Sony Ericsson's Wilma / K800 / K790 Cyber-shot phone gets official

Ahhh Wilma, you have arrived at last. Sony Ericsson just announced their K800 and K790 (pictured) cellphones; their first to be tagged with Cyber-shot branding letting you know there's some good digicam lovin' on the inside. True to the name, these handsets bring a big 3.2 megapixel camera with flash and lens cover, dedicated shutter button, auto red eye reduction, PictBridge support, image stabilization, and a brand new feature called BestPic -- press the shutter once and get 9 full quality snaps; 4 before and 4 after the actual image you captured all presented as icons on the display. You select the best image(s) from the bunch to keep. The handsets differ in network coverage with the K800 going dual-mode UMTS/GPRS while the K790 goes tri-band EDGE with the K790a and K790i destined for the Americas with support for 850/1800/1900 and 900/1800/1900 MHz respectively. The K800 also features a second, front mounted camera for video conferencing. No surprises from the specs we already saw, but if feels good to run 'em down again: 2.0-inch QVGA 262K TFT display, 64MB internal flash memory with Memory Stick Micro M2 expansion slot, Bluetooth 2.0, an RSS reader, video recording and playback, Music Player supporting MP3/AAC, and RDS FM radio all in a 106 x 47 x 18/20 mm (4.1 x 1.8 x 0.7/0.78 inch) "Velvet Black" package. You'll have to keep lusting a bit longer though, 'cause these won't hit globally until Q2. Many more pix after the break.

[Thanks WEI and Rafe and everyone who sent this in]

[Mark @ Feb 28th 2006 6:57AM]

My next new phone :D

[kenny @ Feb 28th 2006 7:06AM]

Mine too :P
Putting my k750i on sale @ ebay next month :D

[Brian @ Feb 28th 2006 7:11AM]

Thinner!

[giles @ Feb 28th 2006 7:15AM]

mine too... really liking this new sony styling...

[Neileo @ Feb 28th 2006 7:16AM]

Nice phone. Now they have branded it with the cybershot logo/name does that mean that it will have a real flash rather than a very bright led?

[Spyke @ Feb 28th 2006 7:23AM]

Neileo: Did you read the SE press release?
"integrated 3.2 Megapixel digital cameras with Autofocus, Xenon flash and BestPic"

It's amazing what one click of the mouse will bring you..! o_O

[krissj @ Feb 28th 2006 7:41AM]

Have a better look at this phone here
http://www.mobile-review.com/review/sonyericsson-wilma-2-en.shtml

[Stephen Galinsky @ Feb 28th 2006 7:49AM]

Sounded great until the triband part. What the hell does SE have against quadband phones?

[chris @ Feb 28th 2006 7:50AM]

its amazing how all SE's recent phones are looking the same! Sonys designs are starting to turn into clones, just like nokias (only difference is keypad design, etc...).

Excited about the camera, but disappointed with the design evoloution (or lack of). Will have to wait for a full review, but as my contract is up for renewal, i mite just plump for the n70 and sell it on ebay.

Don't like the slider on the back- add bulk to the phone!

Wheres this slider ive been hearing things about SE??? I want your new slider phone

[PEZ @ Feb 28th 2006 7:55AM]

Unless this phone uses their RBGE cmos or ccd cybershot realImaging sensor, this phone has no business with that branding.

[Cedrik @ Feb 28th 2006 8:00AM]

That screen is huge! Is there ever a dead pixel problem with cellphones, ipods, cameras on the larger color screens?

[evil_m0nkey @ Feb 28th 2006 8:16AM]

ncie......Memory Stick Micro M2....juss another day @ sony

[Damon @ Feb 28th 2006 8:19AM]

Oh damn thats hot... SE, why must you sadden thee? No CDMA/EVDO version =(
You know, if it weren't for the fact that EVDO was so friggin fast and I save so much money with PCS-to-PCS calling, I would jump...but my wife talks on the phone ALOT!

[js @ Feb 28th 2006 8:34AM]

Oh great, now previous Sony Ericsson users which have a Memory Stick DUO card for their phone has yet to buy another of Sony proprietary garbage (Memory Stick M2).

Otherwise, it's a good phone. Too bad it doesn't have optical zoom (even a 2x is good).

[Luis Camino @ Feb 28th 2006 8:57AM]

all the official photos for your viewing pleasure:

http://www.clubsonyericsson.com/en/28/02/2006/mega-product-presentation-k800-k790-k510-w300-k310-z530-and-four-bluetooth-accesories/

[jon @ Feb 28th 2006 9:09AM]

Ahh, the Memory Stick. Thanks, Sony, but I'll pass.

[P?St?erg @ Feb 28th 2006 9:13AM]

http://www.sonyericsson.com/cebit/
All the new stuff from SE...

[Paul @ Feb 28th 2006 9:22AM]

Don't know about that lens cover but everything else looks good!

[Andrew @ Feb 28th 2006 9:34AM]

Only thing bad about this phone is that it isnt cdma

[nick @ Feb 28th 2006 9:49AM]

release date?
price?

[mroach @ Feb 28th 2006 9:50AM]

#16 - Hahahaha. That's because Sony Ericsson doesn't waste resources on proprietary failures. I'm so proud of them for not making any CDMA phones.

[JZ @ Feb 28th 2006 10:01AM]

I don't understand how Chris can complain about the design. This design IS an evolution of the SE design - why does it need to be more than that? With each model they subtly refine the design of these phones and I love it. I'd much rather see a simple, clean design like this than the weird crap that Nokia is producing these days. Props to them for trying to innovate, but while Nokia appears to floundering trying all kinds of strange ideas, SE is plugging along refining an already great design.

[nick @ Feb 28th 2006 10:02AM]

One more question besides the price of one of these bad boys.

What are the chances that Cingular will be offering this phone in North America?

[somanath @ Feb 28th 2006 10:02AM]

Really a nice one...

[Scott Ackman @ Feb 28th 2006 10:17AM]

I really would like to see a GOOD digital camera designed into a cell phone. I like to take pictures and the majority of phones take poor quality. Including a good digital camera allows us to take photos that are important on the spur of the moment.

[Kornithian @ Feb 28th 2006 10:21AM]

is it me or is this phone a triffle fat??

anyways gorgeous phone
not bad for my first phone

[Jamar @ Feb 28th 2006 12:26PM]

Ever been to Japan, mroach? Look at http://www.sonyericsson.co.jp/product/au/w41s/index.html which is a Japanese EVDO phone, and http://www.sonyericsson.co.jp/product/au/a1404s2/index.html , which is not EVDO, but still CDMA. Wasting resources indeed- these phones coming out on Sprint or Verizon will be the only way I won't leave them for Helio when it launches, and at such great prices (I can find the second one for about $100 with contract in Japan).

[Mic82 @ Feb 28th 2006 12:43PM]

Big screen and camera with flash. I think this phone will work short periods of time... Or does it come with another battery to carry with you? And finally the phone is also expensive, thick, ugly NOT smartphone. Not phone for me.

[SE + TMO pwnage @ Feb 28th 2006 4:12PM]

AHAH all you loosers with cingular and 850 suck it up, this is the best phone! IT HAS A2DP!!! SE hands down is the BEST phone maker

[mark smith @ Feb 28th 2006 4:16PM]

Hey, #28 Ummm.. losers with cingular and 850? Ok... What does that make the T-Mobile people with no 850 AND NO 900?? Is someone in the US using 900? Don't think so...

[JuyLe @ Feb 28th 2006 6:45PM]

I actually have a Treo 650 and a nokia N70. I think it will be my next phone when i get a new suscribtion to Orange. But, i'll really miss symbian S60 :P !!

[Kramerican @ Feb 28th 2006 9:28PM]

I am absolutly positive I saw this in an cellular store by my house over six months ago. I asked them what phone it was and they said it was the K800, then I checked the Sony-Ericsson site and it wasn't up yet. I wonder how they were selling it so fast.

[Kramerican @ Feb 28th 2006 9:30PM]

I am absolutly positive I saw this in an cellular store by my house over six months ago. I asked them what phone it was and they said it was the K800, then I checked the Sony-Ericsson site and it wasn't up yet. I wonder how they were selling it so fast.

[Friday Night @ Mar 1st 2006 2:17AM]

I'm so looking forward to this phone. I had a SE phone in Europe and can't wait to get another SE.

[Ben @ Mar 1st 2006 2:34AM]

I really hate how they're making two versions of the phone so that we'd have to get a new one if we switch carriers.

[Ben @ Mar 1st 2006 2:43AM]

Oops, what I meant is that I don't see the point of the K790i. Sorry, I was confusing it with something else.

[josh @ Mar 1st 2006 4:27PM]

i think is a great phone! the 3.2 mp is what makes this phone worth buying but would it be better than the nokia n80??

[drsilverworm @ Mar 2nd 2006 7:19AM]

n80? lol n80 was a matchup for w800, but against k790 its nothing

[Sambar @ Mar 2nd 2006 8:53PM]

its amazing how the phone can fold sideways, looking exactly like a digital camera! check the 2nd pic here to see what i'm talking about http://www.cellphonestalk.com/cellphonenews/sony-ericsson-k790.html

[Blondeheiress @ Mar 6th 2006 5:31PM]

This phone will ROCK our world. The fashion world will never be the same Hollywood look out, Sony Ericsson's Wilma / K800 / K790 Cyber-shot phone is going to CRASH your world.

[Keyoshi @ Mar 7th 2006 10:29PM]

The K780 and K800 look awsome. I like the camera in the speaker for video conferencing...the 3.2mp camera is awsome as well. Saves me from buying a digital camera. But...(you guys are going to get mad when I ask this..but) T-Mobile...will support K800 or K790?? The band stuff is sorta confusing me...(sorry for stupid question.)

[JULIEN @ Mar 9th 2006 5:40AM]

hello sorry for my language i'm french, i want to say when the sony ericson k790 arrived in france and in usa? when it's possible to buy this phone? thank's ;)

[Sony Ericsson K790 @ Mar 12th 2006 4:06PM]

Hi. I made little blog about this phone. I'll write all new informations. Just click on my nickname :).

[Seth Brundle @ Mar 13th 2006 1:28PM]

YES I cant wait to get rid of my K750.

I felt like a superstar when I got it from Hong Kong and love the phone BUT it is the last phone I will get without 850 MHz. I stuck my SIM back in my T610 today and I get 4 bars where my K750 wouldnt even ring.

[ian @ Mar 17th 2006 11:14PM]

agreed wit 45^^

ill be selling my k750 that i got from ebay as soon as this fone comes out. when i first got it everybody was all like 'omg awesome fone!!' ahah
and ye, this k750 will be the last fone w/out 850MHz.

i want thsi NOW

[paul john @ Apr 8th 2006 4:44AM]

uhm..well im paul john i just want you guys to know that this isa the best phone hoping to be.......one ....the missing feature of this phone is the touch screen i think and the large screen display i hope will upgarde it in a new version the farthest zoom.....and the most clear dispal of LCD or just make it different large if 5in Liquid crystal on Silicon or (LCOS) i know this is the most advance screen right now.. and bout 10 megapixel camera and a 21 bit color screen the same feature as k800 but with enhancement..i know the nokia and other competing band will no longer to compete with the new version of k800...also add this one add this feature to the next version of k800 tri-cam or 3 camera with a flash and photolight..so hightech isnt it..a flip top, or swivel is enought to change the style, pls allow this letter to send on the manufacturer of sony ericsson and the c.e.ommmSUGESTION MAKE THE PHONE THE DYNAMIC AND ONE AND ONLY..

[paul john @ Apr 8th 2006 4:51AM]

uhm..well im paul john i just want you guys to know that this isa the best phone hoping to be.......one ....the missing feature of this phone is the touch screen i think and the large screen display i hope will upgarde it in a new version the farthest zoom.....and the most clear dispal of LCD or just make it different large if 5in Liquid crystal on Silicon or (LCOS) i know this is the most advance screen right now.. and bout 10 megapixel camera and a 21 bit color screen the same feature as k800 but with enhancement..i know the nokia and other competing band will no longer to compete with the new version of k800...also add this one add this feature to the next version of k800 tri-cam or 3 camera with a flash and photolight..so hightech isnt it..a flip top, or swivel is enought to change the style, pls allow this letter to send on the manufacturer of sony ericsson and the c.e.ommmSUGESTION MAKE THE PHONE THE DYNAMIC AND ONE AND ONLY..

[Vivian @ Apr 10th 2006 12:47PM]

I'm Gonna Get This Phone =]]
On My Upgrade!!
I'm Gonna Keep My k700i And k750i Though =]
They Have Memories.
The Answer Is Probably Yes,
But Does tHE K800i Have Memory Card?

[Widjaja @ May 15th 2006 3:08AM]

I am already drooling over this phone. Does anybody have a release date for Indonesia? Thx.

[mark smith @ Oct 21st 2006 1:00AM]

Ugh. I AM lusting over this phone, but you just know it's going to cost as much or more than the W800 (around $470) when it was new... a 3.2MP camera? How can it not? That W300 looked OK for a second, but then I saw that doggone loop antenna like the W600 or Z520. Sad sad sad I am.