Update: read our Vivaz review (the successor to the Satio).
Sony Ericsson has finally launched the Satio, the phone it showed off back in February under the guise of Idou, packing the best of all its brands into one phone. But can the sheer range of gadgetry and a new OS be enough to lure customers back to the brand?
Not content with being leaders in cameraphone and multimedia technology, Sony Ericsson has decided to put the two Walkman and Cybershot brands together in the new Satio. This means an industry-leading camera, a full range of multimedia playback options and it's based on Symbian S60 5th edition to boot.
The overall feel of the handset is odd. Thanks to the sheer range of camera-related gadgetry on board the rear of the phone has a massive camera section bolted to the back, which makes it a little chunky.
- Also read: 15 best mobile phones in the world today
But weirdly the phone didn't feel heavy at all – in fact we thought the battery needed to be put in, it was so light, but the power pack was snugly under the cover, so this is pretty impressive.
The Satio feels OK in the hand – it's not snug, but the 3.5-inch touchscreen (although sadly resistive rather than capacitive) is well positioned, and most of the functions are within a thumb's reach.
The front of the phone is very minimal – it's got a call, hang up and menu key, and that's about it. We would have quite liked to see a cancel/back button too, but that obviously wasn't on Sony Ericsson's agenda with the new Symbian OS it's packing.
There is a front facing video camera on there too for all that video calling fun everyone has these days, but it's down the sides of the phone where the button frenzy really begins.
On the left-hand side is the slider for unlocking the phone (which is in just about the right place for most hands), the standard Sony Ericsson port for USB connection, charging and headphone connection (boo!). Below that lives the microSD slot, which is covered by a nice hinged flap.
Over on the right side of the phone we get the camera controls, with the zoom buttons doubling as the volume up/down keys, despite having the 'proper' zoom icons on.
Below this is the photograph playback key, allowing quick access to your snaps in both camera mode and standby. There's also a video/camera swap hard key as well, which we're trying to work out if it has another function in other applications. It appears not to.
And below that is the stylishly hewn shutter for the camera. This side of the phone is well put together, laid out in the right manner and given the Satio's penchant for touch operation, a welcome addition.
On the back we've already mentioned the massive camera section, and while the cover might be massive it still has a really pleasing action to it, uncovering the decent lens underneath.
It's not the most wieldy of phones, we'll admit, but given the sheer amount of technology under the hood we're happy to say this is pretty much the best job Sony Ericsson could have done.
In the box
The Satio is being tipped as a multimedia device, and to that end the box is filled with audio and visual goodies. We've already pointed out how very, very disappointed we are there's no 3.5mm headphone jack on the Satio, but Sony Ericsson has tried to temper that problem with a variety of headphone options in the box.
The connector also comes with a music controller, which works pretty well for both media and as a hands free unit. The bundled buds are of a slightly better quality than the usual pin-thick ones Sony Ericsson puts in the box, but we quickly changed these to some better options.
However, if you do want to use them, there's a variety of ear buds to fit your ears, which we liked.
Video-wise, Sony Ericsson wants you to see the Satio as more of a multimedia hub, and to that end has popped a video out cable in the box (and a pretty rugged, rubberised one at that). It connects using the standard port on the side, and allows you to pump whatever you want to the TV from the phone.
Beyond that, there's a charger, a USB cable and a stylus – you might as well have this if you're using a resistive screen, and handwriting recognition works better with it.
And there's no installation CD in the box – Sony Ericsson has placed that on the phone in the bundled 8GB microSD card. We like this idea a lot, as it just simplifies the process, so well done to SE.
Your comments (26) Click to add a new comment
raj_chiks
January 21st
26. i am sale my sony erricsson sation only 17000 Indian Rs. any one wanna like and purchase this mobile please contact me my mobile no. is +91-9718378990, +91-9312679075 and my e-mail id is raj_chiks@yahoo.co.in, raj.chiks@gmail.com
Alert a moderator
raj_chiks
January 21st
25. i am sale my sony erricsson sation only 17000 Indian Rs. any one wanna like and purchase this mobile please contact me my mobile no. is +91-9718378990, +91-9312679075
Alert a moderator
resis
September 23rd 2010
24. My wife had the Satio for the last few months - it was quite the worst mobile I've ever used (she hated it at the end) - buggy to the point of uselessness, slow, laggy - it wouldn't even take a picture until Orange had removed it's own software off it! Truly awful - have got her an HTC Wildfire - my what a difference! Fast, responsive, intuitive - a brilliant little phone. Who ares if the camera is inferior, I'll take a working camera phone over a non-working one anyday.....
Alert a moderator
hlt
July 14th 2010
23. I juz love Satio too, after second update which I got 6 months ago it is brilliant, i am so happy with the phone,touch is totally fine, I'd recommend ppl to buy it as it is the best camera phone of 2009(http://www.3g.co.uk/PR/Nov2009/Sony-Ericsson-Satio-Wins-Award-3G.html)
Its battery life is good,but I saw some people don't know how to use it LOL....the touch is kool when u touch with ur nail and d top,smaller surface of your finger, cos you can't touch it like iphone as it is based on Symbian OS. Well done SE for dis phone.
Alert a moderator
92394566
May 31st 2010
22. Well, i got the Satio about 8 months ago. At first I loved it. It had everything I wanted in a mobile phone. There were no problems with it, very easy to use, but soon it started to play up a little. I found the internet very slow, the camera is immence though, the bottons dont always respond and have to be pressed a few times, the touchscreen isnt very accurate, and when pressing the media icon, the internet almost always starts up instead costing me quite alot of money. It scratches very easily and the wireless internet and radio etc functions arent very good at all. I am on a 24 month contract, but I dont think I can wait that long to get a new phone. I and getting very annoyed with it, and would give it 2/10. Its redeeming factors are that it is very light, the camera is brilliant, and the memory is very, very good.
I don't recommend buying it. Go for the htc desire. Brilliant phone. The only thing I envy from my sister.
Alert a moderator
thomson78
May 21st 2010
21. Nice post and quite informative. I am quite happy with its 12.1 megapixels cameras and other connectivity features like Wi-Fi, HSDPA for a precise and fast upload and download speeds and Bluetooth. I would like to know further that how much it’s SIM free version of this phone would cost me. I have browsed some website like fones.com which were offering me the sim free Sony Ericsson Satio £476.32. Can anybody suggest me a deal better than this? I travel a lot, so rooming is always a factor that cannot be ignored by me. So, if possible also suggest me is there any other plan better the sim free version.
Alert a moderator
paulquigley21
February 10th 2010
20. I've had a Satio for about 3 months now. Originally sent back and exchanged after 1 week as screen kept freezing, but new phone is working perfectly! I think the Satio is the best phone I've had, the touch screen is spot on, don't know what some of you are complaining about there! An 8gig memory card supplied - tree-men-dusss. A 12.1mp camera, excellent, although, this my only complaint with the Satio is there is no optical zoom so if you are using the zoom feature to it's fullest extent, the images become very pixle-ated. (Don't know if that's spelt correctly, sorry!)
I would fully reccomend this phone to anyone and everyone!!!
Alert a moderator
fcunited
February 8th 2010
19. After 5 days of this phone it went back to orange.
The audio on video recordings was non existant, even after a replacement. The loud speaker was not worth being called a loud speak.
Picture quality was awesome, but they let it down with the audio recording on the video and the loud speaker. Very poor on that front IMO, very poor.
Alert a moderator
kazoo
February 3rd 2010
18. Hii Thanks You ADMİN..
http://www.temaindir.in
Alert a moderator
maclarkson
January 17th 2010
17. The More and More I use this phone the more and more I hate it. Why?
Simple things:
- You cannot add a phone number that is not a mobile phone number for example a home number. So it means that whenever you want send a text it will bring up all of the contact numbers for the person, for you to have to choose from.
- They put the screen pen at the bottom of the phone right were your hand is.
- The socket for headphones is on the side so it means that when you add the proprietry headset, your phone gains an extra inch in width that you need in your pocket.
- The key unlock button is on the side so you cannot put the phone in a hands free holder because you will not be able to get to the button.
- Charge lasts a day at max and 4 hours if you are listening to MP3.
The OS is slow as!!! hell
Do not buy this phone !!!! you will regret it. The camera may seem like a good idea but its really really not worth it.
SONY PULL YOU FINGER OUT and SORT YOUR PRODUCTS OUT YOU HAVE LOST ME AS A CUSTOMER FOREVER.
Alert a moderator
joey
January 8th 2010
16. Where can i get holD of the MH-100's?
Alert a moderator
malawimullac
January 7th 2010
15. Please do your self a fovour and stay clear of this Phone. I have been told by both Vodafone ( who say my problens are Sony Ericsson's problems on a 1 week old phone) and Sony Ericsson that " we know there is a problem with the Satio". Need I say more. I also agree with the other coments posted. The software regulary freezes (not solved by Sony Ericsson updates) the touch screen appears to decide how sensitive it is going to be at any particular time and the interaction by means of menues are fairly 'figity' and non-flowing.
Sony Ericsson advertise their Playnow/movies site, where you download movies (apparently I get 60 free movies with my phone, Transfer them to your phone and then watch them. The first time you watch one of these movies your phone needs to automatically connect and download a licence. This only needs to be done once as the one licence covers every thing downloaded for a year. Well It does not work and your Satio will be unable to register it'self for this licence. Neither Sony Ericsson customer Services or Vodafone( Who in my case have washed their hands of it ) will be able to help. I would be as well trying to get my goldfish to fix the problem. If the only thing good that comes out of this is that I stop other person going through the same frustration as I am going through at present then this post has been worth it. Prior to buying it I loved the way it was advertised and looked. (P.S. I bought iphones 3GS's for my 2 sons as christmas presents and they are in a different league altogether for the same money or contract. Buy one of them - not a Satio.
Alert a moderator
maclarkson
December 17th 2009
14. If you are looking for a Camera, GPS and Phone and that is all then this phone is for you. However if you are looking for the iphone this is not the iphone. I like everything about this phone other than the following:
1) Battery time last 1.5 days
2) Operating system is slow.
3) The sysmbian software is owned by Nokia this means there it does not have the support for apps as Iphone does. SONY! Make this work with googles OS
4) The location of the pen is in the dumbest place, its right where your hand is.
5) The screen unlock is inconvenient and far better dealt with on the Iphone.
6) The power cord and headphone connector on the side means that you cannot use a car charger on it when in a hands free holder and when you plug your proprietry headphones into it the thing becomes a nightmare to put into your pocket.
7) The over all bulkiness makes this phone very difficult to pocket.
On the plus side is that I have installed garmin onto it and I do not have to pay for GPS services. I have also managed to get it to use the ovi store so that I can now get to some of the Nokia apps.
I like this phone because it does what I needed very well which is take pictures, answer the phone, allow me to browse the internet and use GPS. If it wasn't for the Camera or the fact that you can install Garmin my advice is DO NOT BUY THIS PHONE.
SONY really need to pull their finger out in the way that they develop phones!!! they need to actually use their competitors phones so they can see what they should be producing
Alert a moderator
axup
December 13th 2009
13. WARNING: THIS PRODUCT IS UNDER PRODUCT RECALL IN THE UK
I really loved the reviews of this product, and I went to Phones 4U in Derby to buy one. I was led along through the sale. The word 'recall' was mentioned, though I assumed it was not important as the sales lady pushed on to close the sale. Then they only had one product in stock which couldn't be turned on. She then tried to order one from another store and get me to come back the next day. I declined. I went around the corner to the Orange store, where a sales lady told me they were not allowed to sell this product because they had received 'endless complaints and product returns'. I was told by Orange the software is a mess and the product has been recalled. I love Sony stuff, and I'm really annoyed this product is a mess.
Alert a moderator
endereoc
December 2nd 2009
12. Hi
I've done that part "You need to make sure your Wi-Fi and 3G connections are both ready to work with the internet, and set to do so automatically, else you'll find yourself having to decide on a connection each time you connect." and i still get asked...
Is it a bug or am i missing something ?
Thx
Alert a moderator
hopkinsb
November 28th 2009
11. THIS PHONE IS FAB!! GOOD TOUCH SCREEN, GOOD BATTERY LIFE, CRYSTAL CLEAR HEARING, NICE TOUCH, GOOD CAMERA BEST PHONE I HAVE SEEN IN A LONG TIME. WOULD DEFINATELY RECOMMEND IT. IF YOU GO TO 3 THE PHONE COST 399.00 ON PAY AS YOU GO.
Alert a moderator
sha
November 27th 2009
10. the first handset i received fron T mobile was faulty it wouldnt read my sim or store numbers after 2 days they swapped it for me and i have to say i love it got to admit its a pain u have to change ur contact numbers to +44 or there names dont appear when u receive texts this is ment to be a problem with the T mobile software thou, anyways i love the feel of the phone the camera is fantastic textin is good has a full screen keyboard so no fiddly keys to press thats easier for people with sight problems , even my dad used it and he has trouble textin with most phones seeing the letters appearing, well done sony this phone is awesome
Alert a moderator
darcey
November 20th 2009
9. I have written a review from an owners and users point of view of the phone.
Some major issues.
http://www.allforthecode.co.uk/forum/viewtopic.php?f=97&t=401
Alert a moderator
sasha
November 18th 2009
8. This review rounds up nicely how bat the phone is. So why is it so high rated then? Judging by the specs and reviews, Pixon 12 is a better phone! Yet, it got a lot lower rating?! I was about to return my Satio and go for Pixon, but you have confused me now!!!
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments