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:
Avg. Customer Rating: 2.5 / 5.0
Solid model for regular cell phone users:
A typical SONY Ericsson phone:
1. bright screen with good quality display of images or videos;
2. user-friendly interface if you were a SONY Ericsson users before;
3. bundles of applications pre-installed;
4. solid built of phone body However, my 3-star rating is for any international users like me who asks for flexibility from this phone. I have multiple SIM cards to switch on my phone while I travel to different countries. TM506 can only work with T-mobile SIM card. What a... more info
For fans of Sony products:
I have found most of the features of this mobile as described by the manufacturer. I love the music player (scrolling is easy and very clear). The browser works well and has all of the functionality of a full size browser (bookmarks, cookie deletion etc.). The camera has been taking very nice clear pictures in full sunlight (I have not taken many photos inside). The GPS has been the only disappointment, the signal seems to weak often in the car. I do not have access to T-Mobile's 3G but I'm looking forward... more info
Frustrating phone:
We've had two of these phones for over a week and have had several problems.
The battery life seems short, although we have used the phones quite a bit. The battery does not seem to last as long as the ones in our two-year-old Nokia phones.
This phone will not sync calendars with a Mac without suspect third-party software from Europe, and then it does not sync well.
The Sony proprietary M2 memory stick is hard to find.
Our two phones do not receive picture messages without... more info
very disappointing phone:
very disappointing phone, October 19, 2008 I suggest you to see the phone yourself at nearby T-mobile store before you decide. It looks thin and fancy on amazon's website but actually not. It looks very very cheap/bulky.
Not only the poor build quality, it has a very annoying 1-2 second lag when you open the phone, the screen dosen't lit up immediately like most other phone. There is reason for sony keep slipping out of cell phone business.
Don't buy this phone!!
