Sony Mobile Communications, Sony’s newest subsidiary after the company completed in February the purchase of Ericsson stake in the Sony-Ericsson joint venture, introduced to the media its latest Android-flavored mobile entertainment smartphones. The new phones now obviously retained only the “Xperia” branding.
Beginning with the flagship Xperia S, the new handsets showcase a striking iconic design, offer new entertainment experiences and more powerful performance from dual-core processors.
The Xperia S, now available locally in Xperia Concept Shops, will be followed by the release of three more smartphones over the next two months: the Xperia U, Xperia P and the Xperia sola.
The four new handsets offer users various ways to watch, share and enjoy their content through other electronic devices like the laptop, tablet or TV. Users can connect their phone to the TV via HDMI cable and navigate Bravia Sync, or watch movies stored on the smartphone on the TV or access content locally on the phone via tablet. Exciting content such as images, video, games, music and movies can easily be a shared experience.
Xperia SmartTags are another unique feature that come with the Xperia S, Xperia P and Xperia sola. These small tokens use NFC (near field communication) technology to switch smartphone settings with just a swipe. Users can prescribe tasks on the phone, such as switching on the alarm clock by the bed, muting the phone in time for a business meeting or even turning on the GPS app when entering the car. The user simply swipes the phone by the Xperia SmartTag and the prescribed actions are set, instead of having to go through each task and setting.
In terms of design, the new phones bear the company’s Human Centric design philosophy. This considers the natural feel of a device in use by the hand, along with its overall look and functionality.
The Xperia NXT series of smartphones, the Xperia S, Xperia U and Xperia P, feature a “transparent element” at the bottom. The transparent element has illumination effects, which makes it emphasize the display. It also conveniently hides the phone’s antenna components.
Xperia S – Everything in HD
The new Xperia S, the flagship of the series, is a Playstation-certified smartphone with a 4.3-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine. It has an HD (1280 x 720) resolution screen, as well as front (720p) and back (1080p) cameras for HD recording. Its 12MP camera with Sony Exmor R™ can take pictures in just 1.5 seconds from standby mode.
HD sharing is enabled through a wireless DLNA connection, or use the HDMI cable to link the Xperia S to the TV.
The Xperia S ships with two Xperia SmartTags. This allows consumers to share content with each other as well as enjoying an increasing number of NFC applications and services.
Xperia P – ultra-bright screen with WhiteMagic™
With a full aluminium unibody design, Xperia P is the first to feature WhiteMagic™ display technology on a smartphone. WhiteMagic technology delivers the brightest viewing experience; even under direct sunlight. Smart power efficiency automatically adjusts the brightness of the screen to the surroundings to conserve battery life.
Available in a choice of silver and black, both with an aluminium unibody, the Xperia P has a 4-inch Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Its 8MP camera comes with unique fast capture, HD recording and Sony technology to capture 2D and 3D panoramic images.
Xperia U – powerful Sony entertainment in a stylish design
With xLoud™ and Sony 3D surround sound audio technology integrated into the music player, consumers will enjoy a crisp and loud sound experience on the Xperia U. They can also stream music to wireless speakers with a touch using DLNA.
The transparent element on the phone also illuminates to match the color of photos in the gallery or the album art of music tracks currently playing. Available in a choice of white or black, the Xperia U comes with pink and yellow exchangeable caps for the base of the smartphone in the box. The phone has a 5MP camera with fast capture, HD recording and 2D and 3D panoramic photo imaging. It has a 3.5-inch Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine.
Xperia sola – a floating touch of magic
The NFC-enabled Xperia sola comes with two Xperia SmartTags, allowing consumers to change their smartphone’s settings and applications to fit their lifestyle in an instant. Xperia sola is also the first to feature Sony’s innovative floating touch technology for web browsing. Users navigate the web by hovering their finger above the screen so it acts like a moving cursor, without actually having to touch the screen. Once the desired link is found it can be highlighted and a simple tap will load the page.
The Xperia sola has a 3.7-inch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, 5MP camera with HD video recording, and xLOUD and 3D surround sound audio technology. The phone will be available in black, white and red.
