The Sony Ericsson Vivaz is the HD-video-shooting successor to the Swedish-Japanese firm's flagship Satio model.
With an 8.1MP camera that can also record 720p HD video, it is designed to thrill YouTube-rs with its easy video upload features as well as the bundled 8GB memory card for ample storage.
The touchscreen phone has been ergonomically designed to fit the contours of the hand and with social networking and multi-media features galore, the Sony Ericsson Vivaz is set to give the likes of the Nokia X6 and the LG InTouch Max GW620 a run for their money.
The handset itself has been ergonomically designed and does feel really nice to hold.
Also read: 15 best mobile phones in the world today
The curve of the back fits nicely into the palm and although it's a light handset, the Sony Ericsson Vivaz doesn't feel insubstantial. It has an abundance of very smooth surfaces, so we did find we dropped it quite a few times.
Aside from the LCD display, the handset is very plastic-heavy and does leave something to be desired in the design department.
Available in four different colour combinations, we tested the Sony Ericsson Vivaz Moon Silver with silver back panel with dark blue sides.
The touchscreen is resistive, unfortunately, but it's probably one of the best we've seen and gives the LG InTouch Max GW620 a run for its money.
Although it's not as smooth or accommodating as the capacitive screens found on handsets like the iPhone and HTC Legend, it is still quite responsive and swiping through menus doesn't require much pressure on the screen.
There is a sensible number of buttons on the Sony Ericsson Vivaz. The call, end and menu buttons are on the front of the handset, with volume/zoom and two camera buttons on the right side panel, and power/lock on the top.
However, the latter can be a little fiddly to hit when holding the Vivaz in one hand, with some juggling needed - this means you run the risk of dropping it.
We're glad to see a 3.5mm headphone jack and microUSB port, given Sony Ericsson's previous love for its proprietary Fast Port connector instead of a basic headphone socket.
In the box
The Sony Ericsson Vivaz comes with the basics – a plug, separate USB to microUSB cable to connect to the plug or to your PC, a pair of Sony Ericsson headphones and a standalone stylus.
The headphones don't come with sponge ear buds, nor in-ear fittings to accommodate different sized ears, but do double as a handsfree kit thanks to the built-in microphone.
Given the HD recording function of the handset, Sony Ericsson has also seen fit to include an 8GB microSD card - we would have preferred some inbuilt storage too, but at least this is a generous addition.
Your comments (13) Click to add a new comment
boazxd
July 15th 2011
13. Probably the worst phone I have ever used. I got this phone last September after strong internet recommendations and having previously owned SE phones without any problems it looked a very good buy. Not so. Slow internet connection (is like dial-up), touch screen not sensitive and freezes, may as well wait for a newspaper next day. Just after getting the phone SE announced it was ditching Symbian and going to use Android. Am tied in to using this phone until I can upgrade next year - to a proper smart phone. Very disappointed.
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kdj
February 7th 2011
12. Thank god it's not just me! I've had this phone since August last year and it's the most frustrating piece of equipment I'ver ever had. I've had SE phones for the last 16 years and this is the worst ever! It's beyond useless and is quite frankly unreliable. The screensaver/wallpaper constantly change themselves, the stylus is annoying and beyond anything, my contacts have stored themselves in a bizarre way and the battery life is worrying. It just turns itself off (mine has now been off since 1pm yesterday afternoon - fully charged and won't come back on!). Was on a long drive with my 4yr old daughter last weekend and it did the same thing so can't rely on it at all. Hate everything about it and will be writing to Sony Ericsson to tell them just that. Another phone for recycling I think... and back to the drawing board. Please let me have any decent recommendations for an alterative!
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kimdavies40
January 10th 2011
11. upgraded today to the vivaz and was told that it was very user friendly and I dont think it is user friendly at all, I took an incoming call and my ear nearly burnt off from the earpiece getting so hot and only after a minute or 2 on the phone...sorry but I already hate this phone and will probably stick to old phone and sell this one...ASAP
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lun
November 17th 2010
10. This phone was a replacement for my W995, which I loved, but conked out on me.
The Vivaz is annoying, it tries to be too clever. The response time can sometimes be very slow, and when you make a call, it gives you the option of a normal call and video call. Damnit I just want to make a call! And when you send messages again its a whole sequence of events before you can send your message. So many times I just want to chuck this phone against a brick wall...!!
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alfista
October 28th 2010
9. Have had one of these since March (10) and it has to be the worst phone i've ever owned. Aside from the shocking battery life - i've had it shut down on me 24 hours after charging and not having used it, it constantly freezes and shuts down. The download speed is also horrendous. I'm stuck in a 2 year contract and the carrier can't/won't do anything about it except tell me to send the phone back for them to look it over. It is not fit for purpose.
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dazzy
July 25th 2010
8. So many areas of this review are inaccurate, for instance it is possible to set a default internet connection.
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ally
July 10th 2010
7. I have had SE phones for years up until now, the last one being the C905 which developed an earpiece fault, & was replaced by o2 with a Nokia. I gave that to my wife & persevered with the C905 using speaker phone.
It was later time for upgrade, & the Vivaz looked like what I was after. The Experia X10 being far too big, i didn't even bother trying it.
I was incredibly disappointed with the Vivaz!
The UI was very sticky & unresponsive, it was hard to scroll up & down, it was hard to scroll through photos one at a time.
Every time I changed the theme, the icons on the home screen chnaged too, with some disappearing & some others appearing, very annoying as you think you have the set up you want, then fancy a different colour or theme - mayhem!
I could not save a photo agfter editing, there was no option to do so.
There was no option to use speakerphone when I was on hold during a call, I could select speaker before placing a call but not during it.
Some things had to tapped twice to open, others once, extemely confusing & annoying.
Messaging was poor.
The so called "free" wise pilot sat nav demanded that I set up an account before using it.
So, after a couple of days, I was glad of the 14 day retuen policy given by my provider, so back it went.
This has ended my love affair with SE, & as i already own an ipod touch with it's flawless UI, & having borrowed a friend's iphone 3GS to see how i liked that, the iphone 3GS is now on order.
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britaly
July 7th 2010
6. So, re. uploading photos and video to my Mac: is this also possible, please? thanks
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gabortabori
June 22nd 2010
5. I've been doing alot of research at the recently. Looking into various smart phones, HTCs and the like, because it's upgrade time. I was offered the vivaz on my existing dicounted 18 month contract and I thought it was because it must be a dodgy phone. All the reviews are very mixed. It appears you either love the phone, or hate it. I've had mine for only two days now, and I have to say I love it. Right now I would highly recommend it to anyone, although if I were going to have to spend alot of money on it rather than receive it as a free upgrade, i would probably go for the HTC Legend instead, which is not as good as the desire, but offered on much more reasonable monthly contracts.
So all in all I would give the Vivaz a 10/10 for immediate impressions:
- Easy set-up
- Simple wifi connection
- Simple email (hotmail) set-up with
- Amazingly responsive touch screen with v.
- Good large and mini qwerty reponse
- Good camara(although i have to agree with some others that the still camara isn't as good as it should be considering this is a Sony - fantastic video camara though)
- Beautiful small, sleek design
- Lightweight
- A bit plasticky, but that's ok by me
I wait to see if these first impressions develope into a long term love affair or a disappointed one night stand.
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peets
June 17th 2010
4. Wow...im so upset with my phone... i bought it on 24 may '10...& i was shocked when my phone jst died d other day...it wudnt switch on...& even more worst they arent ready to give me a replacement...They are like such things happens to these phones...
I've been using SE phones for like 4-5 yrs. but now i think their quality is falling....think this is my last SE phone...
& advice ppl not to buy this phone...
I'm still upset tht they arent giving me a replacement...
Am i asking for something wrong, why shld i use a phone wich is already not working properly??
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leonardolopez
May 4th 2010
3. Hi every one notice the Sony Ericsson Vivaz worse phone ever I advice you dont go for Sony Ericsson Vivaz is very bad phone keep geting frozen and stupid touch vedio ****, HD is all lies not good quality wifi **** the phone been made in cheap quality all plastic!!!!
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hellokitten
May 2nd 2010
2. You got it wrong!
This phone is Mac compatible.
You can use iSync (via Apple support download) to sync your contacts, iCal etc using Bluetooth.
You can use Media Go (Mac version, download from SE support website) to sync music, itunes playlist, and itunes music.
Maybe you should check the product's support website before posting this review, or any review for that matter.
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keysersoze
March 30th 2010
1. Does this have an FM transmitter built in?
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