When my wife needed to upgrade her phone several weeks back, there was no question on which brand she’ll be getting. The question was which Sony Ericsson model best fits her needs and our budget.
I am a Sony Ericsson fan boy and my fanaticism must have rubbed off on my wife because she decided to dump Nokia. Not even a recent marketing fiasco by Sony Ericsson Philippines can dampen my Sony Ericsson fanaticism.
A PHONE ANY BLOGGER WOULD LOVE. The Sony Ericsson K800i comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera, which makes it great for taking photos for websites and blogs. The 3G phone can also display RSS feeds. Click on photo to enlarge.My wife chose the Sony Ericsson K800 or, as it is being marketed here in the Asia-Pacific region, K800i. The phone is part of the company’s Cyber-shot line, phone products with image taking qualities good enough to carry the Sony brand for standalone digital cameras.
The K800i is no longer the latest in its line. Sony Ericsson has already upgraded the line by launching the K810i and announcing the coming availability of the K850i.
What stands out in the K800 line is the ability to upgrade the firmware over the air. In previous Sony Ericsson versions, you need to attach your phone to your PC via a USB cable to upgrade your unit’s firmware. With the K800, you can upgrade your firmware from the phone itself.
What’s good about Sony Ericsson firmware upgrades is that at times, the changes they bring are really major. In my K750i, for example, firmware upgrades have improved the photo quality and even sound levels. Firmware upgrades also fixed a nasty USB transfer bug that causes files to go missing when you transfer files to your phone.
I still haven’t tried upgrading the firmware of my wife’s phone so I can’t compare the experience with upgrading via a PC connection. My wife is still using her Globe SIM. We’re waiting for her plan to expire in July so that she can shift to Smart, which offers cheaper mobile Internet access and has a stronger signal in our part of the subdivision.
But I’ve updated my K750i at least thrice and I also upgraded a colleague’s phone and found the process easy. There are several comments, however, on this blog about botched upgrades and these usually involve drivers and versions of Java and Flash.
What I’d wish for Sony Ericsson to implement, though, is allowing users to choose which firmware to upgrade to. In the K750i’s case, the last firmware version lowers the volume by two levels. I was lucky I had upgraded to the penultimate version and could afford not upgrading to the latest firmware. But others who were still suffering from the USB transfer bug had no option but to upgrade to the last firmware version and suffer the lowered volume levels.
The Sony Ericsson Update Service, during the upgrade process, automatically upgrades your phone to the latest version for your country. This is perfectly fine if Sony Ericsson commits to continuing work on a model’s firmware but this isn’t the case. Look at the K750i.
The K800i comes with a 3.2 megapixel camera that’s perfect for blogging. The camera comes with auto-focus and an image stabilizer, which compensates for hand movement to reduce blurring of photos.
SAMPLE PHOTO. Here’s a sample photograph taken with the Sony Ericsson K800i. To view the really huge original photo (it’s 2,000 pixels wide so don’t say I didn’t warn you) click on the image. The close button of the window that will load the photograph is on the lower right portion of the screen (believe me, you’ll be looking for it).The K800i also comes with BestPic, a feature that allows the camera to take nine successive photographs on a single button press. It takes four photos as you press the button, one image when you press it and another four photos after you press it. You can then choose the best shot to save.
BestPic is useful when taking photographs of fast-moving subjects such as in sports or even news events. I just wished you can have the option of saving all the photographs for choosing later. In certain scenarios, such as covering a news event for your website, you won’t have the time to go over the photos to choose the best one to save. And having to choose a photo may make you miss a shot.
The K800i also comes with picture blogging, a feature that allows you to publish photos in your blog as soon as you take them.
The K800i, being a 3G phone, also allows video calls with compatible handsets and is capable of video streaming. It also offers a faster mobile Internet experience. The phone can also display RSS feeds.
All in all, I think the K800i is a great phone. My wife thinks so. But the K810i seems a lot sleeker and the coming K850i is also something to drool over. I’m thinking of upgrading my K750i next year. In all likelihood, I’d be getting the K850i.
38 responses so far ↓
jhay // Jun 27, 2007 at 6:07 am
The K800i is really a great phone. I’m loving every bit of it, well not all.
The bug is with my pc which fails to detect the phone on the first time I connect it via the USB cable.
Over all though, it’s a phone that stands out from the rest, especially in this country where almost everyone else has a Nokia.
Sherwin Ong // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:52 am
Sony Ericsson K800i is a very good phone with a 3.2 megapixel camera, autofocus, and Xenon flash. The price has dropped down dramatically so at least it is worth buying now.
I haved used Sony Ericsson K750i and Sony Ericsson W800i. What I like with these phones is their 2 megapixel camera with flash and their great sound quality for music. What I dislike with these phones is their joystick which would sometimes not function properly anymore.
What turned me off with the Sony Ericsson k8ooi is it’s size and it’s joystick. To be fair with Sony Ericsson, they came up with upcoming phones which doesn’t have joystick anymore like the Sony Ericsson k850i and the Sony Ericsson W960i. I think Sony Ericsson learned from it’s old phones and listened to complaints of its users.
Another thing with Sony Ericsson is their signal. That is another reason why I transferred back to Nokia.
I am using a Nokia 6233 now. It has been with me for 10 months now and I love the phone. It has a 2 megapixel camera but no flash. The sound quality is great.
It all depends on the users what he/she uses the phone more. Like in your case Max, you use it more on blogging while I prefer more into music. Others might use it on some other things.
John P // Jun 28, 2007 at 12:07 pm
Max… another great review!
Manny // Jun 28, 2007 at 7:54 pm
This gadget is neat. The only problem with such things, however, is that it puts a lot of functionality all in one device that is easily stolen or lost. For this reason, I’ve avoided camera phones and am considering a separate digital camera. At least I won’t lose everything at once if it gets stolen (a common enough occurrence nowadays).
Max Limpag // Jun 30, 2007 at 4:19 am
Hi Sherwin,
Another thing that goes against Sony Ericsson phones is the USB cable: the connectors seem so frail and after a few months, you will get spotty connection. You would need to move it around a bit when you are abruptly disconnected. I wished they could just use a regular jack.
Hi John,
Thanks for the feedack
Hi Manny,
Having everything on one device is really risky. Often, when people lose their phones it means they lose 1. their database of contacts (if you’re unlucky enough not to have back-ups) 2. their main digital cameras 3. their portable drive.
What I do is make sure I have multiple backups: online and in my PCs.
Sherwin Ong // Jul 2, 2007 at 7:57 am
Opppsss……… sorry for the wrong e-mail address I left.
Sherwin Ong // Jul 2, 2007 at 8:05 am
I agree with Manny. Don’t rely too much on one device. If you rely on one device, make sure you make back-ups of them either online, pc, or even by burning it on a blank cd.
Ding qua qua // Jul 3, 2007 at 8:15 pm
I disagree, i hate Sony Ericsson phones! they’re worth less than Sh*t to me!!! i used to like SE phones I even had the w900i sure its 2MP cam took better pictures than my N80 (this was last year) but the OS sucked and its very VERY LIMITED! Oh yes they have the P-series, i bought some of them too, like the p800, and specifically the P990i I almost, threw the phone to the garbage a week after buying it, the phone’s speed was disturbingly slow, and it didn’t have the over-the-air software update like you said the k750i has.
I was never a fan of any mobile phone manufacturer, but now I am… with NOKIA
I bought the most amazing device that suited my needs! the N95, you should probably buy the N95 rather than worthless SE products.
The N95 is considerably fast, can switch to different programs and menus in less than a second, the n95 using its wireless features can surf faster than my laptop, can connect to the wireless router with no trouble, the speaker sounds better and louder than any SE model, it has these multimedia features that cannot be topped by any mobile phone ever, not even the iphone i believe….
With the N95 I make class reports through its TV-out, I can install my Medical Dictionary, Drug directory etc…
did i forget to mention GPS? although i don’t really know how to use it… it says satelite unavailable? hmmm
Chin // Jul 6, 2007 at 4:15 pm
Hey Max,
I there a good (and free) document reader for the K800i?
Max Limpag // Jul 9, 2007 at 5:14 am
Ding qua qua,
. The N95 is, by all accounts, a great phone and if I had to pick a non-Sony Ericsson phone to use, that would be it. Thanks for the feedback 
Your name brings fond memories of the great-tasting Chinese food I had in that restaurant but your words pierce my Sony Ericsson heart
Hi sir,
I still haven’t played around much with the K800i but in my K750i, I could view attachments (photos and documents) using the Google for mobile application. In the product’s FAQ, it says that it can open PDF files. I’ll try emailing myself later a PDF file and see if I can view it. Have you tried checking with getjar.com? That’s where I look for apps but I haven’t visited the site in weeks.
jag // Jul 9, 2007 at 1:39 pm
can any one help me pls , i accidentally delete the demo , theme and some ringtone on my k810i is there a way to bring them back to my phone , tnx
Ding qua qua // Jul 9, 2007 at 6:50 pm
Max, i’m sorry about piercing your Sony Ericsson heart, Its just that I wanted to share my frustrations with SE, and how i’m happier with Nokia
as much as I’m happy with Ding qua qua.
rakesh kumar // Sep 8, 2007 at 12:18 pm
i bought my k800i from dubai in feb 2007 . every body appreciated my cell at home. and I too like the contents of it. but now i have a problem in it. scrolling to organiser and moving to apllications, there’s a software called face wrap and few other software too. also i had 3 games preinstalled in it but now none of them works. whenever I goto applications and games ,’operation failed’ message appeares on the screen. please suggest me to regain my Face wrap application back.
william jr // Oct 1, 2007 at 11:16 pm
pls email me where i could download medical dictionary application to my sony ericsson k800i. pls help me people…thanx a lot. or kindly send the application to my email.thnx. by the way my email add is williamjryap@yahoo.com. thanx a lot. i reaally appreciated if you would help me.
rafi // Oct 2, 2007 at 4:55 pm
se k800i is a very well phone
but my java applications such as games and applications were not opening
whenever I goto applications and games ,’operation failed’ message appeares on the screen. please suggest me to regain my Face wrap application back.
kora // Oct 27, 2007 at 12:01 am
pls tell me how i can restore my my k800i applications because i have so many applications but i cant view any of my installed software.should i flash my fone.if i do i would loose all my document including my applications
New Google Maps for Mobile tracks your position using cell phone towers: sony ericsson, smart, globe, person finder | Leon Kilat ::: The Cybercafe Experiments // Dec 3, 2007 at 4:52 am
[...] tried it with the Sony Ericsson K750i and it didn’t work, which I expected. I tried it in the K800i and it still doesn’t work. For the feature to work, your phone must be reporting cells it is [...]
omar // Dec 12, 2007 at 5:16 am
hi max,
i would like to ask if k800i can read pdf files? should i have to download such application? where can i find it? is it safe and free?
Max Limpag // Dec 13, 2007 at 1:22 am
Omar,
I haven’t tried viewing a PDF file in the K800i, I’ll give you a feedback once I do.
unknown // Dec 30, 2007 at 9:27 pm
why does my k800i internet connection failed? tnx hope someone rep.
Matthew Roberts // Jan 5, 2008 at 12:42 am
Operation failed on the K800i is a well known bug to do with the file structure that becomes corrupted due to a firmware bug – the only way is to reflash the firmware which will result in a loss of such files – this has happened to me losing over 100 games with no compensation !!
lord ryan // Jan 7, 2008 at 5:34 pm
im enjoying my K800i right now, over 200 applications and almost 300 games… grrrrrr….. i’ve also upgraded my M2 from 2GB to 8GB…. cool right?…it works…….ilove it!
kurtis // Feb 3, 2008 at 8:05 pm
hello iv got a sony ericcson k750i n iv dun everything but the internet just does not work it always comes up with somthing to do with the internet setting and somthing to do with coverage or data plz tell me what to do!
Alexander // Feb 23, 2008 at 4:57 am
Ilove k800i very muchhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh
anish // Mar 12, 2008 at 2:38 pm
hi guys iwant to upgrade my k800i in sounds ….so please tell me which soft ware works it better
Max Limpag // Mar 15, 2008 at 4:28 am
Anish,
What do you mean by upgrade the sound? In my experience in upgrading Sony Ericsson firmware, one upgrade with the K750i made the phone’s volume louder. I don’t know whether there is a comparative firmware upgrade with the K800i.
Cat // Mar 18, 2008 at 8:26 pm
hello i just upgraded my k800i and now the photo dj wont work. and my pics look weird.
kiki // Mar 23, 2008 at 5:48 am
my sony k800 sound is to low iam getting this problem so plzz send me
Sheila // Apr 15, 2008 at 4:54 pm
I’ve a problem with creating a playlist on my SE K800i phone. Seems to be a bug because I had no problems for the last 2½ years with it!
Anyway, the playlist I had created is now completely gone. Songs are still there though. I therefore try to create my playlist again, but after clicking “Add”, it says “Failed” !!!
I then try to play my music via “Now Playing”, but it says “Memory Full” !!! I have a 1GB memory stick with 593 MB free. Phone still has 47 MB free, so I’ll be damned if it’s really a “memory full” problem.
Does anyone know how to fix this?
Phone’s not under guarantee anymore, so I can’t get it fixed for free. Apart from this problem, the phone’s working PERFECTLY, and in a condition that still looks like it’s brand new (even though I’ve had it for a long time), so I don’t want to have to get a new one just because of this feature not working…but I do listen to my music a lot, so it sucks if this feature is not working (why not let the games fail on my phone instead?!?!?).
Thanks!
bongnate // Apr 17, 2008 at 11:45 am
I cannot install yahoo go! on k800. It says i need to upgrade my firmware but everytime i upgrade it OTA the phone is detected to have the latest software.
callie // Apr 21, 2008 at 3:55 am
I have a K800i and it’s a great phone. I take great pictures with it which is a huge improvement on the Nokia 6230 that I used to have. I can also recommend a cool add on for it. It’s called i-Citizen and it came out recently. It’s the world’s first 3D world and the k800 works like a charm on it. Its fun to play and you can meet people and chat to them as you might have guessed. They have promotions where they give away PS3’s and Xboxes to people in a place called i-Bid in the app. Its beta release was announced in March 2008 and anyone can give it a try. You can get it from your mobiles browser or your pc by going to http://wap.icitizencommunity.com.
steve o // Apr 27, 2008 at 7:09 pm
I have RSS on my what does it mean?
savant // May 9, 2008 at 10:17 am
i want to update my k750i to w800.
can u tell me frm where to dwld these versions.
no address is given here.
Mats from Sweden // Jun 11, 2008 at 3:15 am
Hi!
Great Page!
I got two (2) K810i:s and they are great!
I guess the K850i is NOT a good successor to the successful K750i, K800i and K810i.
The K850i has some new weird buttons and the old T68i buttons Yes/Green and No/Red seem amazingly to be back!
The only bad thing with the K810i is that you cannot force the flash on,
how stupid design isn’t that?
kulas // Jul 22, 2008 at 1:51 pm
hello,
just bought a K800i but the camera didnt seems to work fine because the flash didnt work when i took pics. Can anyone help me? please…
sakil ahamed // Oct 17, 2008 at 3:11 am
i want to upgrade my music playerto walkmanplayer.please help me
lotpaqs // May 15, 2009 at 10:02 pm
I have K800i model, the OS is crushed, when I open, only Sony Ericsson name appear and doesn’t continue, its frezze, is ther a hope for my mobile to restore its original function?. Pls help me
lotpaqs // May 15, 2009 at 10:07 pm
If ever Iwant to upgrade my K800i, what is the best firmware ?
Leave a Comment