Review: Sony Ericsson K800i

Although more susceptible to camera shake than a low-end digital camera, the Sony Ericsson K800i is in fact capable of replacing just such a product; a considerable feat, even though the vast majority of users will not want to rely on it for preserving precious memories.Its imaging prowess is backed up by strong performance in the areas of calling and messaging, while its browser is of the rather mediocre sort; handy, then, that the overall impression is picked up by the inclusion of a stereo FM radio with RDS, a RSS reader and even a sprinkle of stereo Bluetooth audio for an otherwise unnoteworthy MP3 player.

Specifications

- 2.2-inch QVGA high resolution display
- 3.2 Megapixel camera with autofocus, Xenon flash and burst mode
- MP3 player
- MP3 ringtones
- MB of onboard memory
- Memory Stick Micro memory card expansion, 64 MB card bundled
- Bluetooth dial-up networking, headset and stereo headset support
- USB 2.0 connectivity with PictBridge support
- Stereo FM radio with RDS
- 3G with video calling
- Tri-band GSM
- 105 x 47 x 22 mm, 115 g
- 4 hours of talk time, 8,5 days of standby


Camera - Very good


The K800i shoots what can only be described as outstanding high-quality stills with vivid, accurate colours and a minimum of blur courtesy of its autofocus and image stabilization. It may not excel under poorly lit conditions despite its decent Xenon flash, but has other positive traits such as minimal lag between shots and a high-resolution screen to double as its viewfinder.


We also favour the BestPic burst mode which snaps a total of 9 stills across the time span of a second (perfect for fast-paced action), as well as hassle-free posting to Google's Blogger service. Sharing and printing photos is equally straightforward, although we miss the ability to do the latter over Bluetooth. Video quality, meanwhile, proved entirely sub-par.


Calling - Very good


Though its signal reception falls slightly short of ideal, the K800i handles audio and video alike with aplomb, and we're pleased by the quality of its loudspeaker, as well as good Bluetooth support and fast camera switching during video calls.


Messaging - Very good


Had it not been for the slightly cramped navigational pad and minute lag exhibited by the otherwise highly comfortable keypad, the K800i would have earned full marks as it handles all the usual suspects - SMS, MMS and e-mail - with ease.


Browsing - Good


An improved browser has snuck its way into the K800i, and appears reasonably apt at reformatting content for mobile screens - yet does in no way stand out from the crowd. As a bonus, owners get a handy yet basic RSS reader.


Battery life - Very good


With talk time hovering in the 5 hour range and standby clocking in around the 8-day mark, the K800i offers quite decent battery life; for picture taking, the limited amount of onboard memory will be depleted long before the battery is.


Pros:


Outstanding image quality; good voice and messaging performance; stereo Bluetooth audio


Cons:


Limited onboard memory; no bundled memory; a tad hefty; slight text entry lag


Conclusion:


Although more susceptible to camera shake than a low-end digital camera, the Sony Ericsson K800i is in fact capable of replacing just such a product; a considerable feat, even though the vast majority of users will not want to rely on it for preserving precious memories. Its imaging prowess is backed up by strong performance in the areas of calling and messaging, while its browser is of the rather mediocre sort; handy, then, that the overall impression is picked up by the inclusion of a stereo FM radio with RDS, a RSS reader and even a sprinkle of stereo Bluetooth audio for an otherwise unnoteworthy MP3 player.


Price and availability


The Sony Ericsson K800i is now shipping across Europe, selling in the €475 range without subscription.


Available in the U.S. in June 2006, the Sony Ericsson K800i is priced at $475 .