Sony Ericsson P990i: The Last Great Symbian UIQ Smartphone — Complete Guide
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The Sony Ericsson P990i is the culmination of a history that began with the Ericsson P800 in 2002. Four years of evolution concentrated into a device that, in 2006, was among the most complete and powerful smartphones available on the market. A phone that its owners both loved and hated – for its extraordinary capabilities and its minor flaws.
The History of the Sony Ericsson P990i
Launched in 2006, the P990i was the successor to the P910i and the spiritual successor to Sony Ericsson's entire P-series line. It was based on Symbian OS with a UIQ interface – one of the most advanced platforms at the time for touchscreen management.
It was a complete phone: 3G, WiFi, Bluetooth, a 2-megapixel camera, music player, GPS navigator (with additional software), corporate email support. Everything a professional could want in 2006.
Technical Specifications
- Type: smartphone with removable flip
- Display: TFT touchscreen 240 x 320 pixels, 262,000 colors
- Operating System: Symbian OS 9.1, UIQ 3.0
- Camera: 2-megapixel with flash
- Connectivity: UMTS 3G, WiFi 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0
- Keyboard: QWERTY under the flip
- Battery: Li-Ion 1500 mAh
- Memory: 80 MB integrated + Memory Stick Duo slot
- Weight: 130 grams
The Three-Mode System
Like the P800 before it, the P990i operated in three modes: with the flip closed (touchscreen only), with the flip open (touchscreen + numeric keypad), with the flip removed (pure PDA). It was a versatile system that was very popular with professionals.
Collector's Value in 2026
The Sony Ericsson P990i is highly sought after by collectors of Symbian smartphones. A working example is worth between €60 and €180. With all original accessories, the value can reach €250.
Where to Find an Original Sony Ericsson P990i
Infosate specializes in vintage Sony Ericsson P-series smartphones. Check out our collection to find the P990i and other models in the series.