SE P1i vs SE W960i

There are a few threads (started by me :p) on the W960i.

They are almost identical phones. Almost being the operative word. The P1i has infrared, where the W960i doesn't, but the W960i has 8GB storage (but no memory card slot) while the P1i comes with a paltry 512MB card. They both have the familiar jog wheels, but the P1i has it's "Back" button on the side while the W960i has the "Back" button on the front. A nice touch on the W960i is that the screen is more flush with the rest of the face. This might attract more scratches (shouldn't be too much of a problem unless you're throwing it about), but it makes using the interface with your fingers easier (the P1i makes it a bit tough to get to the on-screen buttons in the corners.

Functionally, though, the phones are very very similar. If you are looking for a good camera, they both have 3.2MP camera's, but the P1i has autofocus, while the W960i doesn't.

The stylus that comes with the P1i is also a bit nicer than the W960i's. This is because it incorporates more metal into the design (the W960i's stylus is, I think, completely plastic).

That said, I'd still rather go for the W960i. It has way more storage, looks better, has a more accessibly screen (due to it not being indented in the face of the phone) and generally feels a bit nicer in my hand. And I can live without infrared (never use it these days: rather bluetooth), autofocus (it's a music phone, not a camera phone... Even the P1i is a business phone, so the autofocus, while nice, doesn't guarantee amazing photo's), a side-positioned "Back" button, and a QWERTY keypad (I actually prefer the regular keypad to a qwerty pad).

Actually, that last point brings me to one of the biggest pitfalls of the P1i: People will tell you that you quickly get used to the iffy keypad (in case you don't know, it's a qwerty keypad with a twist: 2 keys share one physical button... sort of a rocker-type system: left side of the button does one thing, while right side does another), and that may be true, but they're also the ones that are SLOW with their typing. So while it may not irritate you as much after a while, I don't think proficiency increases much over time.

If you are definitely looking for a Sony Ericsson smartphone, the W960i is definitely the way to go, but at the price that is being asked, it's currently just not worth it (try MTN, they might cut you a deal), especially with the iPhone 3G around the corner! The P1i is (in my opinion), a more sensible W960i, but even at the (slightly) lower price, it doesn't seem worth it... Bear in mind that last year, the P1i was on offer for R299-00 pay-in on a Vodacom Weekender Everyday, but now it's much more!

Hope this brief explanation helps you!

Oh, and to answer your original question, they're both excellent phones. It's just the price that puts people off!
 
sn3rd said:
There are a few threads (started by me :p) on the W960i.

They are almost identical phones. Almost being the operative word. The P1i has infrared, where the W960i doesn't, but the W960i has 8GB storage (but no memory card slot) while the P1i comes with a paltry 512MB card. They both have the familiar jog wheels, but the P1i has it's "Back" button on the side while the W960i has the "Back" button on the front. A nice touch on the W960i is that the screen is more flush with the rest of the face. This might attract more scratches (shouldn't be too much of a problem unless you're throwing it about), but it makes using the interface with your fingers easier (the P1i makes it a bit tough to get to the on-screen buttons in the corners.

Functionally, though, the phones are very very similar. If you are looking for a good camera, they both have 3.2MP camera's, but the P1i has autofocus, while the W960i doesn't.

The stylus that comes with the P1i is also a bit nicer than the W960i's. This is because it incorporates more metal into the design (the W960i's stylus is, I think, completely plastic).

That said, I'd still rather go for the W960i. It has way more storage, looks better, has a more accessibly screen (due to it not being indented in the face of the phone) and generally feels a bit nicer in my hand. And I can live without infrared (never use it these days: rather bluetooth), autofocus (it's a music phone, not a camera phone... Even the P1i is a business phone, so the autofocus, while nice, doesn't guarantee amazing photo's), a side-positioned "Back" button, and a QWERTY keypad (I actually prefer the regular keypad to a qwerty pad).

Actually, that last point brings me to one of the biggest pitfalls of the P1i: People will tell you that you quickly get used to the iffy keypad (in case you don't know, it's a qwerty keypad with a twist: 2 keys share one physical button... sort of a rocker-type system: left side of the button does one thing, while right side does another), and that may be true, but they're also the ones that are SLOW with their typing. So while it may not irritate you as much after a while, I don't think proficiency increases much over time.

If you are definitely looking for a Sony Ericsson smartphone, the W960i is definitely the way to go, but at the price that is being asked, it's currently just not worth it (try MTN, they might cut you a deal), especially with the iPhone 3G around the corner! The P1i is (in my opinion), a more sensible W960i, but even at the (slightly) lower price, it doesn't seem worth it... Bear in mind that last year, the P1i was on offer for R299-00 pay-in on a Vodacom Weekender Everyday, but now it's much more!

Hope this brief explanation helps you!

Oh, and to answer your original question, they're both excellent phones. It's just the price that puts people off!
Click to expand...
Nice review there man. :)

I sms a LOT so that keyboard on the P1i would not be for me...I love the look of the W960. Just right now it is waaaay to pricey I think :(
 
HenryJ said:
Nice review there man. :)

I sms a LOT so that keyboard on the P1i would not be for me...I love the look of the W960. Just right now it is waaaay to pricey I think :(
Click to expand...

Ask anyone that watches this forum: I've posted PLENTY of the W960i. It's an amazing phone! Just wish it wasn't so expensive! The price has dropped a whopping R100 to R1749-00 pay-in on the contract I'm willing to migrate to. The MTN deals are much better (around R1300-00 pay-in).

I'm hoping that the iPhone 3G arrives this year (as expected), because not only will it's low price be attractive, but it'll probably drive down the prices of the other phones (well, in theory, anyway :p).

But we'll have to wait and see. For me, it's between the iPhone and the W960i, depending on which is cheaper at the time (been due for upgrade for months now already :( )
 
sn3rd said:
Ask anyone that watches this forum: I've posted PLENTY of the W960i. It's an amazing phone! Just wish it wasn't so expensive! The price has dropped a whopping R100 to R1749-00 pay-in on the contract I'm willing to migrate to. The MTN deals are much better (around R1300-00 pay-in).

I'm hoping that the iPhone 3G arrives this year (as expected), because not only will it's low price be attractive, but it'll probably drive down the prices of the other phones (well, in theory, anyway :p).

But we'll have to wait and see. For me, it's between the iPhone and the W960i, depending on which is cheaper at the time (been due for upgrade for months now already :( )
Click to expand...
Indeed.

I cannot handle a phone that is only a big touch screen. That is going to be a nightmare for smsing. This is why the P1 and the W960 are great because they have a normal keyboard as well.

Now, the W960 just needs to come down in price and we are set :)
 
HenryJ said:
Indeed.

I cannot handle a phone that is only a big touch screen. That is going to be a nightmare for smsing. This is why the P1 and the W960 are great because they have a normal keyboard as well.

Now, the W960 just needs to come down in price and we are set :)
Click to expand...

Agreed... Let's appeal to Vodacom to bring down the price and bring these technologies within the reach of us mere mortals :D
 
sn3rd said:
Agreed... Let's appeal to Vodacom to bring down the price and bring these technologies within the reach of us mere mortals :D
Click to expand...

LOL, I really don't think they will care. I am hoping the new, cheap iPhone will do it for us. People are going nuts over that thing. They can keep it as far as I am concerned. SE FTW :D
 
I used both, currently using the W960.
Personally, a P1 with a 8Gb card will be my choice.
Overall look and feel is better, the P1 also felt lighter and looked sexier.
The W960 uses a cheap stylus, hate it!
They both standard phones, nothing special, still a 2 year old P990.
 
JK8 said:
I used both, currently using the W960.
Personally, a P1 with a 8Gb card will be my choice.
Overall look and feel is better, the P1 also felt lighter and looked sexier.
The W960 uses a cheap stylus, hate it!
They both standard phones, nothing special, still a 2 year old P990.
Click to expand...

And the keyboard on the P1? Did you not find it more of a mission?
 
HenryJ said:
And the keyboard on the P1? Did you not find it more of a mission?
Click to expand...

Not at all. It was far better than the N82.
Not much getting used to. I think theres not much to worry about, the keys are easy to use and the P1s predictive text is awesome.
 
JK8 said:
Not at all. It was far better than the N82.
Not much getting used to. I think theres not much to worry about, the keys are easy to use and the P1s predictive text is awesome.
Click to expand...

Now the price just has to come down a lot :o

I played with a P1i at a Cellucity and I managed to type ok on it without any practice. But for such an old phone, there is no way I am paying near to R5000 for one!
 
Hey chaps

So far you guys have it spot on. I have not played with a P1, but I have been eying the 960 for months and months. My upgrade has been due for a few months as well, and I have a w810, which, imo, Is very hard to actually upgrade currently whithout spending a huge fortune. for me the w810 covered all the bases I need to have covered, the same as the 960 I am sure will, in an "upgraded" sense.
Everything about it attracts me, but my word it costs.....quite alot. according to the T3 mag for last month, its cash value is R7 700.
I checked last month at vodacom and MTN. pay in is normally 1900 for voda, and around 1300 for MTN.

All i know is I want it, or else I pretty much got to get an iPhone.
 
w960 is a nice phone if you can get it, vs the P1 it'll be about personal choice, the stylus is plastic but i like it, maybe cause i've never had a phone with a stylus so i dont have "memories of when SE stylus's were great"...other than that it probably wont be and isn't as commercial as the iPhone :p:D
 
So it is basically almost the same phone except for the stylus, syling and onboard memory...Hope the price drops asap!
 
HenryJ said:
So it is basically almost the same phone except for the stylus, syling and onboard memory...Hope the price drops asap!
Click to expand...

i think the P1 actually has a better battery though...check the specs, i get good usage on the 960 though so its no issue...
 
ProCall 120 has 120 anytime minutes for R285, with that you still have to pay in +-R300 i think it was, or you could just take it at a increased sunscription with no pay in...not sure if those prices are still valid, but yeah i do know that VC is overpriced
 
HiMyNameIsCraig said:
ProCall 120 has 120 anytime minutes for R285, with that you still have to pay in +-R300 i think it was, or you could just take it at a increased sunscription with no pay in...not sure if those prices are still valid, but yeah i do know that VC is overpriced
Click to expand...

Yip, it is still a huge payin on BusinessTopUp for R324/month on VC :(
 
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