computerwoche.de

Archiv

Sony Ericsson Xperia X1

16.02.2009
Sony Ericsson's first Windows Mobile device, the , got a lot of buzz last year for its slick and customizable software interface and stylish design. Although the Sony Xperia X1 is a feature-packed, well-designed handset with excellent performance, its assets don't warrant its sky-high price. At $800 (unlocked), the Xperia X1 can't compete with subsidized smart phones like the or that offer the same features if not more.

The head-turning Xperia X1 is well-built and sleek. A brilliant 3-inch VGA touch screen display takes up the majority of the handset's face; six keys (two soft keys, Talk, End, Panels, OK) and an optical mouse lie below it. I didn't like these buttons, though: They're flat and a bit small, and not very clicky. Additionally, the small touch pad that you use as a mouse (Sony Ericsson calls this an "optical mouse") is tiny, making it difficult to use. I can't imagine someone with larger fingers using these controls very easily; my fingers are fairly small and I still had trouble.

The X1 has a reasonably slim profile for a handset with a slide-out keyboard. Measuring 4.4 by 2.1 by 0.7 inches, the X1 is about the same size as the . The X1 weighs 5.6 ounces, the same weight as the G1, but is about an ounce heavier than the iPhone.

The full QWERTY keyboard feels sturdy (some slide-out keyboards can feel flimsy, like they are about to detach at any second) and slides out easily. The keyboard is spacious, with large keys, though a little too flat for my liking. The X1 is ergonomically designed with a slight curve, making it comfortable to hold in your hand for long periods of time.

Call quality was consistently good over AT&T's 3G network. I experienced no dropped calls and heard a faint hiss on only a few calls. Parties on the other end were very pleased with the call quality, reporting clear sound and little to no background noise.

Sony Ericsson states that the X1 has a talk time battery life of 6 hours, which is slightly better than the iPhone 3G. We'll update this review with a final rating once the PC World Test Center completes its battery life tests. The X1's Windows Mobile 6.1 overlay allows a wide range of customization options. You can choose from nine different "panels," which are meant to represent the different facets of your life. You can use any of them as your Today screen, depending on what you prefer that day. The handset comes with 7 preloaded panels: Microsoft Today, Sony Ericsson (two versions), Google, 3D Fish, Xperia Radio and Media Xperience.