Update: read our Sony Ericsson Satio review.
The Sony Ericsson Satio (or you can call it Idou if you're nostalgic for the last three months) is the phone everyone has been waiting for from Sony Ericsson, the one to put the company back on the map and halt its slide down the worldwide sales charts.
However, UK and Ireland MD Nathan Vautier has claimed that the Phone can even outstrip the iPhone, so after spending a great deal of time with the phone to bring you our in-depth hands on with the Sony Ericsson Satio, we had a sit down and tried to work out his reasoning.
1. The camera
Oh, we know what you're going to say. "Who needs a 12MP camera on a phone? Nobody needs one that good". Well, you might be right, be we have to tell you, it's a stonkingly good one. In fact, it's the kind of feature that makes you want to get the phone out because it's so good. And let's face it, the less we say about Apple's 2MP failure the better.
2. The Symbian-based OS
If you're like us, you're bored of the same tired interface it seems Sony Ericsson has been rocking for the last umpteen years, so to see a new one really is a breath of fresh air. It adds a whole level of functionality to the device by popping the media at the bottom, navigation at the top and scrollable screens to move between different options. It's almost like the way you interact with the iPhone, but without having to rumble through hoards of Apps.
3. Movies... lots of Movies
Although not available yet, the Play Now Arena with Movies will give users 15 free downloads out the box for the handset, and five more free per month according to our sources. That's pretty much all the on-the-go movie downloading you could ever want, and while it's not the all you can eat stylings of Nokia's Comes with Music, it's still a great deal for no more money.
4. Cheap as chips
Well, chips that cost £35 per month that is. But the main difference in terms of cost between the Satio and the iPhone is that the new effort from Sony Ericsson will be free on contract, compared to having to pay upwards of £50 for Apple's mobile on some packages, which still leaves a bitter taste in our mouths when we think about it.
5. Messaging is easier... and prettier
While it might not have the intuitive word recognition that the iPhone sports for the ham-fisted among us, the Satio has a nice keypad in both QWERTY and alphanumeric modes, with the retro 80s stylings just adding to the mix. The iPhone can't even text in landscape mode yet, with the much-vaunted 3.0 update still waiting to hit our pockets.
6. One handed action
You could accuse us of being a little bit picky here, but what makes a touchscreen a good phone as well is being able to easily operate it with one hand, and that's something you can do pretty easily with the Satio, with most icons in easy swiping range.
We know there are a lot of iPhone power users out there that are going to show exactly how dextrous they are at using their Apple phone with one hand, but we're sick of seeing people with the 'iPhone Hunch', that is people peering at their Apple device, holding it in one hand and jabbing at it in the other, like a flea is taunting them by leaping all over the surface.
7. Memory expansion
One of the real failings of the iPhone in the eyes of some is its lack of expandable memory, and we can't see this option changing soon. Sony Ericsson has bundled an 8GB microSD card into the box for the Satio, which puts it automatically on a par with the lower range iPhone.
But with a 32GB microSD card on the very near horizon, users will be able to pop in some massive storage (which they'll need for all those movies) and have a hot-swappable media library, whereas iPhone users will have to keep tethering back to their computer and iTunes.
And the reasons why it can't
1. App unh-Appy
One of the advantages of the iPhone is the sheer amount of applications and additional content available to users. While the ability to download movies to the Satio might be a real winner, we can't see Sony Ericsson unveiling an app store that rivals Apple's in any way, even though it's having a go in the very near future. And given the amount of moolah the fruity ones are making off each App, it's a pretty big hurdle to deal with.
2. It does too much
Although we've mentioned some really good features the Satio has been brought to market with, for some people it will just do too much and that will put them off. Many have been seduced by the simplicity of the iPhone, the fact it just slides under the finger and is mainly about the internet in various guises. These people will probably take one look at the Satio and decide it's not for them, possibly even based on looks alone compared to the iPhone.
3. Pocket bulk
And talking of looks, the Satio might have slimmed down considerably, but to add that camera on the back it's had to sacrifice a fair bit of pocket space, and that's a big no-no to the fashion conscious of this world.
Compare that to the sleek stylings of the iPhone, and you'll see why some people might make the decision on form alone.
Your comments (14) Click to add a new comment
hlt
June 18th 2010
14. I love Satio juz because I can forward sms and group sms which I can't do in all iphone series. Moreover, bluetooth handling is perfect unlike I eperienced in iphone3gs. I love its battery power. One more important thing is I can check all the data usage and phone calls which I can't in iphones. I love this phone for I can have many extremely good free apps and HD games like prince of persia, need for speed, Nitro and Shift.
P.S- The bad thing on all iphones including iphone4 is that I need to give up on performence and basic features if I choose iphones :'(. SOny FTW
Alert a moderator
ronbeal
May 20th 2010
13. I've had the Satio for two months and can say that I find it an incredible phone. having upgraded from my amazingly good Sony ericsson C905. clearly in the very beginning I found myself making all kinds of comparisons, and sure enough there were a few issues that I wasn't particularly happy with, but my main gripe was the satio's software often freezing, a firmware update soon sorted that out though. Now I've got used to the phone I just love the amazing large screen and it's incredible features. I find I'm often using it at home instead of my laptop which really doesn't make sense, but it's that good. I know of course there are some people who would delight in knocking the Satio's comparison to the 'iphone by saying it's main feature of course is the 12.1 million pixel camera and who would possibly want a mobile with such a an incredibly good camera, well I can honestly say, 'that I do. I've also now managed to get the 'iphone's TVcatchup application up and running on my Satio which of course means I can now view for free all the freeview TV channels, although at first to get it running I've had to download the 'Skyfire browser which of course plays just about everything there is on the net. My son's girlfriend has the '32g iphone and I would be the first to admit, it too is an incredible phone. But to say which phone is best?..well clearly I'm happy with my Satio and my Son's girlfriend just loves her 'iphone..so who knows, and can precisely say 'which is the best phone?.
Ron Beal.
Plymouth.
Alert a moderator
antsm
May 8th 2010
12. I've always been a Sony fan, and have been unsure what to upgrade to from my LG KU990 (disappointing phone).
I've been looking closely at the Satio and the main attraction is the camera. All your posts have definitely convinced me that it is the phone for me.
Deadmeat you rock!!!! I'm going to buy my Satio today. Thanks guys!
Alert a moderator
vinpepp
April 21st 2010
11. I have now had my Satio for two weeks, initally I didnt like it, now though it is a cool phone.
Alert a moderator
infamouschris
October 25th 2009
10. I have been a loyal follower of Sony and want to step up to the new model but I think that the touch screen idea on a 12 million pixel could be a problem, too many features with an interface that could cause problems, I hate the iphone as it just isn't good at anything, it does too much and none of it properly, will sony go the same way, can you have a phone thats touch actually work as a phone a sibean and 12 mega pixel and do it properly?
Alert a moderator
garethpn
September 15th 2009
9. It's Symbian based, surely a lot of symbian apps are out there that will work with it. I remember getting a Sega emulator and sonic the hedghog on an old Nokia 6660 with Symbian OS.
Alert a moderator
richiethej
September 15th 2009
8. I've got my hands on this beast and the camera is amazing. I thought colours and contrast were much incredible - surprised at example image in this article. Best of all it runs my favourite iPhone-like app service Snaptu perfectly. I needed to knock out the Virtual keypad in the application manager to get the full screen beauty!
Alert a moderator
deadmeat
September 15th 2009
7. Oh and one more thing. Quote: Oh, we know what you're going to say. "Who needs a 12MP camera on a phone? Nobody needs one that good".
If you over heard anyone actually say the words "oh no the camera on that phone is too good, i want a less good one", what would you be thinking?
Same as ; )
Alert a moderator
deadmeat
September 15th 2009
6. Honestly, the comments i read on here are becoming more and more YouTubesque (read retarded) as time goes on!
IT'S GOT A 12MP CAMERA ON IT YOU FOOLS!
People who buy a phone purely for th apps are geeks with no life, simple! A good quality camera packed into a quality phone with internet is a tool for people WITH a life. Nuff said.
Now that's my rant over with, all you Apple *****s can get back to your grinder app.
Alert a moderator
husela
June 18th 2009
5. I can hardly wait for this phone to come out, finally Sony Ericsson have come through trumps up! Besides the ridiculously good quality camera resolution, I love the many features it offers with media/internet applications & a quality mobile phone integrated all in one. Plus the way you can glide through applications & utilize the keyboard without having to have surgery to make your fingers smaller, is just awesome. iPhone was yesterday, the Idou/Satio is the future!!
Alert a moderator
louis058
May 29th 2009
4. It wouldn't rival the iPhone, because the iPhone just has so many apps, and so many great quality games, and plus, the iPhone just looks a lot more sleeker and better, and anyway, the iPhone already has a LOT of reputation
Alert a moderator
awire
May 29th 2009
3. Yeah the iPhone has a QWERTY keyboard. but you can't txt horizontaly. I think that for the Satio to be a real contender, there need to be apps and the touch screen needs to be on par with the iPhone. My biggest jibe with the iPhone is the inability to transfer files over bluetooth. and the ability to set your own ringtone (easily) and message tone. If the sasio has everything else i may defect!
Alert a moderator
ash32
May 29th 2009
2. Intersting - but I have an Iphone (firmware 2.2.1) and the keyboard for texting is QWERTY. I think its always been QWERTY.
Alert a moderator
gandharva81
May 29th 2009
1. Wow, it seems just like a keyboard.
i think it is just like mini computer palmtop, Good.
Both are different iPhone is iPhone and Sony Erickson is now going that direction.
Thanx
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments