Sony Xperia S

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Sony Xperia S
Sony Xperia S on hand.jpg
Sony Xperia S running Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
Codename Nozomi
Manufacturer Sony Mobile Communications
Series Sony Xperia
ModelLT26i
Compatible networks GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900, UMTS/HSPA 850/900/1900/2100
First released1 March 2012;11 years ago (2012-03-01)
Predecessor Sony Ericsson Xperia arc S (global)
Sony Ericsson Xperia acro (Japan)
Successor Sony Xperia T
Sony Xperia TX
Related Sony Xperia ion
Sony Xperia acro S
Type Smartphone
Dimensions128×64×10.6 mm
5.0×2.5×0.4 inches
Mass144.0 g (5.08 oz)
Operating system Android 2.3 ("Gingerbread")
upgradeable to Android 4.1.2 ("Jelly Bean")
System-on-chip Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 MSM8260
CPU 1.5 GHz dual-core Scorpion
GPU Qualcomm Adreno 220
Memory1  GB RAM
Storage32 GB of internal storage
Removable storage none
BatteryNon-replaceable 1750 mAh
Display4.3 in (110 mm) TFT LCD
720×1280 resolution (342 ppi)
24-bit true color
Rear camera12.0 Mpx with 1080p video recording and 16× digital zoom
Front camera 1.3 Mpx with 720p video recording
Connectivity micro-USB, HDMI 2.0, 3.5 mm Audio Jack, Bluetooth 2.1, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, aGPS, GLONASS, NFC, DLNA, USB On-The-Go
Data inputsOn-screen QWERTY keyboard
OtherPlayStation Suite, Sony Entertainment Network (specifically, "Music Unlimited" and "Video Unlimited")

The Sony Xperia S is an Android smartphone from Sony launched at the 2012 Consumer Electronics Show. It was first released in February 2012 as the Sony Ericsson Xperia NX in Japan, while the Sony Xperia S was released in March 2012 as a restyled version of the Sony Ericsson Xperia NX in more than 160 countries. It is the first Sony-only branded smartphone after Sony acquired Ericsson's stake in Sony Ericsson in January 2012. The Xperia S has a 4.3 in (110 mm) touch-screen with the mobile BRAVIA engine which optimizes the picture, a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, a 12.0-megapixel rear camera, HDMI-out, 1 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of internal storage.

Contents

Availability

The handset has been available in Barcelona since the 29 February 2012 after the Mobile World Congress, [1] and in United Kingdom since March 2012 [2] at a MSRP of 399 GBP [3] or 449 EUR in France, [4] in Singapore at $700, and in Malaysia at RM1899. [5]

Hardware

Display

The Xperia S capacitive touchscreen display features a 720p zero-air-gap display on a 4.3-inch chassis and at 342 ppi which, at release, was tied with the HTC Rezound for the highest pixel density in any mobile phone. It supports multi-touch and features High Definition Reality Display with mobile BRAVIA engine from Sony and is capable of displaying 16,777,216 colours.

Cameras

The rear camera has 12 megapixels with Exmor R for low light capturing and is capable of recording video at 1080p (Full High Definition) with stereo audio., [6] both unveiled in 2012.

It also features a front-facing camera of 1.3 megapixels and is capable of recording video at 720p. With its Fast Capture feature, it allows you to take a photo instantly from sleep mode in just 1.5 seconds. [7]

The device is equipped with a dedicated physical shutter button for capturing photos and speedily launching the camera. [6]

Chipsets and connectivity

The device features a 1.5 GHz dual core processor, 1 GB RAM, 32 GB internal storage, a micro-USB connector that also supports USB On-The-Go and a micro HDMI port for viewing pictures and videos from the device on a TV screen. It is also equipped with NFC (Near Field Communication) enabled which can be used with Xperia SmartTags, [8] or for low value financial transactions, as NFC becomes more widespread in use, with the appropriate applications from Google Play. [9]

The Xperia S also come with a special nano coating that is not just dirt repellent but also UV Active. It is also report that the Xperia S come with a fast charging ability. Charge times will be reduced by half and a 10-minute charge is good enough to keep the phone going for an hour. [10]

Software

The Xperia S was released with Android 2.3 ("Gingerbread"), but received an update to Android 4.0.4 ("Ice Cream Sandwich") on 21 June in some countries or carriers. [11] Sony has announced an update to Android Jelly Bean 4.1 for the Xperia S from the end of May 2013. [12] The update to Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean began to roll out on 30 May 2013. [13] The update brought new features, such as improved entertainment and camera apps, improved battery life, improved app organisation and new personalisation options. [12]

The Xperia S is Facebook integrated and features the Timescape UI. It is also PlayStation Certified which allows users to play PlayStation Suite games, and is connected to the Sony Entertainment Network, allowing users to access Music & Video Unlimited. The Xperia S is also DLNA certified. [14]

You can make your device run on KitKat, Lollipop, Marshmallow, Nougat and Oreo by using custom roms "Xperia™ S Custom". XDA. 8 September 2012.

Design

The front of the Xperia S is almost 90% glass which appears all black when the screen is off and the back is curved slightly for comfort. The antenna is embedded in the transparent strip which cuts through the base of the device, the strip illuminates and indicates where the back, home, and menu buttons are placed.

Unlike the competing Samsung Galaxy S3, the Xperia S is equipped with a dedicated physical camera shutter button which can also be used to quick-launch the camera.

The buttons themselves are implemented as touch-sensitive regions between the transparent strip and the screen, like on the Sony Xperia P. Under the transparent belt, there is an XPERIA inscribed on top.

This design approach is what Sony described as “Iconic Identity”, which is a simple and strong look that's easily recognizable as a Sony Xperia. [7]

Reception

At launch, the Xperia S was praised for its hardware, its distinctive design, high-definition display, efficient camera and voice clarity but was criticized for its lack of removable storage and battery. Among Android smartphones, it competed with the Galaxy Nexus, HTC One X, LG Optimus 4X HD, and Samsung Galaxy S III. [15] The 2012 June update to the newest Android version, 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), was well received and added its own improvements. [16]

Despite the Xperia S and the iPhone 4S sharing similar Exmor R camera sensors, Natasha Lomas of CNET UK preferred the iPhone 4S camera for its colours, exposure, focus and noise reduction, [17] (some comments on Natasha's article criticised that the test was biased and unfair whilst others felt that the conclusion was justified), but for Basil Kronfli of recombu, the Xperia S was nearly tied with the HTC One X for the best camera, for its physical button and detailed picture quality, ahead of the Nokia N8, itself above the iPhone 4S. [18]

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Ericsson Xperia ray</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Xperia U</span> Smartphone model

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Xperia Ion</span> Smartphone model by Sony

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Xperia acro S</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Xperia T</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Sony Xperia Z1</span> Android smartphone produced by Sony

The Sony Xperia Z1 is an Android smartphone produced by Sony. The Z1, at that point known by the project code name "Honami", was unveiled during a press conference in IFA 2013 on 4 September 2013. The phone was released in China on 15 September 2013, in the UK on 20 September 2013, and entered more markets in October 2013. On 13 January 2014, the Sony Xperia Z1s, a modified version of the Sony Xperia Z1 exclusive to T-Mobile US, was released in the United States.

The Sony Xperia C is a touchscreen enabled Android smartphone designed, developed and manufactured by Sony Mobile Communications. Unveiled at the Mobile Asia Expo held in Shanghai, China in June 2013, the phone was targeted at the Chinese market. It was released in July 2013. Despite its limited release in countries and regions, Xperia C managed to sell very well, having shipped one million units in the first 3 months since it availability.

References

  1. ↑ "The Sony smartphone Xperia S arrives in stores". Sony Mobile. 29 February 2012. Retrieved 27 March 2013.
  2. ↑ "Sony Xperia S UK release date announced". digital spy. 10 January 2012.
  3. ↑ "Xperia S". Sony Mobile Store UK.
  4. ↑ "Xperia S". Sony Mobile Store France.
  5. ↑ "Xperia S Review". Soyacincau.com.
  6. 1 2 "Sony Xperia S review: NXT of kin". GSMArena.com. p. 6.
  7. 1 2 "Xperia S Review". Soya Cincau.com.
  8. ↑ "Xperia™ SmartTags". Sony Mobile Communications.
  9. ↑ "Xperia™ SmartTags". Google Play.
  10. ↑ "Xperia S to come with anti stain shell and fast charge capability". XperiaBlog. 26 January 2012.
  11. ↑ "Xperia™ S, SI numbers for ICS update". Sony Xperia Support. 21 June 2012. Archived from the original on 5 November 2012. Retrieved 22 June 2012.
  12. 1 2 "Kicking off Sony's Jelly Bean Android 4.1 rollout for Xperia P, Xperia go and Xperia E dual". Sony Mobile Communications. Archived from the original on 27 April 2013. Retrieved 25 April 2013.
  13. ↑ "Xperia S Jelly Bean now rolling out (for reals!)". Xperia Blog. 30 May 2013.
  14. ↑ "Xperia™ S Specifications". Sony Mobile Communications.
  15. ↑ Vlad Savov (5 March 2012). "Sony Xperia S review". The Verge.
  16. ↑ Ambroos Vaes (21 June 2012). "Sony Xperia S + ICS, a love story (review)". The Verge.
  17. ↑ Natasha Lomas. "Sony Xperia S vs iPhone 4S camera test". CNET UK. Archived from the original on 28 October 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2012.
  18. ↑ Basil Kronfli (4 April 2012). "HTC One X, iPhone 4S, Sony Xperia S, Samsung Galaxy S2 and Nokia N8 camera comparison". recombu. Archived from the original on 26 June 2012. Retrieved 23 June 2012.
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