Posted by >500
Xperia SP – High Definition brilliance in a premium design
The Xperia SP utilises expertise from Sony’s BRAVIA® TV engineers to create its stunning 4.6” HD Reality Display for razor sharp pictures and superior brightness. The latest Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2 delivers an even better viewing experience by analysing your content type and adjusting the image automatically, making it one of the most intelligent smartphone screens around. The engine will make the adjustment by adding new real-time contrast optimisation to the sharpness enhancement, high-quality colour management and noise reduction.
As well as delivering brilliant experiences, the Xperia SP looks beautiful too with a precision-crafted co-moulded aluminium frame, for a seamless look that is both sleek and solid. Adding to the unique design innovation is the colour-changing ‘transparent element’ with customisable illuminations which you can personalise to alert you of incoming calls and text messages. And you can even set the illuminations to pulse to the beat of your favourite music.
Camera and video
8 megapixel camera with auto focus
16x digital zoom
Sony Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor
HD video recording (1080p)
Front-facing camera (VGA)
Scene recognition, Face detection and Smile detection
HDR for picture
Sweep Panorama
Flash - pulsed LED and photo light
Superior auto
Image playback, supported formats: BMP, GIF, JPEG, PNG
Image capture, supported format: JPEG
Video playback, supported formats: 3GPP, MP4, MKV, MPEG2-TS, MPEG-4, WEBM
Video recording, supported formats: 3GPP, MP4
Connectivity and communication
3.5 mm audio jack (CTIA)
aGPS*
Bluetooth 4.0 wireless technology
DLNA Certified
GLONASS*
MHL Support
Media Go
Media Transfer Protocol support
Micro USB support, USB charging and USB High speed 2.0 support
Native USB tethering
NFC
Screen mirroring
Xperia Link
Wi-Fi and WiFi Hotspot functionality
WebKit web browser with Pan & zoom
Synchronisation via Exchange ActiveSync, Facebook, Google Sync and SyncML
Entertainment
PlayStation Certified
Sony Entertainment Network (selected markets only)
Video streaming
TV launcher
Motions gaming
3D games
Audio playback, supported formats: MP3, AVI, 3GPP, MP4, MKV, MPEG-TS, SMF, WAV, Ogg vorbis, FLAC
Audio recording, supported formats: 3GPP, MP4, AMR
FM Radio with RDS
xLoud Experience – audio filter technology from Sony
“WALKMAN” application
TrackID music recognition*
3D surround sound
Clear bass, Clear stereo and Clear Phase
Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
Pre-loaded applications
Google Chrome*
Google Play*
Google Voice Search*
Google Maps for Mobile with Street view and Latitude*
Memory
RAM: 1GB
Flash memory: Up to 8 GB**
Expansion slot: microSD card, up to 32 GB
Networks
UMTS HSPA+ 850 (Band V), 900 (Band VIII), 2100 (Band I) Mhz
UMTS HSPA+ 1700 (Band IV), 1900 (Band II) (not available in all markets)
GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
LTE Bands 1, 2, 4 and 5 (not available in all markets)
LTE Bands 1, 3, 5, 6, 8 and 20 (not available in all markets)
Design and display
4.6", 1280 x 720 pixels, 16,777,216 colour display
Shatter proof sheet on Corning Gorilla glass
Sony Mobile BRAVIA® Engine 2
Screenshot capturing
Capacitive touchscreen with on-screen QWERTY keyboard
Glove mode
Light effects
Transparent / Aluminium frame
[ This Message was edited by: >500 on 2013-03-18 10:19 ]
Posted by vikeviki
Nice midrange phone.
Posted by stedus
The Floating touch tech from Sola is back
the SP model picks up some features from even earlier models, with the same screen technology as the Xperia Sola allowing you to navigate around the phone in gloves.
http://www.engadget.com/2013/03/18/sony-xperia-sp-hands-on/
So the SP will be the Merger of XS and XP
While the XL will be the merger of the Arc design and Xperia Sola design
[ This Message was edited by: stedus on 2013-03-18 10:38 ]
Posted by Luca-S
Simply beautiful.
Things that only Sony can bring to us.
Posted by motvikt
Funny that engadgets hands-on is from MWC
Posted by stedus
On 2013-03-18 11:44:56, motvikt wrote:
Funny that engadgets hands-on is from MWC
I just noticed that one too
)
So they showed those devices to Tech-site rather than announce them at MWC
Posted by Arne Anka
Looks nice.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?[....]player_embedded&v=pgA4YCAIGBI#
[ This Message was edited by: Arne Anka on 2013-03-18 10:47 ]
Posted by motvikt
Shame that they didn't go full metal like they did with its predecessor Xperia P. The metal frame is nice though
Posted by Vipera ammodytes
Screen again looks awful, contrast is really bad
Posted by Arne Anka
On 2013-03-18 11:53:10, motvikt wrote:
Shame that they didn't go full metal like they did with its predecessor Xperia P. The metal frame is nice though
Engadgets said it is made of unibody and it seems to be attached with screws to the frame (not sure why one would attach plastic with screws), same as Xperia P.
Posted by Indiandawg
Such a beautiful phone Sony!
Posted by -16-
Almost perfect device for me. But I'm missing a full metal body and a shutter key....
EDIT: Oh okay, there is a shutter key
nice[ This Message was edited by: -16- on 2013-03-18 11:02 ]
Posted by motvikt
On 2013-03-18 12:01:19, Arne Anka wrote:
On 2013-03-18 11:53:10, motvikt wrote:
Shame that they didn't go full metal like they did with its predecessor Xperia P. The metal frame is nice though
Engadgets said it is made of unibody and it seems to be attached with screws to the frame (not sure why one would attach plastic with screws), same as Xperia P.
But if you look in the video they say the back is plastic and removable. The frame is metal and has screws
Posted by bronxdude
nice one!
i just love the transparent strip.
Posted by -16-
The price will be 419€ in Germany. This is recommended retail price in the German press release. I think the real market price will be around 349 and that's quite fair for this device.
Posted by Arne Anka
On 2013-03-18 12:08:25, motvikt wrote:
But if you look in the video they say the back is plastic and removable. The frame is metal and has screws
Yes, you are right. Took a look at Sony's comercial video and there one can clearely see the aluminium frame.
Posted by xperia_sakth
This stupid GSM arena, already started complaint about the viewing angle..
Posted by razec
That was one sizzling hot device out there!
Posted by itsjustJOH
On 2013-03-18 12:37:51, -16- wrote:
The price will be 419€ in Germany. This is recommended retail price in the German press release. I think the real market price will be around 349 and that's quite fair for this device.
Link for the press release? And does it have pricing for the L?
Posted by admad
On 2013-03-18 12:44:47, xperia_sakth wrote:
This stupid GSM arena, already started complaint about the viewing angle..
There's a simple remedy for that, make a display that has viewing angles close to competition. Simple as that, denying won't fix that
Posted by motvikt
On 2013-03-18 12:46:32, itsjustJOH wrote:
On 2013-03-18 12:37:51, -16- wrote:
The price will be 419€ in Germany. This is recommended retail price in the German press release. I think the real market price will be around 349 and that's quite fair for this device.
Link for the press release? And does it have pricing for the L?
According to the user Kiraly on neogaf these are the recommended prices
Xperia SP: €399
Xperia L: €279
(Netherlands)
Posted by Bialynia
It's almost as big as the ZL (1mm shorter and 2mm thinner) with a much smaller screen. Disappointing size, please give me a hi-spec phone in a 4 inch form factor like the L.
Posted by -16-
http://creative.sonymobile.co[....]ung-Xperia-SP-und-Xperia-L.pdf
Xperia SP at 419€
Xperia L at 299€
Posted by itsjustJOH
On 2013-03-18 13:25:43, motvikt wrote:
According to the user Kiraly on neogaf these are the recommended prices
Xperia SP: €399
Xperia L: €279
(Netherlands)
On 2013-03-18 13:44:03, -16- wrote:
http://creative.sonymobile.co[....]ung-Xperia-SP-und-Xperia-L.pdf
Xperia SP at 419€
Xperia L at 299€
Fair enough, very nice pricing for Xperia L!
Posted by OffLineR
Has anyone happen to know dimensions?
Posted by Ultimus
They're both way too big for their screen size imo, too much bezel. I hoped with on screen buttons that they'd make em much smaller.
Dimensions of Xperia L: 128.7 x 65 x 9.7 mm (5.07 x 2.56 x 0.38 in)
Dimensions of Xperia SP: 130.6 x 67.1 x 10 mm (5.14 x 2.64 x 0.39 in)
via gsmarena.com
Both bigger than Xperia S which had separate buttons in addition to 4.3 inch screen right? Disappointing
Edit: makes me happy I went with Xperia Go though. Was kinda affraid they'd announce a nice small (due to on screen buttons) powerful 4 inch model early this year, but it seems like everybody wants bigger and bigger... They're not even trying anymore.
[ This Message was edited by: Ultimus on 2013-03-18 13:08 ]
Posted by OffLineR
@Ultimus
Phones are getting bigger ang bigger dispite the tecnology.
Every time when I look my old Xperia Ray, I fall in love again.
What a beauty. Hopefully, Sony will bring something like that soon.
Premium device in a tiny-compact case.
Posted by RandomCarpet
I would say that Xperia L is a little too big considering its display size,
but Xperia SP' size is normal for the 4.6" display - about the same overall size as Xperia T and TX, but it also has a transparent strip which T and TX don't have.
Xperia ZL's size should be seen as exceptional for its display size. I doubt any other phone released this year will be able to match its screen to size ratio (excluding some 6.0+" devices, of course)
Posted by Ultimus
@OffLineR
I know, although they really did a good job on the bezels of the Xperia ZL. Would never buy it with its huge 5 inch display, but I was hoping they'd use the same small bezels on a 4 inch model with on screen buttons. Oh well, there's the rumored Ray replacement with 4 inch display, I'm not so hopeful
Posted by Bialynia
Edit: makes me happy I went with Xperia Go though. Was kinda affraid they'd announce a nice small (due to on screen buttons) powerful 4 inch model early this year, but it seems like everybody wants bigger and bigger... They're not even trying anymore.
[ This Message was edited by: Ultimus on 2013-03-18 13:08 ]
You probably should have gone with the P, I have both the Go and the P. The Go would have been perfect with a higher rez screen, and I can't wait for JB for it since it will hopefully get rid of the lag. I'm waiting on a P sized device with an HD screen, better camera and video, hopefully waterproof. Until then I will probably go with the ZL.
Posted by OffLineR
We gone off topic but I should say Go looks awesome.
If it had a better screen and better camera, I would buy without any hesitation.
For the Xperia SP, with this right price, it seems to be a good deal.
[ This Message was edited by: OffLineR on 2013-03-18 13:42 ]
Posted by laffen
On 2013-03-18 14:01:05, OffLineR wrote:
Has anyone happen to know dimensions?
From the official press release:
Xperia SP: 130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98 mm
Xperia L: 128.7 x 65 x 9.7 mm
Posted by mediar
At least Sony got rid of the ugly black 2012 UI, it was really horrible and the worst custom android UI ever. I find the current one much better, the desktop background has warmer and brighter colors, the lock screen is much more pleasing, unlike the 2012 one, which was like the entrance of the frozen hell. And the strip behind the bottom row icons gives some 3D effect, just like it was in the 2011 UI. Unfortunately, it still lacks 2011's UI's glossiness and perfection, but at least they added some colorful elements and gradients here and there, not just scary smoky shadows or solid black. The new menu layout is worse ( that drop-down there doesn't fit the overall style ). To sum up, if anything, it's a small step in the right direction, still far from my favorite 2011 UX skin, but what's more important, the ugly NXT is left behind and hopefully will never come back again.
Anyway, Android 5.0 is right behind the corner and Sony still releases phones with very dated OS with variety of bugs, and I find no reasonable excuse for that. The design is nothing special as well, same design philosophy for the last 1.5 years since Ericsson's resignation. And the screens have gotten way worse. No, thanks.
Posted by RandomCarpet
On 2013-03-18 14:51:45, mediar wrote:
Anyway, Android 5.0 is right behind the corner and Sony still releases phones with very dated OS with variety of bugs, and I find no reasonable excuse for that. The design is nothing special as well, same design philosophy for the last 1.5 years since Ericsson's resignation. And the screens have gotten way worse. No, thanks.
Could not agree less. Variety of bugs?? Can you give specific examples? And 4.2 will be available for Xperia Z very soon.
It is true that some Xperia Z units have low quality displays, but they are a minority and this problem will be (is) solved.
BTW, it is fair to say that Sony Mobile is the same company as Sony Ericsson (they have only changed the name of the company and a few top managers). 99% of the people working there are the same.
Posted by Bonovox
Nice device looks nicer than the Z
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0C2sOBwnhUY
Posted by stedus
On 2013-03-18 15:41:00, Sean72 wrote:
Nice device looks nicer than the Z
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0C2sOBwnhUY
The SP looks great, it even has the Floating Touch Tech just like the Sola
Posted by Rumtimes
"This is a listing of Xperia SP’s main features and functions. For a complete technical specification, download the "
Edit:
C5302 HSPA+
http://developer.sonymobile.c[....]ny-xperia-sp-hspa-white-paper/
c5303 Europe LTE
http://developer.sonymobile.c[....]eria-sp-lte-c5303-white-paper/
c5306 North America LTE
http://developer.sonymobile.c[....]eria-sp-lte-c5306-white-paper/
[ This Message was edited by: Rumtimes on 2013-03-18 16:05 ]
Posted by Rumtimes
"the handset does not include a magnetometer"
Noooooo! Why??
And the North America version is missing 1700 mhz UMTS band
[ This Message was edited by: Rumtimes on 2013-03-18 15:23 ]
Posted by RandomCarpet
According to the white papers SP uses Corning Gorilla glass without a shatter-proof sheet placed on top of it.
No more factory installed shatter-proof sheets from now on??
Posted by geeker
On 2013-03-18 16:07:15, Rumtimes wrote:
"This is a listing of Xperia SP’s main features and functions. For a complete technical specification, download the "
Edit:
C5302
http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/whitepapers/sony-xperia-sp-hspa-white-paper/
c5303
http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/whitepapers/sony-xperia-sp-lte-c5303-white-paper/
c5306
http://developer.sonymobile.com/downloads/whitepapers/sony-xperia-sp-lte-c5306-white-paper/
[ This Message was edited by: Rumtimes on 2013-03-18 15:19 ]
Can you tell me which is the European version of the LTE models? I don't know which band is in europe and which is in north america
Posted by Rumtimes
If anyone knows where I can buy C5302 (HSPA+) please let me know. It looks like I will have to import it to the US
Posted by king-james
On 2013-03-18 15:41:00, Sean72 wrote:
Nice device looks nicer than the Z
http://youtube.com/watch?v=0C2sOBwnhUY
Are you fuc***g kidding me? It looks like a piece of shit against Z.
The SP got a crap screen like the Z + it has a stupid backcover WTF for what??!!.
Like the XS, which made no sense, cause battery is embedded...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?[....]etailpage&v=Bov1taUla1s#t=166s
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=U3v2l2XJ6Xo
Two devices for nothing! SONY still didn't learn. Produce new useless devices which are even worse than the old ones.
Hell yeah, where is the old amazing design like ION & ARC or XS??? Now I see only ugly devices, exception Z, which is just a half phone...
[ This Message was edited by: king-james on 2013-03-18 20:49 ]
Posted by Detox
Dude, the Sony Xperia SP does look really, really, really nice
![ This Message was edited by: Detox on 2013-03-18 20:49 ]
Posted by Rumtimes
I love the look of the SP, but I agree that the removable back cover is stupid if there is no access to the battery.
Edit: Though it appears you are wrong about the XS and the battery can be accessed..
http://www.xperiablog.net/201[....]changed-if-you-really-need-to/
So maybe the same will be possible on the XSP.
[ This Message was edited by: Rumtimes on 2013-03-18 21:00 ]
Posted by -16-
@king-james
I agree about the backcover and the screen(as far as I can tell after seeing videos and reading comments). But the device isn't bad! I like the design and features! When the final production model will have a good screen then it's possibly my next phone.
Posted by king-james
@ Runtimes
Of course, I know that. But why so difficult? It's just unnecessary and makes no sense!
Thought, after the XS they have learned, but I think SONY could not make it possible to place the Sim- and SD-Slot outside or on top... But why not? The backcover make the phone more poor. Doesn't feel good.
@ -16-
I won't believe there will be a better display for it. Final model will be same... And don't forget the Luxus device Z didn't get, so do you think a midrange will get a better screen?
Posted by motvikt
On 2013-03-18 22:41:25, king-james wrote:
@ Runtimes
Of course, I know that. But why so difficult? It's just unnecessary and makes no sense!
Thought, after the XS they have learned, but I think SONY could not make it possible to place the Sim- and SD-Slot outside or on top... But why not? The backcover make the phone more poor. Doesn't feel good.
@ -16-
I won't believe there will be a better display for it. Final model will be same... And don't forget the Luxus device Z didn't get, so do you think a midrange will get a better screen?
Totally agree. Why no unibody?!
The dream would be metal unibody and a good white magic screen (what happened to them anyway?)
Posted by Arne Anka
Totally agree. Why no unibody?!
The dream would be metal unibody and a good white magic screen (what happened to them anyway?)
Dreams can come true and is spelled Xperia P.
Posted by -16-
@ king
Some Xperia Z models DO have a better display. There are at least 2 types. None of them can compete with the HTC One but therefore the HTC has some other bad points like the enormous size. No phone is perfect. Neither Samsung S4, nor Xperia Z. And the SP won't be perfect either. But with the right marketing it will be the right device for a lot of people.
Posted by RandomCarpet
It's a real pity that some Xperia Z units have poor displays. But from what I've read most retail devices have good displays (great brightness, contrast and color reproduction and good viewing angles).
The displays manufactured by Sharp are all good. Most of the displays manufactured by JDC are good, but some are really really bad.
Unfortunately on most hands-on pics Xperia SP seems to have a bad screen as well.
But, for example, on this picture, the display seems much better than on most other pics:
Poor quality control by Sony
BTW. HTC One seems to suffer from very easily scratch-able metal body.
[ This Message was edited by: RandomCarpet on 2013-03-18 23:37 ]