Sony Ericsson K810i Cyber-shot

The Sony Ericsson K810I Cyber - Shot…. Great Phone all-round, and this is what it's all about!

The first impression when it arrived in a brown cardboard box that took all of 21 hours to arrive from O2's depot was WOW! Yep that's right; I tracked the order all the way… I ordered it at 14.20 the previous day, and it arrived 11 am the next morning, not a bad start at all!

On opening the cardboard box you're face to face ...
...a Sony Ericsson box, and on opening up you have the contents, these being;

• Sony Ericsson K810I Cyber - Shot Phone, (more details to follow).

• Sony Ericsson BST - 33 (Type CBA - 0001003) Li - Polmer 3.6v Battery. These are pretty good because they are the batteries that fit into some of the previous models, hence they are cheaper to buy, and / or if you have a previous model, you now have a spare battery!
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The Sony Ericsson K810I Cyber - Shot…. Great Phone all-round, and this is what it's all about!

The first impression when it arrived in a brown cardboard box that took all of 21 hours to arrive from O2's depot was WOW! Yep that's right; I tracked the order all the way… I ordered it at 14.20 the previous day, and it arrived 11 am the next morning, not a bad start at all!

On opening the cardboard box you're face to face with a very stylish dark grey and silver box, clearly a Sony Ericsson box, and on opening up you have the contents, these being;

• Sony Ericsson K810I Cyber - Shot Phone, (more details to follow).

• Sony Ericsson BST - 33 (Type CBA - 0001003) Li - Polmer 3.6v Battery. These are pretty good because they are the batteries that fit into some of the previous models, hence they are cheaper to buy, and / or if you have a previous model, you now have a spare battery!

• Wall charger. Huge improvement, this has a fixture at the back of it allowing you to connect your headphones into it, unlike previous models where you where unable to use the headphones if you was charging the phone.

• As mentioned, headphones. These are of a pretty substandard quality I expect from Sony Ericsson, unlike the headphones that accompany the 'W' series. These are just one lead, (not two), and they are a hard oversized plastic ear piece… the sound quality for music isn't all that great and is a bit of a let down to be honest, however, if you are using them for talking as a hands-free, they are absolutely fine, even though a little uncomfortable after a while.

• Phone strap. Useful if it's your kind of thing, quality is pretty good too!

• CD ROM disc. Contains the Sony Ericsson PC Suite as well as Quick Time Movie Player.

• Sync Lead. This attaches to the phone and to a USB on your PC / Laptop, it also charges your phone at the same time which can be really helpful. Naturally, with this they give you all the software you need to run it on the PC. It also includes various editing software which is actually really good allowing you to convert music to MP3 format, and to edit your photos making them either look more professional or fun with various frames and things like that. This is also the quickest way to transfer your data, i.e. pictures and music and contact information.

• Memory Card. (SanDisk M2), unlike the previous model, (K800I), Sony Ericsson has included a memory card as standard even though it is only a 128 MB. It also includes an adaptor allowing it to be slotted into memory card readers.

The phone itself has an amazing feel to it, by far, much better than the K800I. The immediate differences between the two phones are the buttons. These are round and far easier to use. The lens cover has also been changed, no longer sticking out like a sore thumb! The back of the phone is now like a plastic substance, but at the same time, not a cheap replacement. The feel of it makes it fit much nicer in your hand. Everything is much sleeker than its predecessor the K800I.

The weight and dimensions are; 106 x 48 x 17 mm & 115 grams

A nice touch as well, is when the phone rings, or you use the phone, around each of the keypad buttons and around the screen, it lights up neon blue. Very smart!

The menu, as usual, is really easy to use; anybody can get on with it, and is much like all the other Sony Ericsson's. However, I have noticed a difference with it on Vodafone. They seem to put so much 'brand ware' on it; it changes things slightly, and uses up more internal memory. (But saying this it is easy to take off). The menu itself is just one click to get to, and the it has 12 icons on the screen, these being; O2 internet (obviously on O2 phones), Regular Internet, Entertainment, Camera, Messages, Music Player, File Manager, Contacts, Video Call, Calls, Organiser and Settings. Then within those menus, it gives you further menus.

The battery last for ages, just make sure that you charge it 24 hours whilst the phone is still switched off… That means DON'T play with it whilst its charging! :)
I know we all want to, but seriously, if you charge it like this, rather that what they recommend in the instruction manual, your get much better life out of your phone.

The phone itself has comes in a choice of three colours;
Noble Blue, Golden Ivory and now a new Pulse Red.

**~** THE FEATURES **~**

Below is an explanation of some of the main features of the K810I has built in to it, to list everything the phone has to offer would be silly, and anyway its my birthday next week and I don't want to miss it!  Each feature has been put under a category as seen below just to make it more readable.

- Design -

Joystick;
As Sony Ericsson call it "A four-directional stick navigation control with a press function". In my opinion, the biggest let down of this phone, in fact, the entire 'K' series. Why they still use these joysticks is unknown, due to the amount that gets sent back because they break. They really need to lose this design and go with the 'pads' that they use on the 'W' series.

Picture Wallpaper;
This is just a picture that sits on the screen when it is in standby mode, can be a picture that was pre-set or of a picture you have placed on the phone.

Wallpaper Animation;
Same as above, however this is a moving version, usually a pattern or cartoon.

- Messaging -

Email;
This is a built in Email client which has an inbox, outbox, compose, send and other Email functions, all in one place on the phone. Really simple to use once you have set it up on the phone and with your operator.

MMS, (Multimedia Messaging);
This is an application that allows you to take a photo and send it, or to send a photo that is already on the phone. You can then add music or recorded sounds, like your voice and then add text to it if you wish. Sony Ericsson also allows you to combine pictures and music etc to then be able to send it as an Email address or another MMS device.

Predictive Text Input;
You either love it or hate it. (I'm the latter). Simple way (in some cases) of entering words on your phone and the phone predicts what you are goin to type, I think that's the best way of describing it politely! Hehe.

SMS Long, (Text Messaging);
Unlike the old days of the early pocket mobile phone where you were only able to send a short text message of 50 characters, this phone, like more or less all of them, allows you to send much longer texts, especially good if you not much cop at abbreviations… (Why is the word 'abbreviations' such a long word?)

Sound Recorder
I love this, basically it's the same a Dictaphone, it can also be used to record a telephone conversation, (so use it when your complaining to someone at the bank, when they say they will do some and don't, then turn round and say they have never said that!) You can use the recorded call against them!

- Camera -

Auto Focus;
This is an automatic focus, making sure the picture you take is at its highest clarity.

BestPic;
An amazing design unique to Sony Ericsson, this basically takes a series of NINE pictures in just ONE SECOND. I personally love this feature, from the moment you start to push the button to take a photo it snaps four shots, then one as you push it full on, then another four after you have released it. The phone then shows you all nine, from which you can save them all or just the one or two that you like best, so no more pictures with people blinking in them!

Camera 3.2 - Megapixel;
Basically this is the amount of megapixels the camera has, plenty to make a perfect 6" x 4" photograph.

Digital Zoom 16 x;
This gets you right up close to the item or person you are taking a picture of, quality is lost though somewhat.

Image Stabiliser;
Great little device, especially if you have unsteady hands, this just allows for the hands not being perfectly still, and so it captures a great quality picture rather than a blurred one!

Picture Blogging;
Take a picture and within seconds upload it to a blogging website.

Red Eye Reduction;
Automatically takes out the redeye in the picture.

Video Record;
Just allows you to record video clips, and then play them back. Has full sound to it as well.

Video stabiliser;
Same as the picture stabiliser.

Xenon Flash;
An amazing built in flash that is used in conjunction with the camera when lighting isn't all that great.

-- Communication -

Vibrating Alert;
The phone vibrates to the rhythm of the tone it plays, it can also be changed to vibrate only on silent, this is a great option if you are in a quiet environment or in a meeting or something. This also works for Bluetooth communication as well as picture messaging and text messaging.

Polyphonic Ring Tones;
Quite an old style of sound these days, however, still very popular and on 99% of all handsets still produced. This is a synthesised style of music and other sounds.

Speaker Phone;
Allows you to be able to use the phone without holding it, also allowing other people within the room to listen to the conversation and talk at the same time. The speaker on the phone is of a reasonably good quality.

Video Call;
Great idea in theory, as long as your friend also has a 3G phone and you are both in an area that is strong enough to support it! I have tried this with a friend and it is really good, like I say, just depends on the conditions. As for being able to use it abroad I don't know if that works, but I can see no reason why it won't. Makes all the difference speaking with someone you can see.
If I use this service with O2 the call is within my free calling time, I am charged no different from a regular call. Unfortunately I cannot speak for other tariffs for this service.

-- Entertainment -

3D Enabled Games & Java;
Not as complicated as it sounds really, 3D games speaks for itself, much more like playing games at an arcade, the Java side of things allows certain applications to run on your phone as well as a better assortment of games.

Radio;
I really don't need to explain what a radio is, however, it does have RDS feature which is great and also allows you to save 12 of your favourite stations!

Video Clip;
You can take video clips on the phone and easily transfer them between your friends phones and your PC, also you can receive clips from other peoples phones. (I'm sure you have seen them doing the rounds).

Video Streaming;
Real time video, you're able to connect to your laptop or PC and use it as a web cam, or stream it to another phone.

-- Music -

Bluetooth Stereo (A2DP);
New type of way to listening to your favourite tunes on the go, basically buy a new set of headphone, (Bluetooth ones), and remotely connect them to your headset. Now you can listen to your music through your headphones without having any wires attached!

Media Player;
Simple way of listening to your music, and watching your videos through one application, rather than two.

TrackID;
Record a few second of a song, like something off an advert on TV or Radio that you really like and get track, artist and album information sent to your phone straight away.

-- Internet -

RSS Feeds;
Get news the news downloaded into your phone as it happens, including the weather and sports reports etc, basically, anything you want to have fed down to your phone.

Web Browser;
Again, speaks for itself, just allows you to access the net and read your emails etc.

- Organiser -

Alarm Clock;
Great alarm clock on here, but how many do you really need? 5 different alarm clocks, each one can be set separately and have up to seven days listed on it. Then, each one can be set as a one off or reoccurring. Really good though!

Calendar;
Very handy calendar, you can put anything on here and set a reminder for it so then a bleep or a tune will go off on the desired date you want to be reminded, especially good if you have friends abroad and you need to send a card off early!

Contacts;
This keeps all your contacts under one roof… but don't lose the phone! It keeps the contacts number, (up to five), 3 email addresses, home address, business address, web address, date of birth, and picture. It will also allow you to assign a personal ring tone to that person as well. I'm surprised the phone doesn't stand up and dance for you as well!

Flight Mode;
Now-a-days you are not allowed to use your mobile phone on a plane, however, this gives you a chance to be able to use it as an MP3 player only, great idea.

Notes;
Jot down a note if you need to and save it on your phone to remind you of what you need to do.

Stop Watch;
You can time yourself how quickly you can get to the shops and back!

Tasks;
A little like the note book, lets you jot down a list of reminders and things to do etc.

Timer;
To be used to time your egg to make sure its runny… :)

- Connectivity -

Bluetooth;
The majority of phones now have this feature, Sony Ericsson seems to have mastered it, unlike most Nokia's and other brands File transfers are much quicker, saves sending items via MMS which saves you a small fortune. However, you need to be within a 100 meter radius with another Bluetooth device. You can also use it for transferring files with you PC/laptop.

Infrared Port;
If you don't have Bluetooth, every phone has this feature, (or used to anyway), takes forever to transfer data, but you just align you phone with their phone to transfer.

Modem;
GSM internet dial-up support

Synchronisation PC;
Synchronise and share phone content with your PC.

USB Mass Storage;
Connect via the lead (supplied) from your phone and your PC to quickly move items from one source to the other.

- Sony Ericsson's Battery Life & Network Connection Info -

Battery;
Talk time 2 hours 35 Minutes
Standby 400 Hours

Networks;
GSM 900
GSM 1800
GSM 1900
UMTS 2100
(Basically, this means it works pretty much everywhere including Canada and USA).

**~** Overall Opinion **~**

I bought the Nokia N95 before this, within a week it was in the post being sent back, the only word I had for it when I was asked why?.... "Trash" I told them.

OK, so the Sony Ericsson doest have some of the stuff the N95 has got, but at the end of the day, the same can be said that the N95 hasn't got some of the stuff the K810I has.

Personally, the N95 doesn't even come close to this phone, and if you ask many of the professionals around and the sales reps within mobile stores, The Sony Ericsson K800I still is the first to role off their lips, before the N95. (You may want to slate me for that, but remember this is an opinion site, and I truly believe this phone stands head and tails above the rest).

The clarity of the caller's voice is exceptionally clear and I have never experienced any shadow voices at all. The overall design of the phone is leaps and bounds ahead of the K800I Cyber-shot and it has also some extra goodies within it. In actual fact, you start to forget, at the end of the day it's a phone! The screen itself, is of a good size, and the colour is excellent, (262.144 color TFT) everything on it is laid out well, and being very user friendly.

The phones internal memory itself is excellent, not quite up to the new O2 'Cocoon's' standard of 2 GB, but a 64 MB is sufficient for the majority of users. The phone can also handle a M2 8GB memory stick, (so they claim), however, only 4GB memory cards are currently out on the market for this phone at the present time, (11/09/2007).

The fone is pretty much 'free' to anyone who is taking out a new contract or upgrading. Unfortunately, as of yet, it's not available on PAYG. However the phone can be purchased sim free for a tidy sum of £197, but that's just one site I looked at who sell them sim free.

So basically the conclusion is that the phone, in my opinion is second to none, great sounds, great colours, user friendly, clarity whilst on a call… stylish and trendy, takes amazing photos, has its own editing suite and doesn't way a ton in your pockets!

I would happily recommend this product to anyone looking to purchase a new phone.

**~** What It Means **~**

Here I have listed some information for you to know, please, these are NOT in my own words or opinions, I just thought it would be better for people to have a better understanding to what they mean if they are not to sure.

- 3G high-speed Internet -
The third generation of mobile networks brings the convenience of broadband Internet to your mobile phone. Fast data transfer speeds - up to 384 kbps - give you quick, easy access to a world of video calls, audio and video streaming, Web surfing, multimedia messaging and email wherever you go.

- SAR -
What is SAR?

SAR stands for Specific Absorption Rate, which is the unit of measurement for the amount of RF energy absorbed by the body when using a mobile phone. The SAR is determined at the highest certified power level in laboratory conditions. However, the actual SAR level of the phone while operating can be well below this value. This is because the phone is designed to use the minimum power required to reach the network. Therefore, the closer you are to a base station, the more likely it is that the actual SAR level will be lower.
Does a lower SAR mean that a phone is safer?
No. Variations in SAR do not mean that there are variations in safety. While there may be differences in SAR levels among phone models, all mobile phones must meet RF exposure guidelines.

The K810I values are;

Head 0.61 W/kg; Body 0.42 W/kg; Data 0.77 W/kg

Alan74 © 

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