A sequence detector is provided for detecting symbol values corresponding to a sequence of input samples obtained from a transmission channel. The sequence detector comprises a branch metric unit (BMU), a path metric unit (PMU) and a survivor memory unit. The branch metric unit calculates branch metrics for respective possible transitions between states of a trellis. The path metric unit accumulates branch metrics provided by the branch metric unit in order to establish path metrics. The survivor memory unit selects a survivor path based on the path metrics and outputs a survivor sequence of the detected symbols corresponding to the survivor path. The sequence detector is configured such that the synchronization length is different than the survivor path memory length.