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Sony Ericsson Z800i

By Jeremy Roche on 02 June 2005

A top-shelf 3G offering with a focus on multimedia, the Z800i is a real crowd-pleaser despite its bulk factor.

User rating:9.1
  • Good: Rich, powerful sound • Huge range of connectivity options • Many multimedia features • Expandable, hot-swappable Memory Stick slot •
  • Bad: A bit chunky and heavy compared to non-3G phones • Currently only available on 3 Mobile • Varying Web download speeds •
  • Specs: Bluetooth • Numerical keypad • Memory Stick Duo • 1-megapixel • See more specifications
  • RRP: AU$685.00
Photo gallery: Sony Ericsson Z800i
Upside:
Over a year has passed since Sony Ericsson introduced its first 3G handset to the Australian market, the Z1010. The Z800i however, has a much sleeker look and a more robust multimedia feature set than its predecessor.

The Z800i has a silver case, smooth contours and an external colour LCD that give the clamshell handset an air of sophistication. There is a 1.3-megapixel camera integrated in the hinge of the phone that can rotate 180 degrees to capture images and video either back towards yourself or outwards. Sony Ericsson also bundles Adobe Photoshop Album 2 Starter Edition on CD for photo viewing and editing on a PC. Synchronisation software for Outlook is also provided and connectivity options include Bluetooth, USB and infrared.

The media player on the Z800i supports MP3, video playback and outputs decent quality sound enriched with Sony's Mega Bass technology through the supplied stereo headset. A 64MB Memory Stick Duo is supplied for storage -- up to 1GB Memory Stick Duo cards can also be purchased for around AU$200.

Organiser features include a calendar, calculator, memos and a Java application called Worldmate.

Downside:
Sony Ericsson's Z800i is only available to 3 mobile customers at the time of launch, although this might change later this year when Telstra, Optus and Vodafone introduce their own 3G services.

Compared to the first 3G phone released on the Australian market, the NEC e606, the Z800i looks thin, sturdy and far more advanced. However, at 102 x 49 x 23.6mm it is a little chunkier than most handsets.

Outlook:
Sony Ericsson's release of the Z800i gives 3 customers a smart looking mobile with a decent set of multimedia features. We've had issues with battery life on 3G phones in the past so we'll be interested to see how the Z800i fares in our tests, especially considering its MP3 capabilities.

3 mobile sets a recommended retail price of AU$685 for the Z800i. The carrier also offers it on a range of plans that can be found on 3's Web site. Bundled accessories include a speaker stand, Bluetooth headset, stereo headset, USB Cable, 64MB Memory Stick Duo and a software CD.

Topics: australia, camera, 64mb, stick, duo, 1.3-megapixel, z800i, 3g, silver, 3, review, ericsson, megapixel, mobile, mp3, sony, memory, phone, bluetooth, infrared

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Comments (77)

  • mobile05 gave 3/10 on 04/08/2008 14:08 Report abuse

    • Good: Large buttons for dialling
    • Bad: The volume control is located in base of the handset and is always accidently depressed when one holds the handset.
      This causes the phone status menu to come up and blocks dialling.

      This feature also non-configurable.

    I recently took up a 2 year contract with Telstra with the Sony Ericcson Z750i. Initially I liked the large dailling buttons. However, after some use I noticed at times the phone status kept coming up and the phone does not accept any numbers dialled. One has to keep pressing the OK button the clear the screen in order to continue to dial.

  • sony ericsson k220 gave 8/10 on 07/06/2008 20:23 Report abuse

    • Good: User-friendly interface.
      Easy to use.
      Intuitive menu design.
    • Bad: Nothing.

    One more great flip cell phone introduced by Sony Ericsson. Z800i is best for me because I am always on journey. It is fast responsive mobile. I love it.

  • Lunaphone gave 9/10 on 02/04/2008 12:16 Report abuse

    • Good: Excellent sound quality
      Very good pictures compared to other phones
      Clamshell design meant that it didn't accidentally ring other phones if bumped in my bag
    • Bad: Got a dribble of milky coffee in it and died

    This was the best phone I have ever used. Felt great to hold,

  • marmlr339 gave 9/10 on 30/12/2007 00:27 Report abuse

    • Good: durable,
      long-lived battery,
      feature-packed,
      high-quality camera,
      large, high quality screen,

      has outlived my new phone "Nokia 6288"
    • Bad: heavy and thick "bulky",
      buttons wear out quickly

    excellent phone.

  • nekeho gave 8/10 on 20/08/2007 19:18 Report abuse

    • Good: All the features as I believe they are the lastes. Like it bulky and relatively weighty because I feel I have someothing on me where as with other lighter ones it is easy to sit on them or lose them if not careful or absent minded.
    • Bad: Inadequate variety in terms of ringtones and also not much chice in terms of the volumes.

    I love the phone. serves my purpose

  • Phil gave 9/10 on 08/01/2007 11:39 Report abuse

    • Good: Everything
    • Bad: nothing yet

    What the heck are u talking about this phones great

  • Mr Flibble gave 2/10 on 08/01/2007 11:38 Report abuse

    • Good: Looks good
    • Bad: Features are all second rate and fidly to use I really thought Sony Erricson was the way to go

    This phone makes me sick

  • robphrase gave 9/10 on 20/12/2006 12:44 Report abuse

    • Good: Mostly mentioned above.

      Amazing features, great menu design and functionality, nav pad and key size/feel is fantastic.
    • Bad: Some complain about the size, but it is a phone I respect for its features and capabilities and to reduce the size would be to reduce these too.

      When playing mP3 - an adaptor for a standard headphone jack would be perfect for this phone. The headphones are decent, but prone to tangling, and not the highest quality for the music buff.

      The camera - 1.3mp was decent when the phone was released (most others were still VGA) but if they were ever to make an upgrade, a higher quality camera would be necessary. Also, the swivel design is great, but the lens design is faulted because it gets dust and dirt right through it.

    The Sophisticated Classic

    When time comes, and retro phones become the cool collectors accessory, this phone will definately be at the top of the list for all the smooth, stylish afficiondos.
    Packed with amazing features that superceded most other phones of its time, the z800i is also full of suprises and treats.
    It is capable of supporting Java scripted games and applications, and internet browsers at suprising broadband speed.
    I have tried the phone with a 2Gig Memory Stick and it still functions perfectly without any noticable lag in runtime.
    The screen is large, the swivel camera is handy when it comes to aiming and taking photos with the clamshell closed. And the bright LED light has been a very handy extra when I need that extra bit of illumination for photos and for other things like finding my keys in the dark.
    The outside screen is large and full coloured allowing for extra personalisation and ease in photo use and music playing.
    The mp3 player is simple to use and very manageable.
    And the phone has a great sense of style. The menus are sleek and crisp and not in the least bit partronising to the user.
    It is an all-round sophisticated and smart phone.

  • Raquel32 gave 9/10 on 10/11/2006 10:28 Report abuse

    • Good: I love this!
    • Bad: None!

    Does anyone know if you can make up your own MP3 Ringtones? on this Mobile.

  • eilowyneleyne gave 10/10 on 20/09/2006 08:29 Report abuse

    • Good: easy to use
      good functions
      easy to read screen and numbers
    • Bad: -

    I love it!!

    I've had this phone for a week and already I have been able to find my way around rather easily. The sim card has been in since Monday 18th September and everything has been great. I have nothing to complain about and I love the z800i model.

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