Sony Ericsson Xperia X1: a smartphone that arrived too late. Reviews of Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 Technical characteristics of the phone sony xperia x1
Mid-level model with a nice design and balanced characteristics
Last spring in Barcelona during the Mobile World Congress, Sony not only felt proud of its flagship smartphone Xperia XZ Premium, which was favored by the press and critics, but also managed to present a new product from the middle class, which became the successor of the Xperia XA family. New smartphone, called Sony Xperia XA1 does not have cool flagship features, such as recording slo-mo videos at 960 frames per second, but it can also do something. Today we present detailed review one of the most balanced and available models modern smartphones Japanese manufacturer.
Main characteristics of Sony Xperia XA1 (G3112)
- SoC MediaTek Helio P20 (MT6757), 8 cores ARM Cortex-A53 @1.6/2.3 GHz
- GPU Mali-T880
- operating system Android 7.0
- Touch display IPS 5″, 1280×720, 293 ppi
- Random access memory (RAM) 3 GB, inner memory 32 GB
- Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.)
- MicroSD support up to 256 GB
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA/HSPA+ networks (850/900/1900/2100 MHz)
- LTE networks Cat.4/6 (B1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 20, 28, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66)
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Bluetooth 4.2
- GPS, A-GPS, Glonass
- USB Type-C,USB OTG
- Main camera 23 MP, f/2.0, autofocus, 1080p video
- Front camera 8 MP, f/2.0, fixed. focus
- Proximity, lighting, magnetic field sensors, accelerometer
- Battery 2300 mAh
- Dimensions 145×67×8 mm
- Weight 143 g
Appearance and ease of use
In the new season, Sony Mobile is not going to deviate from long-standing traditions: all new smartphones, including the Xperia XA1, use the familiar Loop Surface principle. That is, the metal frame, bending, with its curved edges extends onto all panels - front, back and end.
At the same time, the body continues to remain “square”, with sharp corners, this is also a signature touch of all mobile devices of the Japanese brand. Company representatives steadfastly endure all user complaints about the sharp corners of Sony smartphones tearing their pockets, and continue to stand their ground.
The Sony Xperia XA1 body received an unusual regular smartphones shape with a very thin frame on the sides of the screen, but with very wide top and bottom margins. The result is a thin and long, elongated device, and its sharp corners (without any rounding at all) visually lengthen it even more. Of course, the narrow device is held well in the hand due to a comfortable grip, but it cannot be said that, for example, Huawei Nova 2, with slightly wider sides, but much smoother contours and rounded corner parts, feels worse in the hand.
The case turned out to be non-slip and non-marking, but its matte plastic back wall is instantly covered with numerous and quite noticeable scratches, this is noted by many users who have encountered the problem. The cute Sony Xperia XA1 can quickly lose its presentable appearance if measures are not taken to protect it.
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At the top on the front panel, in addition to sensors and front camera, available led indicator events.
Below, as usual for Sony smartphones, touch buttons no, but at the same time there remains an empty, unoccupied space almost two centimeters high. By modern standards, a device with such indents looks somehow old-fashioned, old-school.
The glass surface of the panel has subtle curves on the sides, but the sloping edges are barely defined and the bends are minimal. The smartphone, which costs 22 thousand rubles, did not receive a fingerprint scanner at all, and this is a rather strong disadvantage of the Xperia XA1; it is impossible to find an excuse for this at such a price.
On the back side there is only a single camera eye with a flash, also single. The flash is not very bright. These elements do not protrude beyond the surface, so the smartphone lies firmly on a hard surface.
Hardware buttons are located on the right side. The one that is responsible for power and locking has a round shape, the rest of the buttons are of the usual shape, oblong.
Naturally, there is a traditional Sony dedicated key responsible for working with the camera. The Xperia XA1 model does not have protection from dust and moisture.
You can simultaneously install three cards into your smartphone: two Nano-SIM format SIM cards are placed on the sled, and next to it there is a separate slot connector for the card microSD memory, without pull-out tray. All connectors are covered with a convenient cover that does not need to be pulled out with a special key or paperclip. All Sony smartphones automatically reboot as soon as the SIM card slots are removed from the case, regardless of whether the cards are installed in the slots.
At the top end there is an audio output for headphones (3.5 mm), as well as an auxiliary microphone.
The bottom end is given over to the speaker output and a universal USB Type-C connector that supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode. The main conversational microphone is located at the very bottom of the front panel, not at the end.
Sony Xperia XA1 is available in four colors: white, black, gold and pink. The front panel under the glass in all cases matches the overall color of the case, which visually makes the design more holistic. In addition, Sony has decided to always set the color themes of the interface in accordance with the color of the body, which makes the image of the product complete.
Screen
Sony Xperia XA1 features an IPS display with protective glass Corning Gorilla Glass. Perhaps, formally, this glass belongs to the category of 2.5D glass, but the sloping edges are very weakly expressed, the curves are barely visible. A certain image enhancement technology is used without any symbols or names. The screen dimensions are 62x110 mm with a diagonal of 5 inches. The resolution is 1280×720, the pixel density is about 293 ppi. The frame around the screen has a minimum (about a millimeter of the black frame and about a millimeter of the body itself) thickness on the sides, a total of 2 mm. But the indentations at the top and bottom range from 16 to 17 mm.
You can manually adjust the display brightness or set automatic settings based on the ambient light sensor. The AnTuTu test diagnoses support for 4 simultaneous multi-touch touches.
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A detailed examination using measuring instruments was carried out by the editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections Alexey Kudryavtsev. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the sample under study.
The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface that is scratch-resistant. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are better than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) screen (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, here is a photograph in which a white surface is reflected in the switched off screens of both devices (Sony Xperia XA1, as it is not difficult to determine, is on the right; then they can be distinguished by size):
Both screens are dark, but the Sony screen is still darker (its brightness in the photo is 108 versus 112 for the Nexus 7). The tripling of reflected objects in the Sony Xperia XA1 screen is very weak, this indicates that there is no air gap between the outer glass (also known as the touch sensor) and the surface of the matrix (OGS - One Glass Solution type screen). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (glass/air type) with very different refractive indices, such screens look better in conditions of intense external illumination, but their repair in the case of cracked external glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be replaced. The outer surface of the screen has a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (effective, better than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are removed much more easily and appear at a lower rate than with regular glass.
When manually controlling the brightness and displaying the white field in full screen, its maximum value was about 490 cd/m², and the minimum was 40 cd/m². The maximum value is high, and, given the excellent anti-glare properties, in bright daylight The image on the screen should be clearly visible. In complete darkness, the brightness can be reduced to a comfortable level. Works automatic adjustment brightness by the light sensor (it is located to the right of the logo on the front panel). IN automatic mode When external lighting conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. This function is dependent on brightness adjustment. If it is at a minimum, then in complete darkness the auto-brightness function reduces the brightness to 5.5 cd/m² (dark), in an office illuminated by artificial light (approximately 550 lux) it sets it to 110 cd/m² (normal), in a bright environment (corresponding to lighting on a slightly cloudy day outdoors - about 10,000 lux) increases to 500 cd/m² (even slightly more than the maximum with manual adjustment). If the brightness slider is at half scale, then the screen brightness for the three conditions indicated above is as follows: 50, 210 and 500 cd/m² (a little bright in the dark). If the brightness control is set to maximum - 110, 320, 500 cd/m² (the first two values are too high). We were more satisfied with the option with a slider of about 10% - 30, 140, 500 cd/m². It turns out that the auto-brightness function works adequately and to some extent allows the user to customize their work to individual requirements. At any brightness level, there is no significant backlight modulation, so there is no screen flicker.
This screen uses an IPS type matrix. The microphotographs show a typical IPS subpixel structure:
For comparison, you can see the gallery of microphotographs of screens used in mobile technology.
The screen has good viewing angles without inverting shades (except for the very, very dark ones when deviating along one diagonal) and without significant color shifts even with large deviations of the view from perpendicular to the screen. For comparison, here are photographs in which the same images are displayed on the screens of the Nexus 7 and Sony Xperia XA1, while the screen brightness is initially set to approximately 200 cd/m² (over a white field in the entire screen), and the color balance on the camera is forcibly switched to 6500 K .
White field perpendicular to the plane of the screens:
Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field.
And a test picture:
Colors are moderately saturated on both screens, and the color balance is noticeably different.
Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:
It can be seen that the colors have not changed much on both screens, but on the Sony Xperia XA1 the contrast has decreased to a greater extent due to the greater brightening of blacks, and there are also signs of inversion of dark shades.
And a white field:
The brightness at an angle for both screens decreased noticeably, but in the case of the Sony Xperia XA1 the drop in brightness is slightly less. When deviated diagonally, the black field brightens greatly and acquires a purple or reddish tint. The photographs below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is the same for the screens!):
And from another angle:
When viewed perpendicularly, the uniformity of the black field is good:
The contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is normal - about 860:1. The response time for the black-white-black transition is 25 ms (12 ms on + 13 ms off). The transition between halftones of gray 25% and 75% (based on the numerical value of the color) and back takes a total of 35 ms. The gamma curve, constructed using 32 points with equal intervals based on the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal any blockage in either the highlights or the shadows. The exponent of the approximating power function is 2.20, which is equal to the standard value of 2.20, while the real gamma curve deviates little from the power dependence:
Due to the presence of dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness in accordance with the nature of the output image (in dark images, the brightness tends to decrease), the resulting dependence of brightness on hue (gamma curve) may not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential output of shades gray almost all over the screen. For this reason, we carried out a number of tests - determining contrast and response time, comparing black illumination at angles - when displaying special templates with a constant average brightness, and not monochromatic fields in the entire screen. In general, such non-disabled brightness correction does nothing but harm, since it reduces the visibility of gradations in the shadows in the case of dark images. In addition, this dynamic adjustment when displaying any image other than a white field on the entire screen significantly reduces the brightness, which impairs readability in bright light, and the constant adjustment of brightness can be very annoying.
Color gamut is close to sRGB:
The spectra show that the matrix filters moderately mix the components with each other:
As a result, visually the colors have a natural saturation. The grayscale balance is good, as the color temperature is close to the standard 6500K, and the deviation from the blackbody spectrum (ΔE) is below 10, which is considered acceptable for a consumer device. At the same time, color temperature and ΔE change little from hue to hue - this has a positive effect on the visual assessment of color balance. (The darkest areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since color balance there is not very important, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)
This smartphone has the ability to adjust the color balance by adjusting the intensities of the three primary colors.
That's what we tried to do, the result is data signed as Corr. in the graphs above. As a result, we slightly improved the balance on the white field, but in fact it makes no sense to make corrections in this case. In the settings you can choose one of three correction profiles.
The photos above are taken for option Switch off. Note that the correction only works in Sony applications - when viewing images and, apparently, in the video player. This is what happens if you select a profile Extreme brightness mode:
The color contrast increases, nothing remains of the naturalness of the colors. In mode Image enhancement image correction is not so extreme:
Let's summarize. The brightness adjustment range of this screen is wide, the anti-glare properties are excellent, which allows you to comfortably use the smartphone both on a sunny day outside and in complete darkness. It is also possible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works adequately. The advantages include an effective oleophobic coating, no air gap in the screen layers and no flickering, good uniformity of the black field, as well as a color gamut close to sRGB and good color balance. The disadvantages are the low stability of black to the deviation of the gaze from perpendicular to the screen plane, as well as the non-switchable dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness. Nevertheless, taking into account the importance of characteristics for this particular class of devices (and the most important thing is the visibility of information in a wide range of external conditions), the quality of the screen can be considered high.
Cameras
The front module has a 1/4″ Exmor R sensor with a resolution of 8 MP, as well as a 23 mm wide-angle lens with f/2.0 aperture and autofocus, but without its own flash. The maximum light sensitivity of the matrix is ISO 3200.
The shooting quality is good: the image is bright, the sharpness across the entire field of the frame is satisfactory, there are no complaints about detail.
For main Sony cameras used its 1/2.3″ 23-megapixel Exmor RS module for mobile devices with a pixel size of 1.22 microns. The 23mm wide-angle lens has an f/2.0 aperture. The maximum light sensitivity of the matrix is ISO 6400, but you can manually set only ISO 3200. There is a digital 5x Clear Image zoom and proprietary electronic stabilization SteadyShot, as well as fast hybrid autofocus.
The control menu is standard for all Sony devices; it is not very convenient, since the settings are scattered in different places, but for regular users this is no longer a problem. Automatic and manual modes shooting control, it is possible to download and install additional modes. As usual, there is an AR effect with augmented reality.
Manual settings, as usual, offer access to shutter speed, ISO, exposure compensation, white balance and focus options. True, the camera always turns on in auto mode if you use the side button.
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The camera can shoot video in a maximum resolution of 1080p with the H.264 codec; there are no 4K and 60 fps modes. The camera does not cope well with video shooting. Focusing does not fail, but the image is loose, detail is not as high as we would like. The sound recording is clear, but the noise reduction system suppresses certain frequencies too much, deafness appears, and the sound loses its natural liveliness.
- Video No. 1 (27 MB, 1920×1080@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
- Video No. 2 (25 MB, 1920×1080@30 fps, H.264, AAC)
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The sharpness across the frame is quite good. |
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The camera does relatively well when shooting indoors. |
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The camera copes with macro photography. |
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The text is well done. |
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The license plates of nearby cars are distinguishable. |
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Sharpness according to plans is not bad. |
The camera turned out, as follows from most reviews, not bad. It copes well in high light, but at the slightest drop, large grain from the noise reduction begins to appear. However, it does not always spoil the details: in most cases, the noise reduction is quite accurate. You can often notice small areas of out of focus around the edges of the frame. Otherwise, the camera is really quite good and will cope well with documentary shooting.
Telephone and communications
The MediaTek Helio P20 supports LTE Cat.6 with a maximum download speed of up to 300 Mbps, and in some regions it is supported by the Sony Xperia XA1, while in others it can use the slower LTE Cat.4 (up to 150 Mbps) . Large number of ranges supported LTE frequencies FDD and TDD, including all three most common bands in Russia (Band 3, 7, 20). In the city limits of the Moscow region, the device did not behave quite confidently, it took a long time to “catch” the network, demonstrated far from the maximum possible speeds in familiar test places, and there were always one or two “sticks” on the indicators, although this, of course, was not A completely objective indicator. In general, I got the impression that once again the Sony smartphone is not doing very well with the sensitivity of the radio modem, such a sin is common with them.
In addition, Bluetooth 4.2 is supported, both Wi-Fi bands (2.4 and 5 GHz), there is NFC with support for Mifare Classic, that is, the device works with an application for travel documents. Can be arranged wireless point access via Wi-Fi channels or Bluetooth. The USB Type-C connector supports connecting external devices in USB OTG mode.
When dialing a number, Smart Dial is supported with search by the first letters in contacts. IN phone book can be found standard for Android features for sorting and displaying contacts.
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Software and multimedia
As software platform OS used Android versions 7.0 and own branded shell, which changes little from series to series. However, updates happen, and right now it's the closest thing to stock Android.
This is not the first time that Sony Xperia smartphones have used Xperia Actions technology, which studies user behavior and helps in various situations with customizable settings and personalized recommendations. For example, Xperia can learn to detect what time you usually go to bed and wake up, so it can dim the screen brightness and lower the call volume at those times. Smart Cleaner automatically disables unused apps and clears the cache to free up memory.
Also familiar is the set of pre-installed programs that move from model to model (Movie Creator, Sketch, AVG antivirus). By default, all Sony smartphones come with a SwiftKey keyboard pre-installed.
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To play music, the device uses a familiar branded player with a familiar set of settings for optimizing ClearAudio+ sound.
The sound of the main speaker is rather faded and quiet; there are no two stereo speakers, as in older models. In headphones, the device sounds more or less decent: the sound is clear, loud and rich, although low frequencies not in excess, and it cannot be called crystal clear. To use certain models of in-house headphones, Sony has preinstalled ready-made profiles. There is also a built-in FM radio. But, as usual, there is no voice recorder application on Sony smartphones.
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Performance
The Sony Xperia XA1 hardware platform is based on a single-chip system MediaTek MT6757 (Helio P20), made using 16-nanometer technology. This SoC includes eight 64-bit ARM Cortex-A53 cores in two clusters with a frequency of 1.6 or 2.3 GHz. The dual-core Mali-T880 GPU is responsible for graphics processing. The amount of RAM is 3 GB, and the built-in flash memory is 32 GB. Initially free 23 GB of file storage and 1.7 GB random access memory.
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MediaTek MT6757 (Helio P20) is a relatively recent SoC released in 2016, designed for mid-range smartphones and tablets. It is quite productive: at the level of Qualcomm Snapdragon 625 and noticeably more powerful than the previous MediaTek MT6755 (Helio P10). In the AnTuTu test, the hero of the review demonstrates a quite decent 60K-plus points, this is a confident average level.
This SoC provides the system with reliable performance and in real scenarios allows the smartphone to cope with any modern tasks. There are no problems with games either; all the games we tested, including Modern Combat 5, Mortal Kombat X and others, run without slowdowns.
Testing in complex tests AnTuTu and GeekBench:
For convenience, we have compiled all the results we obtained when testing the smartphone in the latest versions of popular benchmarks into tables. The table usually adds several other devices from different segments, also tested on similar latest versions benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry figures). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison it is impossible to present the results from different versions benchmarks, so many worthy and relevant models remain “behind the scenes” - due to the fact that at one time they passed the “obstacle course” on previous versions test programs.
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Testing the graphics subsystem in gaming tests 3DMark, GFXBenchmark and Bonsai Benchmark:
When testing in 3DMark, the most powerful smartphones now have the ability to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).
| Sony Xperia XA1 (MediaTek MT 6757) |
Huawei Nova 2 (HiSilicon Kirin 659) |
HTC One X10 (MediaTek (MT6755) |
Asus Zenfone 3 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 625) |
Nokia 5 (Qualcomm Snapdragon 430) |
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| 3DMark Ice Storm Sling Shot (more is better) |
671 | 413 | 421 | 466 | 299 |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (Onscreen, fps) | 15 | 5,2 | 5 | 6 | 10 |
| GFXBenchmark Manhattan ES 3.1 (1080p Offscreen, fps) | 6 | 4,7 | 5 | 6 | 4,6 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (Onscreen, fps) | 32 | 20 | 17 | 22 | 20 |
| GFXBenchmark T-Rex (1080p Offscreen, fps) | 21 | 18 | 17 | 23 | 16 |
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Browser cross-platform tests:
As for benchmarks for assessing the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowance for the fact that their results significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so the comparison can only be truly correct on the same OS and browsers, and this is possible during testing not always. For Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.
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Further testing of video playback was performed Alexey Kudryavtsev.
We were unable to check the theoretically possible support for adapters for outputting images to an external device due to the lack of an adapter option that can be connected to USB port Type-C, so we had to limit ourselves to testing the output of video files on the screen of the device itself. To do this, we used a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see “Method for testing video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)”). Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped determine the nature of the output of frames of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied (1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels) and frame rate (24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps). In the tests we used the MX Player video player in the “Hardware” mode. The test results are summarized in the table:
Note: If in both columns Uniformity And Passes Green ratings are given, this means that, most likely, when watching films, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and frame skipping will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. Red marks indicate possible problems related to the playback of the corresponding files.
According to the frame output criterion, the quality of playback of video files on the screen of the smartphone itself is good, since frames (or groups of frames) can (but are not required) be output with more or less uniform alternation of intervals and, in most cases, without skipping frames. When playing video files with a resolution of 1280 by 720 (720p) on a smartphone screen, the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly along the border of the screen, one to one in pixels, that is, in the original resolution. The brightness range displayed on the screen corresponds to the actual range - all gradations are displayed in shadows and highlights.
Battery life
Fixed accumulator battery, installed in the Sony Xperia XA1, traditionally has a small capacity of 2300 mAh. As expected, a smartphone with such a small battery, and even on the MediaTek platform, which has never been famous for its economical power consumption, does not demonstrate a high level of autonomy. The level, one might say, is barely satisfactory by modern standards.
Testing has traditionally been done at normal power consumption levels without using power-saving features. Naturally, there is a proprietary energy-saving Smart Stamina mode, and the proprietary Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology is responsible for a more gentle approach to battery charging.
Continuous reading in the Moon+ Reader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (brightness was set to 100 cd/m²) with auto-scrolling lasted no more than 13 hours until the battery was completely discharged, and when continuously watching videos in high quality(720p) with the same brightness level via home Wi-Fi network The device operates for 8.5 hours. In 3D gaming mode, the smartphone can operate for about 4 hours.
From regular network adapter The smartphone is fully charged within 2 hours 45 minutes with a current of 1.28 A at a voltage of 5 V. Wireless charging smartphone does not support.
Bottom line
The device has already been presented in Russian retail; the official price of the Sony Xperia XA1 is 22 thousand rubles. For this money, the user gets a balanced mid-range smartphone that is not the highest flight, but also without noticeable failures. Screen, camera, hardware system performance, set of communication modules, sound in headphones - everything is quite satisfactory and even good level. The sound of the main speaker and the level of autonomy are worse than we would like at this price, but overpricing has always been the norm for Sony products. This does not stop true fans of the brand; they overpay for a popular brand, as well as for confidence in the high quality of the company’s products.
XPERIA X1 has not even appeared yet, but has already become a record holder. Record holder for the time it goes on sale. It “only” took her a little over a year to get into our hands, as well as on the shelves of Ukrainian stores. Was our wait worth it?
Standard GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (GPRS/EDGE)/UMTS 900/1900/2100 (HSDPA/HSPA)
Dimensions and weight 111×53×17 mm, 158 g
OS Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
CPU n/a
Memory 256 MB RAM, 400 MB Flash ROM + microSD (up to 16 GB)
Screen TFT, 3", 800×480 pixels
Battery, autonomy Li-Ion, 1500 mAh, 1-2 days
Communications USB (Mini-USB) 2.0, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, A2DP, Wi-Fi
Camera 3.2 MP, max. 2048×1536 pixels, autofocus, video recording (VGA, 30 fps), backlight
Working with messages SMS, MMS, e-mail
Audio formats MP3, MIDI, WAV, WMA, AMR, AAC, AAC+, Real Audio
Video formats 3GP, WMV, Real Video, MPEG-4
Internet browser WAP 2.0, HTML, XHTML, Opera Mobile
Additional features GPS SiRF Star III; radio, X-panels, 3.5 mm jack
Design; ergonomics of the QWERTY keyboard; the idea of X-panels, their expandability; multimedia
Ergonomics of the control key block; X-panels need improvement
An extremely interesting WM communicator from a company specializing in multimedia devices. The result almost met expectations
Verdict
Product provided by the company Sony Ericsson
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At the time of its announcement, XPERIA created a sensation. Of course, the first Sony Ericsson communicator on Windows Mobile, a new user interface, an “advanced” multimedia component, etc. Then it turned out that the release dates were postponed, then postponed again... Soon HTC Diamond, Touch Pro, Samsung Witu appeared. Both journalists and users began to forget about XPERIA. And finally she reached us, and interest awoke with renewed vigor. I desperately wanted to know what we had been waiting for so long. As it turned out, the interest of potential users also did not fade away: this was demonstrated both by the activity of readers on and the reaction of people who saw this device in the hands of the editorial staff. It remains to be seen whether the product is worthy of such attention, whether the competitors managed to get ahead during the time they received as a head start? Our detailed test is designed to answer these questions.
Appearance
The device looks very cool. We got the black version. It’s impossible to say with certainty that it’s more interesting than the combined one (we haven’t seen the second one live), but this one looks its best. The metal body with a dark coating evokes associations with blued steel and generally suggests that this is a device capable of solving any combat mission and reliable, like a Kalashnikov assault rifle. In a word, XPERIA really looks cool, is built well, and really doesn’t let you part with it. Moreover, when open, the device is no less impressive: the light, again metal, keyboard block contrasts favorably with the dark body. In general, a solid A for appearance.
Display
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With a diagonal of three inches, the XPERIA display has a resolution of 800x480 pixels. To clearly imagine how much it is, it is worth making a picture of this size and displaying it on the computer display in “full size”. Naturally, there can be no question of any graininess - the display is magnificent. There are also no complaints about the picture quality and displayed colors. In the sun, the screen fades, but not too much, remaining quite readable. There is a light sensor, thanks to which the brightness of the backlight can be adjusted automatically, saving your battery power and vision. Processing of clicks is carried out without problems - everything is typical for such devices. There is only one minus, and it is not even related to the display as such, but to its design. According to the old “communication” tradition, the screen is recessed into the body, which contributes to the accumulation of dirt around the edges. There is an opinion that this is even better - there is somewhere to glue the protective film. But we believe that in modern devices With an interface focused on control without a stylus, this should no longer be the case.
Ergonomics
But ergonomics, especially some of its aspects, are perhaps the weakest point of the XPERIA. Although the problem is most likely not even in the communicator itself (by and large, everything is “on the level”), but in the fact that we are gradually getting used to the best and want everything to correspond to this best. However, first things first.
Our complaints are primarily caused by the controls of the communicator. An external keyboard is a prime example of the triumph of design over common sense. The layout as a whole is unsuccessful - the keys are located too low and close to the edge of the case, you need to reach for them, as a result of which the rather heavy device is outweighed. But the keys themselves are extremely inconvenient. Not only are the accept/end-end buttons the smallest of all, but also “thanks to” their shape, you have to press the very edge. Doing this without aiming is quite difficult. Apparently, the one who designed these buttons himself did not believe that they would be used, but would rely more on the touch interface.
The joystick is really interesting. Firstly, it is large, protrudes above the body and is very comfortable. With the OK button in the middle - everything is as it should be. And secondly, this same OK button is also a touchpad, quite suitable for scrolling. But if the company, so to speak, went all the way and added a free cursor to this joystick, which could be controlled like on a laptop, there would be no price for such a solution! But this is already from the category of “used to the best.”
We have few complaints about the full QWERTY keyboard. The buttons are small, but well separated, the action is clear - everything is just great. And although not all the Cyrillic layout fits into its usual places, there is a slight shift at the bottom right, but there are a minimum of key combinations. You can complain about the lack of cursor control arrows, but in principle it’s easy to do without them thanks to the joystick on the right side, which your thumb can easily reach.
Functionality, performance
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In terms of functionality, if you don't take into account the X-panels, the Sony Ericsson X1 seems quite ordinary. To paraphrase the classic, all Windows communicators are the same inside, only each user interface is original in its own way. So the XPERIA, as far as “panels” are concerned, is, in principle, a typical communicator, which, due to the high resolution of the display, looks rather poor in performance tests. The only plus we can put is the presence of a 3D accelerator, which has proven itself excellent in games, but unconverted video turned out to be too tough for the device, which is somewhat disappointing, especially in comparison with regular phones, because some of them can easily cope with VGA resolution and a stream of 1.5 Mbit/s.
X panels
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| Spb Mobile Shell is the most interesting and functional panel on this moment, which seriously improves operation of the device | ||
Finally we got to the most interesting part - X-panels. What is it? X-panels is an interface within which the user can work with individual applications, panels, the capabilities of which are very wide - from performing one simple function to complete control over the communicator. They are called by a special key; no more than nine can be displayed on the screen at a time. Actions with panels are accompanied by beautiful animation - everything flies around the Desktop and turns over. It just slows down a bit - we hope that the programmers will be able to optimize this moment. The user is free to place panels at his own discretion, choosing the most necessary ones. Only one is firmly fixed - the Today screen, which opens access to the traditional Work Windows desktop Mobile. Unfortunately, the choice of panels is not very wide, but official page There are only a few XPERIA devices, and third-party developers have not yet paid enough attention to this niche. Installation of new panels is very simple: they are familiar .cab files that can be installed using a synchronization program or downloaded directly to the device. Unfortunately, the implementation of the panels cannot yet be called final. There is a serious drawback - the lack of multitasking. So, after launching the player, you cannot exit this panel and go to Facebook - playback will stop. But click Start and launch Opera - please. Only if you then click on X-panels will the playback still stop. It’s an annoying flaw, but, as far as we know, the company is actively working on this and promises to fix everything in the next software versions.
Multimedia
And now, armed with the knowledge that using X-panels from a multimedia point of view is possible with some reservations, we proceed directly to studying the possibilities.
Multimedia panel. In fact, we have a painfully familiar multimedia menu, which can be found in almost every new Sony Ericsson phone. In any case, it looks very similar - the same Image Viewer, Music and Video Players, Contacts (read below for why they were brought here - read below) and Games. Moreover, the games are not only preinstalled, but also installed by you. Magic, no less. But seriously, the presence of Contacts in the multimedia panel amused us at first, but then we realized that such a solution is quite rational. Since we can’t implement multitasking, let’s give the user the opportunity to at least conveniently make calls, write SMS and e-mail directly from here, from the player. The solution is extraordinary and probably temporary, but, as they say, thanks for that.
The music player is interesting - it looks great and is not lacking in functionality. An organized library with metadata and tags is welcome. Everything is updated automatically, right up to the instantaneous appearance of newly recorded music in the menu. But the most important thing is the sound. It is simply magnificent, and without discounting the fact that this is a WM communicator. This is the best thing we have ever listened to on this platform; the terminal definitely “plays” in the same weight category as the leading music devices of our time. Record your favorite tracks on a memory card, take your usual headphones, go to the store and listen. It's worth it.
The video player is also implemented very well. True, as we have already said, it cannot cope with unconverted video, but if you adapt a video specifically for it, with a stream of up to a megabit and a resolution up to VGA, in a digestible format, for example the H.264 codec (container.m4v), - the result will please you. You can get hundreds of videos like this different ways, and any iPod/iPhone/PSP video converter can help you with this.
Exploitation
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In the best traditions of multimedia devices, Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 is equipped with two speakers designed to provide high-quality stereo sound. Indeed, the device plays well and is quite loud. But on the street this is still not enough, and it is very easy to miss a call. The vibration signal doesn’t help either; in fact, it’s very weak - the device is heavy, and it’s not so easy to “shake” it. The body does not show a tendency to rub off, and apparently the paint will last a long time. The autonomy of the device is not outstanding: browsing, GPS, Wi-Fi/3.5G network, conversations - all this drains the battery very quickly.
conclusions
What's the end result? Not a revolution, unfortunately. Rather, he is a good, very good communicator, who still needs some time to be “processed with a file.” Multitasking of the panels will be added, their work will speed up a little, the software will become stable - and here it is, an excellent multimedia communicator. But this does not mean that he is not interesting now. On the contrary, it’s sometimes nice to feel like a pioneer, to be the first to try new panels and firmware, to see how the device improves before your eyes. I want to believe that all this will happen. In the meantime, we have before us an interesting communicator, excellent in appearance and not at all empty inside. And only time will tell whether Sony Ericsson will be able to develop the full potential of not only this device, but also the future XPERIA line - if it is destined to appear. The result is a well-deserved four stars and recommendations to take a closer look at it when choosing a new device. I would really like to give it a five, but we don’t like to give ratings in advance.
Alternatives
XPERIA X1 or HTC Touch Pro?
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| HTC Touch Pro |
These communicators are very close to each other - due to the fact that the X1 was created on the basis of the HTC model. The product form factor and basic configuration elements are the same, but the prices are currently almost the same. The most significant hardware differences are the resolution, and therefore the aspect ratio of the screen and the associated features of the QWERTY keyboard layout and, of course, the case materials. The XPERIA is more elongated, which makes it feel more like a “phone” and fits more comfortably in the hand when talking, and its “sparse” alphabetical keyboard is easier to work with. Both communicators are equipped with specially developed software shells, with the HTC TouchFLO 3D being less functional, but more ergonomic and better integrated into the system. Ultimately, when choosing between these two models, we would prefer the XPERIA.
XPERIA X1 or top all-in-one communicators?
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| Samsung SGH-i900 Witu |
If you plan to use your communicator as a universal device, that is, to constantly make calls from it, it makes sense to compare the XPERIA with two models of a similar class, also designed as “phones”, but in an all-in-one case - the HTC Touch Diamond and the Samsung SGH-i900 Witu. All three products differ significantly from each other, so it will be interesting to choose. To briefly describe its competitors, HTC is a “designer” device, beautiful and unusual, with user-friendly interface TouchFLO 3D, the brand of which is quite prestigious, but the equipment looks rather weak in modern times: 4 GB of non-expandable memory and a 3-megapixel camera will not surprise anyone today, although the VGA screen is very good.
| HTC Touch Diamond |
Samsung is a fairly technological product; in terms of equipment, it is the strongest of the three. There is 16 GB of memory plus a microSD slot, a 5-megapixel camera, a touch joystick with a “virtual mouse” function, and a gyroscope that works in all applications. However, the name Samsung is not as beloved among “technomaniacs” as the other two, but shell software In our experience, it is better to replace TouchWiz with the paid Spb Mobile Shell 2.0. As for Sony Ericsson, it has best ratio“external data” (design, case materials) and equipment, but the QWERTY keyboard is still very important for a Windows communicator. Therefore, the decisive argument in this dispute will be the price: if you are willing to spend $800, take XPERIA, if you want to save money, pay attention to Samsung.
XPERIA X1 or glofiish M800?
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| glofiish M800 |
At first glance, these communicators are very similar, and the product from glofiish promises significant savings. And in terms of equipment, the devices are not very different from each other, because the M800 is practically an analogue of the HTC Touch Pro, also with a 640x480 pixels screen. But the quality of the Sony Ericsson product is objectively higher in many respects, therefore, despite the difference in price, we recommend the XPERIA.
XPERIA X1 or “super communicators”?
| ASUS P835 | HTC Touch HD |
IN Lately devices are appearing in large numbers with the same screen resolution as the X1 (800×480 pixels), but with a larger diagonal - 3.5-3.8". We compared the XPERIA with two such products - ASUS P835 and HTC Touch HD - with similar equipment. The result in both cases is the same: with a seemingly insignificant difference in screen diagonal, the devices are perceived completely differently, because the “super communicators” are noticeably larger. And ASUS and HTC products are aimed more at those who actively use Mobile Internet and multimedia, respectively, the difference in screen size has for them great importance. A comparison of the external design and dimensions of the products reveals the more fashionable nature of the XPERIA - it seems that the Sony Ericsson device is “for people”, while its competitors are “for computer geeks”. This is exactly how you should approach the choice, although no one will deny the benefits of the XPERIA QWERTY keyboard, including computer geeks.
The Sony Xperia X may be the most comfortable Sony phone I've ever held in my hands. It retains many of the best design elements of the Xperia Z, but also adds a lot of new features. Unfortunately, its price is simply too high, when you can get better (or similar) smartphones for a couple hundred dollars less.
Sony Xperia X Smartphone - Reviews
Sony has really improved its design with the Xperia X
What's great about the design of the Sony Xperia X
At first glance, the smartphone looks like more old model Xperia Z, but it has some nice upgrades that make the phone much more comfortable to hold in your hand. The first change is the screen size, it has decreased from 5.2 to 5.0 inches, and the smartphone itself has become much more comfortable in the hand (this, of course, depends on the size of the hands), which makes it a good alternative to many of the giant phablets on the market .
Fragility, slipperiness, fingerprints on the back of the case, they will no longer be here, because glass has been replaced by metal back panel. The sides are curved and made of polycarbonate, which strongly resembles metal. These plastic sides eliminate almost all seams and make the Sony Xperia X feel softer in your hand. Despite the presence of a 23-megapixel camera, the module is located almost on the same level as the panel in the upper left corner of the phone. On the front panel, the glass is hidden behind the edges. This helps the device look much better than previous versions and makes it more durable.
Weak processor power
The Xperia X is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 chip with 3GB of RAM. In our 3D Mark tests, the X scored around 18,200 on the unlimited test and 850 on the newer Slingshot, putting it on par with high-end 2014 devices including the HTC One M7/M8 and LG's G3. On Geekbench, the Sony Xperia X received scores that put it roughly on par with last year's Galaxy S6. This worries us because it means that the Xperia X's shelf life, despite high price, may be less than other comparable priced smartphones.
The Xperia X looks good, runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow and feels good in the hand
Some advantages: slot for MicroSD cards meaning storage space isn't such a big issue here, the display has a 5-inch 1,920 x 1,080 pixel IPS LCD screen. There's simply no real need to have more pixels here because they hurt battery life. And on that note, the 2,620mAh non-removable battery life is pretty good! After several days of stress testing, the battery still ended the day at 13 percent. On a normal day, you should end up at 20-40 percent, and Sony's boost modes seem to really help in a pinch.
The call quality is fine, although we had a few strange calls in the first few days, but this is not a problem with the device but rather with the operator.
Sony Xperia X Warranty
Sony offers the usual limited one-year warranty, which only covers manufacturing defects and not problems caused by use of the phone.
Bottom line
Sony Xperia X is beautiful smartphone, which has Android 6.0 Marshmallow and is comfortable to hold. The camera isn't perfect, but it's still a very good camera and the shutter button feels good to touch.
But for 40,000 rubles you can buy a lot best phone. Snapdragon 650 processor, weak compared to other devices in the same price range. X performance can be better if you choose the Sony Xperia X Performance version, which costs from 50,000 rubles and has new processor Snapdragon 820, although it will look the same as the reviewed smartphone.
Advantages
- More durable design;
- Comfortable to hold in hand;
- Pure Android 6.0;
- You can remove applications and viruses;
- There is a MicroSD card slot.
Flagship XPERIA smartphone The X1 will remain so until the model codenamed . Interest in it is fueled by excellent case materials, a large 3-inch display with a resolution of 800x480, a QWERTY keyboard and an intriguing interface - X-panels, which are desktop-like shells with different functionality. The set came out interesting, if not unique, but at the same time contradictory.
Frankly, the editors gg I was tormented by doubts whether or not to take this smartphone for review. It was announced last year at Mobile World Congress 2008, and went on sale just under New Year. At the same time, an extremely small quantity of this phone was delivered to our country. It is not cheap and you can only buy it “to order” - you will not find it on the open market. Truly Hamlet's question was finally resolved in favor of “to be,” since the model still turned out to be iconic and interesting, despite the fact that its exit was delayed. In addition, we have certain tender feelings for the Sony Ericsson brand (as well as for the struggling Motorola), so we could not resist the temptation to turn it in our hands flagship smartphone company, albeit developed in the depths of HTC (although both companies do not comment on this fact, however, without denying it).
A little history
The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 model produced the effect of a bomb exploding at Mobile World Congress 2008 in the literal sense of the word. No one expected such a step from the company - to take and in one fell swoop abandon the Symbian UIQ platform, into which huge resources had been poured, and announce a new flagship on Windows Mobile. Even such a small thing as support for microSD memory cards and the refusal of Sony cards seemed like a reasonable step towards the consumer, bordering on corporate blasphemy. A huge display with advanced resolution, a QWERTY keyboard and a promised innovative interface - all foreshadowed success and fueled the interest of a public unprepared for such shocks and a sharp turn in the course that the company was taking. At first a new one was promised Windows version Mobile, but Microsoft let us down here; in the end, the model came out a little updated version 6.1. In reality, there were slightly more problems. In June, HTC announced a similar product (we are, of course, talking about the HTC Touch Pro). And it reached the shelves much earlier than the “experiment”, having arrived before the crisis. In addition, distributors of Windows Mobile systems, due to their specific nature, are closer to the computer audience than to the mobile audience. And HTC's position in this segment in the second half of 2008 was stronger than ever. As a result, of all the advantages, the XPERIA X1 only had a partially metal body, a promised interface with the ability to create custom skins (it was assumed that independent developers would be able to create their own panels) and an army of fans of the Sony Ericsson brand, which was eagerly awaiting the new product.
Specifications
The undoubted advantages of the model include a 3-inch display with a resolution of 800x480. Let me remind you that the Asus Eee PC 4G netbook had a similar resolution. Of course, there is some profanation with ease of use, which is widely replicated by the media, but in general it is believed that it is convenient to view websites on a 3-inch display with such a resolution. Although on the same Asus Eee PC 4G this convenience is doubtful, despite the significantly larger physical dimensions screen. For comparison, given HTC specifications Touch Pro. They are both available for sale in limited quantities (there are noticeably more offers of HTC Touch Pro, but they could have been imported even before the crisis, counting on pre-New Year sales). The price for both models revolves around the amount of 5,000 hryvnia.
Appearance
Taking into account the QWERTY keyboard, the device was not very large, but the metal parts made it quite weighty. The base of the chassis on which the keyboard itself is located is metal. When closed, it looks like a metal rim on the case, and when open, the metal around the keyboard gives the device an expensive look. There are LEDs in the corners that light up for incoming and missed calls and received messages.
The keyboard, at first glance, is extremely similar to a computer keyboard - a long space bar, an L-shaped Enter, but it obviously takes a long time to get used to. Moreover, some keys simply require this. For example, a button with Windows icon or the completely “unintuitive” “ok” key. And the lack of cursor control arrows is confusing at first - to move the cursor you need to move your fingers to the upper block with the display, where the navigation module is located.
Despite the fact that we received a test copy and it was severely “beaten by life” (for example, this explains the absence of a rubberized plug hiding the mounting screw in the upper right corner of the photo). But the metal battery cover and soft touch material on the back look like new. Based on materials in this Sony models Ericsson did not skimp at all. Apart from the dust that constantly gets stuck in all the small cracks on the case, the device looks like new.
At the bottom end there is a loop for tying a keychain, cord or other pendants. At the top there is a 3.5 mm jack and a power button.
The right side panel contains the traditional camera power button and volume control keys. Pay attention to the speaker gap (on the left side of the top and right side of the bottom pictures). There is a USB connector on the left - it is used for charging and for exchanging data with a computer. By the way, Charger It comes with XPERIA, as in the case of HTC, into the plug of which you need to plug this same USB cable. That is, charging in any case comes from USB.
The lid makes an ambivalent impression. On the one hand, it looks reliable. On the other hand, after the phone accidentally fell, it flew off along with the battery that fell out of its compartment. In these two photos she is not sitting tightly, perhaps it is worth re-shooting this angle for full review. The stylus with its black cap hides in the phone body like a partisan in the forests of Transcarpathia - finding it is not so easy and quick. However, I have completely lost the habit of using it. Moreover, my last three phones were with touch screens and I got the hang of hitting the right place (if necessary) with the tip sharpened like a razor nail
The navigation block, to be honest, ended up being redundant. Six keys, a navigation key, and even an optical joystick (which is actually neither optical nor a joystick - everything is just like a guinea pig). In general, in the center of the navigation block there is a small Touchpad. The same is found in Samsung Witu and a number of other models. To be honest, the author of such navigation would like erect a monument Ask some questions. For example, why, with two soft keys, make a separate “ok” button (duplicated, by the way, on a QWERTY keyboard and at the same time it is still completely unclear in what situation it is used). The buttons for accepting and rejecting calls are quite justified. As well as a separate key that launches the very X Panels that were discussed so much in the announcement. But this key should be placed separately somehow. For example, I would make the panels launch in a simpler and more natural way - by pressing the center of the navigation key. Which is usually used to enter the menu. By the way, this optical joystick can be disabled in the Windows Mobile settings and you can use the navigation key as usual.
The SIM card is easy to install. It is supported by a special plate, which must be pressed in order to pull the card back out.
But although the memory card can be removed without turning off the phone, its connector is hidden under the cover. Therefore, when replacing a memory card, the cover will have to be removed. This photo also clearly shows the stylus in its niche and the 3-megapixel camera module with LED backlight.
Appearance video
Interface and X-Panels
X-panels are a key element for working with Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1. Alternatively, you can use the standard Windows menu Mobile, but it’s hard to say which one is worse. There was a feeling that the developers of X-panels did not bother to familiarize themselves with similar add-ons to the operating system (there are already a lot of them, but we could start from the most common one - TouchFLO 3D, created by HTC). To be fair, it must be said that there are already eleven additional panels available for free download (lucky phone owners can get access to download new panels directly from the phone). These are panels for accessing Evernote, Facebook, Skype, Windows Live. But in general, for a phone that went on sale six months ago, these are, of course, crumbs. The X-panel menu is called up by pressing a special key. At the same time, an icon gallery appears with all installed panels. There are not so many of them and they duplicate each other, differing for the most part only in color design. Visualization of the panels is implemented in 3 ways - you can arrange them like a fan this way, or you can arrange them like that. But this is all self-indulgence; the only convenient way is to arrange them in a table. To remove or add new panels, you need to press the settings button.
The Google panel is used to launch the corresponding services. Its presence is more like a nod of politeness to your partner, rather than a reasonable necessity. The problem with all X-panels is that to launch some application that is not on the current panel, you need to enter the panels menu, select a “more different” panel, wait for it to load (a few seconds) and only then launch the application. It would be difficult to come up with a more complex mechanism. Another useless but beautiful panel is the fish panel. They simply float across the screen with a clock and react to the touch of your fingers - you can drive them away. This is where all the fun ends.
The remaining panels are quite similar to each other. The panel loading process is implemented as in Apple iPhone. That is, first the recompressed image is loaded (apparently, it is believed that since it is there, the idiot user is sure that the application loaded instantly), and after 3-4 seconds, it does not acquire clarity - this is the downloaded application with the X-panel. But in general, it’s all better to see in the video below.
X-panels
The most useful (and the only truly convenient) panel is developed by the St. Petersburg company Spb Software. Apparently, it will be included in the standard package (let me remind you that I had a test sample). The panel has three tabs - diary, main applications and contacts.
But, as popular wisdom says, it is better to see once than to hear a hundred times: Spb Shell panel
Two more standard panels have purely entertainment functions. It is completely incomprehensible why their functions are not combined - I have never seen a phone in my life in which switching between the radio and the media player required so much time and action. In addition, if you load one of them, the second will inevitably be unloaded from memory, which is generally strange for a multitasking device. The media panel is animated quite nicely and, in addition to listening to music, allows you to watch videos and photos. But the radio panel is extremely ascetic - it looks quite adequate and is convenient to use, but the stations in the memory, you must admit, this is, to put it mildly, wrong. Most likely it's all about the haste with which the developers made this panel.
Radio panel
Among the “relatives”, the most interesting (after the Spb Shell panel) panel is called XPERIA. It has many settings, allows you to add RSS feeds, select blocks that will be displayed on the desktop. It would be appropriate to say here that XPERIA is a phone aimed at those who prefer to be constantly online. The first thing the smartphone does after entering the PIN code is connect to the Internet and try to keep its owner up to date with all the news (mail and RSS channels). These opportunities cannot but be appreciated by those who are truly interested in them. The device does not let you forget that it is now 2009.
Similar settings, however, are available for the remaining two panels, which are modestly called (minus for marketers - it was possible to come up with something memorable, but there was not enough time, intelligence, or both at once) “panel 1” and “panel 2”.
A couple more interesting screenshots - the first shows access to Google's Picasa panel, the second shows the Comm Manager application used by HTC. It allows you to easily and simply manage all the communication capabilities of the phone (although it is not clear how the “airplane” mode differs from turning off the phone).
And here google maps Never before have they looked as good on a phone as they do here. Of course, this is due to a high resolution screen and its dimensions. Perhaps, in this form they are really comfortable to use.
For the sake of formality, I’ll give you some more screenshots Windows settings Mobile. They are standard, as you would expect. And they don’t carry anything unusual or previously unseen.
Camera
It is worth saying that premium smartphones, which certainly include the XPERIA X1, have never been distinguished by advanced cameras. It's not that their customers would refuse a good camera in their device. Rather, manufacturers do not equip their devices with advanced cameras so that the price, already comparable to the cost of a laptop, does not rise to the cost of an expensive laptop, limiting the number of buyers (and reducing production resources, which, in turn, will also lead to higher costs). The camera in the XPERIA X1 is quite standard, three megapixel with autofocus and LED backlight. Logically, it should be similar to the one in the HTC Tocuh Pro, but I liked the camera in the HTC Touch Diamond, which I had the pleasure (or displeasure - depending on how you look at it, there were a lot of disappointments) to use, less. Plus, the XPERIA X1 camera has the ability to select an autofocus zone when shooting - to do this, you just need to activate the appropriate mode and simply tell the device what to focus on by pointing your finger at the corresponding area of the display. By the way, the autofocus, either due to the unfinished version of the device or something else, gave frequent failures during macro photography, focusing on the general background (in this case it was the background, the focus of which did not interest me at all). But in the forced focusing mode, everything worked just fine - no matter how hard I tried to find flaws in the operation of the automation, it would not have been possible. The default resolution is 2048x1280, corresponding to the display proportions. But if you wish, you can choose 2048x1536 (that is, 4:3). In practice, the camera simply cuts off a strip at the top and bottom, but everyone can decide at what resolution to shoot on their own. For printing, of course, 2048x1536 is better. But maybe someone takes pictures to watch them on their widescreen monitor or TV. Examples of pictures in original resolution are available by clicking on the preview. The images will open in a new browser window. You can view the entire gallery, consisting of fifty photographs, in
Type: smartphone Operating system: MS Windows Mobile 6.1 Case type: horizontal slider Case material: steel and plastic QWERTY keyboard: yes Control: navigation key SIM card type: regular Number of SIM cards: 1 Weight: 158 g Dimensions (WxHxT) : 53x110x17 mm