Sony Ericsson SH888

Advantages: good reception, generally reliable
Disadvantages: poor network pick-up; poor infrared

This unit suffers from poor exploitability of its features; it has infrared, but it has never worked; it has a phone book, but keying in is such hard work it's barely worth it; with international roaming, moving from country to country is painful as it seeks local networks so slowly it can take up to 3-4 minutes before you're connected. It can be inexplicably hard to regain a network once it has been lost too. But reception quality is good, and it ... Read review

Advantages: Modem
Disadvantages: Design

This phone uses the latest state of the art technology. It has a built-in infrared modem which can be used to access the internet through a data lead or through the infra-red. If you buy the phone brand new then you get the software as well as the leads to connect up to your PC or laptop. The aerial is in a bad position but it has incredible reception. The phone has a very large screen, which makes it easy to use and there are many accessories available. ...
...wireless handsfree kit. This means that you can leave the phone in your pocket and talk into a microphone without using any leads. Functions include a calculator as well as the option to create your own melodies. There is a function which allows you to directly use calling cards to make phone calls. The design is not very good as it looks too square. ... Read review

Advantages: Inbuilt modem and IR port
Disadvantages: RS232 cable does not work with win 98

I upgraded to the Ericsson SH888 from a Nokia 5110. Immeadiately the increased call quality was noticeable. With only 1 bar signal strength the SH888 gave a clear and sharp phone call. The reason for my upgrade was to use the infrared port and built in modem with my palm top PC and laptop. The Ericsson website has excellent for using the phone in this way. Modem scripts can be downloaded and installed easily and used straight away. The infrared ...
...book on the phone and send text messages with the software supplied in the box. My one gripe is that the RS232 cable included in the package will not work with windows 98, meaning my main unit could not be used with the phone. Another problem is that Ericsson refuse to supple Win CE software to edit the phone book except with their own handhelds. ... Read review

Advantages: Strong Construction, Long battery life
Disadvantages: Doesn't display names in text messages

I have the Ericsson SH888 for a couple of years now, and have had any reason to fault it! The call timer is sitting at around 900 hours total call time, without a single fault! The phone has all the features you want, and none of the rubbish you don't. It has built infra-red, a reasonable sized number memory (can't remember exactly how big), fully functional built data modem (as far as I know Ericsson are the only phones I have found to implement ...
...that is ridiculous! To be quite blunt Ericsson were daft to stop producing phones with a magnesium alloy chassis, the phone is one of the toughest I have seen, after roughly two years of, to be quite frank abuse, it has NEVER developed a fault. The call quality is the best I have heard on a phone of this age, and beats the majority of the current range of cheaper models. What still amazes me today is the with the long life battery I can go a full ... Read review

Advantages: Robust
Disadvantages: Not of the newest kind

Here goes my estimation of the Ericsson SH888. I have not had the mobile for very long (3 months probably), but up to now I have been very satisfied. It is handy, robust and has a good design. Adding to that, the integrated modem and infrared link are really valuable. You can also buy some extras to change the colour of your phone. SMS and phonebook can be administered without the slightest problem via the Mobile Office Suite, which comes with the ... Read review