This unlocked cell phone can be used with a GSM network service provider and it provides quad-band connectivity (850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, 1900 MHz). Powered by GPRS/EDGE Class 10 (Enhanced Data for Global Evolution) technology, this phone makes information exchange a breeze by offering immediate mobile connectivity. It does not come with a SIM card, and it requires that you provide a SIM card for usage with your selected service provider.

The Mysterious Green S500i includes themes and colors that change with the time of day and the season.

The S500i phone offers a full-function Walkman digital audio player that's compatible with MP3 and AAC files. Other Walkman features include a flight mode that lets you keep listening to tunes with the phone's network connectivity turned off, and Disc2Phone software for easy transfer of song files between phone and PC.

Easily pocketable, the S500i measures 0.55 inches thin and weighs just 3.3 ounces.

The built-in 2.0 megapixel camera captures stills and video--and playback of video or still pictures is only limited to the memory card size. Picture effects and custom screensavers, backgrounds, and themes can be setup to fit your personality. It provides support for PictBridge technology so you can print your photos without the need of a PC (either using USB or Bluetooth). And the S500i makes it easy to send snapped photos directly to a blog or an online photo, complete with text.

The phone also ships with a built-in email client with support for POP3 and IMAP4 protocols, while the included Access NetFront Web Browser allows you to surf full HTML web sites. 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. Support is built in for sending and receiving text, video, graphics and sound via messages.

The phone also supports the SyncML PC synchronization standard. This means the phone can be used with the included Sony Ericsson Sync Station software, which lets you synchronize your Microsoft Outlook calendar, contacts, notes and tasks on your PC with the phone.

Other features include:

• Up to 1000 contact entries, each with five number fields
• Java support for online and offline 3D games (preloaded games include PacMan and Ms. PacMan)
• USB 2.0 wired connectivity with mass storage capability
• PIM functions including calendar, tasks, notes, alarm, calculator, stopwatch, and timer
• T9 text entry technology
• 72-chord polyphonic ringtones and MP3 ringtones
• Digital audio file formats: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+

Vital Statistics
The Sony Ericsson S500i weighs 3.3 ounces and measures 3.9 x 1.8 x 0.5 inches. Its 900 mAh lithium-polymer battery is rated at up to 9 hours of talk time, and up to 370 hours of digital standby time. It runs on the 850/900/1800/1900 GSM/GPRS/EDGE frequencies.

Customer Reviews Average rating - 4.0

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-17
Content: HI.
Iam very happy with this product, work fine and look good.Exelente producto
hasta el momento funciona muy bien.
Summary: Exelent Phone.

Rating - 3 Date: 2008-11-04
Content: For people who do a lot of texting, this is not the phone for you. I bought this phone from my local phone provider and after 5 months of proper use, the number keys 1 to 9 on my keypad cracked in the middle. When i went to get the keys fixed, it was termed a "company default" and that "it happens".
Also the prts with chrome paint on it, the paint starts flaking slowly after about a month of use..
Please think twice when buying, especially if needed for TEXTING. If not texting .. then this might be a good choice.
Summary: S500i

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-11-02
Content: I love Sony Ericson and this phone is the second one. It has all functions what I need plus it has own mood - every few days it change pictures
Summary: playfull and artistic

Rating - 4 Date: 2008-10-18
Content: Guys this is a good buy. I did a ton of research before purchasing an unlocked phone, and for the price this was one of the better choices. Sony has a design that works well, it's simple and intuitive. Yes the buttons crack, but they don't break.

Also, I have a data plan with it, and yes the phone can stream Youtube videos (albeit slow at times). I have also managed to use my Gmail and Opera Mini apps successfully, don't miss out on this phone.
Summary: Good Phone

Rating - 5 Date: 2008-10-06
Content: great price, great service and timely shipping, who could ask for more on top of great product quality.
Summary: great buy