No they are not. They're nothing without thier programming

If a droid is capable of considering it's own feelings and emotions then it is sentient.

^ Humans are nothing without their DNA and experiences (metaphorical programming) but we can be considered sentient.

My theory on this, is that at first they are not really sentient, but as they go through life and gain experience with decision making and slowly began understanding what real emotion is they develop sentience over time hence why battle droids typically feel like ai acting human vs droids like r2 and 3po who feel like real living beings.

@Ctmeh DNA and programming have many differences. DNA is not what gives a human or any given creature a will to live, it just makes them, well, exist. Droids, however, can exist without programming, they just can't do anything without it.

I say, some are sentient, some are not.

C-3P0 and R2-D2 and AP-5 and the Separatist commander droids and Kalani and R4 are most definitely sentient in my opinion.

but what about C1-10p(AKA chopper)

@The Senate 50 without programming droids are not droids, they are just models of droids. Their programming is essential to their status as droid. The same way that without DNA there is no human. DNA and experience define us and are essential to our status as human.

Both can lead to sentience.

Don't forget that SW definition of sentience is incorrect and, as a species, humans have got a very large blind spot when it comes to the sentience of anything non-human.

Throughout the franchise we see them display emotions and philosophical insight, so yeah, I'd say they're most likely sentient. Which is pretty disturbing once you realize that droids are pretty much slaves.

L3 was right all along.

R2 and C-3PO proved they have minds of their own