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REVIEW: Sony Xperia S – What they said

With the Sony’s Xperia S now available in store, you now have another contender in smartphone camera photography ranks. Check out what some have said about the Xperia S.

Sony (formerly Sony Ericsson) has designed its first smartphone in the Xperia NXT series and it is a great example of conquering ‘the heights in technology’.

Connectivity is a clear design aspect of the Sony Xperia S, with unparalleled features that integrate effortlessly with other devices commonly used in everyday life.

It has received significant attention from around the globe, with several reviews investigating Sony’s first independent dabble into the smart phone realm.

There are several key features that will lure potential users to this device including:

  • 4.3” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine
  • 12 megapixel camera
  • PlayStation certified gaming
  • Sony Entertainment Network access

Display

Sony has improved the display with the Xperia S now featuring a 4.3” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA, prompting Engadget to question the use of an HDMI output with a display so good on a smart phone.

“We’d much rather watch a movie on the Xperia S than on the AMOLED equipped PlayStation Vita”.

Engadget also mentions how successful the LCD display is when using the Sony Xperia S in the outdoors.

“While some other LCD displays can be quickly obscured by excessive reflections outdoors, the Xperia S panel retains its contrast much better”.

The screen is also scratch resistant – just in case.

Processor

The Sony Xperia S has an integrated 1.5GHz Qualcomm Dual Core processor which keeps pace with its competitors.

As CNET discovered, heavy users will manage up to 14 hours standby from the 1750mAh battery.

“The Xperia S managed four hours continuous video playback with the screen brightness set to 100 per cent”.

As PC World also explains, pre-installed apps are designed to improve battery life on the Sony Xperia S.

“…the power saver app that will turn down settings when battery life is low to get as much juice out of the battery as possible”.

Camera


Sony has set the benchmark with its 12 megapixel camera inside the Xperia S. The Verge’s road-test found the inclusion of an Exmor R sensor allows the camera to capture clear and colourful images.

“This is the company responsible for making the sensors inside Nikon’s lauded DSLR line…Sony knows how to take pictures”.

The 1280×720 342ppi display coupled with the quick launch camera feature while in sleep mode gives Sony Xperia S users a great chance in capturing those unexpected moments.

“The dedicated camera key can launch you straight into the camera app while the phone is locked”.

In addition, the Sony Xperia S features an LED flash, panorama picture mode and records video in 720p quality.

“Sony keeps up with the competition by offering full 1080p HD recording at 30fps with stereo sound”.

And just in case you need it, the front facing camera is 1.3 megapixels.

OS

Sony has launched the device with Gingerbread 2.3.7 OS and a scheduled update to Ice Cream Sandwich in quarter 2, 2012.

The update will improve the smoothness of operating the Sony Xperia S, according to The Verge.

“Without Android 4.0…I actually find it clean, uncluttered and easily navigable…”

The Sony Xperia S OS impressed Ausdroid when using particular apps in Gingerbread 2.3.

“…the official Facebook app, which works better on Gingerbread than it does on Ice Cream Sandwich…I would have no problems recommending this device…”

To put this into perspective, let’s see how Sony’s Xperia S compares against its competitors:

 

Sony Xperia S

Samsung Galaxy Nexus

Apple iPhone 4S

Display

4.3” Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA
720 x 1280 Resolution
342 ppi

4.65” HD Super AMOLED Display
720 x 1280 Resolution
315 ppi

3.5” Retina Display
640 x 960 Resolution
326 ppi

Processor

1.5GHz, Qualcomm Dual Core

1.2GHz Dual Core

1GHz Cortex-A9, Dual Core

Camera

12MP
LED Flash with 16x digital zoom
F2.4 aperture
1080p HD video recording
Exmor R with CMOS sensor

5MP
LED Flash
F2.4 aperture
1080p video recording

8MP
LED Flash
F2.4 aperture

OS

Android 2.3.7

Android 4.0

iOS5

Sony has also gone the extra mile in creating a complete entertainment smart phone.

The Sony Xperia S provides users with access to its Sony Entertainment Network where they can either download movies from Video Unlimited or songs from Music Unlimited (a subscription cost applies).

PlayStation certified games are also available for use on the Sony Xperia S.

Other Specs

  • 16x digital zoom
  • Face recognition and Smile Shutter
  • WiFi and WiFi Hotspot functionality
  • aGPS (assisted GPS)
  • NFC (Near Field Communications)
  • TV Launcher

Notable extras that are available with the Sony Xperia S include:

Simply put, boredom is not an option with the Sony Xperia S. So what are you waiting for?

Head in store or online today to be the first to own Sony’s first creation!

Also check out our Top Tips video featuring Kieran using the Sony Xperia S

You may be interested in

Sources: Sony Mobile, Ausdroid, PC World, Engadget, CNET, The Verge

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Recent Comments

6 Responses to “ REVIEW: Sony Xperia S – What they said ”

  1. Santiago says:

    Hi,
    When will this phone be available for outright purchase?? Because I went to three different vodafone stores and they told me they only sell on plan even though they have an outright price??

    Reply
    Tuesday, April 24, 2012 at 6:18 pm
  2. Ray says:

    ring sales upgrade team…

    Reply
    Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 5:01 am
    • Santiago says:

      Whats their number??

      Reply
      Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 12:09 pm
      • Santiago says:

        By the way are you even a Vodafone representative Ray?? If not I would prefer a response from someone from vodafone…

        Reply
        Wednesday, April 25, 2012 at 12:13 pm
        • Michael Wilson says:

          if your an existing vodafone customer you can contact VF sales/upgrades by calling 1555 from your mobile or 1300 650 410 from a landline, you can purchase a phone either outright or on monthly installments.

          Reply
          Friday, May 4, 2012 at 6:51 pm
  3. Aida says:

    That doesn’t make quad cores a necessity. A htcliopeer is faster than a car, doesn’t mean everyone needs one to get to work. If you had a quad core phone what would you do on it that you couldn’t do on a good dual core phone for less money? Maybe in five years you’ll need a quad core phone but by then the manufacturers will be putting out 8 core phones and the cycle will repeat itself.

    Reply
    Sunday, June 17, 2012 at 10:47 am