Sony Ericsson W8: welcome the first Walkman phone on Android

We've heard rumors about it, but it wasn't quite sure up until now – the Sony Ericsson W8 Walkman phone on Android is here. Sony Ericsson has obviously decided to try and continue its Walkman lineup years after the Walkman series walked their walk. The W8 was announced on the company's Indonesian website leaving some doubt over its global availability, but even if it reaches the North American market don't expect any technological revolutions. So far, the company has plans to launch the W8 in the second quarter of the year across a number of Asian markets including China, Hong Kong, Indonesia and India.

The handset carries the design accents of an XPERIA X8 save for the addition of fresh colors (the phone comes in Azure Blue, Metallic Red and Iconic Orange flavors), but under the hood there is a modest 600MHz processor which powers the almost ancient Android 2.1 garnished with Timescape. The W8 has a 3-inch capacitive touchscreen with resolution of 320 x 480. A 3.2-megapixel camera with no flash will serve your photography needs, but the W8 aims to bring the focus on music so we expect to see above average speakers in the handset.

source: Sony Ericsson (translated) via GSM Arena

17 Comments

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posted on 21 Apr 2011, 08:48

1. SuperAndroidEvo (Posts: 4888; Member since: 15 Apr 2011)

Isn't every phone well almost every phone now a music player? I really don't see this selling to well. I would rather get a top of the line phone & go out and get a sweet pair of Skull Candy headphones & be set. Maybe they are targeting the low end market because to release a phone with 2.1 Éclair is not for the mainstream smart phone user. This phone better be like $49.99 with a 2 year contract. Maybe at this price point it will sell.......maybe!

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 11:00 2

8. fatexo (Posts: 221; Member since: 21 May 2010)

its not just about music player.
SE's walkman phones are known for having a advanced audio chipset in them.

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 08:59

2. vette21man (Posts: 351; Member since: 06 Apr 2011)

It looks really thick, is this not meant for the pocket?

Oh I see, Sony is bringing back the rest-on-the-shoulder boombox. Just needs to come with a flat-top haircut, huge sunglasses, fake gold necklace, and the 1980's decade.

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 09:19 1

4. bob (unregistered)

I don't think this is for heavy weight American's use, since it is a Asian only market.

But really, the thickness of this phone suit rich people in the west!

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 10:13 1

6. SuperAndroidEvo (Posts: 4888; Member since: 15 Apr 2011)

What on Earth are you talking about? What is your point?

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 11:22

9. remixfa (Posts: 14605; Member since: 19 Dec 2008)

i dont think its that thick.. its only a 3 inch screen so its quite small.

this isnt coming to america. it wouldnt sell. Im pretty sure its meant for the cheaper markets of asia and india where many people cant afford iphones and high end androids.

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 11:51 3

11. jthiagesan (Posts: 104; Member since: 20 Apr 2011)

Americans buy high end androids or smartphones just because we get for cheaper with carrier contract. Will you buy an iphone if its costs $600???????????

posted on 12 Jun 2011, 03:23

16. Android x8 (unregistered)

yeah cheap phone.. u come and live here.. i want u buy an iphone at cost $2500

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 09:08 2

3. Kjayhawk (Posts: 294; Member since: 07 Oct 2010)

Fail...

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 09:39 2

5. phbelov (Posts: 124; Member since: 25 Mar 2011)

Yeah... I was waiting for the official pics of it.
Sooth to say, It is the X8 but with some exclusive features.
But I can't understand SE... Why have they chosen Eclair? Why?
Nevertheless, there will be an announcement of the Mango (SK17i) soon, with Gingerbread on the board.

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 10:17 1

7. cyborg (unregistered)

Same specs with X8, I won't buy.

Should be like this, I wished: X8 design, android 2.2 or 2.3, dedicated music buttons, advanced audio chipset, one or two stereo speakers, lower-mid range price = win. But no, SE did not put much effort on W8 besides the colored back covers.

My alternative would be Optimus Me or Galaxy Mini. Your thoughts?

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 11:48 1

10. jthiagesan (Posts: 104; Member since: 20 Apr 2011)

I'm a SE lover but 3 inches screen is not good for an android device. Hate this

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 14:31 2

12. DontHateOnS60 (Posts: 871; Member since: 20 Apr 2009)

If this had a bigger display, 32GB built in + microSD expansion, AND music playback hardware controls on it, I'd be all over this like fat kid on cupcake.

posted on 21 Apr 2011, 16:54 2

13. luis_lopez_351 (Posts: 951; Member since: 18 Nov 2010)

We need to put a stop to these stupid low end android devices. they delay most android updated sheesh! google open your eyes!

posted on 22 Apr 2011, 03:35 1

14. Senthil_CM (unregistered)

SE again introduced same-old-looking design phone in Walkman series....
Nothing special....
I really HATE this.

posted on 22 Apr 2011, 06:06 2

15. r2212xx (Posts: 41; Member since: 18 Apr 2011)

It's a nice phone. Not bad. It may not be ground breaking but then even iPhone has been the same since the iPhone 1 with only minor changes here and there for every version. In fact i feel it is really a good news for Walkman fans who wanted the flexibility of Android and the splendid music output of Walkman together.