Xperia arc
This blogger event could not have come in a better timing. Cynthia took over my Xperia X8 because she has ‘accidentally’ soaked her old phone that I bought for her with water, inside her gym bag. X8 is good as an entry level Android phone but we are looking for something with a more executive outlook. When the folks from Sony Ericsson unveiled the upcoming Xperia arc (together with two other new models), I was instantly in love.
Xperia arc features a pure black screen, noticeably striking when on standby. It makes the rest of the smartphones that have a dark grey screen looks less appealing and somewhat dated. Xperia arc is slim. At its thinnest, the phone measures at 8.7 mm. The screen size is 4.2 inches, which I believe is one of the largest in the smartphone category. Xperia arc scores very high on the form factor. But what about the multimedia offering?
During the video playback demo session, arc was put side-by-side with Sony Ericsson’s current high end model, X10. Because arc employs Sony’s BRAVIA technology, looking at the same video, arc produces more crystal clear picture and the image looks vibrant and brilliant. In terms of image and video capturing capability, with an Sony’s Exmor R technology as well as an aperture of 2.4 (quite possibly one of the lowest I have seen), this phone supposes to shine under low light condition. I have tested the evening shots on top of Esplanade and I am pleased with what I have seen. Perhaps I can share some live images with you once I get hold of one. Xperia arc has a 8.1 megapixel camera that comes with HD video recording capability. Not the highest I have seen. But not too low either. I suspect Exmor R technology should be able to boost the image quality. Sony, after all, makes cameras as well. This phone has a HDMI output. I don’t see much use to it. But if you need it, it is there.
Xperia arc will be launched with the latest Android for smartphone version 2.3. Although I am not fanatic towards the version of the operating system (I still yet to see that huge different between 1.6 and 2.1 besides that animated screen, it is certainly not like an upgrade from Vista to Win 7), it is good to see that Sony Ericsson has fixed the perception issue. Now, I am keen to see if they can keep up the platform update for their existing Android models.
Quite honestly, the moment I plugged my personal earphone onto Xperia arc was the moment when I said to myself, “Woah, this is the one”. I am much impressed by the music playback quality. It is a class on its own. You have got to hear it for yourself.
Xperia arc will be available in Singapore in Q1 this year (which is just days away!) in two colors: Midnight Blue and Misty Silver.
Xperia neo
Xperia neo is very much similar to Xperia arc, in terms of technical spec. Hence, I would not repeat here. Xperia neo is more compact. It has a screen size of 3.7 inches instead of arc’s 4.2 inches. And it also has an unique design, equally ergonomic in a different way compares to arc. At launch, neo will have two colors – Blue Gradient and Red – and is going to be available in Singapore Q2 this year. It should be priced below Xperia arc. By how much? We have to wait and see.
Xperia PLAY
For the avid gamers, the above image would mean something dear to your heart. I have heard the rumor of such release a while ago. I was trying to get a confirmation from the PR company that handled Sony Ericsson’s account. But you know how marketing team works. It is all hush hush.
Xperia PLAY combines both PlayStation gaming experience with the latest Android platform. PLAY is the first PlayStation certified device. It does not come with the BRAVIA technology (color vibrancy is less of an issue as far as gaming is concerned because video games by default are designed with vibrant colors). But it has a better graphic processing system. On paper, it delivers a 60 frames per second gaming experience with minimal power consumption. I have tried out a racing game on the 4 inches screen. Pretty good experience. I was hoping to try out some fantasy role playing games but did not have a chance (not sure if there is one). At launch, PLAY will be preloaded with: Sim 3, FIFA 10, Madden NFL 11, Star Battalion, Bruce Lee: Dragon Warrior, and Crash Bandicoot. On top of that, more than 50 game titles will be available – for purchase I suppose. I have seen the list of games. It looks diverse. Surprisingly, I do not see Final Fantasy, or any fighting games that I can recognize.
When will PLAY be out? Q2 this year, in Singapore. In black, and in white.
Got a question? Drop me a comment!