SMS text, MMS picture and video
• Email: From select POP3 email accounts
• T9 predictive text entry
• USB connectivity with mass storage capability
• Organizational tools: calendar, alarm clock, tasks, notes, timer, stopwatch, calculator
• Speakerphone
• Compatible with polyphonic and real-music ringtones
• Downloadable Java-based games
• Supports Exchange ActiveSync for synchronizing your Outlook contacts
• Bluetooth version 2.0+EDR with the following profiles: A2DP (stereo music streaming), AVRC (remote control), HFP (hands-free car kits), HSP (communication headsets), BIP (for sending images to another device), DUN (dial-up networking), FTP (file transfer), HID (support for mice or joysticks), OPP (object push for business cards, calendar items, and pictures), PAN (personal area networking), PBA (transfer contacts)

Vital Statistics
The Sony Ericsson TM506 weighs 3.6 ounces and measures 1.8 x 3.7 x 0.7 inches. Its 950 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 9.5 hours of talk time on GSM networks (3.5 hours of talk time using the 3G network), and up to 250 hours of standby time. It runs on the 850/1800/1900 MHz GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies as well as 1700/2100 MHz UMTS/HSDPA 3G frequencies.

Customer Reviews

Great phone features, irritating menu lag
I have only had my phone for a little over a week (new T-mobile service). I have found the phone to be easy to navigate and customize. Call clarity is excellent. Display is beautiful (bright, vivid colors). I am waiting on my data cable to arrive, so haven't tried the music player yet. However I have bluetoothed files back and forth with my kids (a new experience for me) - which is my temp way around not having the data cable. Battery life is so-so. My Katana (Sprint service) seemed to go a little longer between charges. However, I have been using the phone heavily as I test it out; under normal circumstances my phone has fair to moderate use (primarily texting).

To give you an idea of the types of phones I have been accustomed to, my previous phones are an old Nokia bar phone (I don't even remember the model #), followed by a Motorola clamshell phone (think it was a V190), followed by the Sprint Katana (I really liked this phone).

I would agree with others that there is often an irritating delay when accessing menus (and even on opening the phone up). Sometimes it is very fast - other times takes several seconds (long enough for you to wonder if you really pushed the button or in the case of opening up the phone - whether the phone is even powered on). I almost exchanged this phone for another one simply because of this irritation. However, I didn't have another phone I liked from T-mobile in the $50 and under range - and couldn't justify spending $149 or more for the phones I would have considered. For my intended uses of this phone - it has all the features I want and the sometimes lag doesn't affect what I do. No phone is perfect - and I decided this would be the one feature that I don't like on this phone.

Pros:
1. Phone feels nice in hand, not to big or small
2. Call clarity is great
3. Brilliant looking display (bright and vivid colors)
4. Easy to customize, easy to navigate
5. Love the fact that I can type as long of a text message as I want - and the phone simply breaks them apart for me when it sends (as opposed to me having to create/send multiple messages).
6. Loud ringers, easy to hear.
7. Like the option to see my email through t-mail - without incurring a data charge (counts as text messaging). That said, it can be slow to look at the emails - and since I would rather answer on my computer - I probably won't use this.

Cons:
1. Menu lag time (on my phone, not always present, and when it is present - it is in varying degrees)
2. No backlight for cover or screen (the light is either on or it is off - and it is not possible to alter this). The light does start dimming before it goes off - so if you are looking at something - you can then just hit the toggle key to keep in on another 15 or 20 seconds.
3. Would have preferred a window on the front of the phone, but instead there is a small retangular window that displays the time (or a message - such as letting you know you have a new text message).
4. Wish there were some type of notification on the phone for missed messages/calls (my Katana had a small light that would occasionally flash).

For me the pros outweight the cons. As I said, there is no perfect phone - so it is a matter of deciding what things you can live with (and without). If it weren't for the menu lag, this phone would be perfect for me.

Elegant & excellent performer
I've had this phone for a month, so enough time to offer an adequate assessment. From experience with Sony-Ericsson and Motorola phones, this is the most elegant and most capable phone I've owned so far. It is solidly built, looks and feels good in the hand, and the sound quality leaves competition in the dust. There are some low reviews of this phone, some claiming cheap construction. I'd guess those were written by the competition because this phone is more solid than my Moto RAZR and the sound quality kicks the RAZR to the scrap heap.

The display is a great size, is bright, crisp, easy to read.

Battery life is competitive with my other phones, and I was very pleasantly surprised to find it uses the same battery as my previous W300 "walkman" phone! With no need to seek out and buy that all important spare battery for emergencies, I had to conclude this company actually cares about its customers and is not out to nickel/dime you to death like most others.

Picking up a 4-Gig micro memory chip from Amazon was trivial, and the phone accepts that size auxiliary memory without a flinch. I use my phone for laptop interface to the internet, so this amount of extra memory is great for backing up key files from the computer.

The phone's bluetooth feature connects easily and quickly to my Moto earpiece as well as to my Cirago USB bluetooth adapter, and provides the same quality connection (audio and internet) as the hardwire USB connection.

Another detail I've noticed: my previous phone would barely maintain a given charge level when connected via USB to the laptop in modem mode. This phone has a more efficient charging ability, and always tops off the battery while the phone is being used as a wireless modem.

My only complaint is with t-Mobile: the lack of 3G service in my area, and the frequent lag in connection to the internet. But that will (hopefully) change, and their "in-network" rate for internet service is BY FAR the best bargain on the planet.

Another winner from SE
With all the varying reviews on this phone, I was quite skeptical. I got the phone today and I like it a lot. I've owned SE T610, w810, w600 and now this. I like this phone as much as I liked the w810 when it came out.

PROS: large, clear screen
spacey keys
separate keys for c and ending calls (people not used to the SE GUI tend to get confused when they don't see these as separate keys as in most SEs)
external display for time, and caller id
will play music through bluetooth headsets
doesn't require the expensive dataplan.

CONS: battery cover hard to open
doesn't come with the USB cable, or stereo headphones or extra memory.
M2 memory chips...means another memory chip format to buy. It is fairly cheap though.
doesn't have FM radio

Another particularly appealing feature of this phone is that if you are willing to risk modding the phone you can
a. tether
b. possibly get FM radio
c. get the trackID application
d. get free GPS navigation (though not as good as a standalone GPS device)