Remember the days of flip phones and dedicated camera phones? The Sony Ericsson Elm and C510 represent that era perfectly. Both devices offer a nostalgic experience, but which one holds up better today? Let's dive into a detailed comparison.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The Sony Ericsson Elm edges out the C510 thanks to its dedicated photo camera and slightly more modern design. While the C510's specs are less defined, the Elm's focus on photography gives it a slight advantage for those seeking a retro camera experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/1.8 Mbps | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C510a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, December. Released 2010, March | 2009, January. Released 2009, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 110 x 45 x 14 mm (4.33 x 1.77 x 0.55 in) | 107 x 47 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 1.85 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 90 g (3.17 oz) | 92 g (3.25 oz) |
| | Splash resistant | - |
| Display |
|---|
| Resolution | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~30.3% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.2 inches, 15.0 cm2 (~29.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT, 256K colors | TFT, 256K colors |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | Yes | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB |
| Internal | 280MB | 100MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 entries, Photocall | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | LED flash | LED flash |
| Single | 5 MP, AF | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 320p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| | No | Videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP, EDR | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS; Wisepilot navigation | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | USB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g, DLNA | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS reader | WAP 2.0/HTML (NetFront), RSS |
| Games | Yes, incl. motion-based + downloadable | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | Yes, MIDP 2.0 | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Push Email, IM | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Sensors | Accelerometer | Accelerometer |
| | HD Voice ready
MP3/eAAC+/WAV player
SensMe, Track ID
MP4/H.264 player
Photo editor
Widget Manager
Organizer
Eco friendly materials
Walkmate, CO2 Calculator
Voice memo/dial
Predictive text input | 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 |
| Battery |
|---|
| Stand-by | Up to 336 h (2G) / Up to 424 h (3G) | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 3 h 40 min (3G) | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1000 mAh battery (BST-43) | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Metal Black, Pearly Rose | Future Black, Radiation Silver, Energetic Red |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.36 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 1.24 W/kg (head) | 1.18 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -87.2dB / Crosstalk -85.9dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 61dB / Noise 61dB / Ring 69dB | - |
Sony Ericsson Elm
- Dedicated photo camera
- Classic flip phone design
- Potentially better image quality
- Relatively compact
- Limited performance
- Outdated display
- May be difficult to find in good condition
Sony Ericsson C510
- Compact form factor
- Classic Sony Ericsson design
- Potentially longer battery life (speculative)
- Relatively lightweight
- Unknown camera quality
- Limited performance
- Outdated display
- May be difficult to find in good condition
- Lack of detailed specs
Display Comparison
The Elm likely featured a standard QVGA display common for its time, prioritizing functionality over resolution. The C510, while lacking detailed specs, probably had a similar display, potentially slightly smaller due to its more compact design. Both would offer a basic viewing experience.
Camera Comparison
The Elm's key selling point was its dedicated photo camera, suggesting a higher-quality lens and potentially better image processing compared to the C510. The C510 likely had a basic integrated camera, but its quality is unknown. The Elm should produce noticeably better photos.
Performance
Both phones ran on Sony Ericsson's proprietary feature phone operating systems. Performance would be limited by the hardware of the time, with basic tasks like calling and texting being the primary focus. Expect slow loading times and limited multitasking capabilities on both.
Battery Life
Battery life would depend heavily on usage and condition. Both phones likely offered a reasonable standby time for their era, but heavy camera use would drain the battery quickly. Expect similar battery performance, potentially slightly better on the C510 due to its potentially smaller screen.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson Elm is ideal for photography enthusiasts seeking a simple, dedicated camera phone experience with a classic flip design. The Sony Ericsson C510 might appeal to those prioritizing a more compact form factor and a general retro phone experience, assuming it's in good working condition.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
Yes, but with limitations. They primarily function as basic phones for calls and texts. Internet access is extremely limited and slow. Expect compatibility issues with modern networks.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely need to search online marketplaces like eBay or specialized retro phone retailers. Condition will vary greatly, so inspect listings carefully.
