Monday, 21 October 2013

Sony Xperia Z1S - Mini Z1 or Z1 LTE?

 A mysterious new Sony phone has appeared in the media today and so far it is only known as the Sony Xperia Z1S. The names that these phones have are certainly not very creative, but either way that's all we got on the official name so far. Anyway, it is unknown  what this phone is exactly  and what its purpose on the market is. Some are saying that this is the long-awaited mini Z1, while others think that this is just a LTE (4G) version of the current flagship device. Anyway, before we continue, have a look at the press photo of the Z1S!

Sony Xperia Z1S

Saturday, 19 October 2013

Sony Xperia Z1 - First Look

 The Sony Xperia Z series is a revival for the brand that has changed the opinions and prejudice that people had towards Sony and their smartphones. The premium and leading flagship device was labeled as the Sony Xperia Z1 and in this article we will go over just how powerful this Android smartphone actually is. It is a unique and extremely powerful device that is more than capable of competing with the leading flagships such as the iPhone 5S, LG G2 and (obviously) the Galaxy S4.

Sony Xperia Z1

General Design and Body


 Let us start of with the body of the phone shall we? It is a relatively thin phone with the dimensions of 144 x 74 x 8.5 mm or 5.67 x 2.91 x 0.33 inches if you prefer. It weighs only 170 grams (6.00 oz) and has an elegant and modern design. The device is IP58 certified to be fully dust-proof and water resistant over 1 meter for 30 minuets.

Display and Sound


 When it comes to the display, the Sony Xperia Z1 has a lot to offer. While the TFT capacitive screen isn't exactly top-of-the-line it is still fairly good. The devices has a 5 inch display that has a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels which equals to ~441 pixels per inch. This is great pixel density and it really makes this device stand out from other products on the market.

 The display is also shatter proof and features scratch-resistant glass. Many drop tests have confirmed that the Xperia Z1 can indeed take a punch. While a case is always recommended, this device was built to endure harsh conditions even without it.

 As for sound, there isn't much to say. The included loudspeaker is fairly mediocre and provides solid audio and voice quality at a stable 65 decibels. The device supports HD sound and comes with a single 3.5mm jack for external headphones or speakers.

Monday, 15 October 2012

Sony Xperia to Arrive at AT&T - Confirmed!


 There has been a lot of speculation around the pending release of Sony’s latest device, the Sony Xperia T, in the United States. It can now safely be said that the much-anticipated confirmation has been made-the Sony Xperia T will now be available in the US. 

 Rumors abound that the new handset will be released in the United States market through the AT&T network. These speculations became wider spread after an AT&T branded “Bond Phone” advertisement began doing the rounds on the Internet. FCC has also confirmed, though not officially, that they are getting ready for the arrival of the Xperia T at AT&T and T-Mobile.

 For those still in doubt over the new handset’s availability in the United States, spokespeople for AT&T have officially confirmed that once the Sony Xperia T is released in the US, it will be carried on that network. The Xperia T will then be renamed Xperia TL in order for customers to be able to differentiate it from the other models. 

 A  HD display (4.6 inch) with 720 x 1080p resolution, RAM of 1 GB, a 1.5 GHz dual-core Snapdragon processor, a 13 MP camera and Android 4.0 with an expected Jelly Bean update are some of the features you can expect to find on the new Sony Xperia T. With all these features, it is safe to assume that the Sony Xperia T is a must-have phone for all Android users. 

 Despite the confirmation that was received, AT&T is still unwilling to give any information on the phone’s exact date of release and how much it will cost. The Sony Xperia T, which is already being sold in the United Kingdom, has a very competitive price tag for a new, state-of-the-art gadget. It can be assumed that the same competitive prices will be seen in the United States once the phone is officially released. 

 Remember to look at our Xperia T review!

Saturday, 13 October 2012

Sony Xperia T Camera (video and photo samples)


 The Sony Xperia T is the latest addition to the impressive line of Xperia devices. The Android device, which comes with a 13-megapixel, Exmor R technology sensor camera, is a smartphone that is eons ahead of the rest. The rear shooter of the handset’s camera possesses an f/2.4 aperture that integrates Sony's BSI sensor. Bellow is the first in the series of the sample photographs taken with a Sony Xperia T:

xperia t camera sample
Crystal clear quality!

 The quality of the video and photo output of the Sony Xperia T is above par in more ways than one. This device patterns itself upon its digital imaging legacy by producing stills of the highest quality, especially when put in macro mode. In the Xperia T camera’s "auto" mode, which has a tap-to-focus feature, allows you to transition rather seamlessly from landscapes to close-ups making it easy to take quality photographs without having to be a professional.

xperia t camera samples

 The Xperia’s camera boasts outstanding dynamic range despite the fact that it doesn’t have a HDR mode. If the need arises, the camera can launch into backlight-corrected High Dynamic Range (HDR) mode automatically. In addition to its many amazing features, the camera’s 13MP sensor is considerably less noisy as compared to other Xperia models, for instance the Sony Xperia S’s 12MP sensor. However, there is still some noise in shots taken in low-light, particularly in close-up view.

 For low-light shots, the camera has a night shot mode that enables you to improve the clarity or luster of shots taken in low light, such as those taken at night. The downside of this mode is that it is highly sensitive to the smallest movement.

xperia t low lights
Low light settings

 To add on to its already impressive camera features, the Sony Xperia T’s video mode is high-functioning and very sophisticated. It generates silky-smooth video recording at 1080p resolution with 30 fps as well as advanced dynamic range as compared to other Android devices like the Galaxy Note 2 and Galaxy S3. One of its disadvantages is that it has an inclination to colors that are under-saturated.

 In video mode, the Sony Xperia T has far surpassed its predecessors with regard to its focus capabilities. It can maintain focus on even the smallest objects in motion when in this mode. The video camera also has a night mode that increases visibility in dark areas though one has to endure some noise. All in all, the Sony Xperia T’s camera is an amazing feature that makes the phone a must have for all Android smartphone users.

Video sample:

Friday, 12 October 2012

Sony Xperia T - the Bond Phone!


 Smartphone users, especially those in the United Kingdom, have something to smile about now that the O2 network has recently made the Sony Xperia T smartphone available. The Sony Xperia T smartphone, which has been branded after the mysterious and elusive James Bond, is worth considering if you are in the market for a new smartphone tariff and deal.

sony xperia t bond phone
Official promotion poster for the Xperia T Bong Phone used in the James Bond: Skyfall movie


 There had been rumors circulating for some time that the O2 network would be giving their consumers a 007 Xperia T smartphone though the exact date when it would begin appearing on the online store had not been confirmed until now. The Sony Xperia T smartphone is now being referred to as “the Bond Phone.”

 Some people may think that it is a little odd that the one of UK’s most popular spy opted to use this particular model in the recent Skyfall film rather than a classier, more stylish phone such as a newer generation iOS device like the iPhone 4S or iPhone 5 or even the Galaxy S III. However, it would stand to reason that the Sony Xperia T smartphone would suit the man of mystery far better than others since the black aesthetics of the phone fit Bond’s persona.

What is the Xperia T Bond Phone about?


 The Sony Xperia T smartphone has exactly the same specifications found on a typical Xperia T smartphone. The main difference however is that “the Bond Phone” contains Skyfall content that is found exclusively on the handset. In addition, the phone comes with an exclusive 007 ringtone, which is preloaded onto the handset as well as James Bond screensavers and themes.

 Official photographs taken from the set of the new James Bond movie Skyfall, which are tagged with geo information to let the customer know exactly where the image was taken, can also be found on the phone. For the gamers, the 007 Legends video game will be available to them at no cost under specific circumstances.

 Users will be able to pick the Sony Xperia T smartphone for £36 per month on a 2-year On & On tariff with  no primary outlay. The tariff offers great deals that include unlimited calling minutes and text messaging as well as a data package of 1GB for your browsing needs.

Thursday, 4 October 2012

The Sony Xperia T - the Official Bond Phone

 It is time for Sony to roll out the Sony Xperia T, its flagship phone and they are going to do this with one hell of a bang. The upcoming movie Skyfall will feature the Xperia T which will be carried by James Bond himself  and today we got the official  “the Bond phone has arrived" commercial. It features an action packed scene and doesn't give out too much information about the phone itself. This is of course a standard marketing tactic as they just want to intrigue the viewers, not give them a boring lists of specs. Here is the official Bond Phone commercial (and please don't try any of these stunts on your own):




 { Allow us to remind you that our official Sony Xperia T review is still in the making but you can watch the unboxing video. Also, a quick reminder, the Xperia T features:
  • A 1.5 GHz dual-core processor
  • 1 GB of RAM
  • 13-megapixel camera with LED flash and a 1.3-megapixel front-facing camera. 
  • Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich (Update for Jelly Bean will be possible)
  • Adreno 225 GPU
  • Full Xperia T specifications }