Event Coverage

Sony Xperia V - The Bond Phone

By Wong Casandra - 4 Dec 2012

Sony Xperia V - The Bond Phone

Sony Xperia V - The Bond Phone

Ola Lilja Molén, Head of SEA Markets of Sony Mobile Communications, tells us a little bit more about the Bond-branded phone.

It's been quite some time since we last heard from Sony Mobile, but here they are with a new Android device. That being said, the company has been slow to the LTE race. Fortunately, that status won't last long as the company's Skyfall-flavored and first LTE-ready smartphone device, the Sony Xperia V, has finally climbed onto the LTE bandwagon in Singapore.

Taking design and hardware cues from its previous devices such as the arc and arc S, the Xperia V comes with a slim form factor and the trademark Mobile Bravia Engine 2 for excellent viewing on its display. And of course, the Bond namesake is with good reason - like its Xperia Go and Acro S siblings, the device comes with an extra level of durability; in the case of the Xperia V, it is equipped with the highest level of water resistance that a smartphone can endure (IP57 - you can check the definition here and here).

So what do we have to say about the latest device from Sony Mobile? We compile our quick hands-on experience from the event right after the specs jump:-

Sony Xperia V 

  Key highlights of the Sony Xperia V

  • Android 4.0 (upgradeable to 4.1 from mid Q1 2013)
  • 4.3-inch HD Reality Display, Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 / 1280 x 720 pixels
  • 1.5GHz dual core-processor
  • 1GB RAM / 8GB internal storage/ microSD expandable up to 32GB
  • 13-megapixel camera / 16x zoom / Auto-focus / Full 1080p HD video recording
  • 1750mAh battery
  • 120g
  • 129 x 65 x 10.7mm
  • High level of water/dust resistence (IP57 rating)
  • Color option: Black and White
  • Price & Availability: S$698, 8th December onwards

The Xperia V comes with a 4.3-inch HD Reality Display powered by the upgraded Mobile BRAVIA Engine, which to our eyes, promoted razor sharp text and images. Other first impressions? The phone feels extremely light and comfortable to hold.

We were pretty impressed with its 1280 x 720 pixels screen. High clarity aside, the screen boasted good color saturation, deep blacks and adequate levels of brightness.

Borrowing a form factor quite similar to the arc/arc S series, the Xperia V comes with a slightly arched and thin (10.7mm) profile that makes it easy to hold while messaging or making calls. The white version comes with a shiny chrome finish on its sides while the black version spots a grey matte finish. Don't forget the phone also ranks high in water and dust resistance, which is quite a feat considering its slim design.

Both color options = come with matte covers that make it less prone to slips and most importantly, fingerprints.

See the red band under the Xperia V's cover? The components are nicely protected from water within the area - just remember to keep your phone's cover tightly snapped on. Also spotted on the inside, a micro-SIM card.

The Xperia V also comes with an additional Superior auto mode (which in actual fact, is a disguised HDR mode).

Similar to HTC's Audio Beats software, Sony Mobile has packaged an additional ClearAudio+ feature that promises to improve your music quality. If you are looking for more manual controls, simply click on Sound Enhancements to personally select the individual audio profiles.

If you are in the market for an affordable LTE device, the dual-core Xperia V is one you might consider given its fashionably slim profile and multimedia prowess, though its late adoption in embracing the Android 4.1 platform might put off some users looking to use the latest of everything, including the OS. On the upside, at least the the phone is slated to get the updated for release in the next few months. There aren't many LTE devices in the sub-S$700 price range, but the Sony Xperia V isn't the only option. For one, there's also the recently announced HTC One SV. Both phones are pretty similar in specs, but the Sony Xperia V seems to edge the One SV out in terms of its 13-megapixel camera, water-resistant body and 720p screen. And if you are considering switching over to the Windows Phone 8 platform, there's the Nokia Lumia 820 up for consideration too. You might also be interested to know that among them, both the Sony Xperia V and the Nokia Lumia 820 support NFC technology if you're hoping to incorporate that in your new lifestyle. Here's how they stack up:-



 Device

Sony Xperia V

HTC One SV

Nokia Lumia 820

Networks HSPA+: 850/900/2100 MHz 
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
LTE: 800/1800/2100/2600 MHz
HSPA: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
GSM: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
LTE: 1800/2600 MHz

HSPA: 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
GSM: 850/900/1900/2100 MHz
LTE 800/900/1800/2100/2600 MHz

OS Google Android 4.0 Google Android 4.0 Windows Phone 8
Processor Dual-core 1.5GHz Dual-core 1.2GHz Dual-core 1.5GHz
RAM 1GB RAM  1GB RAM 1GB RAM
Storage 8GB built-in
(microSD card expandable to a further 32GB)
8GB built-in
(microSD card expandable to a further 32GB)
8GB built-in
(microSD card expandable to a
further 32GB, 7GB free SkyDrive storage)
Display 4.3-inch HD Reality Display,
Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2
4.3-inch Super LCD 2 4.3-inch ClearBlack OLED
Resolution 720 x 1280 pixels 480 x 800 pixels 480 x 800 pixels
Camera 13-megapixel /
VGA (front-facing)
5-megapixel (HTC ImageChip),
f2.0, 28mm lens with BSI sensor /
1.6 megapixels, f2.2 BSI lens (front-facing)
8-megapixel (Carl Zeiss),
dual LED flash / VGA (front-facing)
Battery 1750mAh 1800mAh 1650mAh
(with integrated Qi wireless charging)
Dimensions 129 x 65 x 10.7mm 128 x 66.9 x 9.2mm 123.8 x 68.5 x 9.9mm
Weight 120g 122g 160g
Launch Price S$698 S$688 S$699

Sony Xperia V will be available in Singapore on 8 December 2012 at all telco operator stores, Xperia stores and Sony stores in black or white color options at a recommended retail price of S$698. If you are a big fan of the iconic British spy, James Bond, here's some good news: the limited Xperia V Bond edition will start selling first (only available in black) and it will come with Skyfall-inspired packaging. It will also come pre-loaded with extra digital content such as James Bond wallpaper designs, the signature Bond ringtone and the Bond notification message alert tone. This reminded us of the previous James Bond inspired phone, the Sony Ericsson C902 that was featured in Quantum of Solace and its catchy packaging that is ideal for movie memorabilia collectors.

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