Xperia review
November 8, 2008 by dragon
This is the first time I got to try out a mobile phone running on Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional OS. For the complete specs of this touch screen phone with qwerty keypad, click this link.
The box contained the Microsoft Activesync CD, colorful pamphlets, spare stylus, wall charger that connects to usb cable, 1500 mAh Battery, Stereo 3.5mm headset, spare in-ear buds for the headset
The battery on the XPERIA X1 has a bigger capacity than the Touch Pro's (which packs 1350mAh). The battery life on the XPERIA X1 was fantastic. With wifi and 3G turned off for the most part of the day, I'd still have around 80% battery left come night time. (see link on how to turn off 3g, plus other tips and tricks). So, with heavy use of data, games my daughter plays, sms, voice command, and many calls, the X1 will get through 1.5-2 days. With moderate use, you will get through around 2.5 days, and with light use, expect 4 days. Sony Ericsson did a great job on battery optimization.
In the picture above, notice that the display screen beautifully arcs upwards for better eye level positioning when you slide open the qwerty keyboard. There is also what they call an "optical joystick" in the middle, which functions like your laptop's synapse track pad to control the cursor for easier scrolling.
As you can see from pocketpcnow's benchmarking, the Sony Ericsson Xperia's CPU perfromed the fastest among similar phones of its kind.
There is a noticeably slight delay when launching programs and flipping through various screens.
A 3 Mega Pixel camera is complimented by motion sensor & picture editing, and a simple touch of the screen can enable you to choose which subject to focus the shot on.
A built in Internet Explorer® Mobile Web browser allows the user to access the Web with ease & enjoy searching for information, news, music & services from their stunning handset. The user can use the RSS feeds option to receive all the latest news & information which is sent to the handset from selected site or blogs. The user can subscribe to a RSS feed if desired. The user will never be lost for directions as the XPERIA X1 comes with an a GPS navigation feature which is compatible with satellite navigation applications. The built in messaging services allow the user to communicate with others using text only input via the SMS text service or by using picture or video with text & sound to create a MMS message. The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 supports Exchange ActiveSync® & comes with an email service which allows the user to create & receive emails on the go. A handwriting recognition feature, document reader & document editor allows the user to use the X1 as a business tool as well as pleasure.
A good choice was dropping Sony's insistence to stick to its identity of
having their own in-house memory cards like the Memory stick pro duo used in psp, ps3, sony cameras, and even most Sony Ericsson phones. Instead, they opted for the more mainstream Micro SD.
The X1 will handle cards of up to 16GB in capacity, though none is supplied in all countries that the Xperia is sold at.
Syncing data and contacts with the PC was much easier with the Microsoft Activesync program that came with the phone. I'd rate the ease of sync in the X1 on top of Itunes or Nokia PCSuite syncing.
Xperia downloads, apps, games, faqs, tips and tricks can be found in my other article here.
Xperia, E90 communicator, and Iphone compared
So I just came from using an Iphone and Nokia E90 Communicator and what can I say about the X1? This phone merges the features and functionality of both, and then some. The Xperia, like the e90, has a qwerty keyboard, but is more compact, hence lighter by 30%. The Xperia has a stylus that you wish you had in your Iphone. The Xperia also enhances the "office workability/appointments/notes" feel from the e90, which was absent in the Iphone.
In this picture, other Touch phones compared:
Weight comparison
X1: 145g
Touch Pro: 165g
Omnia: 122g
Diamond: 110g
iPhone 3G: 133g
Nokia E90 Communicator: 210g
PROS
- Battery life better than Iphone's
- Crisp and bright WVGA screen with high touch sensitivity
- Has a 3.5mm headphone jack
- used micro SD instead of the in house Sony Memory stick duo or M2
- Includes optical D-Pad plus standard D-Pad
- Flick-scrolling throughout
- Auto-configures for major carriers (AT&T & T-Mobile in the US included, and even Globe and Smart in the Philippines)
- Innovative four-way LED notification system
- Great build quality with use of real metal
- Top-notch camera 3.2 Mega pixels
- aGPS/WiFi/HSDPA/FM Radio
CONS
- Poor one-handed usability – you can't text while driving, which is really hazardous to do anyway.
- Choice of Panels is currently scarce – you can't add nor customize from a lot of panel choices.
- No case/screen protector included
- No voice recognition software – you have to download/purchase Windows Voice Command 1.6 here in link.
- microSD slot is under battery cover
- soft reset button is under battery cover (in hole where stylus shaft is located)
- Lacks an accelerometer (accelerometer is like the gyroscope that senses the phone motion whether it is up or down, tilted in which direction)
- poor video recording shows ghosting of fast moving video subject. (30fps)
- can't access FM radio without changing panels (which means an equivalent of reloading your desktop in Windows)
- panel interface/response time is a little slow. I pity the other phones under the X1 in the benchmark above.
- supposedly saved changed do not stick when doing a hard reset, like setting the 3G off
Thanks to Sony Ericsson Philippines and Mad Crowd Media for providing the unit!
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