An oldie but a goodie, the venerable T610 is still going strong despite closing on its 2-year birthday. It’s not hard to see why, as it was among the first group of mobile phones that made the integrated digital camera and sharing photos a viable proposition thanks to its QuickShare technology. The screen, while not matching the high resolutions offered by today’s phones, boasts a wide range of colours and, when combined with its camera, is excellent for capturing and enjoying quick snaps. A range of effects is on offer for the most artistically-minded and there’s even a night shooting mode that enhances under-lit images. It’s entertainment at which the T610 shines and we shouldn’t really be surprised, especially considering that this is a Sony product. With a 2MB memory, there’s plenty of space for photos, games and polyphonic ringtones. You can even compose your own with the built-in MusicDJ program that enables you to build a ringtone from scratch using the included samples, beats and melodies. Gamers will be as enamoured as the wannabe DJs, too, thanks to the excellent joystick mounted underneath the screen. Although it’s relatively small compared to other models, it offers a far more reliable and precise method of control than many we’ve come across. Indeed, it makes playing the pre-installed games so much more enjoyable. Offering support for the Java and Morphun platforms, the handset is sadly beginning to show its age and can’t cope with the most recent releases. But for most of the games on the market it’s a true classic and if you see one marked down in price on your travels, you’ll have a bona-fide bargain on your hands. Available SIM-free from several online retailers, it’s a great upgrade for anyone on the lookout for a handset upgrade to go with their pay-as-you-go account.
Sony Ericsson T610
It's starting to show its age but the T610 is still a tremendously capable handset
