sony xperia x1 mobile takes aim at iphone
filed under: digital imaging | media players | mobile tech
posted: February 10th, 2008 stumble it!4 comments author: technabob
Sony Ericsson today revealed their new XPERIA X1 smartphone, and it looks like it could be a serious contender in the battle for mobile supremacy. With a slick, modern user interface and industrial design to match, the phone is clearly designed to compete with Apple’s iPhone Juggernaut. The X1 has a luscious aluminum shell and an amazingly sharp display with a resolution which puts Apple’s to shame.
While the XPERIA X1 runs on the Windows Mobile Platform, Sony Ericsson developed a slick new user interface which gives it a much more forward looking design than most WinMo devices. Sony’s new “panel” interface shows nine tiny tiles which represent individual application windows. When touched, they open up to display the application using a smooth animated style.
It’s a full 3G phone, working on just about every phone and data network you can think of, supporting Quad-Band GSM, EDGE, HSDPA, HSUPA, and UMTS standards. Most of Sony’s X1 propaganda fails to mention Wi-Fi connectivity, but this spec sheet I found says “Utilize high-speed Internet at Wi-Fi™ hotspots at airports and other facilities”, so I’m hoping it really does.
The X1 really is loaded to the hilt with features. There’s a 3.2 megapixel digital camera with video recording and even video chat on high-speed networks. Internet surfing is achieved using the Internet Explorer Mobile browser. Unlike iPhone’s tower-triangulation navigation, the X1 offers true aGPS maps and directions. All the requisite PDA features are there, including E-mail, an alarm clock, calculator, calendar, document readers, address book, and task manager. And yes, it all syncs with Outlook and Exchange via ActiveSync. Heck, it even has push e-mail support like a Blackberry.
Of course, there’s full media playback support using Windows Media Player, including wireless stereo headset connectivity over Bluetooth A2DP. The X1 features a beautiful 3-inch TFT screen with a whopping 800 x 480 resolution (that’s way sharper than the iPhone’s already ample 480 x 320 display).
While the phone only has 400MB of on-board memory, but you can store up to 8GB of media files on optional SanDisk Micro or Memory Stick Micro memory cards. Behind its touchscreen display, the phone’s QWERTY keyboard than slides out to form an elegant arc when viewed from the side.
When closed, the X1 measures in at 4.3 x 0.7 x 2.1 inches, making it just a hair smaller than an iPhone on the width and height, but about 1/3rd thicker. Weight is 5.1 ounces, just a tiny bit heavier than the iPhone’s 4.8 ounces.
My greatest concern about the X1 is it’s Windows Mobile roots. While Sony Ericsson has clearly stepped up their game in the interfaces shown here, I’m afraid it all could just be a facade for WinMo’s less-than-stellar roots. I guess we’ll just all have to wait until we can get our hands on one to see. Expect the XPERIA X1 to make its way to stores sometime in the second half of 2008. Pricing hasn’t yet been revealed.
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3g, bluetooth, ericsson, gprs, gps, hsdpa, hsupa, mp3, phone, sony, touchscreen, umts, video, xperia
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4 comments comment
1. Mike | February 11th, 2008 at 2:41 am
Wow, nice looking phone. Good size too.
That interface looks pretty amazing too.. would be nice to get my hands on it to try it out!
Oh, and there’s nothing wrong with a little Windows Mobile
It runs great on devices that aren’t crippled with things like only 64MB for ROM.
2. technabob | February 11th, 2008 at 7:46 am
Take it for what it’s worth, but the functional prototypes floating around the Barcelona World Mobile Congress floor aren’t looking quite as impressive as the photos above:
http://www.crunchgear.com/2008/02/11/sex1-get-it-hands-on/
That said, the very first iPhone prototypes are said to have been slow and unstable too.
3. Ben Fox | February 28th, 2008 at 10:36 pm
Being a current Windows Mobile 6.0 user with an AT&T Tilt, I personally dont have a problem with the OS. The call quality and reception left much to be desired by thats not an OS based issue.
The Xperia looks like a great phone. You can find more info, reviews, and pictures at http://sonyericssonxperia.com/
4. Jack Johnson | June 3rd, 2008 at 3:14 pm
I love windows mobile 6. there are plenty of user created content for that platform. that combined with a large slick touch screen and qwerty keyboard. also uses sd which is a big plus. this is definitely the iphone killer, im just afraid it will cost me both my arms and legs. sony ericsson has the best speaker clarity when it comes to phones too.
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sony xperia x1 mobile takes aim at iphone