Basic Features

Released for Cingular Wireless, the Sony Ericsson W810i features GSM quad-band (850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 MHz) technology, allowing consumers to use the device on compatible GSM networks in North America, Europe, and Asia, provided the it is unlocked.

If consumers purchase the W810i through Cingular, it will be locked by default, a common carrier practice to prevent customers from taking discounted phones (purchased in conjunction with a plan) to other carriers. However, good-standing customers can usually request the unlock code after 90 days of service. Only after it's unlocked will users be able to take it to other networks.

Sony Ericsson offers a 4 x 3 consumer-focused menu structure, so navigation is user intuitive and focused on functionality, rather than stripped down online-store-focused menus other devices may have. Visually more appealing, users can not only change wallpapers, ringtones, and themes, but also design and customize headers and menus for unparalleled personalization.

Sony Ericsson rated the W810i's 900 mAh Li-Ion battery at an impressive 8.0 and 350 hours (14.6 days) of talk and standby times respectively. However, those are under optimal conditions. Handset manufacturers and carriers often list talk-time and standby-time ratings with disclaimers about variable performance and often refer to the times they publish as maximum times.

Screen

Sony Ericsson added a larger 1.9-inch screen to the W810i (compared to the W600i's 1.8-inch LCD). Offering a 176 x 220 px resolution, the W810i provides 262K-colors (18-bit) for an impressive screen.

Built on TFT (Thin Film Transistor) LCD technology, circuit transistors placed directly on the glass provide fast refresh rates from not having to scan each pixel location. Aside from providing noticeably faster response times needed for gaming or using the screen as a viewfinder, colors are rendered more vividly and brighter. But TFT's drawback is significant power consumption and reduced battery life.

Sony Ericsson has managed to lessen the problem by adding a built-in light sensor. Automatically adapting the screen's brightness to suit the surrounding lighting conditions, the W810i prolongs battery life while ensuring users can see clearly both indoors and out.

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