The early 2000s were a golden age for feature phones, and Sony Ericsson was at the forefront. Today, we're pitting two iconic models against each other: the music-focused W8 Walkman phone and the stylish T700. Let's see how these classics stack up.
🏆 Quick Verdict
The W8 takes the win for music lovers thanks to its dedicated Walkman player and superior audio features. While the T700 boasts a sleek design, the W8's enhanced multimedia capabilities and known specs give it the edge for those seeking a nostalgic audio experience.
| Network |
|---|
| 2G bands | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 | GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 |
| 3G bands | HSDPA 900 / 2100 | HSDPA 2100 |
| Speed | HSPA 7.2/2 Mbps | HSPA 3.6/0.384 Mbps |
| Technology | GSM / HSPA | GSM / HSPA |
| | HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100 | - |
| Launch |
|---|
| Announced | 2011, April. Released 2011, May | 2008, August. Released 2008, September |
| Status | Discontinued | Discontinued |
| Body |
|---|
| Dimensions | 99 x 54 x 15 mm (3.90 x 2.13 x 0.59 in) | 104 x 48 x 10 mm (4.09 x 1.89 x 0.39 in) |
| Keyboard | - | QWERTY |
| SIM | Mini-SIM | Mini-SIM |
| Weight | 104 g (3.67 oz) | 78 g (2.75 oz) |
| Display |
|---|
| Protection | Scratch-resistant glass | - |
| Resolution | 320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density) | 240 x 320 pixels, 4:3 ratio (~200 ppi density) |
| Size | 3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~50.1% screen-to-body ratio) | 2.0 inches, 12.4 cm2 (~24.8% screen-to-body ratio) |
| Type | TFT | TFT, 256K colors |
| | Timescape UI | Wallpapers, screensavers |
| Platform |
|---|
| CPU | 600 MHz ARM 11 | - |
| Chipset | Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 | - |
| GPU | Adreno 200 | - |
| OS | Android 2.1 (Eclair) | BlackBerry OS |
| Memory |
|---|
| Call records | - | 30 received, dialed and missed calls |
| Card slot | microSDHC (dedicated slot) | Memory Stick Micro (M2), up to 8 GB, 512 MB included |
| Internal | 128MB 168MB RAM | 25MB |
| Phonebook | - | 1000 contacts, Photo call |
| Main Camera |
|---|
| Features | - | LED flash |
| Single | 3.15 MP | 3.15 MP |
| Video | 480p@30fps | 320p@15fps |
| Selfie camera |
|---|
| Video | - | Yes |
| | No | No |
| Sound |
|---|
| 3.5mm jack | Yes | No |
| 35mm jack | Yes | No |
| Alert types | - | Vibration; Downloadable polyphonic, MP3, AAC ringtones, composer |
| Loudspeaker | Yes | Yes |
| Comms |
|---|
| Bluetooth | 2.1, A2DP | 2.0, A2DP |
| Positioning | GPS, A-GPS | No |
| Radio | Stereo FM radio, RDS | Stereo FM radio, RDS |
| USB | microUSB 2.0 | 2.0 |
| WLAN | Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g | No |
| Features |
|---|
| Browser | HTML | WAP 2.0/HTML(NetFront) |
| Games | - | Yes + downloadable |
| Java | - | Yes, MIDP 2.0 |
| Messaging | - | SMS, MMS, Email, Push Email |
| Sensors | Accelerometer, proximity, compass | - |
| | Walkman player
MP4/H.264/WMV player
MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV player
TrackID music recognition
Voice memo
Predictive text input | MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WMApro player
MP4/WMV/H.263 player
TrackID
Predictive text input
Organizer
Voice memo |
| Battery |
|---|
| Music play | Up to 23 h 40 min | Up to 18 h |
| Stand-by | Up to 446 h (2G) / Up to 476 h (3G) | Up to 370 h |
| Talk time | Up to 4 h 45 min | Up to 9 h 30 min |
| Type | Removable Li-Po 1200 mAh battery | Removable Li-Po 950 mAh battery (BST-33) |
| Misc |
|---|
| Colors | Azure, Orange, Red | Black on Silver, Black on Red, Silver, Black, Red on Silver |
| Price | About 100 EUR | About 130 EUR |
| SAR | - | 1.35 W/kg (head) 0.50 W/kg (body) |
| SAR EU | - | 1.55 W/kg (head) |
| Tests |
|---|
| Audio quality |
Noise -86.8dB / Crosstalk -84.1dB | - |
| Camera |
Photo | - |
| Display |
Contrast ratio: 737:1 (nominal) | - |
| Loudspeaker |
Voice 66dB / Noise 62dB / Ring 69dB | - |
Sony Ericsson W8
- Dedicated Walkman player
- Good contrast ratio display (737:1)
- Decent performance for its time
- Music-focused features
- Basic camera
- Battery life could be better
- Limited app support
Sony Ericsson T700
- Compact and stylish design
- Likely good battery life
- Classic Sony Ericsson aesthetic
- Limited specs information available
- Basic camera
- Potentially less powerful than W8
- Difficult to find in good condition
Display Comparison
The W8's display, while not high-resolution by today's standards, offered a respectable contrast ratio of 737:1. The T700's display details are scarce, but it was likely a standard QVGA screen common for the era. Both phones prioritized functionality over visual fidelity.
Camera Comparison
Both phones featured basic photo cameras, typical for their time. Image quality was limited, and don't expect anything beyond simple snapshots. The W8's camera was likely slightly more refined, but both were primarily for novelty rather than serious photography.
Performance
The W8 was powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227 Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 600 MHz ARM 11 CPU. This provided decent performance for its time, handling music playback and basic apps smoothly. The T700 likely used a similar, though potentially slightly less powerful, chipset, resulting in comparable performance.
Battery Life
Battery life was a key consideration for feature phones. The W8, with its dedicated Walkman features, likely consumed more power than the T700. Expect a day's use from both, but the T700 might offer slightly better longevity.
Buying Guide
The Sony Ericsson W8 is perfect for those who prioritize music playback and a dedicated media player experience. The T700 is ideal for users who value a compact, stylish design and a more general-purpose feature phone, though finding one in good condition might be challenging.
Frequently Asked Questions
❓ Are spare parts readily available for these phones?
Finding spare parts for these older Sony Ericsson phones can be challenging. Online marketplaces like eBay are your best bet, but availability is limited.
❓ Can I use these phones with a modern SIM card?
These phones use older SIM card technology. You may need an adapter or a SIM card converter to use them with a modern SIM.
