Four years ago Sony Ericsson was a smartphone big hitter but since the days of the Symbian run P910 and the P990, it been relegated to the lower leagues. Recent powerful handsets like the iPhone 3G, T-Mobile G1, BlackBerry Storm, Samsung i8510 and Nokia’s unrelenting Nseries wrecking crew have taken up the smartphone baton and then some. But not to be outclassed, Sony Ericsson has responded with the X1 Xperia. Is it a return to former glories?
The biggest surprise is seeing a Sony Ericsson handset powered by the latest Windows Mobile OS. WinMo detractors should hold fire because the manufacturer has done a sterling job of window dressing the normally clunky business focused OS with its own seven panel menu system for switching between features. It’s a vast improvement but still not as seamless as we hoped.
The X1’s chassis has been styled by Sony Ericsson but expertly constructed by HTC. And it’s a pocket denter make no mistake, with its quality metallic plated finish providing the poundage.
Unfortunately, Windows’ finicky menu system means you’ll be using the stylus for operation but the front of shop still accommodates those pinkies. The arc sliding spacious QWERTY seems the best option for data input but virtual keyboards, handwriting recognition and transcribing skills offer alternative options.
The front mechanised joypad also moonlights as a receptive optical joystick for skimming through menus and web pages. Whatever your preference the X1 is highly accommodating, although unlike more pure touch phones like the iPhone 3G, the whole set up feels a tad disjointed.
That said, full fat web surfing is made achingly easy thanks to the effortless and finger-friendly Opera Mobile 9.5 browser and the eye-popping three-inch wide VGA quality display. It’s also whip smart if you hitch onto HSDPA or Wi-Fi download speeds.
The X1’s also weighs in with a capable autofocus-led 3.2-megapixel snapper (what a shame it couldn’t hit five or eight megapixels) and a built-in GPS receiver for navigation using Goggle Maps. Elsewhere, an integrated 3.5mm headphone jack bigs up its music credentials.
Verdict
Still not as all-conquering as its super phone competitors but the X1 is easily the most desirable and user-friendly of the current crop of WinMo devices
Best features
Quality build
Stunning three-inch display
Thumb-friendly QWERTY
Superb for web browsing
Not so good
Over reliance on stylus
3.2-megapixel snapper feel to lightweight compared to rivals
Closest rivals
Samsung F480 Tocco
This ultra-swish touch-phone features widget-style homescreen personalisation and the small matter of a five-megapixel snapper and HSDPA
Sony Ericsson K660i
If you’re on the hunt for a more compact web browsing blower then the X1’s candybar compadre is a good bet with internet shortcuts and rapido HSDPA download speeds.
Nokia 6110 Navigator
Nokia’s Symbian-powered road warrior offers a great sat nav alternative to the X1 with built-in GPS and Nokia Maps to guide you from A to B.
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