What do you do when you've created an average phone with average features, but still want to get the punters excited? You make it shiny. The Sony Ericsson Z555i isn't a phone with much to shout about, but it does have a front section that glistens like a hippo's back after it's lunged out of a sub-Saharan pond.

The shiny front section of this clamshell also hides a small screen that displays the time and incoming calls or text messages. Pop it open and you're presented with a small colour screen and a flat but usable keypad. On the back of the Z555i there's a humble 1.3-megapixel camera, which won't inspire much more than MMS messages.

This is a simple phone that looks attractive from the front, but hides a rather mundane bunch of features underneath. Unless you're strapped for cash or have a penchant for shiny things, you're better off going with one of Sony Ericsson's higher-end models. The Z555i will be available on most networks soon -- expect a full review lickety-split. -Andrew Lim

Update: Read our full Sony Ericsson Z555i review here.

[crave.cnet.co.uk]