Full Sony Xperia U Review: Fresh Solution! Celebration of this characteristic.
A small android smartphone of the middle level from the new line Xperia NXT
At the beginning of the year, Sony Mobile (former Sony Ericsson) has replenished its family of smartphones on the Android platform by three new products. The phones were combined by the general submission of Xperia by entering the new Xperia NXT line under the letter notation S, P and U. Sony Xperia S is the flagship of a new line with all the consequences of this, Sony Xperia P - the model is slightly simpler, but also very technically advanced And not at all cheaply, and we have quite recently told about both of them in the relevant reviews.
Today we will consider the third of the novelties - the most inexpensive and, accordingly, the hardest room is simple. However, this does not mean that the model is quite weak and can only be attributed to the initial level - there is no reason. Sony Xperia U is a fast and modern dual-core smartphone with a high-resolution screen. His "weaknesses" in relation to the senior models of the Xperia NXT line - it is smaller dimensions and, accordingly, the smaller screen size, as well as a less powerful hardware platform and a simpler body structure. However, even this baby has several traits positively allocating it from the general list of Sony's new products. But first things first.
All new series phones have a very similar design, which is called "Iconic Design" within the company. The appearance of all devices is really so similar that alone in the photos should not be distinguished. Our baby has the smartest dimensions of all.
Differences start directly from the packaging. All communicators of the new Xperia NXT line are supplied in absolutely identical outwardly flat and wide boxes. But this is only at first glance. Sony Xperia U has the simplest of all three packages. It is devoid of separate upper casing, and printing is applied directly to opening parts.
The rest of the box is identical, and they can be differentiated on the view only on a small inscription at the bottom of the face surface. In our case, here "Xperia U" is written here, and there is a badge, meaning that the device may be subjected to updating the operating system to the new Android 4.0. So buyers Sony Xperia U may not worry about the future support of their new device from the manufacturer.
In addition to the smartphone itself, the kit includes a universal charger with a USB output, a USB-Micro-USB cable for charging and synchronization with a computer, simple wired stereo chart with standard Jack 3.5 mm, as well as 3 additional interchangeable covers and documentation. The content of the country from the country to the country varies - for example, in our, "European" set there was only one additional plastic cover white colorBut the protective film and the adapter for Micro-SIM were embedded.
Characteristics
- Soc ST-Ericsson Novathor U8500, CPU 1000 MHz, Armv7, Two Cores
- GPU MALI-400MP
- Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread operating system (update to Android 4.0)
- TFT TN touch display, 3.5 inches diagonal, 854 × 480 pixels, capacitive
- RAM 512 MB, flash memory 8 GB (about 4 GB available)
- Communication GSM GPRS / EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
- Communication 3G UMTS HSPA 900, 2100 MHz
- Bluetooth v2.1 EDR
- Wi-Fi 802.11b / G / N, Wi-Fi Hotspot
- GPS, agps
- FM radio
- G-sensor
- Electronic compass
- Proximity sensor
- Lighting sensor
- Camera 5 MP, Autofocus, LED Flash
- Lithium-ion battery 1290 mA · h
- Sizes 112 × 54 × 12 mm
- Mass 113 g
It is curious to compare the main characteristics of all smartphones of the new line, reduced into a single table. Add here another new model from Sony - I did not enter the Xperia NXT, but I already received on sale and quite interesting Sony Xperia Sola (we will tell about it in the very near future).
| Sony Xperia U. | Sony Xperia P. | Sony Xperia S. | Sony Xperia Sola. | |
| Screen (size in inches, matrix type, resolution) | 3.5 ", TN, 854 × 480 | 4 ", wm, 960 × 540 | 4,3 ", TN, 1280 × 720 | 3.7 ", TN, 854 × 480 |
| SOC. | ST-Ericsson novathor u8500 @ 1 GHz (2 kernels, ARM) | Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 @ 1.5 GHz (2 kernels, ARM) | ST-Ericsson novathor u8500 @ 1 GHz (2 kernels, ARM) | |
| Oz | 512 MB | 1 GB | 1 GB | 512 MB |
| Flash Memory | 8 GB | 16 GB | 32 GB | 8 GB |
| Memory card support | not | not | not | microSD. |
| Operating system | Google Android 2.3, update to Android 4.0 | Google Android 2.3, update to Android 4.0 | Google Android 2.3, update to Android 4.0 | |
| SIM format | standard | Micro-Sim. | Micro-Sim. | standard |
| Battery | removable, 1290 mA · h | non-removable, 1320 mA · h | non-removable, 1750 mA · h | non-removable, 1320 mA · h |
| Cameras | relean (5 MP; video - 720p), frontal (0.3 mp) | relean (8 MP; video - 1080p), frontal (0.3 mp) | rear (12 megapixel; video - 1080p), frontal (1.3 Mp) | rear (5 MP; video - 720p) |
| Gabarits. | 112 × 54 × 12 mm, 113 g | 122 × 59.5 × 10.5 mm, 122 g | 128 × 64 × 10.6 mm, 146 g | 116 × 59 × 9.9 mm, 107 g |
| average price | N / d () | $112() | $123() | $58() |
Appearance and ease of use
Sony Xperia U is a very small smartphone in its dimensions. It has the smallest in the line of Xperia NXT sizes. Next to the flagship - Sony Xperia S - he generally looks tiny.
However, in hand, the smartphone is quite comfortable. Not too thin, it fills the entire palm and reliably lies in his hand. It would be even worse if the manufacturer had made him a thinner body. The small weight is associated with miniature sizes allow you to carry a telephone in any pocket, even a chest shirt pocket, which is relevant for summer time.
Body materials - solid plastic, and most of the rear removable cover. It is not flat, and it closes not only the back of the back, but also side faces. Under it is a slot for a full-sized SIM card and removable, which is nice, battery.
The cover has a sufficiently thick profile and securely fastened with a few latches, it sits like a glove and tightly adjacent to the housing - the backlash, the slots or squeaks are not here. At first, you can even think that the case is unspeborified, because all the buttons are located right on the lid. However, this is not the case - the cover is removed along with the buttons, opening the contacts that these buttons are closed.
The lid itself is made of rubberized plastic with the Soft Touch effect, so the phone in the fingers does not slide, pleasant to the touch and does not store fingerprints. In it, traditionally, holes are cut for external speaker and eye photo camera. The speaker is covered with a metal painted with a lattice to prevent dust inward and to protect the speaker. Its hole is located on the beveled side, so the sound of the table is not overlapped.
But this is not the only cover in Sony Xperia U. At the bottom of the phone, there is another cover - exactly the same as at the Sony Xperia P. model only, unlike it, Sony Xperia U includes as many as three such additional covers. They are all multicolored, and are designed to change appearance Devices, that is, individualize it. The phone is supplied to the market in black and white colors, and in addition to these two colors, everyone in the kit will still be yellow and pink covers - only four.
At first, you should wear yellow, for example, the cover on the black case seems to be absurdity, however, it does not end with the caustization of your own phone. It turns out that the transparent strip over the lid is also multicolored. It can brightly highlight with the same color as the chosen theme. So if you put, say, yellow theme on the desktop Sony Xperia U and put on the yellow cap, then an interesting decision is already obtained. The same applies to other colors. Multicolored themes are already preset in the phone, and the strip automatically adjusts its color under the selected theme. In addition, the strip changes its color depending on the common color of the photo viewed. For example, if in the photo blue clouds, then the strip will light up blue, if a lot of greenery is green. An interesting and bright solution, which is designed for most part, for young people.
The front side is almost completely covered with a protective glass, in which the hole for the auditory dynamics is cut, not covered with any lattice. Dust is stuffed there, but this is the new design of Sony, and all the ruler's phones in this matter are the same. The sensors of the approximation and illumination are visible, as well as the eyes of the front camera for video calls.
Control keys, like the flagship, are applied to a transparent strip, but not pressed. Press the pictogram slightly above, for barely noticeable points. Unlike the flagship, Sony Xperia U is not so large dimensions, and you can easily get one fingers to all buttons.
The remaining buttons are collected on one face - right: here the power button, the two-position key-swing to control the sound level and the camera start button. Traditionally, Sony smartphones, Xperia U also has a separate hardware button to activate the camera, which is convenient. As in other smartphones of the new line, this button can not only activate the camera, but also make a snapshot, and even from the locked state. This property likes to users, it is in demand, and reviews about this is quite positive. Most people like that you can get a smartphone and make a quick snapshot, without looking for any icons in the menu.
For communication and synchronization with a computer, as well as for charging, the Micro-USB connector is used here, which is located at the top of the left side of the smartphone.
The audio jack for the standard diameter of 3.5 mm is located at the top, and the hole for the additional microphone. From the bottom under the removable lid there is a special fastener for the strap, which is convenient, but unfortunately, it is extremely rare in modern devices. The hole of the main microphone is also here.
In general, the new communicator looks modern and stylish, it is performed in recognizable Sony design. The smartphone does not look cheap, it will not be ashamed to seem in humans. The phone has no pronounced gender, it is suitable as a male and female part of users. Most likely, Sony Xperia U will have to do the youth - due to low prices and bright color decoration, which in part can be independently adjusted to their taste.
Screen
The Sony Xperia U display is an ordinary TFT TN-matrix that does not differ in large viewing angles, but possessing a good brightness margin. Not to say that the stock of brightness is excessive, but at the maximum level it is quite enough. True, the screen is very cool in the sun.
As for physical parameters, the Sony Xperia U screen resolution is 854 × 480, with 44 × 77 mm physical dimensions and a diagonal of 89 mm (3.5 inches). With a sufficiently high resolution in small physical sizes, the picture is clear and smooth, no graininess, naturally, not to notice - the pixel density in this screen is high enough (ppi \u003d 279.9).
The picture further improves with the help of Mobile Bravia Engine branded technology, making it even more realistic. Technology This program, and it works only while watching photos and videos. According to the manufacturer's application, the technology allows you to display a picture more natural to the image, adding clarity, saturation, contrast and also removing some of the noise.
The colors on this screen look realistic, not as bright, like on amoled displays, the picture is soft and lightly velvety. By the way, in contrast to the flagship, in the Sony Xperia U settings, both manual and automatic brightness settings. However, in this case, the slider is better to keep closer to the maximum value, otherwise it will be dark.
Outside, the screen is covered with protective mineral glass resistant to scratches. On the touch of the fingers, the screen responds sensible, there was no erroneous pressing. Unlike most recent Sony smartphones, this baby has no factory protective film on the screen. The screen glances well and quickly shrouded - unlike the housing. It does not hurt the film with anti-reflective coating.
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Sound
The sound of external speaker is not too loud, which should be expected from an inexpensive and small phone. In addition, high frequencies prevail, there are no bass. It does not even help the fact that the sound here is additionally processed using the XLOUD branded technology. This technology developed by Sony does not affect the sound quality, and it serves to enhance the volume of the main dynamics. But between the included and turned off the XLOUD mode, the difference could not be seen.
With a hearing speaker, approximately the same situation: the sound is not too loud and not very clean - however, the frequencies are sufficiently juicy. The speech and intonation of the interlocutor transfers quite worn, but there can be no speech about any loud and crystal clear sound. Both Sony Xperia U dynamics are medium in the quality of the sound output.
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As for sound in headphones, the complete stereo header is too simple here to talk about any quality of sound. In addition, the headphones themselves are ordinary here - not contributable - so in this case the hands themselves are drawn for better contributing headphones. The audio train here is standard - a diameter of 3.5 mm, so that any. With high-quality headphones and sound becomes more interesting - especially if you set up an equalizer existing here to your taste. It is only necessary to remember that with a long listening to music with an enabled equalizer, the battery is discharged faster.
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The smartphone traditionally has FM radio, and it works traditionally only with a connected headset. Settings are unpleasant, understand easily.
Camera
It pleases that even in such a baby that occupies the lower price position in the overall line, Sony did not shoot and included the frontal chamber for video communication. Nothing special, of course, it does not represent - the quality of the resolution of 0.3 Mp is no longer waiting, but to engage in the video conference, it is quite enough.
The module of the main chamber is a little more interesting, but he, of course, is inferior as the cameras of his senior fellow. Here, the maximum resolution of the pictures is 5 meters with the aspect ratio of 4: 3. Photos are obtained with a size of 2592 × 1944. If there is a desire to set the shooting in the widescreen ratio of the parties 16: 9, the frames will be obtained with a resolution of 2560 × 1440 points, that is, 3 MP. The quality and clarity of photos in the original resolution can be estimated by clicking on thumbnails.
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Thanks to automatic focus, closely located objects, as well as text with paper or the monitor screen, are not foundally fixed by the camera.
The camera can shoot video in HD-resolution. Here there are a pair of ten-second rollers filmed at maximum settings with a frequency of 29 frames per second. Rollers are saved in MP4 format, and have a resolution of 1280 × 720 points (No. 1 - 10 MB, No. 2 - 8 MB).
Representatives of Sony separately make focus at the speed of shooting cameras of their new smartphones. When you click on the hardware, the camera is turned on, and shooting, even if the phone was blocked. In the settings, you can change the assignment of this button to the camera activation function, but without shooting. The shooting itself can also be carried out without applying the hardware key - by pressing the virtual button on the screen.
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Software and telephone part
As for the software filling, everything is identical to the contents of the rest of the fellows on the line - Sony Xperia S and Sony Xperia P, which we have already written in detail. Like they, Sony Xperia U went on sale and works under the control of a familiar and already examining the version of the Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread OS with the promised refresh option to version 4.0.
The standard Google Android interface is modified with its own software shell, which changes somewhat and complements it, but not much. On five initial desktop screens, branded widgets are scattered (like weather), common internal list Programs can be sorted by several parameters, and when you first turn on, the proprietary application proposes to set up a smartphone.
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Sony Xperia U telephone functions copes at the level of modern devices. The mobile phone holds the phone reliably, in conditions of weak reception, the connection does not lose. No hangs or spontaneous reboots were noticed in two weeks of testing. Wi-Fi and GPS modules are also checked in operation, and there are no complaints too.
Performance
The Sony Xperia U hardware platform (ST25I model) is based on SOC ST-Ericsson Novathor U8500. The central processor here is a dual-core Armv7, operating at a frequency of 1000 MHz. Support in graphics processing is provided by the MALI-400MP video screen. Here everything is exactly the same as the senior model Sony Xperia P. True, unlike it, Xperia U has only 512 MB of RAM. The repository accessible to the user to download its own files is about 4 GB without the ability to expand memory cards, because the slot for them is not provided here.
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QUADRANT STANDARD SONY XPERIA U scored worthy of 2223 points, overtaking the senior model Sony Xperia P, but a slightly resigned from its own flagship - Sony Xperia S in this test is 3104 points.
According to the results of the complex Antutu Benchmark v2.8, the picture repeated: the device is slightly faster than a model with a similar hardware platform, but large on the area and the screen resolution, and, of course, is slower than the flagship.
Graphic performance we tested in Nenamark2 (v2.2). According to the results of multiple runs, the MALI-400MP graphics accelerator in this device issued a good, but not the best among the neighbors by the average result in 27 FPS.
As for his own impressions, communication with Sony Xperia U calls only positive sensations: a small screen allows you to easily reach any item on the screen, all lists and desktops are scrolled smoothly, without jerks, there are no ships when turning no; Programs open quickly, and games from the Google Play Store do not brake. The device is quite capable of playing without slowdown in the video with a resolution up to 720p - another thing is that it makes no sense to score a small amount of built-in memory to such volumetric files (the screen resolution is much lower, and the video output has no smartphone).
Battery life
Lithium-ion battery installed in Sony Xperia U, replaceable. It has not too large according to modern standards capacity of 1290 mA · h. However, with such a small screen, the most energy-intensive element of any phone - the battery is quite capable of maintaining the operation of the device at the level of other modern smartphones.
Sony Xperia U battery testing has made a better impression than in the case of the Sony Xperia P. model, the battery has not been able to maintain the operation of the device within reasonable limits. Here, uninterrupted playing mp3 with the screen turned off from one charge for more than 31 hours, and uninterrupted reading in the FBReader program at the average brightness level last 8 hours.
Viewing video in the MKV container with a resolution of 720p last 3 hours 20 minutes, but this is because MX Player has not supported hardware decoding when playing MKV, and the entire load lay on the processor. When viewing the file in AVI container with a resolution of 624 × 352, the smartphone calmly worked for 5 hours or more.
Charging Sony Xperia U quickly quickly. Full charge time was less than 2 hours.
Prices
The middle retail price of the device in Moscow at the time of reading the article in rubles can be found by clicking the mouse to the price tag.
Outcome
Summing up today's Sony Xperia U review, first of all, it is primarily to note exactly what is the most small and most affordable from the Xperia NXT line devices. Even the new Sony Xperia Sola apparatus is just more expensive than this model. At the same time, Xperia U is all right not only with the design - the smartphone also received a company Sony "Iconic Design", but also with hardware characteristics. In this baby, exactly the same powerful dual-core platform as the older model is Sony Xperia P, but with a smaller screen it gives even greater performance. I am expressed by the youth language, the model turned out to be very "smart", for which, in fact, and calculated the manufacturer, working out a smartphone for young people. The Sony Xperia U phone makes it easy to enjoy young people if you consider it possible by customization by choosing various color variations of pre-installed topics and complete covers. True, youth may not like the absence of the ability to increase the size of the repository of your own files using memory cards, it imposes its restrictions in the use of a smartphone. However, it becomes already a common bad tendency, and it is subject to not only Sony lately.
As for competitors, only the HTC One V model comes to mind, which occupies a similar position in the line of new smartphones of the Taiwanese manufacturer. It has a slightly larger screen (3.7 inches), but at the same time just below the resolution (480 × 800) and, appropriate, less density of points (ppi \u003d 252). At the same time, the screens of these models are not inferior to each other as a picture and corners of the review. HTC ONE V is a single-core processor, but a large battery capacity. In general, the models are practically equal in the scales, but the Taiwanese smartphone is much more expensive - about 3 thousand rubles at the moment. However, the presence of a slot for memory cards from HTC One V is already a significant advantage.
In general, the choice and purchase of Sony Xperia U can be considered quite justified for those people who do not need the big screen. For all other parameters, except for the screen, the device looks no worse, and something is even better than competing solutions.
Announcement of two new devices from Sony Mobile, it was Xperia P and Xperia U. In fact, this is the main backbone of the 2012 lineup, today I would like to briefly tell about the event, devices, thoughts around. The fact is that the presentation itself was more connected not even with new items, but with the fact that Sony Ericsson now as if returned to the launo of the parent company, on the slides, it was designated unequivocally, ONE Sony, well, all that such. This is first. Secondly, the company continues to develop the concept of four screens, that is, the user must easily switch between the same information on the smartphone, TV, tablet and laptop - good, in the range of companies all this is. In my opinion, the concept is somewhat attracted by the ears, do not so many users connect the smartphone or tablet to the TV. Moreover, we used to contact various information from the devices mentioned. For example, on TV I watch the video and play games, your smartphone is needed for everyday affairs, communication, listening to music, creating a photo, a laptop for work, well, the tablet is a particular assistant, its use depends on the specific situation and the aspirations of the owner. Thirdly, in Sony, it was not in vain about the uniform design of smartphones in 2012, and p, and s, and u are similar to each other, not twins, but also to distinguish them a simple consumer will be hard. For example, such a phenomenon is observed with Audi, people, with a brand are not familiar, confused A4, A6 and A8, as my friend says, they are the same, only different sizes. In my opinion, the uniformity in the line of smartphones is needed, and for the first time the Sony devices of different price groups are so similar, let's see how it affects the perception of the brand by consumers. Fourth, the past event was to consolidate in the heads of journalists (well, and we must consolidate it in our heads) a simple thought: Sony Ericsson is no longer. There is Sony Mobile. New site, new products. Finally, a lot was said about the concept of Entertaiment Unlimited, right from smartphones you can download videos or watch online, the same with music, and with games, all from the company store - in Russia he will not work yet. Well, now let's talk about the device.
One moment only, without a leap, the line of three smartphones is called Xperia NXT (then you mean, Next), but this is the most NXT it is not clear how to apply, whether to add to the name of the devices, whether it is the name of the line, or something else. Dont clear.
To begin with, I suggest you watch a video about announced devices.
Sony Xperia S.
On our site there is a first glance and other materials about this smartphone, a review will appear soon if you have a desire, I can be like a device, shoot. Conditionally speaking, now it is a senior smartphone, not the flagship, but what is the eldest. I do not think that it will turn out to say something new about the device here, I recommend contacting existing materials. This week comes on sale in Europe, this was reminded about several times. As they say, sales will show how well the strategy has chosen in Sony.
Sony Xperia P.
What is called, middling, but the middle pepper is not easy. Sony speaks about a all-metal building, but in fact, only the battery cover is made of metal, and all the holes are cut through. In the hand, the device lies well, the metal is pleasantly hiding a hand, the silver looks much more profitable black. As you can see, and here there is a luminous strip, separating a small area of \u200b\u200bthe housing. I have a hurry to please you that the buttons are built into the stri on the strip, or rather, it's like there is one button. It sounds, maybe it is not clear, but it is much more convenient than the sensors from Xperia S. 1 GHz processor (dual-core), 16 GB of integrated memory, Android 2.3 (update to the fourth version will be), camera 8.1 megapixel, worse than that S, but the device takes another. Actually, there are two main stories, it is already mentioned metal in the housing and display. Diagonal four inches, accurate permission I will not give now, because there is some confusion in press materials. I will express only your admiration of Whitemagic technology is adding another pixel, joy and happiness, in Sony do not have time to say that this is the brightest display among all smartphones on the market. Well, I liked another more, for example, in the browser, each beak is like a thin needle, so much clearly and beautiful. The brightness is very large, with insufficient lighting literally cuts the eyes. A clear and really cool screen compared to everyone that I managed to see lately - and whether Whitemagic, in theory, does not rape the battery device, and for smartphones with Android, you know, sore place.
As I said, the camera is 8.1 meters, there is an opportunity to shoot a video in Full HD, among the accessories - some stand to facilitate the connection to the TV.
I will not tell anything yet about the price and time of appearance on the market, I will try to get acquainted with the device during the exhibition in more detail and find out all sorts of details. I also note that Sony continued to work on the interface, more of their icons, necessary programs etc.
Sony Xperia U.
The younger brother, there is no metal in the housing, but there are replaceable cap caps, complete for Russia there will be four such caps. The point is good, the perception of the device changes. With U, everything is simple, he is called to become a budget Sony smartphone, so wonders do not wait - the diagonal of the display is 3.5 inches (854 x 480 points), no wonders like "white magic", the processor, like P, 512 MB of RAM and about 8 GB of internal memory. Camera 5 MP with all the branded options for the recognition of individuals and easy creation of panoramas, the stated work time in music playback is about 45 hours, not bad, according to colleagues, Sony Xperia u long works offline, longer than their older brothers.
Plastic housing, inside - Android 2.3, update up to 4.0 promise soon. My impression is simple: the device for youth, and his fate on the market will be very dependent on the price.
While I will manage without conclusions, the line turned out to be like more than once wrote on Mobile-Review (and Eldar, and me), in SE, they fought for a long time with themselves to come and where they started - to the compact line, where Each apparatus is a kind of pearl. Announcement 2012 Pearls did not bring it, it should be understood absolutely accurate - this is not a K750. But in Sony, a ruler of three products was made in Sony, each with its differences: you want a good camera - pay attention to S, you want a cool screen and metal - take P, you want a small and beautiful smartphone - take U. You know, there is not enough for some driver Which killer is something like Galaxy Sii, pulling other models of the line. I want to believe that there will be some other letter at Sony, causing a toothbrush from competitors. So far there is no one.
Links on the topic
Sergey Kuzmin ()
Despite some successes last year, with some devices, such as Xperia Arc, Sony descended on a slippery track in 2012. At the beginning of the year, Sony entered the market with the flagship smartphone Xperia S, which in a month eclipsed HTC One X. and with an announcement Samsung Galaxy S3, the flagship product Sony, it seems, does not remain.
Maybe the Japanese manufacturer's affairs will be amended with the release of the Xperia U phone? At first glance, the smartphone looks like a winner - a budget apparatus with a dual-core processor, BRAVIA Engine display technology and excellent build quality. But it can be overshadowed by an outdated version of Android. Well, let's understand in more detail and go to our sony Xperia U Review.
Design and Ergonomics Sony Xperia U
From point of view industrial designMany entry-level smartphones look like miniature versions of their high-class brothers, and this is undoubtedly belonging to Sony Xperia U and his older brother Xperia C. In addition to the size, the 4.3-inch screen at Xperia with a 3.5 inches from Xperia U. This year, Sony decided not to depart from the main design of the XPERIA line, continuing to fix the branding line.
Like Xperia S, U has a body of soft to the touch of plastic, and the back of the housing is slightly curved. Unfortunately, this uniqueness is achieved through ergonomics. There are three buttons on the high-speed strip: home, menu and go back.
Hardware: Sony Xperia U Characteristics
Over the buttons is FWVGA Sony Reality Display with a resolution of 854 × 480 pixels. The display also has a Sony Mobile Bravia Engine technology that increases contrast and color image quality. Viewing angles wide and image quality is really good. It certainly does not compare with HTC One X, but it is worthy, even on the street with sunlight.
Physical buttons Xperia U are located on the right edge - upstairs there is a power button, in the middle there is a paired volume adjustment key, while the camera button is at the bottom. And like other phones in the Xperia line you can clamp this button to immediately take a picture. The camera has permissible ability of 5 megapixels and LED flash, and for video calls there is a frontal VGA camera.
On the left side of the housing there is a microUSB connector and upstairs there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack. Behind the back cover you will find a removable accumulator for 1300 mAh and a full-sized slot for SIM card. And the lower panel of the case can be replaced as shown in the photo.
Inside Sony Xperia U. A 1 GHz dual-core ST-Ericsson processor is located, as well as 512 MB of RAM. Although the dual-core processor in the low-cost smartphone is in the low-cost smartphone, but its performance indicators are still humble and will not be equal to dual-core monsters, such as Snapdragon S4. However, it is quite enough for his work, we did not notice the problems with productivity. And although you can notice some nonsense animation, then we believe that this is due to obsolete Android 2.3 and with update to Android 4.0, this flaw will be eliminated.
Software
Sony Xperia U is running the operating system Android 2.3.7, along with software Sony UXP NXT. Sony promises to release an update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich in the third quarter of this year.
Sony's user interface is definitely one of the best Gingerbread Skins that we have seen - there are just the right amount of animation and visual decorations to make work pleasant to the user, without entering the jewelry too far.
In addition to the living wallpaper "Space Stream" from Sony, there are weather widow, search and others that you can set up to your taste. And to change the appearance of the Sony system theme, it is possible on the basis of seven color profiles. When changing the topics profile, the backlight of the transparent bar is changing and the buttons. Similarly, if you are viewing photos or listen to music, the backlight color will change to the dominant color in the image or the cover of the album. Perhaps it will be a little useless to taste some users, but we found this visual alert fun. Xperia U includes a great set of multimedia applications from Sony.
Among other software relations, Music Unlimited streaming services can be noted and video unlimited, which are included in this phone model. The player of the phone is recycled and is the same as on other models of Xperia 2012. It has a built-in equalizer with a large number of effects for your music, including Clearbass with a surround sound effect, which can be appreciated in a pair with good headphones.
Integration with social networks is carried out via Timescape and Facebook applications inside Xperia (Facebook Inside Xperia). Timescape organizes social text messaging updates and other data in a 3D list, there is support for Facebook, Twitter, Google Play and other boxes from the box.
Sony Xperia U Smartphone Camera
Sony historically impressed with its cameras on the phones, even on the devices of the lower price series. And for the most part 5 megapixel camera, Xperia U supports this impression. In reasonably lit rooms, the phone captures images almost instantly and gives clear images without noise.
Also Sony turned on 3D-panoramic surveys in the app, however, to view you will need a 3D TV, as the phone has a simple 2D display.
Sony Xperia U Phone Verdict
Xperia U is far from impeccable work from Sony, but this is a very well-balanced home-level phone. Its cost in the store is about 12,000 rubles, which puts it in one row with HTC One V and Desire C. In this price range it is difficult to imagine a phone that offers better value for money than Sony Xperia U.. From this, it is even more disappointed that Sony decided to limit the user disk space up to 4 GB, without the prospect of expansion using MicroSD cards. Samsung and HTC understand that this is not enough and, at least, offer a microSD slot, as a possible bypass path in their entry-level phones - Sony does not offer such a compromise in Xperia U.
However, a dual-core phone with the possibility of recording HD video 720p for 12 thousand was unthinkable a few months ago and Sony deserves praise for its creation.
Accelerometer (or G-SENSOR) - device position sensor in space. As the main function, the accelerometer is used to automatically change the image orientation on the display (vertical or horizontal). Also, G-Sensor is used as a pedometer, they can be controlled by various device functions by turning or shaking.
Gyroscope - Sensor measuring rotation angles with respect to the fixed coordinate system. Created to measure rotation angles in several planes at the same time. The gyroscope together with the accelerometer allows you to determine the position of the device in space with high accuracy. In devices using only accelerometers, measurement accuracy is lower, especially with rapid movement. Also the possibilities of the gyroscope can be used in modern games for mobile devices.
Light sensor - Sensor, thanks to which the optimal brightness and contrast values \u200b\u200bare set for this light level. The presence of the sensor allows you to increase the operating time of the device from the battery.
Proximity sensor - Sensor that determines when the device is close to the face during a conversation, turns off the backlight and blocks the screen, preventing accidental pressing. The presence of the sensor allows you to increase the operating time of the device from the battery.
Geomagnetic sensor - Sensor to determine the side of the light into which the device is directed. Tracks the orientation of the device in space relative to the magnetic poles of the Earth. Information obtained from the sensor is used in cartographic programs for locality orientation.
Atmospheric pressure sensor - Sensor for precise measurement of atmospheric pressure. It is part of the GPS system, allows you to determine the height above sea level and speed up the location definition.
Touch ID - Identification sensor for fingerprint.
Accelerometer / Light / Approximation
Satellite navigation:
GPS. (Global Positioning System - Global Positioning System) - satellite navigation system, ensuring measurement of distance, time, speed and determining the location of objects anywhere in the Earth. The system is developed, implemented and operated by the US Department of Defense. The main principle of using the system is to determine the location by measuring distances to the object from points with known coordinates - satellites. The distance is calculated by the time of delaying the signal propagation from sending it to the satellite before receiving an antenna GPS receiver.
GLONASS (Global navigation satellite system) - Soviet and Russian satellite navigation system, developed by order of the USSR Ministry of Defense. The measurement principle is similar to the American GPS navigation system. GLONASS is designed for operational navigation and temporary support of users of ground, marine, air and space-based. The main difference from the GPS system is that GLONASS satellites in their orbital movement do not have resonance (synchronization) with the rotation of the Earth, which ensures greater stability.
This is the youngest of the devices in the modern line of Xperia. At the same time, the company decided not to save, and even with such positioning, the device also received a dual-core processor, and an excellent screen, and even a quick chamber. But since the devil lies in the trifles, without an exorcist, it's still not to do ...
Design
First impression Xperia U. leaves exceptionally good. A small, neat apparatus is made of a pleasant plastic touch and flashes the branded design of the last line of Xperia. Like the older brothers, a transparent strip with a multi-colored LED is located under the gadget screen. Plus, the bottom plastic insert is removable, and they are included with four pieces. On the test I had a white apparatus, an extremely elegant, but not overly feminine is a refined unisex in Sony style.
Build U. Sony Xperia U. Excellent. Details are fitted with each other perfectly, even too. For example, I could not take off the removable panel from your copy. Singing like a bothele. No squeaks with squeezing, the back cover under the fingers does not bend.
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There are three hardware buttons on the right side: the camera, the volume swing and the off button. On the left there was a place only for the microUSB connector, and the headphone jack is above above. Complete design.
Funny item: In a box with a smartphone, in addition to the usual headset, charger, and a set of instructions, there is still a couple of pleasant additions. Sony's generous cockpit put a branded film on the screen, a rag wipe and a special adapter with Micro-SIM to a regular SIM card. Apparently, it is in case you decide that the fourth iPhone is already the last century, and the future is exclusively for cute inexpensive "Androids."
But there are also notorious nuances. First, the icons of the touch buttons on the transparent panel consider it difficult. What is also complicated by the fact that the "Back" button here is extreme on the left (in the center "Home", and the "menu" on the right), and not everything is accustomed to this location. As a result, erroneous pressing in the first days of work is provided. Yes, and in the following days, too, no designated sensory keys under the screen, then it is randomly found with your fingers.
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Screen
The screen is excellent and gorgeous complements the first wow impression. With a modest diagonal of a 3.5-inch full-fledged 854x480 pixels, which gives a very clear and beautiful picture at the exit. Yes, and Sony Bravia's branded technologies here are not for a red sense and provide very high-quality color reproduction, without the Korean "Irvillag" style. In the sun, the image remains readable, although slightly challenges. Hardly for the money that they ask for Sony ST25I.This year you can desire more.
Capacitive screen supports four simultaneous pressing. This, of course, is not ten, but for most games will come down, but nowhere else will come in handy.
The only thing to which you can complain is on the light sensor. It almost does not work, continuing to blind eyes in the dark and not withdrawing the backlight to the maximum on the street. Apparently, the firmware updates will correct, but still you have to change the brightness manually.
Iron
Design ST25I.The engineers did not make compromises and put here the same processor as in a more advanced Xperia Sola. This is a dual-core ST Ericsson NOVATHOR U8500 with a clock frequency of 1 GHz. It is attached to it 512 MB of RAM and the MALI-400 MP video scorer. This is an excellent technological bunch, which has enough HD video playback without conversion, high-performance games and other resource-intensive tasks.
The smartphone practically does not slow down, but it is very tangible even with an average load. In fact, even simply playback of music in APE format is already able to raise the temperature under the hood of the machine. Such is the fee for the impressive power for this class.
Applications are installed in the lightning system, the browser works very quickly and even terrible videos in Flash are played without problems.
Some old applications that wrote more for Android 2.1 can work unstable. From my permanent set of "old mans" with errors or hung the Andless player, the game Racing Moto and the MultiTouch Test Tester app. Although it is rather questions to the software developers, since a complete harmony is observed with a new software for a smartphone.
Alas, without a big spoon, the fly still did not cost. The gadget does not have a slot for a memory card, and its own brains is only 8 GB, of which the user is available: 1.6 GB to install applications and 4 GB in the drive mode. Charming! I also see the Sony office, which makes a decision on the positioning of the Xperia line of this year and clearly hear the demonic laughter of marketers. Indeed, why cut the functionality of a younger model when you can seriously limit memory to her? Some games for Android, remind, "weigh" under good gigabytes. Not to mention listening to music in Lossless, shooting at the camera, watching the video ... The place in the smartphone ends already on 3-4 days of active work. Will you think about looking at the advanced XPERIA models or write a plaintive letter to the UN.
Android
The smartphone has an operating system Android 2.3.7 with the Timescape branded shell. The fourth version of the green robot is expected for the Xperia family only in the summer, but also the current result of the joint work of Google and Sony is quite interesting.
When you first turn on, the quick setup screen is automatically started. You can set preferred network connection settings, configure Internet service synchronization, enable backup And other pleasant little things.
 Almost every function of the smartphone Xperia U. Have your widget |
The device offers you five desktops, almost an empty top area of \u200b\u200bnotifications and a set of branded widgets. The Timescape shell focuses on the content and specific functions of the device, which manifests itself, for example, when a pinch is gestured on the desktop - instead of the usual carousel of the tables, we simultaneously show all the user-selected widgets, between which you can quickly switch.
Sony diversified the usual "Android" life with a whole set of applications. About those associated with multimedia playback, we will talk in another section. And now we will go to the managed flight on the Internet and social networks.
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The Timescape shell has a similar application that aggregates all updates of your profiles on Facebook and Twitter into a single tape. The same application has a whole ohaper widgets, which has been on the working fresh information from the profiles of your friends. And also has a special widget "Music and Video" widget, which is wool in your social networks in search of the video recommended by "Friends" on YouTube and displays them in a small window.
In addition to the standard Google Play, there is also an own store application PlayNow, in which you can buy or download apps, games and music. The range is small, and the average price of applications is about $ 2. So seriously consider Sony Playnow, as a competitor, the omissible Google Play does not work. There is also a client application for downloading, demo testing and shopping games from the ELECTRONIC ARTS studio.
Also in the smartphone Sony Xperia U. There is a utility to set up energy savings by disconnecting unnecessary functions and applications for calculating mobile traffic.
 Browser is standard, at the same time you can open up to eight windows. Thanks to hardware facilities, everything works very quickly. |
The PC connection is carried out via the MTP protocol, as well as is done, for example, in Samsung Galaxy W. Personally, I personally like this way that it is not necessary to safely remove the device, as well as automatic conversion of formats when copying. As far as I used to listen to music in FLAC, for the sake of saving memory, I still allowed the system to quickly overtake music in MP3.
When connecting to a computer, you can install the Sony PC Companion sync program directly from the phone, but it is not necessary to do it - everything works and so. The only strange nuance, with which I encountered - automatic MKV conversion does not work when copying. This video format has to be poured into the phone in the original resolution and format.
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In the contacts in the dialing section, a smart search is organized: you type the number on the virtual 12-button keyboard, and the smartphone is helpful to contact your contact with matching numbers and appropriate letters. Similar quick search is implemented in smartphones with HTC Sense. There is, however, here "Nuanxik": Kirillitsa in this search (for now?) Not supported.
In general, during testing Xperia U. I worked stable. But there were surprises. For example, hanging in the background of system applications can start flying for both cheeks battery charge. And once the smartphone issued a series of cyclic reboots. If you have something like that, call the exorcist to turn off the machine and turn on again. Helps.
Camera
IN Sony ST25I. The 5-MP camera with fast shooting feature is installed. You can even run without removing the lock, simply by holding the shooting button. The function works not lightning, but still faster than the traditional way.
The quality of the pictures in the automatic mode is not enough mediocre and stars from the sky. Fortunately, the camera is attracted by a huge number of settings, and with their help you can simplify work with the device and achieve relatively good pictures.
 Interior shooting in natural light. |
But the shooting of the video is frankly pleasing. The declared HD is written on 29 frames per second, which is nominally quite well. But in practice, the picture is derric, with artifacts that are visible not only on the monitor, but even on the screen of the phone itself.
To appreciate the quality of the shooting, enjoy the parade of young mothers in the historic part of Odessa.
There is a shooting mode of photographs and panoramas in 3D, as well as a special utility for viewing the pictures obtained on compatible devices. Such is at hand, alas, it did not turn out. But the course of shooting is extremely difficult: to create a stereopanorama, it needs to be removed under several angles, for which it is about-to-very slowly turn the chamber. From the fifth time will probably work out! In general, it is rather funny entertainment than the real tool.
Multimedia
I liked the sound in the headphones. He is a detailed and pleasant one. The sound of frequencies is balanced, and the volume of volume is good enough to get out with a smartphone on a busy street. And, most importantly, all these sound components are successfully mixed with each other and form a certain rattling musical mixture, which can easily dig in not only your headphones, but also you.
Their native music player supports Cyrillic, beautiful and has an extra chip: sorting music by emotional states. To do this, you need to send some information about your photec to Sony servers, and in response there will be a discharge: this song in "Happiness-joy", and this in the "sadness". This feature works so far through the stump deck, a significant part of the audio loaded by me and remained at all without emotional identifiers. I hope that in the future the functionality of this option will improve, as the idea itself is very elevated.
It is still worth talking about another Sony's clay idea - Live Aware Manager. It allows you to configure the automatic launch of the programs you need when the headset, headphone or charger is connected. Very comfortable thing that allows you to bring to automatibus work with a player.
The video player is not particularly noteworthy, except for supporting the transfer of content to the device conjugate via Wi-Fi, and the presence of a simple video editor in which you can cut a shot video. So I would recommend you to look for something more interesting in Google Play. The same MX Player, for example.
Battery
Xperia U ST25i Received a more than a modest battery of 1290 mAh. If you do not save and drive the apparatus in the tail and in the mane, for 7-8 hours the battery will pass long way from 100% to zero. If you do not abuse 3D games and shooting video, the device will last a full-fledged day.
Completely economical users can squeeze out of the device and day - if you turn off Wi-Fi and 3G, synchronize only important services and try to avoid resource-intensive applications. But then you need a smartphone?
Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray, in my opinion, can extinguish with our hero on the image field. It is a beautiful, similar to Xperia U., Apparatus with the same clear screen, albeit smaller. Yes, Ray processor is weaker, but the battery lives a little longer. Plus, Android 4.0 he already received, and Sony Xperia U. For some time, "Come on" at 2.3.7. You can buy Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray for 10-12 thousand rubles, so the option is quite eligible for life. Especially in gentle female hands.
Part convenience Sony Xperia U. We'll have to grab not for life, but to death also with the youngest representative of the fresh line of HTC. The ONE V smartphone boasts a more comfortable and thoughtful shell, fresh operating system, longer battery life, large screen and better video. He has the processor, how much weaker, the sound in the headphones is worse, and the price is more expensive - about 14,000 rubles.
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Benefits:
- Timescape shell and brand
- Design
- Productive processor
- Fast Run Function and Hardware Shooting Button
- good sound in headphones
- the abundance of camera settings and the method of their organization
Disadvantages:
- Small battery life
- little memory (about 5.7 GB for user)
- uncomfortable touch buttons under the screen
— Old version Android
- Poor quality recording video
- Strange work sensor lighting
Summary
Sony turned out to be a beautiful and fast apparatus, the stack is charged with the most sony-style, which is able to seriously and demolish the roof for a long time. But the small flaws of the firmware, a weak battery and a catastrophically small amount of memory still spoil the impression and slightly cut off. It seems to me that the device is almost perfect for a girl who loving social networks, music and appreciating beautiful gadgets. But the Materia Gick Summates, resembles around this handsome, and choose Xperia Sola or HTC One V.
SCONY SPECIFICATIONS SONY XPERIA U ST25I
| GSM. | 850, 900, 1800, 1900 |
|---|---|
| WCDMA. | 900, 2100 |
| Type of shell | monoblock |
| Operating system | Google Android 2.3. |
| CPU | ST Ericsson Novathor U8500, 1 GHz |
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Screen type | TFT. |
| Screen size | 3,5 |
| Number of flowers | 16 million |
| Screen resolution | 854x480 |
| Sensory | yes |
| Built-in memory | 8 GB |
| Memory card support | Not |
| Sound | xloud Experienc, Track ID |
| Communications | Wi-Fi, 3G |
| Connectors | MicroUSB, 3.5 mm |
| Camera | 5 MP, Autofocus, Flash, Recording HD Video, BSI Sensor |
