Xperia go characteristics. Full Sony Xperia go review: walk, run, call

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Review of the protected smartphone Sony Xperia go: sun, air and water - we're not afraid of anything

Before us is strict, stylish. Thin, light rectangular “brick”. But in this case, appearances are more deceptive than ever. Sony Xperia go is protected from water, directed splashes, foam, dust, and sand. This is a smartphone for people who prefer active recreation, fitness, running, cycling, traveling and beach holidays - sun, waves, sand.

Sony Xperia go

When jogging, you don't have to worry about the Sony Xperia go flying out of your pocket or slipping out of your hand. On the beach you can safely bury it in the sand, and in addition, pour water on top.

Not much time has passed since the release of Sony Xperia go on the market, but everyone has already made fun of this model. Just look at the harsh tests (or rather, the abuse) that the smartphone was subjected to by the extremist group of testers “A1 Härtetest Team”.

It’s unlikely that anyone will do something similar to their own smartphone, but at least you won’t have to worry about it.

And although back cover(made, oddly enough, not from armor-piercing steel, but from a rather elastic plastic) does not inspire much hope for extreme security, it is just a case covering a tightly assembled case with rubber gaskets, all the connectors of which are also tightly closed with rubber valves, gaskets and plugs.

Let's start with the technical specifications.

Specifications

• Support for communication standards: 3G UMTS/HSPA 850(900)/2100 MHz; GSM/GPRS/EDGE 850/900/1800/1900 MHz
• Platform: Android OS 2.3.7 (Gingerbread), updated to Android 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
• Display: 3.5-inch, Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine technology, 16 million colors, TFT, mineral glass, Wet Finger Tracking, with a resolution of 320x480 pixels
• Processor: dual-core, STE NovaThor U8500, 1 GHz; ARM Mali-400 GPU and NEON technology support
• Memory: 8 GB built-in (up to 4 GB available to the user), 512 MB RAM, slot for microSD memory cards (up to 32 GB)
• Communications: Wi-Fi (802.11b/g/n), Bluetooth 3.0, DLNA, microUSB 2.0 HS, aGPS, 3.5 mm audio jack
• Internet access: WAP, GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA, email POP/SMTP, email IMAP4, HTML
• Camera: 5 MP with autofocus and LED flash, digital Zoom 16x, face and smile detection; HD video recording support (720p)
• Sensors: illumination, distance and positions, digital compass with GPS navigation
• Defence from external influences: IP67
• Audio: MP3, AAC, AAC+, eAAC+, AMR-NB, AMR-WB, MIDI, OGG, FM radio
• Video: MPEG4, H.264, H.263
• Photo: JPEG, BMP, WBMP, PGN, GIF, PNG
• Dimensions: 60.3x111x9.8 mm
• Weight: 110 g
• Battery: 1305 mAh

Delivery contents

Sony Xperia go is delivered in a small, and in addition also tiny, box - 185x190x28 mm - cleverly arranged into a two-section volume, in which everything strangely but easily fits: a network adapter, a USB-microUSB cable, headphones, a plastic earbud adapter for microSIM cards, twenty-four folded booklet “User Guide” on English language and a similarly folded leaflet on exposure to radio frequency energy and SAR, which states in twenty-two languages ​​that this model fully complies with all standards. Yes, and in addition to all of the above, in the box we will find the device itself.

Equipment Sony Xperia go

The smartphone is charged via USB, so you have your own cord network adapter no, but it connects to the smartphone with a shared USB cable.

An adapter for a microSIM card is just a rectangle of transparent plastic the size of a regular miniSIM card with a window cut out in the middle in the shape of a microSIM card. That is, a standard SIM card is inserted into the Sony Xperia go (which was once called mini, which everyone has forgotten about), and if it is necessary to connect microSIM cards, this simple adapter insert is used.

That's all about the configuration - nothing special.

However, in our test laboratory, in addition to the Sony Xperia go smartphone itself, there was also such an interesting gadget as wrist watch Sony SmartWatch, but more on that below.

Smartphone design

Sony Xperia go is made in the form of a monoblock 60.3x111x9.8 mm and weighs 110 g. We can say that this is quite small device, despite a decent 3.5-inch screen.

Sony Xperia go is a typical candy bar with typical hardware elements

By the way, potential buyers express their main complaints about the screen, and specifically about the resolution of 320x480 pixels, which for many smartphone users looks insufficient. In fact, the display is good with good viewing angles, the image is clear and unblurred, good automatic brightness adjustment in lighting (it only becomes blind in very bright direct sunlight). Like other Sony models, the Sony Xperia go uses Bravia Mobile Engine image enhancement technology, but visually it is difficult to understand how much it improves the image. The grain, of course, is distinguishable, but only on a short distance and if you look closely.

In this case, it seems that the manufacturer deliberately installed such a screen: and primarily in order to save battery power, because this smartphone It is clearly positioned as a protected device for active users (of course, not for scuba divers, but you can safely take this smartphone to the beach and not be afraid that the connectors will become clogged with sand).

And this sporting orientation is observed in everything.

In general, Sony Xperia go is available in three colors: black, white and yellow. All these modifications are the same, but the yellow model is a little more expensive, it additionally received the Sports Edition label, and although technical characteristics This modification is no different; its equipment includes a hand case and special mounts for headphones, which will obviously be useful for runners. In our editorial office we have a copy in a white case.

So, the shape of the smartphone is a candy bar. Almost the entire front panel is occupied by the screen, with the exception of a small ledge at the bottom of the display, under the touch buttons (standard for OS Androin: “Back”, “Home”, “Menu”).

USB is hidden behind a secure rubber plug

There are two mechanical buttons: on the upper end, closer to the left corner, the power button and on the left side a rocker key “+/-” (used as a sound volume control, buttons for increasing and decreasing the image when viewing graphic files or zoom-out buttons when working in photo and video mode). The surface of these buttons is pleasantly matte, the buttons themselves are thin, with a short, soft stroke.

(In addition, I would like to say that the disadvantage of this smartphone, perhaps, can be considered the lack of a separate shutter button for the camera. Although in this case, Sony developers tried to compensate for this drawback with the additional function of the screen lock slider, when moving from right to left, it launches the camera, with a large noticeable software "button" on the touch screen, and as an addition in the camera settings, you can set the entire screen to perform the function of the shutter button in photo shooting mode. But a separate mechanical button, nevertheless, is more convenient. And, by the way, as bitter as it is to admit, the camera is not the best strong point this smartphone.)

On the front panel under the screen, as we have already said, there are touch buttons “Back”, “Home”, “Menu”, and a microphone hole under them. Above the display there is a telephone speaker, two proximity sensors (including shut-off touch screen when your ear approaches it during a telephone conversation) and a light sensor. Nearby there is an LED activity indicator (turns on during charging, for example). Well, as we see on the front panel front camera no, so Skype video calls are unfortunately not possible.

Headphones included Sony Xperia go

The camera lens is located at the back, next to it is a second microphone (this time for the camera) and an LED flash, which can also be used as a flashlight, and a very bright one at that. On the lower half of the back cover there is the XPERIA logo and an icon also known from trademark Sony Ericsson. To the right of the logo is a loudspeaker speaker.

To complete the description, we should also mention the connectors. There are two of them: a 3.5 mm mini-jack audio jack and a flat one microUSB type B. The audio connector is located on the left side of the case, at the top. USB port exactly opposite - on the right side. Both of them are covered with plugs that cover these holes quite tightly. On the lower right corner there is a strap mount, which (like the absence of a separate mechanical camera button) becomes almost a Sony signature feature. In addition to the fact that the Japanese, without exception, allegedly love to hang all sorts of keychains on their mobile phones - maneki-neko, netski-tsatski and other Hello Kitties, this mount also performs a really useful function. It secures the back cover. Moreover, it is attached quite reliably, but to open it, you just need to press your fingernail on the pin in the recess and pick up the loose lid.

Removing the cover reveals a dense sea-green monolithic body (the battery is not removable, it is hidden somewhere inside). At the top right end there is a card slot microSD memory- the card is sunk quite deep into the case and covered with a rubber plug on top. Below is the SIM card slot. The SIM card itself is installed on a metal tray and only after that is inserted into the case, tightly fixed in it with a rubber plug. There are no other opening parts here (unless you unscrew anything with a screwdriver).

There is no removable battery under the removable cover of the Sony Xperia go

Surprisingly, such rubber plugs (as well as gaskets in the case) protect the smartphone from water getting inside the case when immersed up to 1 meter. In this case, the phone is blocked under water, but the camera works, so the Sony Xperia go can be used as a camera for underwater photography (without an additional box). The lid closes without any tricks by lightly pressing it, but if there are gaps under the lid, then just press the lid along the edge and it will easily snap into place.

Performance

The Sony Xperia go hardware platform is built on the ST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 chipset, which includes a dual-core Cortex A9 processor with a frequency of 1 GHz and a Mali-400 graphics chip. Based on this, as we understand, this device cannot in any way be classified as a flagship model, but the test performance in benchmarks is quite decent.

Sony Xperia go test results

Working hours

Regarding the operating time, we can say that this is a well-balanced device. The 1305 mAh battery is not the most powerful, but thanks to the economical screen with a resolution of 320x480 pixels and a moderate hardware platform, the battery life of the smartphone looks quite attractive.

The manufacturer promises up to 6.5 hours of talk time on 2G networks and up to 5.5 hours on 3G networks, 520 hours of standby time on 2G networks (460 hours on 3G), up to 45 hours of music listening and up to 6 hours of video playback.

Field tests showed the following:

1. in mode conventional installations(i.e. without turning on the energy saving mode) after 3 hours of continuous various manipulations with the smartphone - Internet, phone calls, games - the battery charge decreased from 100% to 75%
2. The smartphone showed exactly the same result - a decrease in charge from 100% to 75% - after 2 days of being in standby mode (with the screen turned off, of course, but with the network, Bluetooth and WiFi turned on)
3. after 3 hours of continuous video viewing, the battery charge decreased from 100% to 68%, i.e. consumption rate is 10% per hour - but in this case the figures will vary depending on the quality of the video file, its resolution and format
4. The greatest energy consumption was noticed during games; it is not possible to say anything precise here, since the load depends on many factors (heavy games in 3 hours can completely burn out the battery).

Software

Sony Xperia go runs on OS Android versions 2.3.7 - kernel version 2.6.35.7+, build number 6.0.B.3.162. The first time you connect to the network via WiFi and download Google Play, the smartphone reported that the update to 6.0.B.3.184 is ready. In the future, it is planned to update to OS Android version 4 (Ice Cream Sandwich). Standard Sony interface Xperia go offers the user five desktops with the ability to place widgets, shortcuts and folders on them.

Sony Xperia go desktop interfaces

The software here is generally the same as on other smartphones running Android OS, the only thing worth mentioning separately is the quick access panel located at the bottom of the central (home) screen.

The Quick Access Toolbar contains five shortcuts, from left to right:

1. Fitness
2. Google Play
3. Applications screen
4. Messages
5. Telephone

Perhaps it’s worth talking a little more about the “Fitness” section, because on the one hand everything else is clear, but on the other hand this section (or rather the programs that it contains) does Sony smartphone Xperia go sporty.

Actually, this section is a folder with shortcuts, simply placed on the central panel. Like any other folder, it can be renamed, and the shortcuts in this folder, just like in any other, can be sorted, deleted, and shortcuts for other programs can be installed if necessary (for example, FM radio and audio player).

When you click on the “Fitness” icon, a folder with shortcuts to preinstalled programs opens: “Flash”, “Compass”, FigureRunni, WalkMate, miCoach. In this case, “Flash” means regular flashlight, which, however, can itself transmit the SOS signal (3 dots, 3 dashes, 3 dots).

"Compass", in addition to indicating the cardinal directions, allows you to add your location to the database (with coordinates on the map and notes). In this program, you can select the type of compass: analog, antique, digital, GPS, night or digital simple. And in general there are quite a lot of settings, there is something to tinker with.

The built-in compass of Sony Xperia go will not let you get lost in the open spaces

But the FigureRunni, WalkMate, and miCoach programs are more interesting.

FigureRunni is an ingenious program for creating a drawing (pattern) on a map in order to subsequently overcome the drawn path while walking or jogging.

FigureRunni program interface

The miCoach program is, in fact, a personal trainer from Adidas, with which you can create your own training plan, which takes into account your personal parameters (height, weight), and here you can also use tips and training programs (downloaded from the website ), voice prompts.

Train with Sony Xperia go and miCoach

Synchronization with PC

Sony Xperia go does not work full access to your files, to fully synchronize your smartphone with your PC, you will have to install Sony program PC Companion.

But this program also provides access to only three functions: Support Zone - update software smartphone, Contacts Setup - transfer and update contacts, Media Go - transfer to a smartphone and organize multimedia content.

It is assumed that such programs should be installed almost automatically, but in fact, installing and configuring such programs is often not a completely trivial thing, and not every computer has the opportunity or desire to install additional programs.

Metallic power button Sony Xperia go

So, in this case, you can do without Sony PC Companion. It is enough to insert an external memory card microSD into the smartphone, when connecting to a PC via USB external smartphone memory (microSD card) is determined simply as external drive, to which you can copy any files.

It will not be possible to install programs on this device (there is Google Play for this), but the Sony Xperia go will see all types of multimedia files on the card and be able to play them without problems. Also in the smartphone camera settings external SD card can be specified as a data storage, and then all captured photos will be saved to the card.

Camera

Like the screen, the camera in the Sony Xperia go is not the main plus: 5 megapixels, the ability to shoot HD video up to 720p, 16x digital zoom, autofocus and LED flash. In a nutshell, we can say about this camera - nothing special.

As a minus, there is the absence of a separate mechanical camera shutter button, although this point is partly eliminated by the fact that in the settings you can assign a quick call to the camera to the screen lock slide (this function is triggered when the slide moves not from left to right, but from right to left).

The quality of the pictures cannot be said to be bad, but average. The camera takes pretty good pictures outdoors, but indoors, in low light conditions, it’s better to shoot with a flash.

Test shots of Sony Xperia go (to view in real resolution, click on the photo)

Smartwatch

Well, as a bonus, SmartWatches took part in our testing.

SmartWatch for Sony Xperia go

The SmartWatch screen can display data from various applications installed on the smartphone - time, weather forecast, player, call and message information, widgets social networks.

SmartWatch delivery kit

The SmartWatch package includes: a watch, a black silicone strap, a “User Guide” (several pieces in different languages) and USB lanyard a completely original design, connected to the device using a clamp.

In addition to the standard black strap, we also had an additional blue one at our disposal as an example, and in general the choice of color solutions for straps for SmartWatch is very diverse. You can also do without a strap and attach the device to clothing using a clip.

Sync your smartphone and watch

SmartWatches connect to the Sony Xperia go smartphone via Bluetooth. The clock is determined by the LiveWare manager (it can be pre-installed on the smartphone, or you need to download it from Google Play), after pairing with the smartphone, an additional item will appear in the list of headsets of the LiveWare manager - SmartWatch, in which all settings will be available: installing and configuring applications , widgets, sorting them, setting the appearance and type of clock.

Working with applications is easy

Total

We have a very nice device in front of us.

• dimensions and weight
• Sony Xperia go smartphone is extremely protected for domestic (non-industrial) use conditions
• The smartphone is positioned in the segment of devices designed for outdoor activities, and indeed, in hardware and software, it corresponds to this positioning

• Not best screen with a resolution of 480 x 320 pixels
• not the best 5MP camera
• as well as the absence of a separate mechanical button for the camera

: Sony (Ericsson) has repeatedly released phones and smartphones that will help you lead an active lifestyle and play sports. As a continuation of last year's Sony Ericsson Xperia Active model, the Sony Xperia go is now available.

The smartphone is interesting because it is one of the few devices on our market that can work both in water and on land without any harm to the insides. The case is protected from both dust and water - this is the main advantage of the smartphone. Other characteristics will remind you that the Sony Xperia go is a mid-range model. There is a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, a dual-core 1 GHz processor, a 5 MP camera with autofocus, a memory card slot, and a set of useful programs for sports.

Contents of delivery

• Smartphone


• Stereo headset


• microUSB cable


• Headphone pads (sports edition)


• Special mount for headset (sports edition)


• Strap (sports edition)


• Case (sports edition)

The smartphone will be sold in two configurations. The extended sports edition kit includes a wrist strap, a case, and plastic ear pads for ear-hook headphones.

The case has a vertical flap that covers the device from above, protecting it from moisture or dust. Additionally, it has a transparent window that allows you to keep an eye on your phone screen. The cover also has a special pillow. It is made of a material somewhat reminiscent of foam rubber, but more elastic. It works as a shock absorber, eliminating possible inconveniences that may arise, for example, when running.

Appearance

The body of the smartphone is completely made of plastic. There will be three color options available: black, white and yellow. In the latter case, the device will be sold in the sports edition with additional set accessories, and the first two versions will receive a more modest list of useful things in the box.

Sony Xperia go has become a more universal solution compared to last year's, which had a very unique design. Without a doubt, all fans of something bright and unusual liked him, but not everyone was ready to go for it. But Xperia go is now quite suitable for the role of its main phone, for example, the black version looks calm and neutral, in no way standing out among similar all-in-ones.

The body is entirely made of matte plastic, this applies to the white and yellow versions. But the black version uses an unusual softtouch coating. Traditionally, this material is associated with something like rubber, but here it is completely different. Tougher and more unusual, but at the same time pleasant. This is an interesting option that Sony offers to highlight an ordinary color, drawing attention to it with the help of an original coating.

In the design of the new product you can see an original solution, here the screen seems to be raised above the surface, something similar could be seen in . But if there the transition was more obvious and noticeable, then here it became smoother.

Xperia go has become larger than its predecessor thanks to a significantly increased screen diagonal. But at the same time, the body lost a lot of weight and became significantly thinner. Now it is 111x60.3x9.8 mm, weight 110 g. Previously it was 92x55x16.5 mm, weight is the same 110 g.

There is a small cutout at the top of the screen; the speaker is hidden in it. Nearby there is a proximity sensor that turns off the screen backlight during a call. This model does not have a camera for video calls. There is also a light indicator for various types of notifications.

Below the screen there are three touch keys. The first returns to the previous menu item, the second enters the main screen, and the last is responsible for additional functions. They are equipped with backlighting, and vibration feedback can also be triggered at the moment of touch. Below them is a microphone hole.

On the left there is a hole for headphones, which is closed with a special flip-up plug.

On the right side there is a convenient button for adjusting the volume. There is also a microUSB port for the cable and charger; it also has a protective cover. If you open it, the phone will inform you with a special notification on the screen that you need to remember to close the compartment to avoid moisture.

There is a display lock button on the top edge.

At the bottom there is a strap holder.

At the back you can see the hole for the second microphone, the camera and flash, as well as the ringer located at the bottom.

The cover is removed, you won’t be able to see the battery under it, it is sealed under a solid plate.

The compartments for the SIM card and microSD are located on the side. For the first, a special tray is provided, and the card is hidden in a recess. It is not very convenient to put it down, it is inserted deep, so you need some small object to secure it in place.

High-quality assembly and pleasant materials, as well as compliance with the IP67 standard, are all pleasant features of the new smartphone for active sports from Sony Ericsson. By the way, the model is guaranteed to work underwater at a depth of up to 1 meter if it stays there for no more than 30 minutes.

Screen

The resolution of the TFT display is 320x480 pixels; up to 16 million colors are displayed on the 3.5-inch screen. The display is covered with durable mineral glass, which reliably protects the screen from possible scratches.

The capacitive screen responds perfectly to pressing, there is multi-touch. Sony Mobile Bravia Engine will offer a proprietary function to increase brightness and contrast in cases such as watching videos or photos.

On the street the screen behaves as usual. The information remains readable, but there is little margin for brightness.

A sensor with excellent sensitivity, and it can also respond to the touch of wet fingers; this function is called Wet Finger. So, if you want, you can chat with friends in the pouring rain, and nothing will happen to your phone.

The viewing angles of the TFT display are good, the picture is distorted within moderate limits, standard for screens of this type.

Platform

The smartphone has a dual-core 1-GHz NovaThor U8500 processor, 512 MB of RAM, as well as 4 GB of its own, which can be expanded using a memory card. So far the model works in conjunction branded shell and Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread, but there will also be updated version software, Ice Cream Sandwich, which the company's previously released models have already officially received. The overall performance of the smartphone is without any complaints; the device is fast, pleased with its response and reaction speed.

Menu

At the top of the screen there is a service line, which displays the time, battery charge, and signal reception level indicator. Active connections and other data are also displayed there. By clicking on it, you can find out in more detail what programs were downloaded, what messages and letters were received, or what files were received via Bluetooth.

There are 5 icons at the bottom of the screen. These are multimedia, messages, menu entry, contacts and dialing. If you click on a folder, for example, with media data, an additional menu will pop up with those applications that are in this category.

Both preinstalled images or wallpapers from Sony, as well as your favorite pictures, are used as design elements. There are seven different colored menu themes available. In addition, shortcuts and folders are placed on the desktop. For the latter, you can choose one of eight design options and assign it a name. Icons are added by dragging them from the phone menu directly into this area.

There are also widgets, they can also be added to the desktop. There can be five such screens, their number does not change. An interesting function works: you can swipe with two fingers different angles, all desktops will shrink and appear on one screen. The widgets have been improved, for example, a large list of icons is available for making various connections, which is initially hidden in a small rectangle. Weather forecast data is animated and beautifully displayed.

The Application Manager is activated by the Home button. It will show the last 8 running programs.

The smartphone menu consists of several work zones, initially there are three. If you install additional applications, then over time there will be more such areas. There are 12 icons on the screen translucent background, under which you can see the wallpaper installed on the main screen. Icons can be arranged in a way that is convenient for the user. There is also sorting by several criteria: alphabetically, frequently used, recently installed. The icons are beautiful and neatly designed.

When the screen is locked, the display shows the date and time. To unlock the screen, you need to swipe your finger along from left to right. If you do it the other way around, the camera will start. Can display here Additional Information about missed calls, new messages, emails, calendar events and Facebook notifications. If such notifications seem unnecessary, you can turn them off.

Phone book

The smartphone has a convenient assistant for importing contacts both from the SIM card and from accounts Facebook posts and Google, they are displayed in a single list. Created backup copy list of numbers onto a memory card, the data can later be restored. Sorting by first and last name works.

When you create a new contact, many fields are created. This Various types telephone numbers, email addresses, means of quick communication (AIM, ICQ, Gtalk, Skype and others), residential addresses and others (nickname, note, Internet call).

There is a menu of favorite numbers where you can add the most popular contacts. A quick menu is available: you need to click on the icon with a contact photo, after which you can call, send a message via SMS or e-mail, see data on Facebook.

Call log

Straight from phone book You can access the call log, it is highlighted in a separate tab. There, a single list contains dialed numbers, received and missed calls; for clarity, they are marked with icons different color. By clicking on a line, you can delete a number from the call log, add it to a contact, or perform some other actions. By selecting a number from the list, detailed information about the call will be displayed.

By viewing your call history, you can not only make phone conversation with the selected subscriber, but also send him an SMS or email from this list, without going to another menu. Dialing is carried out using a convenient virtual keyboard. There is an automatic search for numbers that match the numbers.

Messages

For SMS and MMS there is a shared folder, where received messages go. When sending, adding various objects to the SMS can automatically convert it into an MMS. Messages are grouped by recipient into a correspondence feed. When dialing a subscriber's number, the phone displays a list of matching numbers in alternating numbers.

While typing, a small field reserved for characters will be displayed. The longer the message, the more the space allocated for the character set increases. The device can copy, cut and paste text. A convenient cursor is used for navigation, which helps to correct typos and highlight the necessary sections of text.

Intellectual text input is available, when word correction and auto-completion systems help you type text, allowing you to avoid wasting time correcting errors. Possible word options are shown in a separate line above the keyboard. Copying and pasting of fragments is supported. Now Sony has implemented Swype, which simplifies text entry.

Email

To work with e-mail it starts automatic setting mailbox(unless it is Gmail, which connects immediately after the email address is entered during the initial activation of the phone). It includes entering basic information (login, password). The phone perfectly understands various encodings and supports loading attachments in familiar formats.

When creating a letter, you can also attach various files from the device memory to it. The function of copying text and automatically checking the mailbox works (the interval is set manually). The device simultaneously runs two applications - Gmail and Email. The only difference is that in the first, mail comes only from the gmail.com server, while the second application works with any mail storage.

Camera

The smartphone uses a 5-megapixel module with autofocus and LED flash. There is no separate button for shooting in the smartphone, like in many others. Sony devices. But the camera can be launched from the lock screen, where the quick shooting function also works.

The interface is designed not only for landscape, but also for portrait mode. The screen displays auxiliary icons that make it easier to set up photography modes and conditions. In the left top corner Parameters mode, the flash is turned off at the bottom. At the top right is a lever for switching between photos and videos, then there is a shutter button. Even lower is a stack of icons that show thumbnails of recent photos. If you click on it, you can go to the gallery.

Various options are available:

Image capture mode: normal, panorama, 3D panorama, multi-angle view.

Photo resolution: 5M (2592x1944), 3M (2048x1536), 2M 4:3 (1632x1224), 2M 16:9 (1920x1080 pixels).

Shooting conditions: normal, portrait, landscape, night photography, night portrait, beach and snow, sports, party, document.

Exposure number.

Flash: auto, off, fill, red-eye reduction.

Timer: 2.10 seconds.

Smile detection.

Focusing: single autofocus, multi-autofocus, face detection, touch focus, infinity.

ISO: auto, 100, 200, 400, 800.

White Balance: Auto, Indoor Light, Fluorescent, daylight, cloudy.

Measurement: center, middle level, point.

Geotags.

Shooting method: screen button, touch shooting.

The smartphone takes good photos, although it is not the best camera in its class. But it’s worth considering that this is a special, secure phone. Photos with good detail and color rendition. There is noticeable blurring on the right edge, but this is a feature of many phones. There is autofocus, so there will be no problems with shooting texts and documents.

Gallery Photos and videos stored in the smartphone's memory are displayed here. The gallery works in both vertical and horizontal orientation. Working with files is accompanied by nice animation effects. Preview images are generated without delay. Pictures are displayed in a 2x3 or 3x2 grid, depending on the position of the device. Preview pictures in folders smaller size, thanks to which not 3, but 5 pictures are placed vertically. The image opens in full screen, scaling works using multi-touch. Files can be sent via email, Bluetooth, SMS or hosted on Picasa. You can assign images as desktop wallpaper or assign them to a contact. It supports rotating pictures, reducing their size, and also displays additional information about a specific file, and also shows the place where the picture was taken if geotagging is working. Images are shown both in folders (for example, received via Bluetooth, photo section) and ordered by date. This makes it very convenient to view photos - there are several sections in the same folder. You can scroll either using the bar displayed at the bottom of the screen or by simply touching the screen with your fingers anywhere on it. Timescape Timescape combines tabs that combine messages from various social networks: Facebook, Twitter, VKontakte. In addition, there is data on phone calls, SMS and MMS, email. The displayed data can be customized, and unnecessary data can be hidden. The update is also installed: manually or automatically. Additional applications are installed from Google Play. For example, you can supplement the set with the Foursquare program. Messages are presented in the form of translucent panels on which the name of the sender, the message test itself, and the source from which the message came are written. The list scrolls very quickly, without a hint of delay. In general, the thing is beautiful and interesting, the main drawback is related to the not very beautiful design- if the author of the message has an avatar, then this image will be displayed stretched across the entire width of the transparent panel. Player The player menu has been redesigned, repeating the models of the new line. Now it consists of a couple of tabs. The first is dedicated to the song currently playing, and the second contains all the information about the music in the device’s memory. To listen to music, you can select tracks organized by several categories: artist, album, tracks, lists, SenseMe, and favorite tracks. Each group is highlighted in a separate box, under which the number of data is indicated. A search function is available, which is useful for working with large music storage. The information is sorted in alphabetical order; for faster scrolling, you can use the cursor that appears on the screen, as well as the initial letters. I would also like to highlight the SenseMe function, which came from Walkman players. It allows you to choose tracks to suit your mood, which is very convenient. To do this, you will need an application that is installed on your computer and with its help you can analyze your entire media library by entering the necessary data into the file tags. From the list with music, you can add songs to a playlist or send them via MMS, Bluetooth or email, as well as cloud service. A mixing mode is provided. The screen displays the name of the artist, the name of the album and the song being played. In music playback mode, the album cover is displayed (if it was assigned previously), and there are playback control buttons on the screen. You can switch tracks not only by pressing buttons, but also by flipping through album covers. If desired, the song is set as a ringtone, and you can also find additional data about the song using tools from Google, YouTube, or download additional modules through Google Play. Equalizer settings available. These are the following presets: normal, heavy music, pop, jazz, unique, soul, light, bass boost, treble boost, special. The last profile allows you to set your own parameters for playing music. The xLOUD function allows you to get very loud sound from the speaker. It’s not difficult to notice the difference; this option allows you to hear your phone in any, even very noisy, place. Enables surround sound emulation: concert hall, club, studio. The function of editing data directly on the phone is very interesting and useful. You can take a song, make changes to the tags, correct the title, the smartphone itself will find the cover or offer one of the options. Player control buttons now appear on the lock screen when playing music in the background. Previously, there were very few of them, but now it has become much more convenient to control the player. All you can do is add an album cover for clarity. The mid frequencies are well developed here, and the lower range is also pleasant. Lovers deep bass You can try playing with the equalizer. In my opinion this is best device by sound among Android models. The sound reserve is not the largest, it is there, but sometimes you have to set the volume to maximum. Radio The smartphone has a radio receiver that has the function automatic search stations, you can switch manually. Also, several dozen frequencies are stored in the phone's memory. You can easily switch between your favorite stations by clicking on small icons that will move between waves. While listening to the radio, you can record a snippet of a song, identify track information using TrackID, and post the information to Facebook. TrackID allows you to identify a melody playing on the radio on your smartphone or somewhere nearby. Not only the song title will be displayed, but also the album title, artist name and cover art. Applications Calendar The calendar can be configured to display information for a whole month, week or specific day. You can set the alert type and tone for recorded events and meetings. There is a division of information by storage location, each option has its own color label. While creating new entry it is given a name, a period and a place. You can specify which calendar it will be synchronized with, you can send invitations to contacts from notebook. The repetition period is set (every day, weekly, monthly, yearly). A reminder will help you not to lose sight of the recording - the alarm will go off in advance. Alarm The smartphone allows you to save several alarms in memory. The repeat can be set either once or every day, only on weekdays or weekly. You can also set specific days. The signal melody is set, you can add a vibration alert and a text file to it. Sets the period for the signal to be triggered again. Displays time in different time zones. There is a stopwatch and a timer. Weather forecast and news are useful every day. The calculator works in both portrait and landscape orientation. YouTube - standard for most modern devices The application allows you to view videos and search among them. The application runs in full screen mode. Built-in Office version Suite can work with Word files, Excel, PDF, Power Point. It is presented as a demo version without editing function. Play Market offers a convenient search function among thousands of applications. Programs are divided into categories to make browsing easier. You can see reviews, evaluate the rating and express your opinion about the software. Each application is equipped brief description and images for greater clarity. Purchased applications are displayed in a separate list, which is convenient: if purchased new phone, you can immediately install those programs that you previously purchased. The Facebook application will allow you to communicate on the network of the same name directly from your mobile device. Moreover, this function is implemented better in a smartphone than in other devices. So, you can mark your favorite song in the player while listening. Facebook albums are added to the gallery, and friends' birthdays are added to the calendar. The flash can act as a flashlight and has several operating modes. Gtalk built in. Browser Used for internet surfing convenient application. A navigation bar is displayed at the top of the screen, and to the right of it there is a shortcut that allows you to bookmark the page. The phone remembers the most visited pages and has a log of pages viewed. Several windows open at the same time, search for words on the page, highlight text, as well as a practical function for changing the screen brightness directly from the browser. Thanks to multi-touch, pages can be easily scaled (virtual keys also work to change the size of what is displayed). The font size changes, password saving works, flash is supported, the browser works quickly. GPS navigation For navigation, Google Maps is used - standard software for all Android devices. The only drawback is that the program requires constant network activity, which affects the amount of traffic consumed by the device. Traffic jams are displayed, so the application has become fully functional and convenient not only for pedestrians, but also for car owners. There is a function for determining the current location, calculating the route from the starting point to the ending point, and specifying the method of movement: by car, on foot or public transport. The route is laid out on the map, with key places indicated in the form text messages, which are displayed on the screen in the form of a column, you can switch between them: view the route in advance or vice versa, go back and plot another path. Scaling works using multi-touch or virtual buttons. Connections The smartphone operates in the GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS 900/1700/2100 bands. There is Bluetooth 3.0 with support for EDR and A2DP, in addition to support for other generally accepted profiles. Wi-Fi b/g/n works at the usual level. The smartphone remembers entered passwords for networks and can automatically connect to them while within their range. There is a function to work as an access point. Using a microUSB connector allows you to connect your phone to a computer for synchronization and charging the battery. Sports applications Sony Xperia go will offer several programs that, if desired, can be used for sports. The miCoach app will help those who like to run or just walk frequently. The pedometer works, distance, load, and shoe cushioning are calculated. Registration on the website is required, and you can also do this by phone. The application is interesting because it has many functions, there is a simple and understandable set of tips, which, if necessary, are downloaded from the Internet. Voice prompts will work here, as well as a visual load indication system. The Figure Running program is simple, it displays the route that the user has covered. In general, everything is not bad, but I really didn’t like that the application in the background did not subside, but continued to drain the battery. You have to restart your smartphone, or you need to install an advanced task manager. There is also a compass that will help you create geotags. The Walkmate pedometer was found in many Sony Ericsson devices, and now it is also available in new Sony. Its purpose is clear, the path is being calculated, you can specify your personal data, then the application will calculate the energy consumption. Working hours The smartphone comes with a non-replaceable 1305 mAh battery. Up to 6.5 hours of talk time and up to 520 hours of standby time are stated. In music playback mode, the smartphone works up to 45 hours, up to 6 hours in video mode. On average, it is worth focusing on a day of work when using various Google services, 30 minutes of calls, 2 hours of listening to music. In continuous video playback mode at maximum screen brightness and running Wi-Fi phone worked 5 hours 13 minutes. There are settings that will allow you to set a work scenario under certain conditions in order to extend the life of the smartphone by disabling certain functions. Conclusion The ringer volume is at an average level; on the street, the melody is not audible in all situations, so it is better to select a ringing signal. Vibration is also not noticeable, very, very average in strength. The earpiece is good and has sufficient volume for different conditions. At the start of sales, Sony Xperia go is asking 13,990 rubles for the standard version and 14,490 rubles for the sports edition. In the latter case, the additional payment is quite reasonable, the ear hooks will definitely be useful for those who run, and the case will not be superfluous. If you look at the characteristics of the smartphone, then overall everything looks good, if not for one thing. The device has a low screen resolution, 320x480 pixels - this is clearly an outdated picture quality, which is appropriate for entry-level models. I can’t say that the display is completely bad, but considering that models of a similar level already have WVGA screens, this cannot be ignored. Another thing is that this is a sports model, which is specific in itself. It is quite possible that the Sony Xperia go will serve as additional phone to the flagship model, then everything falls into place. You don’t want to be left without communication; you need the functionality of a smartphone - and here a durable model will be just right. Good camera, player, high speed of operation in the menu, in addition IP67 protection and a nice design combined with good ergonomics make the Sony Xperia go a relatively expensive, but attractive device of its kind. © Alexander Pobyvanets, Test laboratory Article publication date: August 17, 2012

Sony Xperia go

happy sony go user

dated February 19, 2014 4

Pros:

Ergonomic, comfortable, thin (easy to carry even in a shirt pocket), works responsively, excellent applications, good built-in memory, two 1GHz cores! applications are installed with a bang and rarely slow down (normal applications from official sites, of course)

Minuses:

The sleep mode unlock button is inconvenient, on top, in the case you can’t really feel it. The lack of 512 MB of RAM is taking its toll; when going to the desktop, it slows down from time to time. The battery is weak.

General impression:

I’ve been using this phone for half a year now, the overall impression is only positive, it’s worth the price!
I customized it for myself, turned off most of the background modes of applications, lowered the screen brightness, and turned on STAMINA mode.
As a result, you can stretch the charge for 2 or 3 days using practically nothing, going online once a day to use soap.
Or use it to its fullest (which only brings pleasure with its abilities) but half a day or, at best, until the evening of the day when you took it off the charge in the morning)).
I recently updated my Android, no problems! everything is working!

Sony Xperia go

Nadia

dated January 29, 2014 2

Pros:

If it is truly waterproof, then +

Minuses:

Wi-Fi reception is weak, it slows down, and for a long time, you need to call urgently, but it doesn’t display the list of contacts, it takes a long time to think that you pressed the call button, you can freak out until you get through.

General impression:

I didn’t like it because of such disadvantages, it’s a brake in one word. .. .. .. sorry for the money spent.

Sony Xperia go

yaroli steel cat

dated December 8, 2013 1

Pros: Cons:

Poor calls, bluetooth and Wi-Fi disappear.

General impression:

I bought it in the spring of May 2013 and now this Sony is sitting there and won’t turn on.

Sony Xperia go

[email protected]

dated November 20, 2013 2

Pros:

Comfortable to hold, bright screen, works quite quickly with Android version 2.3. you can listen to music in the shower. The video turns out good (very strange) That's where the positives end

Minuses:

On the very first day the screen was scratched; the case is flimsy and cracks over time. For such a price (I bought it as soon as GO appeared) they could have installed an 8MP camera. very weak speaker. The battery is dead (I optimized everything, turned it off, stopped unnecessary applications, turned down the brightness) runs out in half a day (it works for 2 days without a SIM card). The photos, like all Sonya's, are grainy (this is hereditary). Updated to Android 4. 1. 1 - I still regret it. A bunch of unnecessary applications that cannot be removed without RTH rights.
Sometimes bluetooth and network disappear for a long time. It slows down when scrolling through screens. after the official update: you can’t select a lock screen picture; the sensor glitches when charging; when connecting to a computer, the connection is lost. old games started to crash.

Sony Xperia go

Nastya

dated August 8, 2013 5

Pros:

Comfortable to hold, screen is clear. Holds a charge for a long time, all day with frequent use (for touch phones This is fine).

Minuses:

At the beginning, the phone had to be rebooted almost every day (calls were not received). But over time it went away. I would also like the battery to be removed and the SIM card not to be cut off.

General impression:

The phone is great. I've been using it for a year now. All games run on the phone (I compared this phone with the phone of friends), it rarely glitches. The photo quality is not very good, but the audio is very good. There are a lot of things you can download. And also waterproof and shockproof. I dropped it several times on the floor and in water, nothing works. I'm delighted with this phone!

Sony Xperia go

dr slam

dated February 12, 2013 4

Pros:

1 A regular case, preferably a metal one, of course, but this will do.
2 GPS

Minuses:

1 Battery drains, couldn’t last more than 3 days
2 Many unnecessary programs
3 quite fragile

General impression:

At correct setting for yourself, removal unnecessary programs, a normal smartphone, on par with other classmates.

Sony Xperia go

olegator89

dated December 3, 2012 2

Pros:

Small size. Light weight. Very convenient to carry in your jeans pocket. Not a bad display. Good location of the device control buttons. Good waterproofness. Good dust protection. Successfully made plugs for all connectors. A good set of built-in fitness programs. Not a bad flash.

Minuses:

The assembly of the case was carried out extremely poorly, simply disgusting. It creaks from all sides, no matter where you press. A lot of dust accumulates under the housing cover and it is necessary to constantly scrape it out. Although the display has good brightness, the backlight is very poor. Sound in good headphones very average quality, but in the family it’s simply terrible. The camera starts up quickly, but is simply unbearably slow in operation. This phone has huge problems with communication. Disappears. It just doesn't catch. Sent SMS messages do not arrive. After updating the operating system, everything became much worse. The battery is non-removable and discharges very quickly. The interface is extremely slow to operate. Calls are constantly dropped.

General impression:

The device is very crude and unreliable. I absolutely do not recommend purchasing it. Maybe later, when the system is properly finished.

Sony Xperia go

Gusev G.

dated November 13, 2012 5

Pros:

1. Cute design. Beautiful. Stylish. Convenient to carry in your pocket. Immediately attracts attention.
2. Large and cool screen. No scratches. Bright. Excellent for watching videos.
3. Excellent sensor. Very sensitive. With great response.
4. Great sound in my old ones Sennheiser headphones IE4.
5. Excellent water permeability. I checked it and it really works. Previously, my phones often fell into puddles and mud, now I am calm.
6. Dust protection works well. Also checked.
7. Old and familiar Android - fast and stable. Functionality is excellent as always.
8. Works well with the network. Doesn't lose or break. Fast Internet.
9. Excellent performance of the built-in navigator. Quickly picks up satellites. Good loading speed for maps.
10. Not a bad speaker. Everyone can be heard normally. I read that they complain about weak sound, I advise you to buy more hearing aid and not suffer.

Minuses:

1. The lid creaks a little.
2. Really weak battery. Although, I am completely satisfied.

New Japanese SUV: compact, fast, reliable

Ingress Protection Rating(shell protection degree) - a system for classifying the degrees of protection of the electrical equipment shell from the penetration of solid objects and water in accordance with the international standard.

Going to the sea this summer, I took with me two new smartphones, positioned by manufacturers as dust/waterproof mobile terminals. I took them in order to test their durability in conditions, so to speak, as close as possible to real ones.

Therefore, photographs of the phone itself, and videos and pictures taken using its camera - everything was brought “from there”. Accordingly, I prepared two reviews that were similar in structure. About one of them - Samsung Galaxy Xcover - I wrote a review right away. And not because it is better, but on the contrary - because there was nothing special to write about. The Korean cannot stand up to the competition: large, heavy, with poor performance, with a very modest screen. In general, there is nothing to compare the screens here: excellent, bright, with good viewing angles, the Sony Xperia go display looks preferable in every way than the screen of the Korean “SUV”, except perhaps in size. But big screen with large “loose” pixels is not at all better than a smaller, but clearer and brighter screen. And the difference in size is not that big, if you look closely.

By duration battery life The Japanese also beat the Korean headlong, as well as in the quality of video/photography. With all this, the difference in their price is only about one and a half thousand rubles (not in favor of Xperia go). I understand that this is also money, but believe me, the difference is worth it. So I left today’s “exhibit”, as they say, “for dessert.”

The hero of today's review is called Sony Xperia go, and it seems that with this “speaking” name he falls into the camp of those very last “Mohicans” who still had normal, sonorous names. In a report from the Sony stand during the IFA 2012 exhibition, I finally thoroughly examined all the families of new smartphones from this company and came to the conclusion that the Japanese, following an incomprehensible fashion, also began to call most of the new smartphones with just one letter: T, V, J and so on. The name “go”, which translated from English in this context means “forward!”, clearly characterizes its owner. Just like “active” - that was the name of Sony’s previous rugged model.

The communicator described today is intended for those users mobile communications who lead, as they say now, an active lifestyle: off-road, snow, mud, dust and water - these are the conditions that constantly surround them. It is for them that such products are produced, which have undergone special certification and can boast of meeting certain protection standards. These specialized devices, which officially comply with the IP67 protection class, include new smartphone Japanese company— Sony Xperia go (model ST27i).

Marking 67 according to the IP standard in this case means the following: the first digit, indicating the degree of protection provided by the shell, promises dust resistance, that is, complete protection of the inside of the device from contact with dust and dirt.

The second number indicates the degree of protection of the equipment from the effects of water, which is provided by the same shell: in our case, it is able to prevent water from entering during short-term (not permanent) immersion. The maximum protection according to this classification could be IP68 (dustproof device that can withstand prolonged immersion in water), but this is not our case. When complying with IP67 class, it is generally accepted that the device can spend no more than half an hour at a depth of no more than a meter.

I dipped it in the sea waves, and let the children play on the beach, and buried it in the wet sand, and swam with it, and dived. Absolutely nothing happened to the phone, everything worked then and continues to work as normal now - the protection promised by the manufacturer has fully demonstrated itself.

When using the Sony Xperia go in such conditions, there is only one thing to remember. More precisely, about two: the first and most important rule is that after contact with salt water, it is necessary to rinse the surface of the smartphone with fresh water in order to wash off the salt that “tans” and spoils the rubber plugs covering the connectors and sockets. Well, secondly: these same plugs must always be tightly closed before use. The phone itself persistently reminds the user of this. However, these simple rules are probably obvious to most users even without special instruction.

Characteristics

• SoC NovaThor U8500, 1000 MHz, Cortex A9, two cores
• GPU Mali-400MP
• operating system Android 2.3.7
• Touch screen LCD TFT TN, 3.5″, 320×480, capacitive, multi-touch
• Random access memory (RAM) 512 MB, inner memory 8 GB
• Slot for microSD cards up to 32 GB
• Communication GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• Communication 3G HSDPA/WCDMA 900, 2100 MHz
• Bluetooth v3.0
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n
• GPS, AGPS
• FM radio
• Camera 5 MP, autofocus, LED flash
• Protection class IP67
• Lithium-ion battery 1305 mAh
• Dimensions 111×60.3×9.8 mm
• Weight 110 g

	Sony Xperia go	Sony Ericsson Xperia active	Samsung Galaxy Xcover	Motorola Defy+
Screen (size in inches, matrix type, resolution)	3.5″, TFT TN, 320×480 (164 PPI)	3″, TFT TN, 320×480 (192 PPI)	3.65″, TFT TN, 320×480 (158 PPI)	3.7″, TFT TN, 480×854 (264 PPI)
SoC	NovaThor U8500 @ 1 GHz (2 cores, ARM)	Qualcomm MSM 8255 @ 1 GHz (1 core, ARM)	Marvell PXA968 @ 800 MHz (1 core, ARM)	TI OMAP 3620 @ 1 GHz (1 core, ARM)
RAM	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB	512 MB
Flash memory	8 GB	1 GB	150 MB	2 GB
Memory card support	microSD	microSD	microSD	microSD
Protection class	IP67	IP67	IP67	IP57
operating system	Google Android	Google Android	Google Android	Google Android
SIM format	standard	standard	standard	standard
Battery	non-removable, 1305 mAh	removable, 1200 mAh	removable, 1500 mAh	removable, 1700 mAh
Cameras	rear (5 MP; video - 720p)	rear (5 MP; video - 720p)	rear (3.2 MP; video - 480p)	rear (5 MP; video - 720p)
Dimensions	111×60.3×9.8 mm, 110 g	92×55×17 mm, 110 g	121.5×65.9×12 mm, 141 g	107×59×13.4 mm, 118 g
average price	$85()	N/A()	$151()	N/A(0)

Appearance and ease of use

The packaging and features are no different from other modern models in the Xperia line this year. The smartphone comes in a flat cardboard box of a pleasant appearance and good structure with many easily accessible compartments. This very “flatness”, by the way, finally made it possible to comfortably use the phone’s packaging: everything is laid out in plain sight, quickly found and easily not only removed, but also put back. It seems like a small thing, but if you remember how difficult it is sometimes to put back the charger, headset and all sorts of wires, and generally understand how they managed to stuff it there, then this little thing begins to look like a more significant detail. In general, Sony has always been distinguished by its attention to detail, and in this sense they are great.

The equipment is standard: a phone, a very miniature and neat charger with an output power of 850 mA with a USB output, a USB-Micro-USB connecting cable, a wired stereo headset with regular, non-in-ear headphones, as well as a plastic adapter in case you have it on hand You already have a MicroSIM card. This communicator uses a regular SIM card (Mini).

Surprisingly, but with its appearance Sony view Xperia go does not at all resemble an “SUV” - unlike, by the way, its brutal opponent. The Samsung Galaxy Xcover is covered in intimidating elements like side notches, iron screw locks, ribbed lids and even laptop-like legs. Sony Xperia go has nothing like that; its appearance is calm, I would even say “urban”.

However, this does not mean that the phone is less protected, not at all. The cover itself, which, in general, makes up the majority of the entire case, because it covers not only the back side, but also the side edges, does not have a special protective function. It's just a casing - a decorative element that covers the inner essence.

But the plastic base is precisely that protective bastion that will not let in either dirt or moisture. That is, even if you use the Sony Xperia go with the cover removed, nothing will change - all the plugs, buttons, connectors and grooves are mounted directly on the base itself. The plugs, by the way, are made competently: they are equipped with real rubber separate gaskets. I’m not sure exactly, but it’s even possible that they are replaceable.

The base has a beautiful bright color, which is even more interesting when seen through holes in the lid - for example, under the caps or in the area of ​​​​the loop for the hand strap. Yes, there is a hook for a strap, which is good news.

The battery here is non-replaceable, but there is a slot for microSD memory cards - naturally, also tightly sealed with a rubber stopper. All plugs, of course, are attached to the body and cannot get lost anywhere.

The SIM card used here is of a standard, familiar size, but it is not inserted quite as usual. Here we use a version with a removable sled, like the iPhone and some other modern devices with Micro/NanoSIM, but there is no need to use a paperclip to remove it: the sled is easily pulled out by the rubber base, which also doubles as a plug when closed. The SIM card can be located in the sled in only one position, which is convenient and does not force you to rack your brains.

The only case material is plastic - there is no metal here. All surfaces are matte, rough, with a soft-touch coating. This makes holding the Sony Xperia go comfortable and pleasant in your hand. The surfaces do not reflect, and the phone will not slip out of wet hands. Small size and quiet appearance are such that smartphone will do equally to both sexes and can be applied in any situation, from an off-road rally to a social ball.

In general, the case is made very reliably, the parts are assembled tightly, there is no play or creaking. The impermeability of the plugs has proven their worth in practice. The only thing I would complain about is the lid itself. Firstly, it is very thin and bends under your fingers, and secondly, its plastic fasteners can become loose over time. It’s surprising to see such a “frivolous” cover on such an armor-piercing device. However, externally the case looks very nice and logically finished.

All connectors are located on the side faces: on the right - for the cable, on the left - for headphones. The standard 3.5 mm audio output means connecting any other headphones and headsets, but its side location is not very common (usually this connector is placed on top so that the cord does not get in the way when carried in a pocket). In this case, there is only a power button on top, and nothing else.

For a left-hander, this button is not very conveniently located, but due to the small size of the case, you can still put up with this. The volume rocker is located right in the middle of the right side and does not cause any inconvenience. The buttons are mechanical, mounted directly on the lid, and they only apply pressure when you press the spring-loaded contacts protruding from the case. That is, it is almost impossible to use the phone without a cover.

The front panel is far from completely occupied by the screen. Below it there is not only a row of touch-sensitive system control buttons, but also an additional strip of clean plastic. It seems like nothing special, but it was this additional part at the bottom that turned out to be extremely convenient. Typically, in a modern smartphone with sensitive touch elements, there is nothing to grab onto - your fingers constantly hit the buttons, which leads to unplanned presses. This is, in general, why users don’t like sensors. You can safely hold the same phone by the bottom without fear of accidental clicks. A very convenient solution, I would like to see it in the company’s future developments.

Otherwise, everything is standard here: the display is covered with mineral glass on top, a hole is cut out for the auditory speaker and sensor eyes and an LED are visible (lit red when charging and green when charging is complete). The microphone is located in the very bottom, free part of the case.

In general, the appearance and ease of control of the Sony Xperia go communicator left the most pleasant impressions. The phone looks presentable. Perhaps even more expensive than it actually is. Suitable for any environment, discreet, comfortable and secure in the hand. And, of course, he is ready for any surprises thanks to his protection. Honestly, I would love to have this smartphone in my travel kit.

Screen

The display in the Sony Xperia go is quite good for a non-top model that does not pretend to be a multimedia combine. This is a fairly good solution in the form of an ordinary liquid crystal TFT TN matrix with medium resolution and large viewing angles. The screen is small in physical dimensions (3.5 inches diagonally), and the resolution is such that grain is practically invisible here (PPI = 164). No, the grains, of course, are visible if you look closely, but the graininess does not catch the eye, and, as they say, “doesn’t hurt” the eye. Obviously, this is due to the fact that the screen itself is not that big, and all the details on it look small.

Due to its brightness, saturation and natural colors, the Sony Xperia go display looks even more expensive than it actually is. In addition, the picture is further improved using proprietary Mobile Bravia Engine technology, which makes it even more realistic. This technology is software, and it only works while viewing photos and videos. According to the manufacturer, the technology allows you to display the picture in a more natural way for the eye, adding clarity, saturation, contrast and, moreover, removing some of the noise. The brightness reserve is quite enough for any situation, and even in bright sunlight the display does not become too blinding. In the settings you can enable or disable automatic brightness adjustment, and there is also a manual adjustment.

Physical parameters in numbers Sony screen Xperia go is as follows: the resolution is 320x480 pixels, dimensions are 49x74 mm, diagonal is 89 mm (3.5 inches). The screen can be controlled with multi-touch gestures and is quite responsive. There is also a proximity sensor that locks the screen when held close to your face.

Sound

In this part, unfortunately, there is nothing particularly special to please the potential owner of the Sony Xperia go. Both speakers—the auditory one and the external one—produce a loud, but somehow dull and unsaturated sound. When you talk on such a phone, you get the impression that there is a cyborg robot at the other end, because the sound reeks of metal and sounds, as they say, on one note. Not to say that everything is completely bad with this, no. The interlocutor’s speech is clearly distinguishable, but you no longer recognize the tones in the voice - warm or cold.

The speaker hole is not equipped with any protrusions, but the sound is almost not muffled by the surface of the table, which is surprising. Maybe it is barely noticeably raised above the surface by the convex ball of the Sony logo? Be that as it may, in this case nothing interferes with the propagation of sound. The speaker does not choke at the maximum volume level, the sound remains clear and adequately performs the function of alerting about an incoming call. In addition, the sound here is processed using proprietary xLoud technology. This technology, developed by Sony, does not affect sound quality in any way, but serves to enhance the volume of the main speaker.

As for the sound in the headphones, the included headset was not very pleased with its quality. And I don’t like non-in-ear headphones - they don’t stay in my ears well. It's surprising, by the way, that Sony didn't include sports-type headphones in the package. After all, this is an extreme phone, which means that the headphones should not fall out of the ears during sudden movements.

FM radio is present here, but only works when headphones are connected. The settings are simple and easy to understand.

Camera

Sony Xperia go is equipped with only one module digital camera. This means that you won’t be able to organize a video call on your own or capture your appearance during a sea regatta.

The single camera module is equipped with a 5-megapixel matrix, and I liked the quality of its images. I brought a lot of great photos and videos, which I share with you. You can evaluate the quality of the pictures in original resolution by clicking on the thumbnails below.

At the maximum possible resolution, which you will have to set yourself (the factory settings offer a lower resolution), the pictures are 2592x1944 pixels in size, which is the same 5 megapixels.

Thanks to the built-in macro function and automatic focusing, close objects, as well as text from paper or the monitor screen, can be perfectly captured by the camera.

The camera can shoot video in HD resolution 720p, and it does it very well too. Below are several videos, up to 15 seconds long, filmed at maximum settings with a frequency of 30 frames per second. The videos are saved in MP4 and have a resolution of 1280×720 pixels. The factory video settings are initially set to this resolution.

• Video No. 1 (16.0 MB, 1280×720)
• Video No. 2 (16.1 MB, 1280×720)
• Video No. 3 (16.7 MB, 1280×720)
• Video No. 4 (21.5 MB, 1280×720)
• Video No. 5 (24.9 MB, 1280×720)

There are enough settings, everything you need is there. The only good thing is the ability to attach geotags to pictures. Improvements with HDR technologies there is no. The smartphone also does not have a hardware camera control button; the shutter is released by pressing the icon on the screen.

Software and telephone part

Sony Xperia go went on sale and initially runs old version Android OS 2.3.7, but the smartphone will probably receive an update. By the way, there are only three buttons under the screen - as desired by the fourth version of Android. Sony installed its own shell on top of the OS, slightly modifying the interface. Its desktop consists of five horizontally scrolling screens and a fixed panel of five icons at the bottom. When viewing installed applications, everything looks different: five screens, and at the bottom three icons for working with programs and sorting them. Moreover, the space allocated to these lower icons takes up a third of the screen, and therefore programs are crammed into only three rows. It looks strange - as if this shell was intended for a different screen resolution.

The range of programs is extensive and standard for Sony: a fully functioning Google Play Store (Market), many entertainment and social hubs, multimedia programs for working with music and photos. But the simplest file manager there is no manager here, just like there is no manager open applications. Office package version Office applications Suite only works for document viewing. To be honest, in this sense, I like the equipment of Sony communicators less than that of Samsung. Since go is partly a sports model, among the programs there was also a trainer for independent training and a pedometer.

Sony Xperia go copes well with telephone functions. There is one radio module, one SIM card. The smartphone can work in four frequency ranges GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz, so it is quite suitable for travelers, because it will receive the signal in any corner of the world. There is also support for HSDPA/WCDMA 900, 2100 MHz. The operation of the radio part of the communicator is stable, in this sense the phone is reliable. During testing, no freezes or spontaneous reboots/shutdowns were noticed.

Performance

The Sony Xperia go hardware platform is based on the NovaThor U8500 chip with a central dual-core Cortex A9 (ARMv7) processor operating at 1000 MHz. It is supported in graphics processing by the Mali-400MP video accelerator. All this is served by 512 MB of RAM. Storage, accessible to the user For loading own files, here is approximately 4 GB. The total system memory in the smartphone is 8 GB, but the remaining volume is used only for the system and pre-installed programs. When you connect your smartphone to your computer, both user storages are mounted as two independent removable drives - provided, of course, that the microSD memory card is inserted into its slot.

In Quadrant Standard, Sony Xperia go scored 2543 points, and according to the results of comprehensive AnTuTu - 5614, thus surpassing Samsung Galaxy Xcover by more than two times.

We traditionally tested graphics performance in NenaMark2 (v2.2). Based on the results of several runs, the Mali-400MP graphics accelerator in this device showed a very respectable result of 43 fps.

Battery life

The lithium-ion battery installed in the Sony Xperia go is non-replaceable, its capacity is 1305 mAh. This is a small volume for a telephone battery by today's standards. However, the smartphone showed good results according to the test results, and in everyday life I had the phone without problems for up to three days. The reason for this is the small screen and Sony's well-optimized energy saving system.

Continuous reading in the FBReader program with room lighting at a medium brightness level lasted as much as 14 hours. Playing an MP3 with the screen off lasted an infinitely long time - 35 hours. The phone played a video in an MKV container with a resolution of 720p, which we usually use when testing modern smartphones, for a full 7 hours, even without hardware support in the MX player. A full charge of the Sony Xperia go lasts only 1 hour and 20 minutes.

Prices

The average retail price of a device in Moscow at the time of reading the article in rubles can be found by moving the mouse to the price tag.

Bottom line

As for my own impressions, as I already said at the beginning of the article, the smartphone traveled with me both through the mountains and the sea, proving itself to be the best. Cute, suitable for any situation, small and not heavy, productive, takes excellent pictures and films, and is also a modern smartphone that is perfectly protected from bad weather. There is absolutely nothing to complain about here, and I would highly recommend the Sony Xperia go for purchase to people looking for a universal and reliable companion in mobile life. For those who prefer to use their smartphone as a multimedia processor, this little one is most likely not suitable. Although its hardware performance is quite capable of handling both HD video and 3D games, the small screen will obviously become a hindrance in modern entertainment of this kind.

Sony continues to develop successful ideas inherent in niche models of past years. New Sony Xperia go- a compact phone with a waterproof body has replaced the familiar Sony Ericsson Xperia active, Sony's first protected smartphone on Android. The model is already on sale in Russia, and it’s time to tell you a little more about what exactly Sony has prepared for its customers.

Design

What immediately catches your eye is the 180-degree turnaround of the concept of an unsinkable compact smartphone: replacing a niche Xperia active came dressed in all civilian Xperia go. The highest level of protection for the phone remained unchanged, but the image completely changed: if the Xperia active was bright (black and orange or black and white), with a striking detail in the form of a powerful connector for attaching a strap, like a towing eye, then the Xperia go is modest and nothing reveals his superpowers. Like James Bond, who has not yet had time to drink a vodka martini.



Traditional photo with a matchbox

Ergonomics

The most noticeable ergonomic feature of the Go is the lack of a camera key. The reasons are clear: fewer buttons mean fewer gaps through which water and sand can penetrate inside the case. But it's still unusual.

Some replacement for it should be the camera key on the lock screen. This and the fast capture mode add up to quite a quick start cameras even without a button.

The absence of a camera button made us complain about the location of the power button (aka screen lock) on the top end of the case.

The traditional solution becomes not very convenient when you try to take a quick shot: reflexively turning the phone to the “landscape” position, you find that you have to unlock the screen with your little finger - or rotate the phone again, losing precious seconds. It is no coincidence that the camera button is always placed on the side - this way it is in the most convenient place when taking photographs. A power button on the right side, like on the Xperia P, for example, would save the situation, but alas... Go owners will have to develop the habit of first unlocking the screen, then rotating the phone. Or shoot in portrait orientation.

The display of the smartphone seems to be raised above the front surface of the Go, which forms a smooth ledge under its lower part. This relief not only creates the recognizable appearance of the Sony Xperia, but also allows you to comfortably place your thumb there in its normal position - without the risk of accidentally pressing one of the three touch keys located just above.

Reminiscent of the ideology of human curvature (human-pleasing curves), suggesting that the design is tailored to human palms.

There, at the bottom, there is a microphone.

The volume rocker is located in its usual place - on the right.

There are only two connectors left, the most necessary ones - microUSB and headphones. Both are closed with tight plugs, which, however, can be easily picked out at the edges with a fingernail.

When you remove the headphones or USB cable from the jack, a warning appears on the phone screen about the need to close the plugs back - otherwise, they say, there is no water resistance for you.

The care is pleasant, but unnecessary - the plugs dangling on an elastic band are not a very aesthetically pleasing sight, and even frightening - but how will they come off. Therefore, it is unlikely that Go owners will forget to put them in place. And the on-screen warning can be turned off.

Despite the fact that the model belongs to the compact category, it cannot be called small. The dimensions of the device are 111 x 60.3 x 9.8 mm - it fits just fine in the breast pocket of a jacket or shirt, but also lies confidently in the hand. 3.5 - 3.7" is probably the ideal size in terms of comfort for palms of any size.

Protection

Dipping such beauty under water was not just a pity - it was scary. Theoretically known information about high level moisture and dust protection of information did little to warm the soul - after all, compared to the plastic bright orange Xperia active, Xperia go looks like an Oscar nominee next to a hunter in full gear - well, where is he, in a tuxedo, in the swamps . In addition, during the trip, Xperia go acted as a hotspot, distributing Wi-Fi to my other mobile devices- if something had happened, I would have been left without the Internet. However, everything went like clockwork: the “put the phone in water and call it” test, the device passed with a bang. In total, Go lay in the water for about five minutes, receiving calls and continuing to distribute wi-fi! Theoretically, he could have lain there for half an hour, but I didn’t take the risk of checking it. As they say, drown your uranium scraps in mercury.

Sony Xperia active is protected according to the IP67 standard (Ingress Protection Rating 67). This means the maximum (sixth) level of dust protection:

Some dust may get inside, but this will not interfere with the operation of the device. Complete contact protection

- and high (seventh out of eight) level of moisture resistance:

during short-term immersion, water does not enter in quantities that disrupt the operation of the device. Full time job not expected in immersed mode.

By the way, during this test the utilitarian essence of the Xperia go body material was revealed - when wet, it does not slip at all in your hands. You can take it to the sea without fear of accidentally drowning it, to the delight of future archaeologists. This good decision in comparison with the same Xperia active, whose smooth plastic was significantly more slippery. It also dries quite quickly.

In the comments to the post they provided a link to a wonderful video that demonstrates not only the water resistance, but also the shock resistance of the Xperia go. I think this is an extreme case of “you can repeat this at home” - unless, of course, you have an Xperia go and not a regular smartphone:

Entrails

After water treatments, it’s time to take a look from the inside at how they affected the phone.

The cover is removed using a notch in the lower right corner of the case. It is easy to notice because the turquoise armor of the smartphone “shines through” through it. Having picked up the lid, we prick it around the perimeter and remove it.

There is water inside - as on the Xperia active, the main protection is provided by the internal armor - on the Go it is all bright turquoise. Beautiful. So you don’t have to worry about whether the lid fits tightly to the body; it doesn’t solve anything here.

So what do we see inside?

The most important thing here is the location of the SIM card. It is installed in a special removable tray, which is already inserted into the corresponding connector, tightly covering it. The SIM card on the Xperia go is standard.

The microSD memory card slot is closed differently, using a rubber plug. The diagrams engraved on the case will not allow you to confuse the location of the cards during installation.

The connector for removing the cover turns out to be an “ear” for the strap - an elegant solution that allows you to save on extra holes. And it’s convenient - as you can see in the photo, you won’t have to worry about inserting the strap, the method of attaching it here is the most convenient possible - and reliable, at the same time. Yes, this is definitely a more elegant and successful solution than it was.

The phone speaker is covered with film:

One interesting thing is that the rubber plug of the headphones is completely covered; if you wish, you can tear it out and put it back in. But it's not necessary.

Some of the parts are covered with pieces of soft plastic, like electrical tape, which I didn’t dare tear off - I still have to use it later.

Hard

On board the Xperia go is a dual-core 1 GHz processor, a 5 MP camera with the ability to shoot 3D panoramas and just panoramas, and 720p video.

The battery capacity has increased compared to the Xperia active - 1305 mAh versus 1200. The battery test results show that this was not in vain:

I think there is no need to explain how important a large battery capacity is for a phone positioned as a device for an active lifestyle. In addition to the increased battery capacity, optimization of energy consumption also works to increase the work on a single charge: for example, the display has increased to 3.5" and has the same resolution of 480x320 pixels, which is also a plus for efficiency.

At the same time, it is impossible to say that this is not enough. One can, perhaps, find fault with the pixelation of the image - the ability to see the pixels has already begun to be considered a disadvantage. However, in everyday use this is not noticeable; the amount of content that fits on the screen is much more important. In this sense, everything is OK: one desktop can accommodate 16 application shortcuts, or, for example, 5 large widgets:

In the browser, the disadvantages of pixelation are felt more clearly: for example, on home page Yandex shows that in its standard form it is quite difficult to read news headlines, you need to resize:

Whether this is an acceptable sacrifice in the name of economy - decide for yourself. In general, at the household level, I did not feel any damage compared to full-size Sony Xperia models - there is no contrast that was there when, for example, I picked up the old Xperia mini from 2010 after the Xperia X10.

dark spot in the biography of Xperia go - problems with network loss, which the owners of some devices complained about, are already a thing of the past, they were solved by the firmware released on August 2.

Software

Xperia go was loaded with Android version 2.3.7, and with faith in an early update to Ice
Cream Sandwich:

All widgets are collected in a separate folder on the desktop special applications that come with Go:

Compass, flashlight, pedometer, miCoach personal trainer and FigureRunning app.

The first two are generally familiar from the reviews on this blog, and are generally quite well known and often encountered. The only thing that amused the compass was its requirement to write a figure eight with your phone in the air to calibrate the settings. It’s funny, I guess I looked from the outside when I was making passes with my hands with a concentrated look on the street - from the side of the phone, I suppose it was impossible to see :)

Branded by Adidas, miCoach is a digital personal trainer that will help you design your workout program and give you valuable guidance along the way. The application is completely localized - the list of languages ​​also includes a Russian version. Choose a training program, set up voice prompts, choose a male or female voice that will guide you and start - and forward to a healthy lifestyle.

The FigureRunning app lets you turn your running routes into drawings on a map of your area. There is a gaming element - new colors of pencils are gradually revealed, and a social element - the ability to follow the progress of friends. There are examples of such drawings on the application website:

But you can come up with something cooler than the Statue of Liberty.

Equipment

Sony Xperia go comes in a branded cardboard box-case. The packaging of the go is made in turquoise tones, matching the color of the insides. Inside, in addition to standard headphones and an adapter for microUSB, along with a plug for discharging from the network, I found only an adapter from microSIM to a standard SIM size.

However, there is also a special package for Xperia go, called Xperia go sports edition, which includes:

Sony Xperia go smartphone (yellow)
Sports wrist case
Sports lanyard for hand
Special mounts for headsets
Wired stereo headset
Block charger
USB cable for data transfer and charging.

My copy, as you probably already guessed, was black, but the manufacturer promises white and yellow body colors. The white one in the photo looks cute, and I can only regret that it wasn’t him who fell into my hands. I hope it's not too dirty. Well, the yellow Go is for those who miss the good old bright Xperia active.

By the way, according to studies of color perception that I read once, yellow is the most striking color - even more noticeable than the same orange.

Characteristics

Let’s bring together the numbers and facts scattered throughout the text in one place and see what happens:

• Dimensions: 111 x 60.3 x 9.8 mm
• Weight: 110 g
• Screen: 3.5” 480x320 Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine technology for best quality Images
• 5MP camera with fast shooting technology (1.5 seconds from locked state)
• Scratch-resistant mineral glass with wet finger technology
• the highest level of dust and moisture resistance for a smartphone – IP67
• Dual-core 1GHz processor
• Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) on board with an upcoming update to 4.0 (Ice
• Cream Sandwich
• Battery 1305 mAh
• Black, white and yellow colors housing

Summary

Compact size
Moisture protection
Increased battery size

High pixelation of the picture
No camera button