Fortunately, the similarities between the W810i and the W800i end there and the back of the phone has been modified in several ways. The most important change is the removal of the lens cover on the back, that was renowned on the W800i for opening in your pocket and activating the camera application when you didn't want it, or completely breaking and confusing the automatic camera application, making the phone difficult to use. The other design change to the back of the phone is the new speaker grill, which is larger than the old one and features three holes. Next to this is a new circular orange portrait mirror. The camera and flash are in the same position as on the W800i but don't feature the same metallic looking borders.
The W810i also comes with a 3.5mm headphone adaptor which proves very useful as it lets you use your own headphones instead of proprietary ones. We also hope that at some point they include a 3.5mm port directly in the phone so we don't have to carry to many wires around. This would make those times when you just want to use the handset as an MP3 player, for example on the tube, a lot easier.
FeaturesThe W810i hasn't had many feature upgrades -- it does feature quad band connectivity but otherwise has an almost identical feature set to the W800i. There are some discreet differences, like the added functionality in the file manager that lets you access the memory card and internal memory independently, and the disappearance of the world clock application, which has been replaced by a news reader.
There are also some new themes that are very pleasing to look at and we especially like the orbit theme. The themes not only change the W810i's wallpaper but also change the icons, screensaver and, in the case of certain themes, will even create a vibrating effect as you scroll from icon to icon in the menu. Aside from that, the interface is identical to the W800i's -- if you interested in seeing what that is like, check out the W800i review.
PerformanceThe audio quality on calls was good and the MP3 player sounded good and was loud enough to hear on the tube. Playing music on the speaker wasn't great but it's good enough to annoy commuters or play music at a picnic.
The battery life was good, too, and lasted for around a week and a half on standby. Talktime lasted for around 7 hours but only around 3 to 4 hours when using the MP3 player moderately.
Edited by Mary Lojkine
Additional editing by Kate Macefield
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Saarth Jauhari 14 December 2010
Good: really good sound quality, fast, durable. Excellent camera for a low bidget music phone.
Bad: the speakers are not loud enough. Its an old model so no 3g or wifi. web browser is mediocre
Comment: i used this phone for a year 2yrs back and i was really satisfied with it! its stil better than many walkman phones out there esp w395 (which i bought after i lost thw810i). the camera is really good and has an autofocus feature
anonymous 4 July 2009
Good: Not much !!
Bad: Not iMac friendly
Comment: I wish Sony would make their phones so that you can download songs on i Tunes from an i Mac. It is so much of a pain using Bluetooth as each song has to be downloaded individually and if you use a card reader and export your songs and pics the phone will not open them as it will only open P.C. files.
If Sony wants to get ahead, make your phones mac friendly. But as item to make telephone calls with, it's bit of a mixed bag, dropped calls in strong signal areas are still a bind, but at least I don't have to keep rebooting the thing like other Sony phones. Summary - too many toys, not mac friendly, drop outs and camera awfull.
digireedoo 14 February 2009
Good: Bomb proof reliability, intuitive, great all round performance
Bad: Camera lens needs a cover
Comment: I have owned and used a W810i for 3 years now, having been given a Samsung U600 at my last upgrade which wasn't even useful enough to be a paperweight. The W810i does everything I need, takes a 4Gb card for music and pics, surfs the web (albeit slowly) and has the simplest and most intuitive menu driven interface of any manufacturer - I have owned Nokias, Motorolas, the dreaded Samsung and even a Philips back in the day.
The Bluetooth is flawless, software fine, music quality good (I upgraded to the HPM-82 headphones with inline remote - cost £4 on ebay), Walkman functions great - no need for a separate mp3 player. Battery lasts a week with light mp3 use, 3 days with - and recharges in about 4 hours from flat.
Only real gripe is the camera - performance has degraded as the lens has gradually become damaged through lack of a cover. For a 2 megapixel unit though it does pretty well and the LEDs double as a torch and even an emergency beacon!
If you want a second hand phone - get one. If you want an ultra reliable, rugged and easy to use phone - get one. I am at upgrade time again and I am so stuck as to what to get this time, am dreaded poorer reliability and ease of use issues......
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