Sony Xperia C review: Cash and carry

The China-bound Sony Xperia C could be the right opportunity to smuggle some big-screened, quad-core goodness into markets where those things usually fetch a high price. It's certainly the right size too. Five-inchers don't necessarily have to come with high-end price tags. There's demand for affordable options too, which the Xperia C isn't the first to address. Sony has obviously been watching the Samsung Galaxy Grand, while HTC and LG aren't indifferent either.

So, the Sony Xperia C has dual-SIM support, which is almost a must-have in the markets Sony's interested in, a massive 5-inch display and a quad-core processor. So far, so good.

  
Sony Xperia C official pictures

It is the company's first smartphone powered by a MediaTek chipset. Sony has so far always opted for either Snapdragons or (when the company still existed) ST Ericsson but, with China being the primary target market, it had little choice really. The latest MediaTek chips support both dual-SIM and quad-core processors, and they are light on the wallet too.

Affordability is, of course, an important reason, considering Asian markets are teeming with sub-$200 quad-core droids and competition is fierce. The likes of Lenovo, Micromax, Xolo, and many more, are ready to offer a big enough screen and decent feature set on a bargain.

What this means is the Sony Xperia C should be preparing for a full-scale war. Let's check the ammo:

Key features

• Tri-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE and dual-band HSPA support
• Dual SIM, dual stand-by support
• 42.2 Mbps HSDPA and 11.5 Mbps HSUPA
• 5.0" 16M-color TFT capacitive touchscreen of qHD resolution (540 x 960 pixels) at 220ppi
• Android OS v4.2.2 Jelly Bean
• Quad-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU, PowerVR SGX544 GPU, MTK MT6589 chipset
• 1 GB of RAM
• 4 GB of built-in storage (2 GB user available)
• microSD slot (cards up to 32GB supported)
• 8 MP autofocus camera, single LED flashlight, geo-tagging, touch focus, HDR, hardware shutter key; VGA front-facing camera
• 1080p @ 30fps video capture
• Wi-Fi b/g/n, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP
• GPS with A-GPS
• Accelerometer, ambient light and proximity sensor
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack; Walkman music player with many audio enhancements
• Stereo FM radio with RDS
• microUSB port (charging)
• Built-in LED strip provides a breathing light and notification light
• 2,390mAh Li-Ion battery, non-replaceable

Main disadvantages

• Low pixel-per-inch ratio
• No Mobile BRAVIA engine
• No scratch protection for the screen, Gorilla Glass or otherwise
• Limited internal storage for installing apps

The Xperia C obviously didn't remain confined within Asian boundaries as various European retailers are already shipping it at very attractive prices. It sure isn't the fastest or the most feature-rich of phones, but it sounds like a great bang for your hard-earned buck. Will that be enough to probably forgive the lower resolution screen and the other potential deal breakers?

  
Sony Xperia C live pictures

Sony Xperia Ultra- may be specs

With Xperia Z claiming to be the survivor of Sony in smartphone industry, Sony is eyeing to dictate a larger portion of this smarter gadget industry. With phones going as powerful as your laptops, Sony aims this new breed loaded with a powerful processor of approximately 2.2 GHz clock speed.

May Be Features:-

Display :                     6.44 inch IPS LCD (1920X1080p), 332 ppi

Processor :                quad-core 2.2GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor

RAM :                         2GB

Memory:                    16 GB internal, 64GB expandable

Camera :                   8-megapixel Exmore RS camera, 1.3 MP secondary cam

Battery :                     3000mAh

First appearing in a sideways profile shot on a French press invitation to a Sony event on July

 4, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra was shown to be an ultra-slim, stylus packing device that has a 

headphone jack relocated on the side of the device. 

A full frontal picture of the Sony Xperia Z Ultra then leaked online, revealing the handset to be a 

super-sized version of the Sony Xperia Z smartphone. 

Despite the picture stylus in the French press invite though, the ePrice site suggests the Xperia

 Z Ultra won’t ship with a stylus, but will be compatible with third-party options.

Interestingly no mention of the Xperia Z and Xperia Tablet Z’s waterproof or dust-resistant 

qualities for the Xperia Z Ultra.

Sony Xperia Z - A Review

Introduction

The Xperia Tablet Z gets a prominent spot in a long list of iconic designs by Sony. Easily one of the best looking tablets around, the Z inherits the slim, water-resistant design of its smartphone counterpart, which earns it extra points with the outdoor-loving crowd.

  
Sony Xperia Tablet Z official images

The angular OmniBalance design is all the more impressive given Sony has managed to shave down the thickness to the mere 6.9mm. Not that it matters much in actual use - this isn't a gadget to put in a pocket, slim or not, but we have been programmed to believe that "thin = cool" and the Tablet Z is keen to take advantage. On a more practical side, the tablet weighs under 500g, at least 100g less than its direct competitors.

The folded magazine design of previous Sony tablets may be gone, but the media playing spirit is not - the Xperia Tablet Z has an IR blaster to control home equipment, alongside a custom Sony music player (Walkman) and a video player with solid DLNA credentials.

Here are the other highs (and lows) on the Sony Xperia Tablet Z spec sheet:

Key features

• 6.9mm slim tablet with IP57 certification, dust and water resistant (up to 1m for 30 minutes)
• 10.1" 16M-color TFT capacitive touchscreen of WUXGA resolution (1920 x 1200 pixels); Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
• 1.5 GHz quad-core Krait CPU, Adreno 320, 2GB RAM, Snapdragon S4 Pro APQ8064 chipset
• Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean
• Optional Quad-band GPRS/EDGE, tri-band 3G with HSPA connectivity (HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps), penta-band 4G LTE (100Mbps down, 50Mbps up)
• 16GB of built-in memory
• microSD card slot
• 8 MP autofocus camera
• 2.2MP front-facing camera
• 1080p HD video recording @ 30 fps with stereo audio
• Dual-band Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi hotspot
• Stereo Bluetooth v4.0
• MHL microUSB 2.0
• • Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• Infrared port
• GPS with A-GPS support; digital compass
• 1080p MKV and SD XviD/DivX video support
• Accelerometer, gyroscope and magnetometer
• 6,000mAh Li-Po battery

Main disadvantages

• Runs an older Android version
• Screen has poor outdoor visibility
• Audio output quality is not on par with other tablets on the market
• Uses a previous generation chipset, slightly slower than the current best
• 6,000mAh battery isn't very big for a 10.1" tablet

WUXGA resolution on the 10.1" screen with 224ppi is a lot better than what Samsung have on the Galaxy Note 10.1 (149ppi) and quite close to the iPad 4 screen (264ppi). The chipset and Android OS version are a bit behind the times, but neither is a deal-breaker in our books.

We have to mention the water resistance, of course, which very few tablets have. The Tablet Z's predecessor, the IPX-4 certified Tablet S, was only splash-proof. An IP57 tablet like the Tablet Z on the other hand can withstand water jets and even submersion.

   
Sony Xperia Tablet Z in our office

Sony has delivered a premium package with the Xperia Tablet Z, at least on paper.

Sony Xperia SP

It took some time but Sony had the big comeback many have been waiting for. The Xperia Z is selling well and we suspect it's been the driver for turning the company's fortunes around in the first quarter of the year. It's now time to carry that momentum over to the midrange and the Xperia SP looks like the right phone for the job.

  
Sony Xperia SP official photos

A nicely spec'd screen and an adequately powered chipset come together in a beautiful and well-built package, giving the Sony Xperia SP the right tools to survive in the cutthroat battle in this price bracket. The transparent LED strip, which now has even richer functionality, will definitely add character too to help it fight the last generation of flagships, fresh from relegation to the midrange.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support
• 3G with 42Mbps HSDPA and 5.8 Mbps HSUPA; 100Mbps LTE
• 4.6" 16M-color 720p TFT capacitive touchscreen with Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 and Corning Gorilla Glass protection
• Android OS v4.1.2 Jelly Bean
• Dual-core 1.7 GHz Krait CPU, 1 GB RAM, Adreno 320 GPU; Qualcomm S4 Pro MSM8960T chipset
• 8 MP autofocus camera with LED flash
• 1080p video recording @ 30fps with HDR mode, continuous autofocus and stereo sound
• VGA front-facing camera
• Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA; Wireless TV out
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
• 8GB of built-in storage
• MHL-enabled microUSB port
• Bluetooth v4.0
• NFC
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
• Solid build quality
• Ample 2370 mAh battery
• Dedicated camera key

Main disadvantages

• Screen has mediocre viewing angles
• Not particularly slim and quite heavy
• Non user-replaceable battery
• Will compete with a number of quad-core smartphones

The Sony Xperia SP is a well-rounded package that's making very few compromises, considering its standing in the pecking order. A 1080p screen is certainly a nice thing to have, but we can live with 720p at this size and, while the two extra CPU cores that today's flagships offer give a definite productivity boost, the 1.7GHz Krait should do just fine in day-to-day tasks. Not to mention that the Xperia SP GPU is of the class-leading Adreno 320 variety, so gaming performance should be as good as it gets.

  
The Sony Xperia SP studio shots

It seems then that Sony is ready to produce yet another gem in the midrange that offers a loud bang for your buck. The company has made this their specialty and we are certainly liking Sony's chances here. Besides, the Japanese are clearly fast learners - addressing the major issues of the Xperia P with its successor. The Xperia SP has the right-sounding battery backup (more than an Xperia Z, actually) and none of the WhiteMagic display trickery that compromised indoor performance to boost outdoor visibility.

Sony Xperia ZL

   
Sony Xperia ZL

Sony needs users to like the ZL, because the Z probably won't make it on its own. On paper, the Xperia ZL has all the trimmings of its sibling save for the IP57 certification. And it should be just as capable as most other flagships of the latest generation. Here go the specs.

Key features

• Quad-band GSM/GPRS/EDGE support; 3G with HSPA; LTE
• 5" 16M-color 1080p capacitive touchscreen of 441ppi, Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
• Android OS v4.1.1 Jelly Bean with custom UI
• Quad-core 1.5 GHz Krait CPU, 2 GB of RAM, Adreno 320 GPU; Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro chipset
• 13 MP autofocus camera with LED flash and geotagging, HDR
• 1080p video recording @ 30fps with HDR mode, continuous autofocus and stereo sound
• 2 MP front camera, 1080p video recording
• Wi-Fi a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct and DLNA; Wireless TV out
• GPS with A-GPS, GLONASS
• 16GB of built-in storage; microSD card slot
• MHL-enabled microUSB port
• Bluetooth v4.0
• NFC
• Standard 3.5 mm audio jack
• Accelerometer and proximity sensor
• Active noise cancellation with dedicated mic
• Shorter footprint than most 5” smartphones

Main disadvantage

• Non user-replaceable battery
• Uninspiring camera performance
• Notably thicker than Xperia Z
• Dubious back panel build quality and aesthetics

If you're after a FullHD five-incher the Xperia ZL is the most compact handset that fits the bill. The difference, of course, is by no means huge but having a smaller footprint than the Samsung Galaxy S4 is a great achievement. On the other hand, a 10 mm thick body is nothing to brag about. Yet, if that's the price for getting a proper shutter key and an Infrared port, it should be fine for most people.

Anyway, Sony opted for two distinct versions of a 2013 flagship and then had to sit down and think about how to make them... distinct. Having a more compact option of what's virtually the same package as the flagship makes every bit of sense. But is it worth the extra millimeters around the waistline?

It was probably important to Sony to send a clear message that what's on offer is essentially the same package - the difference boils down to size, choice of finish and waterproofing or not. A sensible plastic case doesn't look half as good as glass but has its advantages. Water resistance is a great asset but not everyone needs it. Plus... a proper shutter key, half press and all, is something we always welcome in a cameraphone.

 
Sony Xperia ZL at HQ

Nokia Lumia 520: 5 hot rivals

Nokia's cheapest smartphone running on Windows Phone 8 -Lumia 520 - has gone official. The smartphone has a host of impressive features like dual-core processor, 4-inch screen and 5MP camera and is priced at Rs 10,500 in the India market. 
But before you get ready to spend your hard-earned money on this phone, it is better to check out the competition. Want to know the five smartphones that can compete with the new Nokia Lumia 520? 

 

The top 5 competitors are:

• Sony Xperia E

Sony Xperia E has a 3.5-inch TFT touchscreen with 480x320p resolution and 165ppi pixel density. This phone is available in single as well as dual-sim versions and runs on Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean). The manufacturer has used a 1GHz processor and 512MB RAM in this device.

Xperia E comes with 4GB internal storage and has support for up to 32GB microSD card. The phone's connectivity suite consists of features like 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and microUSB 2.0. This smartphone has a 3.15MP rear camera with LED flash and a 1,530mAh battery.

• Samsung Galaxy Music

The all-new Galaxy Music Duos is a dual-sim smartphone aimed at music lovers and comes with two speakers in the front, a dedicated music key and audio technologies like Sound Alive and SRS. This device has a 3-inch LCD touchscreen with 240x320-pixel resolution and runs on an 850MHz processor with 512MB RAM.

Powered by a 1,300mAh battery, the device comes with a 3MP camera without flash and also misses a front-facing snapper. For connectivity, Samsung Galaxy Music Duos has features like Wi-Fi, 3G, 2G, Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB. It has 4GB internal memory and supports 32GB microSD cards for expansion.

• HTC Desire C

HTC Desire C boasts of a 3.5-inch screen with 480x320p resolution and 165ppi pixel density and is powered by Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). This phone runs on a 600MHz processor paired with 512MB RAM and has 4GB internal storage, with 32GB microSD card support.

HTC has used a 5MP camera and LED flash on the back of its Desire C. This phone has connectivity features like 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB 2.0. Powered by a 1,230mAh battery, this phone costs Rs 10,990 in the Indian market.

• Motorola Defy Mini

Motorola Defy Mini boasts of a 3.2-inch TFT display with 480x320p resolution and 180ppi pixel density. This smartphone runs on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and will not be officially upgraded to newer versions of the operating system. The device is powered by a 600MHz processor and 512MB RAM and has 512MB onboard storage and up to 32GB microSD support.

On the back of the phone is a 3.15MP rear camera with LED flash, while a VGA camera is on the front. Connectivity options in the device are 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 2.1 and microUSB 2.0. Priced at Rs 9,499, this smartphone has a 1,650mAh battery and is resistant to water and dust.

• LG Optimus L5

LG Optimus L5 has a 4-inch touchscreen with 480x320ppi resolution and 144ppi pixel density and is powered by Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich). This smartphone boasts of an 800MHz processor and 512MB RAM and has 4GB internal memory, with microSD support of up to 32GB.

Users can access the internet over 2G, 3G and Wi-Fi in this phone, while data can be transferred via Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB 2.0. Available in single and dual-sim variants, this smartphone has a 5MP rear shooter with LED flash and 1,500mAh battery and costs Rs 10,499 in the country.

• NOKIA Lumia 520

Nokia Lumia 520 features a 4-inch IPS screen with 800x480p resolution and 233ppi pixel density. It runs on Windows Phone 8 and is powered by a 1GHz dual-core processor, coupled with 512MB RAM. This phone has 8GB onboard memory, 7GB SkyDrive storage and supports microSD card expansion up to 64GB.

Connectivity features of the all-new Lumia 520 are 2G, 3G, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 and microUSB 2.0. On the back of the phone is a 5MP camera, but no LED flash. This phone is powered by a 1,430mAh battery and costs Rs 10,500.

HTC One Vs Sony Xperia Z

Well you asked for it. Seriously, we got like a thousand tips. So here it is - the HTC One vs the Sony Xperia Z battle of the gorgeous-looking flagships.

Both devices are the crucial points in their respective manufacturer's struggles to turn their fortunes around. The Sony Xperia Z and HTC One come with different skill sets but generally tend to appeal to the same group of users. Design conscious multimedia-addicts, who need top notch performance and value a streamlined interface over an endless number of features scattered around.

Of course, each of the two contestants has its own unique talents. The One will certainly be a favorite to those that have a soft spot for sweet audio - both through headphones and speakers. The Xperia Z on the other hand will certainly win the hearts of the outdoorsy, adventurous types who will love the fact that water and dust resistance no longer equals an entry-level feature set.

So let's see who draws first blood.

HTC One over Sony Xperia Z

• Super LCD3 display with 469ppi density
• Aluminum unibody
• Optical Image Stabilization, image sensor with 2µm pixel size
• Snapdragon 600 chipset
• HTC Zoe, BlinkFeed
• Front mounted stereo speakers, Beats Audio
• IR blaster
• Smaller footprint

Sony Xperia Z over HTC One

• IP57 dust and water protection
• Larger screen
• All glass body
• Higher resolution camera
• microSD card support
• Thinner body

It turns out the Sony Xperia Z and HTC One have quite a lot of differences, which are bound to give each of them an edge in some of the trials today. So it's shaping as an exciting matchup likely to resolve itself only after a fierce exchange of blows.

Going by the early sales estimates, it might be tempting to conclude that this is a fight for the second place as the Samsung Galaxy S4 is bound to beat both of these without breaking a sweat. Yet sales figures don't always mean a better smartphone and we can bet many will see their next dream handset emerge from this fight. After all, you probably won't get a more powerful water-resisting smartphone than the Xperia Z or a more visually appealing musically talented smartphone than the One.

   
HTC One and Sony Xperia Z

So back to the task at hand - each of these two smartphones is bound to win the few rounds that play exactly to its strengths, but there are plenty of fights hanging in the balance. Will the new low-res UltraPixel camera with OIS of the One beat the 13MP conventional snapper on the Xperia Z? And which of these beasts manages its battery better?

There's plenty to play for here, so let's get going. The first stop is hardware, right after the break.