Sony Ericsson Jalou Review

The Sony Ericsson Jalou has a simple concept behind it – it aims to be a functional handset with all the perks of a smart phone while still being small enough to fit into a lady’s handbag.

Because of this, the Jalou flip phone is tiny – no larger than a lip stick mirror and displaying its information on just a 2-inch screen. Still, in this small chassis are all of the functions that you would come to expect from the latest mobile phones; email, instant messaging, threaded text messages, a built in Facebook application, camera, a music player and games. All in all, the Jalou provides its users with everything needed in a straight forward way while still being just bulky enough to survive a night on the town.

Where the phone falls down, though, is in its size and basic functionality. Displaying the internet, Facebook and photos on the tiny 2-inch screen is often pointless as details are far too small to be seen. Confusing hexagonal buttons and a strangely shaped D pad also make the phone difficult to use at times, while the email settings are complicated enough to set up to confuse some users.

One key application missing from the Jalou is a GPS or map service, which for a phone that is supposed to be put into a handbag and taken out and about is disappointing. Still, despite these flaws, it is one of the better cheap mobile phones available today.