Comments on: Sony Ericsson k800i on Vodafone review

By: Panashe

Panashe — Tue, 26 Feb 2008 20:54:27 +0000

This is a cool blog, the coolest I’ve seen on this phone! My question is, David, is this phone still up there after 2 years or so on the market? What I mean is are the functions and features of this phone at par with the new phones coming now, would it be advisable for me to get the phone now? Thanks a bunch.

David says:
The mobile market is a rapidly changing environment and usually I find phones to be superseded in 6 to 12 months.
The K800i is however a very strong phone even today.
You can also evaluate the minor upgrades like the K810i and the K850i but the K800i will likely be dirty cheap by now.
In the last 10 years I have religiously been upgrading my phone 1-2 times per year but I have not found any major reason to upgrade from the K800i.
One thing I am missing on the K800i is native GPS and for this reason I am currently looking for a good value Nokia N82. This would be my first move away from SonyEricsson in many years and frankly I am a bit nervous about it 😉
Let us know what phone you decide on!

By: John

John — Fri, 15 Feb 2008 01:11:40 +0000

Thanks for the advice, John! I’ll try to get someone to do the unlocking with brute force. Until then, I’ll try calling the Vodafone reps and see if I run into someone really nice, like you! =))

By: Johm

Johm — Thu, 31 Jan 2008 09:37:31 +0000

Hi David! I bought a K800i in December 2008 from Vodafone. Is there any way to get it unlocked from the Vodafone people without paying the GBP15-20? I mean, I was only in the UK for about a month and there should be some reason that can convince them (Vodafone customer care people) that I don’t need to pay a huge price for unlocking the handset. Thanks!

David says:
Are you still in the UK? A back alley electronics shop can often unlock a SonyEricsson mobile phone for GBP5-15.
The operators subsidise the mobile phones (I get a free upgrade once a year) so I understand they have to protect their income somehow.
You can keep calling back until you get a “nicer” customer representative but if you got the mobile phone for free or for nearly free don’t expect them to unlock it for you.

By: zack

zack — Sat, 19 Jan 2008 09:40:00 +0000

hey umm how do i get the code can u send it to me on hotmail plz

David says:
Only the operator can provide you the unlocking code for your SonyEricsson mobile phone and should do this for free. Give them a call!

By: Newton

Newton — Thu, 17 Jan 2008 13:25:30 +0000

Hi David, i recently purchased a SE K800i phone on the PAYG plan. i have no idea if the phone is locked..normally they are on contract phones..after i received delivery of the phone..i was a bit disappointed to find out that all icons on this phone have been locked to fit Vodafone style..even if i changed themes..the same annoying icons appear..Is there any way through which i can reset to the original SEK800i settings.. Pls let me know asap as i'm really frustrated on buying it.. but i like the phone..but just don't seem to like the Vodafone locked interface.

David says: I have used the debranding service provided by DavinciTeam but if you are not comfortable doing firmware updates to your phone yourself a high street "unlocking" shop should be able to do the debranding as well.

By: Alex

Alex — Tue, 04 Dec 2007 15:34:27 +0000

I don’t have problems with my K800i only one problem i cant use my application or my games but the first time i have that problem i fix it by myself but i don’t know how i cant remember but tell me what i must do and only have one problem my phone was restart by himself but the was to warm that’s why but i never have problems with my K800i i think k800i is better then the N73 battery wise and picture wise and sound sony is the best sony has that clear sound and my cyber-shot is fast i like that no problems reply

By: dhwalin

dhwalin — Wed, 21 Nov 2007 15:48:40 +0000

i want to SIM free my mobile sony ericsson w880i.

By: Sathish

Sathish — Sun, 04 Nov 2007 05:39:53 +0000

hello i bought K800i from UK, at present i m india, i m not able to use the Indian simcards in that, “PLEASE INSERT CORRECT SIM” this is the display i am seeing. pls let me know whaat is the problem and how would i rectify it.

David says:
Obviously the phone is locked to a specific operator here in the UK (Vodafone, O2, Orange or such). If you were not aware of this complain to the seller!
If the phone is older than 1 year the original network will be able to provide the unlocking code for free.

By: zakwan

zakwan — Sun, 16 Sep 2007 11:58:14 +0000

i want to firmware for sonyericsson k800

By: Gerry

Gerry — Mon, 10 Sep 2007 09:52:50 +0000

Good morning and thanks for this review.
I have just bought a Vodafone-branded K800 in Belgium and found that it has the Vodafone-Live function so entrenched that I can’t seem to get through to the internet using another provider – notably the provider I have my mobile subscription with (in Belgium, phones are sold without SIM-lock).
I already downloaded the WAP settings from SE’s website, but the only option I seem to have to go to the Internet is (still) via the Vodafone-Live entry in the main menu. Do you have any idea what I can sort that one out?
Thanks a lot!
Gerry