Introduction

The T310 is the cell phone set to replace the stable T300. Much of the exterior looks redesigned. However, the interior is much the same, with a few upgrades. However probably the most anticipated change is the addition of Tony Hawk Pro Skater 4 in the list of preinstalled games in the T310. That's right, now you can grind rails and do insane tricks in your cell phone! Granted it's not the full version, but it's still pretty entertaining.

The T310 has a new clean design, distinct lines, a full color screen, bright polyphonic ring tones, and an incredible list of multimedia features. Underneath the phone lies an application set you wouldn't expect from an entry level phone. Features like MMS, GPRS, downloadable games, and more. It even has its own e-mail client that lets you use your T310 to send and receive e-mail at any location.

Design

In many ways the Sony Ericsson T310 is like its predecessor the T300. Internally the T310 is almost exactly the same as the T300. If you've seen the T300 menu structure, you'll be more than comfortable with the T310's. Both have a 256 color 101 x 80 px screen, polyphonic ring tones, downloadable games, and themes. But much of the differences are subtle. For instance, the T310 now has 32 instruments, and a brighter, clearer screen. In fact, most of the inside of the T310 is exactly the same as the T300. Therefore, if you've just read the T300 review, much of this review will be similar.

Probably one of the first things that catch your eye is the redesign of the T310. If you didn't like the T300's look that much, then the T310 is just what you were looking for. Sony Ericsson decided to pursue a more aggressive design, integrating clean lines with simple looks.

If you don't like the color, have no fear. Like the T300 the T310 has interchangeable face plates as well. Among the choices are: Flaming Gold, Fashion Blue, and Funky Purple. As you can probably tell by the names of the colors Sony Ericsson chose, the T310 is targeted towards the younger market.

That being said, the T310 won't leave you poor either. The T310 may be an entry level phone, however by no means is it a lightweight. With features like MMS, e-mail client, GPRS, polyphonic ring tones, downloadable games, and more, the T310 gives you much for your money.

Screen

One noticeable feature of the T310 is the same 256 color screen as the T300 and T68i. The color display doesn't compare with other manufacturer's color phones nowadays. Many of Nokia's phones are at least 4096 colors, while Samsung's phones are up to 65,000.

On a bright note, even though the T310 comes in 256 colors, Sony Ericsson has improved its screen by making it brighter and clearer than the T300's.

There are also many other screen-settings in this model: adjustability of display contrast (10 settings), opportunity to install 3 kinds of types sizes (standard, large, and small). It provides legible text even at the smallest settings.

Indoors the screen is very bright, but in sunlight the colors will wash out. The ability to save backgrounds, screen savers, and themes makes full use of its colors. Also, it is able to fit 5 lines of text, making it a sizable screen for emailing, and text messaging.

Controls

The T310 comes with a standard keypad. Nothing special is presented here. However, the T310 still retains the joystick found on the Sony Ericsson phones. The 5 function joystick (Up, down, left, right, press) makes navigation around the menu options simple, completely eliminating the need to navigate with buttons.

Playing games with the joystick gives you more versatility than the conventional four way keypad. As to why other manufacturers having adopted a joystick control is beyond me. But once you've owned a phone with one, you'll know how going back is so hard.

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