Eye candy
The headphones are a decent quality in-ear pair with noise-isolating grommets and they sound pretty good, with a full, rounded tone that offers plenty of bass but keeps it under control. There’s a ten-setting equaliser, TrackID and an option to search YouTube for related content for each track. There’s an FM radio too, though reception wasn’t very extensive – it was only able to find half a dozen stations where I live in north London.
Visually appealing in more ways than one
Syncing is achieved using PC Companion, which includes data backup in the cloud and the ability to sync your contacts and data over the air. The handset comes with an 8GB memory card which you can bump up to 32GB, if you feel the need. Battery life held up fairly well for such a well-specified handset, delivering well over a day of fairly heavy use.
Verdict
Sony Ericsson’s Xperia Arc is a very classy Android phone. It looks refreshingly different from other Androids and keeps pace with HTC for usability, but beating the Koreans soundly with a quality camera and a stonkingly good screen. ®
More Android Smartphone Reviews |
||||
 HTC
Incredible S |
 Motorola
Defy |
 Google
Nexus S |
 LG
Optimus One |
 Motorola
Milestone 2 |
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Android smartphone
COMMENTS
So...
we get screen grabs in the reviews of Android apps costing nothing but not in the reviews of phones costing hundreds of pounds. It's great the keyboard is "better" and the UI looks "different", but are we supposed to use our imagination? I'd rather pictures of the UI any day than snaps of North London.
You're not wrong...
You're not wrong - Sony really do make some of the nicest electronics.
However, some people have been burned by various things Sony have done:
- Taking PS2 backwards support and Linux off the PS3 in a non optional software update
- Promising to update the Android OS in Several Phones and then not going through with it, or at the very most about half a year after it was promised
- Spying sofware on Sony music CD's
- etc, etc
The trouble is; they go and make a phone as nice looking as this and then people (myself included) will go and buy Sony products regardless of what they've done in the past.
SIP VOIP!
SIP VOIP isn't just about Google Voice you know?
I've been using SIP VOIP via SipDroid on Android phones for a long time now, without Google Voice!
damn you sony
I really don't wanna buy Sony products and all that but this thing looks like it could be a nice replacement for my Desire.
The only let down on my desire is the rubbish pics it takes due to the awful plastic lens cover, this Arc looks prettier has a bigger screen and takes better pics. Definitely a contender when my contract is up in a couple of months..
