Sony Ericsson C510 vs W810: A Retro Phone Face-Off

The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. The C510 and W810 were both popular choices, offering a blend of style and functionality. But which one was truly the better phone? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.

Phones Images

🏆 Quick Verdict

The Sony Ericsson W810 generally edges out the C510 due to its superior music capabilities and slightly more refined design. While both offer a nostalgic experience, the W810’s focus on multimedia gives it a slight advantage for those seeking a dedicated music player.

PHONES
Phone Names	Sony Ericsson C510	Sony Ericsson W810

Network
2G bands	GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900	GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
3G bands	HSDPA 2100	-
EDGE	-	Class 10
GPRS	-	Class 10
Speed	HSPA	-
Technology	GSM / HSPA	GSM
	HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C510a	-

Launch
Announced	2009, January. Released 2009, February	2006, Q1
Status	Discontinued	Discontinued

Body
Dimensions	107 x 47 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 1.85 x 0.49 in)	100 x 46 x 19.5 mm (3.94 x 1.81 x 0.77 in)
SIM	Mini-SIM	Mini-SIM
Weight	92 g (3.25 oz)	99 g (3.49 oz)

Display
Resolution	240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density)	176 x 220 pixels (~148 ppi density)
Size	2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~29.8% screen-to-body ratio)	1.9 inches, 30 x 38 mm, 11.4 cm2 (~24.7% 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 Duo Pro, up to 4 GB, 512 MB included
Internal	100MB	20MB
Phonebook	1000 x 20 fields, Photo call	1000 x 24 fields, Photo call

Main Camera
Features	LED flash	LED flash
Single	3.15 MP, AF	2 MP, AF
Video	320p@30fps	Yes

Selfie camera
	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
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	Yes + downloadable
Java	Yes, MIDP 2.0	Yes
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 Video player Predictive text input Photo editor Organizer Voice memo SyncML

Battery
Stand-by	Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G)	Up to 350 h
Talk time	Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G)	Up to 8 h
Type	Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery	Removable Li-Po 900 mAh battery (BST-37)

Misc
Colors	Future Black, Radiation Silver, Energetic Red	Satin Black, Fusion White
Price	About 110 EUR	About 130 EUR
SAR	1.36 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body)	1.04 W/kg (head) 0.86 W/kg (body)
SAR EU	1.18 W/kg (head)	0.99 W/kg (head)

Sony Ericsson C510

Stylish design
Decent camera for its time
Reliable and durable

Limited multimedia features
Basic performance
Low-resolution screen

Sony Ericsson W810

Excellent music playback capabilities
Slightly more refined design
Potentially better camera quality

Battery life slightly shorter than C510
Basic performance
Low-resolution screen

Display Comparison

Both phones featured relatively small, low-resolution color screens typical of the era. The W810 might have a slightly brighter display, but the difference is minimal. Neither screen is particularly impressive by modern standards, but they were adequate for the time.

Camera Comparison

The C510 featured a 2MP camera, while the W810 boasted a 2MP camera with slightly better image quality and potentially some basic video recording capabilities. Image quality on both was limited by the sensor technology of the time, but the W810 likely held a slight edge.

Performance

Performance was limited by the processors of the time. Expect basic functionality and occasional lag when navigating menus or using applications. The W810, potentially having a slightly more powerful processor, might offer marginally smoother performance, but both are comparable.

Battery Life

Battery life was generally good for both phones, offering several days of moderate use. The W810, with its more demanding multimedia features, might drain the battery slightly faster than the C510.

Buying Guide

The Sony Ericsson C510 is ideal for those seeking a stylish, reliable phone with a decent camera and basic features. The Sony Ericsson W810 is a better choice for music lovers and those who appreciate a more premium design and dedicated media player functionality.