Sony Ericsson Satio withdrawn: Everything you need to know

Update: T-Mobile has contacted us with the following statement about its Sony Ericsson Satio. “The software on the SE Satio handset is the first/launch version.  As with many new devices, software is improved over time based on customer feedback.

“Sony Ericsson has committed to address the issues in the next software release, expected in two-three weeks.  This will be available to download from Sony Ericsson’s website – and a link will be provided on the T-Mobile website.”

Got a Sony Ericsson Satio? Then you need to be fully up to speed with today’s news that the top-end 12 megapixel blower has been withdrawn by both Carphone Warehouse and Phones4U. We’ve got all the latest from the major players, telling you what to do, whether your phone is already suffering and what you should do if it isn’t.

What’s the problem?
At the moment, Sony Ericsson isn’t being more specific than a “software fault”. That could mean its having issues with the version of Symbian S60 the Satio runs.

In a statement issued to us, Sony Ericsson said, “Sony Ericsson confirms that it has been made aware that a small number of consumers have experienced software issues with its Satio handset when using certain applications. Carphone Warehouse and Phones 4u have temporarily removed the handset from sale to ensure that future customers do not have an adverse experience. Sony Ericsson is giving this matter its utmost priority and is working toward solving it as soon as possible. ” It did not issue any details on what’s actually wrong with the cell.

Carphone Warehouse told us that, “We want customers to have complete confidence and satisfaction in the handsets they buy from us, which is why we have temporarily withdrawn the Sony Ericsson Satio from sale.” Similarly, Phones4U said, “We’re working very closely with Sony Ericsson to resolve these issues as soon as possible. In the meantime, customers who report a fault with their Satio handset will be offered a non like-for-like exchange.”

So what should I do?
If your Sony Ericsson Satio has stopped working, take it to the place you bought it, whether that’s Phones4U or Carphone Warehouse, and go from there. Carphone Warehouse has told us that if yours is broken, you should take it to them straight away. “We will offer any customer who returns a faulty Satio an exchange of phone,” a spokesman told us.

What are the networks saying?
We got on the blower to Vodafone to see what it had to say about the Sony Ericsson Satio withdrawal. A spokesman told us, “The version of the Sony Ericsson Satio that we range includes Vodafone software that we’ve tested specifically. The version that CPW has is different to the version that we sell our customers directly. With any device that goes out to market we experience a proportion of returns, but the returns we’ve seen on the Vodafone version of the Satio are not at the point where we would recall the device.

“We’re monitoring the situation closely, but the device is still available to buy for Vodafone customers. If we identify that there is a clear issue with the software, one that’s happening again and again, we would take necessary steps. But we’ve no reason to recall the Sony Ericsson Satio.”

Likewise, Orange says it’s continuing to sell the Satio. A spokesman from Orange told us it had, “Its own unique software build on the Orange branded variant, which is optimised for our network and which went through a significant period of testing prior to launch.” However, Orange also says it’s keeping a close eye on the situation.

We’re still waiting on responses from both 3 and T-Mobile.

Sony Ericsson Satio withdrawn by mobile sellers

When will the Sony Ericsson Satio be back on sale?
Neither Carphone Warehouse or Phones4U have said when the Sony Ericsson Satio will return to their shelves. All Carphone Warehouse could tell us was that, “We are working closely with Sony Ericsson to restock the Satio phone as soon as possible.” So if you were planing on buying one from there, you may have a wait on your hands.

Are you experiencing problems with your Sony Ericsson Satio? Can you shed light on the “software fault” the touchscreen titan is suffering? Be sure to tell us now.