Remember the days of slider phones and dedicated music players? The Sony Ericsson W395 and C510 were iconic devices of their time. Let's dive into a head-to-head comparison to see which one holds up best in retrospect.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The C510 generally edges out the W395 due to its slightly better camera and more modern features, despite both being older models. However, the W395's dedicated Walkman player and compact design make it a strong contender for music lovers seeking a classic feel.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | - | HSDPA 2100 |
| EDGE | Class 10 | - |
| GPRS | Class 10 | - |
| Speed | - | HSPA |
| Technology | GSM | GSM / HSPA |
| | - | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 - C510a |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2009, February. Released 2009, March | 2009, January. Released 2009, February |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 96 x 47 x 14.9 mm (3.78 x 1.85 x 0.59 in) | 107 x 47 x 12.5 mm (4.21 x 1.85 x 0.49 in) |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 96 g (3.39 oz) | 92 g (3.25 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 176 x 220 pixels (~141 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~182 ppi density) |
| Size | 2.0 inches, 12.6 cm2 (~27.9% 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 | 30 received, dialed and missed calls | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 4 GB, 1 GB included | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB |
| Internal | 10MB | 100MB |
| Phonebook | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call | 1000 x 20 fields, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 2 MP | 3.15 MP, AF |
| Video | Yes | 320p@30fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| | No | Videocall camera |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | No | No |
| 35mm jack | No | No |
| Loudspeaker | Yes, with stereo speakers | 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/xHTML, HTML (Openwave), 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, EMS, MMS, Email, IM | SMS(threaded view), MMS, Email, Instant Messaging |
| Sensors | - | Accelerometer |
| | Walkman player
TrackID music recognition
Photo editor
Organizer
Voice memo
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 |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 12 h 30 min | - |
| Stand-by | Up to 480 h | Up to 400 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G) |
| Talk time | Up to 8 h | Up to 10 h (2G) / Up to 4 h (3G) |
| Type | Removable Li-Ion 950 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 930 mAh battery |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Dusky Grey, Blush Titanium, Fiesta Black, Happy Pink | Future Black, Radiation Silver, Energetic Red |
| Price | About 80 EUR | About 110 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.36 W/kg (head) 0.93 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | 0.88 W/kg (head) | 1.18 W/kg (head) |
Sony Ericsson W395
- Dedicated Walkman music player
- Compact and pocketable design
- Classic slider mechanism
- Good battery life
- Low-resolution screen
- Basic camera
- Limited features
- Slow performance
Sony Ericsson C510
- Slightly better camera
- More modern features (for the time)
- Decent battery life
- Improved display (marginally)
- Still a low-resolution screen
- Slow performance
- Bulky compared to some other sliders
- Limited app support
Display Comparison
Both phones featured relatively small, low-resolution screens typical of the era. The C510 likely had a marginally better display quality due to slightly newer technology, but the difference would be minimal. Expect limited viewing angles and color accuracy.
Camera Comparison
The C510 boasted a better camera, likely with a higher megapixel count and potentially some basic image enhancements. The W395's camera was more rudimentary. Image quality on both would be poor compared to modern smartphones.
Performance
Performance was limited by the processors of the time. Expect slow app loading and basic functionality. The C510 might have a slight edge in responsiveness due to potentially a slightly more advanced chipset, but both would feel sluggish by modern standards.
Battery Life
Battery life was generally good on both devices, as they lacked the power-hungry features of modern smartphones. Expect several days of moderate use on either phone.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W395 is ideal for those prioritizing a dedicated music player and a compact, classic slider design. The Sony Ericsson C510 is better suited for users who want a slightly improved camera and a more versatile feature set, even within the limitations of a 2000s phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are these phones still usable today?
While technically usable, these phones are severely limited by their age. Expect poor internet connectivity, limited app support, and slow performance. They are primarily of interest for nostalgic purposes.
❓ Where can I find these phones?
You'll likely need to search online marketplaces like eBay or specialized retro phone retailers. Condition and price will vary greatly.
