Experience the Xperia (X1)

SonyEricsson launched a new and eagerly awaited phone, the Xperia or X1. This phone, that runs on Windows Mobile version 6.1, offers many interesting new features for a more enhanced user experience for demanding services by mobile users.

Xperia is the first Sonyericsson's device that is operating on Windows Mobile and it was conceived as a retaliation strategy to challenge the growing acceptance of smartphone devices from HTC and Apple. This particular device is also said to be the famed iphone contender.

Based on the above highlights and the expectations that grew in anticipation of its release, how does it fare?

I did not have the chance to have it with in my hands for long, so I am gonna share my brief experience with it (If I could get hold of it for a longer timespan, I will have an updated entry on it in soon). But based on the short feel of handling the phone, and positioning myself as a buyer evaluating the merchandise at the retail outlet... let me share with you that experience and also will summarize my opinion on xperia.

Here are some snapshots of the phone.



This is the plain folded frontal view with the keyboard hidden.



The device look with the keyboard slid outwards.

Note : The keyboard is too small and very "flat". Maneuvering the QWERTY contraption for a brief session, my hands and fingers started to stress and I am starting to feel like acquiring the blackberry thumb syndrome

It would be better if they are slightly raised and with an curved edge design of the keys.



The back view of the phone is pretty plain and has a highly metallic exterior. Very simple and plain.

Here are some videos that I manage to capture while using the phone.



The phone booting up and getting ready for service



Video of me fiddling with the phone and the accelerometer function that comes with it.


Other key features :

a) HSDPA
b) 3.2 Megapixel camera
c) Built-in GPS service

My opinion :

a) Cost factor : retailing at the range of RM 3 to 3.5 K (way too steep, iphone can be easily priced at RM 2.8 from Hong Kong (fully unlocked version)
b) Usage experience : many interesting interactive experiences with the accelerometer, impressive multimedia animated graphics of menus swishing, swirling and etc.,
c) keyboard : bad experience, too small a keyboard,

Again.. have a look at the keyboard and my fingers...



d)screen size : is small for enhanced positive experience (in comparison to the Iphone screen size as well many other smartphones out there i.e Omnia SGH-i900,Nokia 5800, HTC HD-T8282)
e) Software navigation : its windows.. :-P
f) Will I buy it? :

For that price, no.
For the features, Not compelling enough

A glimpse of the technical specifications.