Sony Xperia V - The Bond Phone
There aren't many choices when it comes to affordable LTE devices, but here's one up for consideration: the dual-core, Android 4.0 Sony Xperia V shares the stage with the recently announced HTC One SV and Nokia Lumia 820 for the niche and growing category. Check it out after the jump.
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:-
Key highlights of the Sony Xperia V
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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 | |
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 | 1GBRAM | 1GBRAM |
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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