Sony Ericsson M600i

Status: 🟢 Fully functional

Specs

Launch: 2006
Platform: Symbian OS 9.1, UIQ 3.0
CPU: 32-bit Philips Nexperia PNX4008 208 MHz
RAM: 128 Mb
Display: 240x320
Memory: 80 Mb internal, Memory Stick M2 up to 4 GB
Connectivity: Bluetooth 2.0, Wi-Fi 802.11b/g

The Sony Ericsson M600i became one of the most unusual models of the mid-2000s: a smartphone running Symbian UIQ 3.0 with its distinctive half-QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen. Its image was cemented in popular culture thanks to the film Casino Royale, where this very phone appeared in the hands of characters, emphasizing a modern, business-oriented style. Unlike many competitors, the M600i was firmly targeted at business users: the lack of a camera excluded it from casual use but made it highly suitable for office tasks and corporate environments.

The unique half-QWERTY keyboard, where each key represented two letters at once, took some getting used to, but it allowed for faster typing of long texts and emails compared to the standard 12-key layout. Combined with a touchscreen supporting handwriting recognition, it was quite advanced for its time. Meanwhile, its compact 15 mm-thick body and strict gray-and-black design clearly marked the M600i as a tool for professionals rather than entertainment.

My first hands-on experience with this smartphone came through my dorm neighbor, who happened to own an M600i. Thanks to him, I had the chance to explore the device in depth: trying out the UIQ 3.0 interface and installing additional software — from organizers to simple media players. Even its basic features, such as the built-in Opera 8 browser with support for HTML and RSS, left an impression: it felt like you were holding not just a phone, but a true instrument for working with information.

At a time when most phones were associated with cameras and entertainment, the Sony Ericsson M600i seemed almost ascetic — but that was precisely its strength. It was reliable, strict, and fully dedicated to productivity. For some, that approach felt boring, but for those who wanted to carry a “small office in their pocket,” the M600i was nothing short of a breakthrough.

All photos from Vintage Cellphone and PDA Museum by TiredSysadmin are licensed under Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International.