The early 2000s were a golden age for mobile phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. The C510 and T700 were both popular choices, offering unique designs and features. Let's dive into a comparison to see how these iconic devices stack up today.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The T700 generally edges out the C510 due to its slightly more refined design and potentially better build quality. Both offer a nostalgic experience, but the T700’s more premium feel gives it a slight advantage for collectors and enthusiasts.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C510a | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, January. Released 2009, February | 2008, August. Released 2008, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 107 x 47 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 1.85 x 0.49 in) | 104 x 48 x 10 mm (4.09 x 1.89 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 92 g (3.25 oz) | 78 g (2.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~29.8% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~24.8% 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 8 GB, 512 MB included |
| Internal | 100MB | 25MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP, AF | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 320p@30fps | 320p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Video | - | Yes |
| | Videocall camera | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.0, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| 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/HTML(NetFront) |
| Games | Yes + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Instant Messaging | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email |
| 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/eAAC+/WMA/WMApro player
MP4/WMV/H.263 player
TrackID
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | - | Up to 18 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) | Up to 370 h |
| Talk time | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) | Up to 9 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery (BST-33) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Future Black, Radiation Silver, Energetic Red | Black on Silver, Black on Red, Silver, Black, Red on Silver |
| Price | About 110 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | 1.36 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) | 1.35 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.18 W/kg (head) | 1.55 W/kg (head) |
Sony Ericsson C510
- Compact design
- Potentially more affordable
- Classic Sony Ericsson aesthetic
- Lower build quality potentially
- Limited features
- Poor camera quality
Sony Ericsson T700
- Slightly more premium design
- Potentially better build quality
- Classic Sony Ericsson aesthetic
- Potentially more expensive
- Limited features
- Poor camera quality
Display Comparison
Both phones likely featured QVGA displays, common for the era. The T700 might have had a slightly brighter or more vibrant screen, but differences would be minimal. Expect lower resolution and smaller screen sizes compared to modern smartphones.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured VGA cameras, offering low-resolution images. Image quality would be poor by today's standards. The T700 *might* have slightly better optics or image processing, but don't expect anything impressive.
Performance
Performance was limited by the processors of the time. Expect slow app loading and basic functionality. Neither phone would be suitable for modern apps or multitasking. The T700 *might* have a slightly faster processor, but the difference would be negligible in real-world use.
Battery Life
Battery life was a strong point for both devices. Expect several days of moderate use. The T700, potentially with a slightly larger battery, *could* offer marginally better battery life, but both would outperform modern smartphones in this regard.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson C510 is ideal for those seeking a more compact and potentially more affordable retro phone. The Sony Ericsson T700 is better suited for collectors or users who appreciate a slightly more premium design and potentially better durability.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones usable with modern SIM cards?
Likely not without adapters. These phones used older SIM card sizes. Check compatibility before purchasing.
❓ Can I download apps on these phones?
No. These phones run proprietary operating systems and do not support modern app stores.