Sony Ericsson C510 vs K800: A Retro Phone Face-Off

The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. Today, we're revisiting two iconic models: the C510, known for its slider design and multimedia capabilities, and the K800, a camera-focused powerhouse. Let's see how these phones stack up against each other.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Ericsson K800 ultimately wins due to its superior camera and generally more robust feature set. While the C510 offered a stylish slider design, the K800’s focus on photography and performance gave it a slight edge in the competitive landscape of the time.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson C510	Sony Ericsson K800

Network
2G bands	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 2100	UMTS 2100
Speed	HSPA	Yes, 384 kbps
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM / UMTS
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C510a	-

Launch
Announced	2009, January. Released 2009, February	2006, February. Released 2006, June
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	107 x 47 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 1.85 x 0.49 in)	105 x 47 x 22 mm (4.13 x 1.85 x 0.87 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	92 g (3.25 oz)	115 g (4.06 oz)

Display
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density)	240 x 320 pixels, 2.0 inch, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density)
Size	2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~29.8% screen-to-body ratio)	2.0 inches, 30 x 40 mm, 12.4 cm2 (~25.1% screen-to-body ratio)
Type	TFT, 256K colors	TFT, 256K colors
	-	Wallpapers, screensavers

Memory
Call records	30 received, dialed and missed calls	30 received, dialed and missed calls
Card slot	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB	Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 2 GB
Internal	100MB	64MB
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	xenon flash
Single	3.15 MP, AF	3.15 MP, AF
Video	320p@30fps	QCIF

Selfie camera
Single	-	VGA videocall camera
	Videocall camera	-

Sound
3.5mm jack	No	No
35mm jack	No	No
Alert types	-	Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3 ringtones, composer
Loudspeaker	Yes	Yes

Comms
Bluetooth	2.0, A2DP	2.0, A2DP
Infrared port	-	Yes
Positioning	No	No
Radio	Stereo FM radio, RDS	Stereo FM radio, RDS
USB	2.0	2.0
WLAN	No	No

Features
Browser	WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS	WAP 2.0/xHTML, HTML(NetFront)
Games	Yes + downloadable	FotoQuestFishing, MiniGolf + downloadable
Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes, MIDP 2.0
Messaging	SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Instant Messaging	SMS, MMS, Email, Instant Messaging
Sensors	Accelerometer	-
	Face, smile detection, geo-tagging (cell-id) MP3/AAC/MP4 player TrackID music recognition YouTube service in Media Center Organizer Voice memo/dial Motion gaming	MP3/AAC/MP4 player Predictive text input Photo editor Organizer Voice memo/dial

Battery
Stand-by	Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G)	Up to 350 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G)
Talk time	Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)	Up to 7 h (2G) / Up to 2 h 30 min (3G)
Type	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery	Removable Li-Po 900 mAh battery (BST-33)

Misc
Colors	Future Black, Radiation Silver, Energetic Red	Velvet Black, Allure Brown
Price	About 110 EUR	About 150 EUR
SAR	1.36 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body)	-
SAR EU	1.18 W/kg (head)	-

Sony Ericsson C510

Stylish slider design
Decent multimedia playback
Compact and pocketable

Lower camera resolution
Potentially slower performance
Limited app support compared to K800

Sony Ericsson K800

Excellent camera for its time
Faster processor
More robust feature set
Good image quality

Less distinctive design compared to C510
Potentially faster battery drain
Larger size

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small displays by today's standards, likely around 2.2-2.4 inches. The K800 likely had a slightly higher resolution, contributing to a marginally sharper image. However, viewing angles and color reproduction were typical for the time, so the difference wouldn't be drastic.

Camera Comparison

This is where the K800 truly shines. It featured a 3.2MP camera with autofocus and image stabilization – a significant advantage over the C510's likely lower-resolution camera. The K800's camera was considered one of the best on feature phones at the time.

Performance

The K800 generally boasted a faster processor and more RAM, leading to smoother performance and quicker app loading. The C510, while capable, might have felt a bit sluggish in comparison, especially when multitasking or running more demanding applications.

Battery Life

Battery life was likely comparable between the two, offering a few days of moderate use. However, the K800's more powerful processor and camera might have resulted in slightly faster battery drain under heavy usage.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson C510 is for those who appreciate a sleek slider design and a decent multimedia experience. The Sony Ericsson K800 is for photography enthusiasts who want a dedicated camera phone with good image quality and features for the era.