Sony Ericsson K770
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Although it's tempting to wax lyrical about the premier mobile phone handsets currently available, it's important to remember that these models form only one part of the industry. For every 'bells-and-whistles' mobile there are countless lesser-spec efforts released onto the marketplace, offering less flair (but similar usability and features) for a more modest price point.

Of course the reason that these phones are ignored is that they tend to be less desirable – just as a Ford Focus pales in comparison to a Ferrari – but that doesn't mean they don't serve a purpose.

Sony Ericcsson's K770 falls firmly into this category. When considering SE's line-up for this year, the K770 is placed firmly in the shade by products such as the C905, K850 and the W960. However, this unsung hero might just surprise anyone discerning enough to give it the time of day.

Aesthetically speaking the K770 is passable but understandably devoid of the refinements you'd expect from a top of the range handset. The plastic casing lacks solidity and at 95 grammes it gives the impression that you're holding a toy. The 1.9-inch screen is also something of a disappointment, being a shade too small for this size of mobile. It's by no means the most unattractive phone we've ever laid eyes on but it certainly does a good job of giving off a distinctly 'mid-level' vibe.

Thankfully the ergonomics of the interface are a lot more convincing, with decent-sized buttons accommodating even the most chubby-fingered of users. The D-pad is also a minor triumph, especially when compared to some of the more ill advised examples in the SE canon. It's square rather than round and boasts excellent responsiveness; the only fly in the ointment is the centre 'OK' button, which is a little too easy to press by mistake.

The K770 forms part of SE's illustrious Cyber-shot range, which is devoted to offering consumers digital camera-quality photography on their mobile. Taking snaps with this phone really couldn't be easier – simply slide back the cover (a act which is accompanied by a particularly satisfying LED lightshow) and the handset is immediately switched to camera mode – a handy timesaving feature that fans of the K810 will already be familiar with.

Taking into account that the more recent additions to the Cyber-shot range are packing fearsome megapixel counts in order to maintain parity with the likes of red-hot rival LG, it's obvious that the K770 fits into the lower end of the scale. The 3.2-megapixel snapper here sadly isn't quite up there with the best the range has to offer but should be more than adequate for budding David Baileys.

Photography options are plentiful and the K770 comes loaded with the endlessly amusing 'FaceWarp' photo-morphing program, which is guaranteed to soak up more of your time than it really should be permitted to. Video recording is disappointingly pixellated when put side-by-side with some of Samsung and LG's mid-level phones, though.

As far as mobile gaming is concerned, the aforementioned D-pad proves to be a positive boon. Control is precise and swift, making gaming on the go a pleasure. The two games that come pre-loaded on the phone – FotoQuestFishing and Solitaire – are rather weak, but after we'd downloaded a few of our favourites in order to give the phone a proper test we came away suitably impressed with the K770's gaming credentials. Sure, it's certainly no Nokia N81 or W910, but it's worthy of merit nonetheless.

Elsewhere the phone continues to live up to its unassuming status: the Walkman software is decent but not cutting edge; the media playback facilities are competent but not astounding; and the selection of applications offers little in the way of surprises. However, the K770 does boast 3G capability for both video calls and swift data transfer, and considering the power-hungry reputation many third generation phones have, the battery life is remarkable.

All things considered, it's probably a bit much to expect the K770 to dazzle with an array of innovative features. As we've already established, this isn't the kind of phone that is likely to assume the vanguard of SE's technological charge, but it is a dependable and thoroughly likeable device.

Sony Ericsson K770

A few minor niggles and a general lack of desirability prevent the K770 from being a phone we can recommend unreservedly, but it remains a solid entry in SE's catalogue
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Damien  McFerran
Damien McFerran
Damien's mum hoped he would grow out of playing silly video games and gain respectable employment. Perhaps become a teacher or a scientist, that kind of thing. Needless to say she now weeps openly whenever anyone asks how her son's getting on these days.