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The Sony Ericsson Satio was arguably the most hyped phone at Mobile World Congress. Known initially as the Idou, its multimedia powers were obviously aimed squarely at the iPhone and the slew of now unleashed Google Android phones. So, can this all–rounder win out and become the go to smartphone of 2009? Read our full Sony Ericsson Satio review now and find out.
Grab the Sony Ericsson Satio and immediately you’ll be struck by just how much it feels like a compact camera. For a kick off, the sliding lens cover makes it look and feel heftier than its rivals. It may be 13mm deep at its slimmest point, but it’s much chunkier at its thickest point, meaning sliding it into your pocket is a far from cosy experience.
However, slip back that cover and you’ll find the finest ever camera we’ve ever seen shoehorned into a mobile phone. The 12MP sensor on the Sony Ericsson Satio helps produce stunning shots, and coupled with a Xenon flash, means it works incredibly well in a dark and dank boozer. That’s not to say that pics don’t lack noise. Use it in really dark places, and snaps do appear grainy and, well, like they’ve been taken on a mobile.
And therein lies a major issue with the Sony Ericsson Satio. It may have a mighty megapixel count, but it’s still lacking the clarity, not to mention the optical zoom, that can put it head to head with proper compact cameras. Our pictures might have proved to be good quality in bright sunlight, but compared to those taken on our ageing 8MP Casio Exilim EX-Z850, they didn’t stack up, especially as the light began to fade.
Read our Sony Ericsson W995 review now
That said, compared to rival mobiles, it’s a cut above in the camera stakes. The touchscreen, meanwhile, leaves a lot to be desired. If anything, it feels worse than those on early efforts by LG and Samsung. There’re no light touches here. You really have to prod and probe to get the Satio going.
The software underneath doesn’t help either. Symbian S60 simply doesn’t lend itself to touchscreen phones, and Sony Ericsson’s UI is little help. The Satio’s menus are very confusing. Access to the main menu is via the central bottom button. However, it’s not at all obvious to the eye. Likewise, simple settings such as setting an alarm are buried under a heap of sub-menus. In an age when Android and the iPhone make using gadgets easy, the Sony Ericsson Satio is left miles behind.
There are also myriad build issues. The Sony Ericsson Satio feels cheap to the touch and very plasticky, despite being a premium phone. On top of that Sony Ericsson has once again seen fit to omit a 3.5mm jack. At a time when other manufacturers are finally seeing the light on universal headphones, this is a huge miss, even if you can use the new MH907 buds instead.
Sadly, the hype around the Sony Ericsson Satio is just that. This is a chunky phone which lets itself down with poor build quality, an average UI and a lack of a 3.5mm jack. Sure, the feature list, including GPS, Wi–Fi, HSDPA and gesture control reads well, but in practice the hardware is simply not up to the job.
[...] Link: Sony Ericsson Satio review | Electricpig [...]
Huh?
It is the SH*T!
I have been following the blog blogs.sonyericsson.com/satio to get all info I could and I find the phone to be a monster! This review goes against the rest I must say.
Hey Darko. Not wanting to throw accusations around, but as it’s part of sonyericsson.com I’d expect those blogs to be mostly positive. We gave the Satio a thorough going over, and as we say above: it’s got its good points, but there’re still too many rough edges. My own personal gripe is typing texts messages is an absolute no-no. The on-screen keyboard is awful. In the end, I just started phoning people instead of texting back.
Oh well.. guess I’ll wait for the XPERIA X2. Sony Ericsson seem to be making lots of fugly phones of late, obviously the X1 and X1 being big exceptions.. perhaps time for SE to have a phone design competition.
I’d say the X3 looks like the major exception. Sony Ericsson’s leaked version of Android looks beautiful: http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/07/09/sony-ericsson-android-rachael-ui-revealed/
I agree with this review. The omission of the 3.5mm jack is very difficult to overlook as well as the immensely ugly propitiatory charger connection. Nokia got it right by moving to the miniUSB connection for charging and PC hookups. I like the Nokia X6 over the Satio.
[...] View original post here: Sony Ericsson Satio review | Electricpig [...]
…and I was really looking forward to this phone as well. This review makes me sad
Me too. I had a play with it for ages and really wanted it to be ace. That’s not to say it’s lacking in features: it’s just the execution is poor. I really hope the Xperia X3 with Android is better.
I suspected this would be the case when I tried it back in May. I only hope Sony Ericsson has the sense to put a capacitive touchscreen in the Xperia X3 with Android.
I’ve been waiting for a decent alternative to the iPhone for ages and I am absolutely loving this phone. The comment about the extra bulk for example is nonsense ! The iPhone is a little wider, the Satio is a little chunkier, swings and roundabouts.
Things are different on this phone, that doesn’t mean worse. Scrolling on the iPhone suits some and not others. Some will like the scrolling on the Satio, some won’t, personally, I don’t mind it – it scrolls opposite to the iPhone – i.e. it scrolls in the direction you drag your finger as opposed to “Rolladex” scrolling. I barely touch the screen and it responds, why some of you are harping on aboit responsiveness is beyond me. I tried to see how softly I would need to touch the screen before it responded and you got to use a touch the weight of a greenfly for the phone not to respond.
Internet speeds are fast on wifi or the mobile network, I think people are finding faults for the sake of it. For what this phone can do compared to its rivals its a no brainer. You can setup the desktop and favourites so everything you want is one press away, for someone like me who doesn’t like to follow the herd, this phone is certainly NOT a step down.
[...] up? Then you’re in luck, because Vodafone has just confirmed that the Sony Ericsson Satio and the HTC Tattoo are both up for grabs from today. On top of that, punters can also get a taste [...]
Just awful to know that a huge company like that had the uncommon sense to leave out a few things you have mentioned , and to fail where it matters . My Samsung i8910 seems to be light years ahead
[...] 2] Here’s another review from the UK’s electricpig website. They say: Sadly, the hype around the Sony Ericsson Satio is just that. This is a chunky phone [...]
I’m not being funny but this review is a load of absolute TOSH. I got the phone on the 12th October and I’ve been using it a lot, the reviewer is talking rubbish.
For example, setting an alarm is a 2 step affair. Click the time, then click New Alarm. how more simply do you want it ?? I’m pretty sure the iPhone takes more steps to set an alarm.
If you move to a new phone with the mindset of previous/other phones then of course unfamiliarity will play a part. If you are a PC user and you move to a MAC you will be frustrated because things are “different” until you gwet familiar, then the benefits come through.
So what that there is no 3.5mm jack, use the adaptor that comes with the phone. Unless you have hands like a baboon you don’t need to press the screen hard at all.
This review is a complete waste of time, its totally biased and its clear the reviewer hasn’t tested the released phone properly, if he/she had they would know what they were talking about.
1 star for your review.
Hi Kevin
Cheers for your comments. I spent around a month with the Satio and I’m afraid it just didn’t cut it for me. My comment about the alarm is more an indictment of S60 on a touch device. For me, it’s something the N97 also suffers from. The UI just cannot compare with the likes of the iPhone, HTC Sense or Moto Blur. It’s a real perk of my job that I get to change phones a lot, but the Satio was one of the most unintuitive I’ve ever switched to. OS’s are so important these days and it just didn’t measure up and took far longer to learn than its competitors.
As for the lack of a 3.5mm jack, I think this is an issue SE desperately needs to address. Not having one is hampering the size of its phones. In these days of universal chargers and standard headphones, gadgets like this shouldn’t need adapters.
As for the touchscreen, a phone of this stature should have a better effort. Messaging was a total nightmare and compared poorly with the Magic and iPhone, which I have also used extensively.
Cheers for your comments. We always love to hear readers opinions. Hope the Satio works out better for you than it did for me.
Thanks
Joe
No problem Joe. But again I have to take issue with your comments.
1) I understand the benefit of having a 3.5mm jack, but you can’t say the SE plug is hampering the phone’s size – clearly the reason for the extra bulk is the camera. I’ve had numerous SE phones open and the connector for the charger is not the reason for bulk, the size of the connector itself is very small. You say its an issue that seriously needs to be addressed, as if to say its a reason not to get the phone. I fail to see how. Its a minor inconvenience. The iPhone doesn’t have a flash, now thats a big issue that needs to be addressed so are the quality of photos which come from blur central ! One is an omission (no flash) and the other is a compromise (using an adaptor for headphones) surely an omission is worse than a compromise.
2) You say messaging was a total nightmare, I fail to see how. What did you not like about it’s messaging ? I’ve used all 4 forms of input and only the handwriting recognition was a little sluggish. I’ve got an iPhone next to me and save for the word suggestions using the full QWERTY keyboard there is very little difference. How could messaging be a nightmare ???
3) The desktop can be configured to be all things for all people. I have absolutely no problem with the UI, like I said, if you move from a PC to a mac you will hate the mac UI and vice versa, I just feel you exaggerated things far too much in your review and have painted an unfair picture of the phone. Its NOT an iPhone and I’m fed up of people assuming that the way the iPhone does things is the way everyone else should do things ! I We want choice not a plethora of devices that all look and feel the same.
Each to their own for sure and we are all entitled to our opinions but some comments will be taken by others and opinions will be formed incorrectly in my opinion. All the reviews I read before getting the phone spoke of similar complaints, on pre-production models, had I believed these comments I wouldn’t have bought the phone, but I am very glad that I did.
Hi. I’ve just read your comments after ordering a Satio. I must admit I have been debating over which phone to get for about a week (main contenders being Satio, Hero, iPhone, Omnia). I read the comments above and wondered if I’d made an awful mistake…. I currently have a N95 8GB which has been a love hate relationship. Prior to that I’d had a couple of Sony Ericsson’s which I’d loved and had hated parting with, hence leaning towards the Satio now. I have watched numerous online video’s of the Satio in action and have not seen any great issues other than the web browsing… Kevin, how do you find it for browsing??? I mainly use my phone for texting, calling (surprisingly!) and taking pictures. My final choice on the phone came down to the camera. Most people say a phone is a phone and if you want a camera then get a digital camera – fair enough but I always have my phone on me and rarely have a camera. Some of the best pictures I have are from the little 5MP camera on my N95 so there was no way I was going to give up that feature. This in turn kicked the Hero and iPhone out of the equation for me. The Omnia looks good on paper but really didn’t ‘do it’ for me – everyone I know has an iPhone or Samsung and I really don’t want to be like everyone else. I have no issues about the Satio not having the 3.5mm jack as I doubt I’d ever use it (I have an iPod touch for music/apps). Kevin I’m really thankful for your response above giving positive comments on the Satio as it’s made me a little more at ease with my decision. I’d like to think I’m unique and quirky and like my technology to be the same…. I’m hoping the Satio lives up to my hopes… in a good way of course!
Hi Joe,
Thanks for the review. However, I just thought I should add my two cents worth along with Kevin regarding a couple of things. I have had my Satia for a few days now and am loving it. It is taking some getting used to the touch screen having never used a phone with one before but once you get used to it it’s pretty easy and although I did have one or two issues with it’s responsiveness at first that was really down to my inexperience with it and I am now finding it perfectly fine. I guess it’s not as swish as the iPhone but that really isn’t for me and as the camera was very important to me the simple fact is that the iPhone just doesn’t cut it in that respect.
Like Kevin I am a little confused with your comments about the messaging and alarms. The messaging I have found to be very easy and have not had any problems with it at all other than getting used to the differences between texting on a Sony as opposed to a Nokia that I am so used to using. Like Kevin said the alarms are simple to set once you are aware of the shortcuts that are available.
The issue of the 3.5mm jack is one that initially I was disappointed with and although it would be better to have that I must say that in reality it hasn’t made much of a difference to me so far. The bigger thing for me is that I would have preferred the connection on the top rather than the side of the phone.
It’s still early days for me with the Satia but so far so good and I am certainly not regretting my decision to go for it.
Peter
Hi Staria, you sound like me. I don’t like to follow the herd also, thats why I’ve been waiting for an alternative to Blackberrys and iPhones. I hate windows Mobile and I wanted a great camera.
Like you the camera for me was very important because I like to take impromptu pictures so having a phone with a decent camera was at the forefront of my thoughts. for al lthe great things the iPhone can do, taking pictures is not one of them.
I had the K850i previously andmost recently I had the C902 Sony Ericsson phones, the latter not having the Xenon flash meant picture quality in the dark was not good.
For other media (music/video) I wasn’t that fussed, I usually ride a motorbike everywhere so listeningto music or watching videos wasn’t a priority, a good internet browser would be handy though.
Sony’s Walkman phones are very good so I hear from my brothers and from what I’ve read Sony took the best of the walkman phones and put it in the Satio. I have used the web browser quite a bit and using wifi and 3G/HSPDA (whatever it is called) web browsing is quick with full websites being displayed. I personally am not interested in getting apps, I don’t have time to faff about on phones, If I’m home I have a million things to do and if I am out and about I am socialising. So for me apps have no real value. If I need any info on the fly I can just jump on the web and get it quickly enough.
You will love the phone, first and foremost its a phone, with a fantastic camera and great web browsing. I’m yet to see what the iPhone can do that is better than the Satio. The iPhone may have a great interface, but ultimately its a great phone with a rubbish camera.
Hi. Thanks for the reply. I’ve had my phone 4/5 days now. I got the evening before I went away which was great as I got chance to really play with the camera and web browser. I really think I made the right choice. The phone is incredible. I’ve had no issues whatsoever (web browsing full sites, no lag or delays, handwriting recognition is great and really quick). Over two days I took approx 180 photographs (half 9MP and half 12MP). I also took a few videos. The camera was really unexpected in that it worked so much better than I thought. It excelled and totally out performed my partners 12MP HD digi camera on close ups, although his camera was slightly better on landscape shots. I’m really happy with my choice, and although the battery didn’t fair too well while I was away taking hundreds of photo’s, since being back home in my normal routine it’s been great – I reckon it’ll only need charging every other day.
Anyone thinking of buying the Satio I say go for it before it becomes too popular and mainstream – and going by the marketing Sony Ericsson is giving the Satio it won’t be long before eveyone wants one…
I dont nomally comment on blogs and reviews, but like others here I just had to comment on this one. I dont mean to sound harsh, but the author of this review needs to take up a new Proffesion. This review is utter nonsense. I have been testing this handset for the past two months and it is an absoulte joy to use. Every feature performs perfectly and the phone is Very user friendly – text input is very very easy and works very very well, one of the best on a touch screen device. Yes it is a little big, but no where near the size of the iPhone. The lack of a 3.5 jack is a good thing – its so you can use the connecter to control calls at the same time as using your own choice of headphones! Although the headphones that come with the phone are good anyway. The camera is out of this world. The only flaw is it is a little big for my liking, but then arent ALL touch screens! and of course again there is a valid reason, and its nothing to do with the camera – its for viewing movies and other media! I suggest you get yourself a new job, maybe stacking shelfs or something, as you certainly know nothing about mobile phones.
All touchscreen phones are big? Try telling the HTC Tattoo and HD2 that, they might have something to say – one is disgustingly small, the other disgustingly thin http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/11/02/htc-hd2-unboxed/
No – they are both still big when compared to some non – touch screen phones.
The HD2 certainly isn’t – it’s just one of the thinnest smartphones we’ve ever tested. Unless you’re comparing it to a Motorola RAZR but that’s not exactly apples with apples. And frankly more screen space is a boon.
I was not refering to how thin a device is?? Touch screen devices in general are just not very “Pocket Friendly”.
I do agree with you there – you’re forever making sure the keys go in the other pocket!
i must admit, this review is wrong.
my brothers gf has one and it doesn’t feel “cheap” or “plasticy” at all.
the camera works well in the dark, but what they have to remember is, it is a phone not a proper camera. the UI is easy to use if you understand sony ericsson and the OS is really good too. i think sony have done a good job here, while not as easy as HTC or Iphone it does the job well. still shocked about no 3.5mm jack but i suppose thats one thing they didn’t think that important.
as an overall i’d give this phone 8/10 lacks in some area’s but overall it’s a good phone.
this is the only review i have seem that actually slates the satio. and i’ve read quite a few. this isn’t a true review in my eyes, its just some guy that doesn’t like sony ericsson.
I’ve handled the Satio, and I do think it feels cheap, I have to say. Compared to the HTC Heros, iPhones and BlackBerry 9700s of this world, I think Joe is spot on when he says it’s plasticky. But I take solace in just how nice the upcoming Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 feels. I’m interested to see what the Kurara follow up to the Satio will be like, it should fix a lot of the problems with the Satio.
[...] Sony Ericsson Satio has been recalled by both Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U after high levels of returns. Punters are [...]
[...] a Sony Ericsson Satio? Then you need to be fully up to speed with today’s news that the top-end 12 megapixel blower [...]
I agree with some of the reviews, but not overall. I guess it’s just a matter of preferences.
First of all, I’m loving my Satio.
Camera – The camera is by far the best camera phone I’ve had.
Messaging – For messaging, I actually think this is better than iPhone. The resistive touch screen is good for texting. I usually make mistakes while typing on my iPhone compared to this. And the soft vibration per keypress is very reassuring.
Music – Good, but not great. The 3.5mm jack that everyone talks about doesn’t bother me at all. I have an adapter and it works great with my skullcandy.
UI – is average. Design is nice and shortcuts/apps/tools are customizable. What I don’t like about it is file management. I just use a separate app to fix this.
Apps – well there are a lot of apps for satio, N5600 apps work on it too, you’ll have to look for it though since Play Now has only few. If you’re an App guy, i recommend iPhone.
Internet – is good. I use Opera.
what else.. hmmmm.. The thing I hate most about My Satio is probably the battery life. Well, for a full touchscreen multimedia phone what do I expect, right? Still, could’ve been better.
And for all the recall, software problem, freeze, restarts, or bugs I read on the net.. I don’t know why, but mine doesn’t seem to have any problems so far. And I hope it stays that way.
Bottom line: There’s no such thing as a perfect phone, but there’s a phone that suits you. And this phone suits me. Music for a party, quick pictures on events, then upload directly to the internet.
Again, I love my Satio. =]
Thanks for the feedback Sam, and long may your Satio love-in continue!
Hear hear!
I hope so.. =]
On a side note, will you be reviewing X10 too? Looking forward to it.
Rest assured we will be Sam. However, we don’t expect final review units until the new year at the earliest. In the meantime, check out our extensive previews: http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/11/03/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-android-phone-unleashed/ http://www.electricpig.co.uk/2009/11/03/sony-ericsson-xperia-x10-hands-on-photofest/
Cheers!
Ben
theres no pooint even talking bout it anyway :/ its a complete flop!!! there alll F*cked up freezing all the timeeee making calls when theyre not meant too! SE neeed to fix dat sh*t up!
[...] Read our Sony Ericsson Satio review now The Sony Ericsson W205 is also a regression from the steps Sony Ericsson has made towards common sense of late. Is there a 3.5mm audio port on this music mobile? Nope. Is there a microSD slot for storing tunes? Nope, we’re back with Sony’s limited Memory Stick Micro format. [...]
[...] Ericsson Satio When it arrived as the Idou at Mobile World Congress, everyone hailed the Sony Ericsson Satio as the ultimate camera phone. And while its 12 megapixel sensor is top, its recent recall owing to [...]
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