Review: Sony Ericsson K530i

Sony Ericsson K530i Review

Phone rating:

In a nutshell: A lightweight 3G phone with a classic design, user-friendly keypad and a good range of features, including a 2 megapixel camera, a music player, an FM radio, and a memory card slot.

The Sony Ericsson K530i is an attractive mid-range 3G phone available in a choice of Thunder Black or Warm Silver. The specification and design of the K530i is almost exactly the same as the Sony Ericsson W660i, and so we would refer you to our in-depth review of the W660i to read more. Really the only differences between the K530i and the W660i are that the K530i is not Walkman-branded (but it still has a music player and FM radio) and is missing the MegaBass™ feature.

You may read on the web that the K530i is also the first phone to support Sony Ericsson's new GPS accessory, the HGE-100. The HGE-100 looks like a wired stereo headset, but also incorporates a GPS receiver. This lets you find your current location, monitor your speed, distance, route and calorie burn, and also control the music player on your phone. However, the HGE-100 is compatible with most current Sony Ericssons, including the W660i - not just the K530i.

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Features of the Sony Ericsson K530i include:

• 2 megapixel camera with 2.5x digital zoom
• Video capture, 3G video calling
• Display: TFT, 262,144 colours, 176 x 220 pixels
• Music player: PlayNow™, TrackID™
• FM radio
• Speakerphone
• Sound recorder
• Polyphonic ringtones / Music tones
• Messaging: SMS, MMS, Email
• 3D Java games
• Personal organiser functions
• Internet: WAP 2.0, Access Netfront™ Web browser, RSS feeds
• Connectivity:Bluetooth, USB
• Memory: 16 Mbytes plus Memory Stick Micro support (up to 2 Gbytes)
• Flight mode
• Vibration alert
• Triband (GSM 900 / 1800 / 1900) plus 3G (UMTS 2100)
• Size: 102 x 46 x 14 mm
• Weight: 92g
• Talktime: 3 hours (3G) - 9 hours (2G)
• Battery standby: up to 395 hours

Sony Ericsson K530i Consumer Reviews

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Average rating from 40 reviews:

Reviewed by Ryan Lim from UK on 2nd Jul 2008
Been using this phone for over 4 months. So far, it has been very good. As long you know the limits of this phone: 1) Standby means not touching the phone much. When that is the case, it does live up to the 300++ hrs standby. Normally, you should get a few days unless you use it a hell of alot for calls, text and/or music. 2) Camera has no flash. Hence, low light pictures will be poor. As for greenish photos with indoor lights, try adjusting the white balance in the menu. It worked for me. If you want better photos, then you have to pay more for the K800 or better phones with a real Xenon flash. The camera is however much faster than a typical Nokia phone and has less shutter lag. Pictures in day light is good for 2Mpixel. But don't expect it to replace a standalone digital camera where they will always win hands-down against any phone. The thumbnail browser is very nice and easy to use. 3) Call handup button is also the Web button on my 3 phone. Hence, if the call ended just before I press handup, it calls up the web. A slight irritation, but not really a problem. 4) 3G Sensitivity is perhaps a little poor at times. But I hear is it not too dissimilar on most other 3G network. In all, for the price, a very nice phone. I recommend it.
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Reviewed by simon from england on 1st Jul 2008
why is everyone moaning about this fone its outstanding value for money,whay buy a fone at a cheep price if you want it to be able to do the things a 300 pound fone can do its great easy to use easy to set up and great features.shut up moaning its great!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reviewed by Ryan Aditya Putra from Indonesia on 12th Jun 2008
Have this for a week and everything is fine. Coating of D-pad is easy to scratch so be careful! Yes the back cover seems like doesnt fit there and sometimes causes squeaky sound when you hold the phone tight. Anyway I have flashed mine tO W660i so i cant say enough about the original software of K530i. Walkman and everything work perfect in k530i except of u may loose light effects function in WAlkman.
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Reviewed by Doug from Spain on 6th Jun 2008
Bought three of these for me and the family here in Spain about 5 months ago when I switched from Vodafone to Yoigo. I'm delighted. Best phone I've ever had. Stylish, compact and feature packed. Everything works great. Use mine with a separate GPS unit and various downloaded Java GPS programs for navigation and tracking. Use the music player a lot for music and podcast listening. Radio works well. I've dropped mine maybe 20 times, onto wooden flooring mainly, no sign of damage whatsoever. Use free downloaded 'Opera Mini' Java web browser for the internet. A solid 5 stars from me.
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Reviewed by cindy from usa on 2nd Jun 2008
My fiancee has this phone as of two ago. Love the phone but the book isn't very informative. We are still playing with the phone to figure out stuff. It's still a nice phone though.
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Reviewed by MATTHEW from ENGLAND on 31st May 2008
A MUST HAVE GREAT PHONE GREAT VALUE SUPER BATTRY LIFE EASY TO USE BUT VERY HI TEC... SO GET THIS PHONE THIS IS GREAT VALUE FOR MONEY
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Reviewed by Jo from UK on 28th May 2008
The battery cover does not shift which means impossible to get SIM card out. Hugely frustrating & an intrinsic & very basic design flaw. I will never buy a Sony Ericsson again.
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Reviewed by val from malaysia on 27th May 2008
I have dropped this phone a few times and its still ok. Battery life gets a bit low when using it for things like camera, stopwatch function, radio, etc (lasts for one day). However if just using it generally without any major long calls it lasts about 2 to 2 and a half days. Also I find that if I dont put a screen saver battery lasts longer. It has a few nifty features which I really like like the 5 alarm system. Keypad is seriously fine for me I dont have any problems with it, maybe I have smaller hands. Interface and user friendlyness are good. It took me a short while to get used to it but its really quite nice after getting the hang of it. Suprising because I always thought nokia phones were the most idiot proof. But this model is pretty easy to use as well. Overall definately worth the money. If anyone knows of any other better model at this price do state it
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Reviewed by Chin from Malaysia on 26th May 2008
The pictures taken by k530i are yellowish & greenish compare with my old k610i phone... so disappointed.
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Reviewed by jasmine from India on 20th May 2008
I have been using Nokia for so many years but the satisfaction i have got from services of K 530i were so good. the photograph of N 72 is not so clear as compared to the photo clicked by my camera of sony.............THe best and perfect feminist mobile...
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Reviewed by ASHIL from INDIA on 8th May 2008
ACTUALLY I LOVE MA MOB... BUT EVEN DER IS SOME WT DIFFICUTY USING THIS FOR THE FIRST TIME... BUT I THINK IT WILL BE OKI WTH IN A SHORT PERIOD.. BATTERY LIFE IS NOT MUCH BETTER BUT NOT THAT MUCH LOW ALSO... IF U WANT FLASH U HAVE TO PAY MORE.. ONE PROBLEM I NOTICED IS THAT IT SIMPLY HANG UP WTH OUT ANY REASON SOME TIME ,I HAVE TO REMOVE THE BATTERY AND REINSERT FOR GETTING IT STARTED AGIN
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Reviewed by Martijn from the Netherlands on 4th May 2008
This phone is great value for its price. Design is good, the cover feels solid enough, the menu is fast. Camera quality is not that great however. This is a cheap umts enable phone with an excellent price/quality ratio.
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Reviewed by gavin from scotland on 22nd Apr 2008
OUTSTANDING PHONE. REALLY SUPERB
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Reviewed by Douglas from United Kingdom on 22nd Apr 2008
Have had this phone for a while now and it is the worst I have ever owned...confusing menu structure and shortcuts compared to Nokia or Motorola...average camera quality at 2 Mega Pixels...very poor battery life despite claims of 395 hours standby...and keypad buttons so small that you need the fingers of a child to use accurately. I will definitely be changing this mobile!
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Reviewed by Kirpan from Pakistan on 8th Apr 2008
This is a fantastic phone! iv just bought one and i think its great! The camera is awsome! and its really simple to use! Overall great phone! Really good for people who like sony erricsons!
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Reviewed by abhijit from INDIA on 5th Apr 2008
although a lot has been said about the camera its decent still. The hallmark of the phone is its i-net capabilties! I am loving the browsing facilities and other features....a really useful and sleek phone
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Reviewed by AMAN from INDIA on 3rd Apr 2008
THIS MOBILE IS SO GOOD ITS LOOKS ARE MIND BLOWING ITS COST IS NOT VERY HIGH ITS COST IS 7999 BUT I THINK IT SHOULD BE OF 12000 ITS A VERY GOOD MOBILE
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Reviewed by josh from england on 30th Mar 2008
had this phone just over 6 weeks and dropped it twice and it had chipped all on one side and the memory slot cover had completely snapped off and the battery cover has become squeaky but the music player is great and the two mp camera is very good but overall it is good and very sexy stylish defenitaly one of the best sony phones yet
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Reviewed by sam from england on 11th Mar 2008
BEAUTIFUL PHONE- works like a treat and does exactly what it says on the tin!!
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Reviewed by Tushar from India on 8th Mar 2008
Cute nice portable and a wonderful gadget
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Reviewed by Riaz from Pakistan on 2nd Mar 2008
it is superb i m using this mob for 3 months i did not find any mistake in it......very good
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Reviewed by Jin from Malaysia on 27th Feb 2008
It's simple set
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Reviewed by dave from england on 12th Feb 2008
great fone, very sexy, easy 2 send txt messages, good speaker, i recommend !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reviewed by Adam from Australia on 8th Feb 2008
this is by far the best phone ever. its easy to send text messages and its very stylish.
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Reviewed by Alison Good from England on 17th Jan 2008
I wasn't impressed with this phone at all. I often use my phone as a camera and the pictures were really grainy and sand coloured. Plus there was no flash. It was easy to use but there are much better phones on the market for the same price.
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Reviewed by Anthony from UK on 13th Jan 2008
I recieved this little number from Orange and was pleasantly suprised at what was under the 'hood'. A mid range 3g phone which allows me to access my emails on the go, a music player without the garish walkman branding, and plenty of stuff to keep me occupied. Ive read a few bad reviews but it depends on the handset that you get. The one I recieved is well constructed without the loose battery cover people keep bleeting on about.Its battery life is good; but you have to consider what the battery powers especially if your listening to MP3s or the radio. I like this phone and would recommend it to those who are looking for a 3g phone without going with 3.
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Reviewed by James from UK on 6th Jan 2008
I exchanged mine for another (new) K800i - it's a far better all round phone with a better battery life.
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Reviewed by steph from london on 5th Jan 2008
this phone iz **** my 2ond phone when i got it it didnot turn on i have to send it bk !! :@
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Reviewed by a.f from U.S on 5th Jan 2008
its a good phone but the battery does die pretty fast... otherwise its a good buy
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Reviewed by Molly from Uk on 2nd Jan 2008
Is it me or does most sony ericsson phones have teeny keypads? Apart from that good phone.. i recomend it.
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Reviewed by ibz from japan on 23rd Dec 2007
i think this fone is good but i think it is more recomned for thise between the age of 13-15 because the feauter are normal and is not aas good as the other sony ericssons
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Reviewed by Tintin from Philippines on 22nd Dec 2007
I'm loving my k530i. It's much more affordable compared to other phones, but it works just as well; if not better. Although the 2-megapixel camera doesn't work just like in other SE Cyber-shot phones, pictures don't come out horrible at all. (Although I must admit pictures CAN look quite grainy when taken in lowlight conditions - but the nightmode was placed there for a reason.) As for the "tiny buttons" thing, yes, it was very uncomfortable for me to write text messages during the first time. But all it takes is a little getting-used to! What I love most about the k530i (or any SE phones, for that matter) is its strong build. I must've dropped my phone a million times already and it's still working in tiptop condition. Oh, and did I mention is't a great 3G phone as well? Definitely a must-have handset!
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Reviewed by Ryan.w from UK on 19th Dec 2007
It Look Really Good.It Has Evreything That A Good Phone Should Have.
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Reviewed by Kenny from England on 19th Dec 2007
This phone is very poor, I took mine back to the shop for a nokia. I don't like that either so have put the SIM back in my Sony K610i which is much more user-friendly. The reason I didn't like it were that it had no flash (which I was told it had) and the buttons were far too small and hard to press. May be better for a young girl with slender fingers to use.
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Reviewed by Chin from Malaysia on 13th Dec 2007
Already bought this phone. Fantastic.... So Good...... stylish... Dunno Who to say somemore... Do Try This Phone...
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Reviewed by Mustafa basrai from india on 13th Dec 2007
i think so far, i like the phone, but the battery gets depleted sooner than nokia
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Reviewed by derek from scotland on 8th Dec 2007
stylish ! great phone! ignore the other numpties, if you like sony ericsson, get this phone !
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Reviewed by jeffrey haries from indonesia on 3rd Dec 2007
its a good phones
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Reviewed by isabella from italy on 1st Dec 2007
this fone is ***** dont buy it!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
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Reviewed by mo from england on 29th Nov 2007
rubbish, slow, dodgey nothing good sz but this has put ericcson down the drain
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You can read more Sony Ericsson K530i reviews at RecommendedBuys UK.

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