Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S. Review of Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S: powerful stuffing in the same case
2 years ago 0
Great phone. Very convenient, useful in many aspects. Interesting design.
2 years ago 0
The camera is excellent, the sound is loud and good, the sensor works fine, in general I am satisfied with the phone.
2 years ago 0
1) of course, the design, and it is in white) 2) an excellent screen is bright, juicy and, at the same time, natural 3) a good camera. Not a DSLR, but not bad. 4) volume with a margin 5) I don’t want to let go =)
2 years ago 0
stylish model, big screen, excellent sound, good camera, beautiful pink color
2 years ago 0
Excellent camera, stylish design, smart. The 16 GB memory that comes with the kit is quite enough. The built-in memory is enough without root rights. a noticeable scratch near the flash on the back cover!
2 years ago 0
Does not tupit, works great as a phone, is well audible, not pressed by the ears. Bright and clear screen, even PDF-books are perfectly readable.
2 years ago 0
1.Slim stylish design 2.Acceptable photo and video quality 3.Very durable native film on the screen (no need to buy and glue)
2 years ago 0
Design, optimal size, many functions.
2 years ago 0
Justified itself and its functions! Android, camera 8.1, flash, loud speaker, film included and one already pasted, reading is possible text documents made on a computer, many applications.
2 years ago 0
Outwardly beautiful, quite fast, sensor response is fast.
2 years ago 0
1) Not enough random access memory, but not to the extent that it interferes with the use of the phone.
2) The battery lasts for a day, but this is not critical for me.
3) It gets very hot during games and videos.
2 years ago 0
Well, for me, the only two drawbacks are that the camera button is not very convenient, and there is no protective cover for the charging socket. Over time, it gets stuffed with all sorts of dust. Drivers built-in modem mode go current to 7k, they could do it under working XP.
2 years ago 0
they are still there, namely:
1) absence front camera(insofar as)
2) inconvenient power and volume buttons
3) the camera button does not call the camera, although it may be for the better
4) lack of intelligent search in the dialer. In general, the dialer is categorically similar to that in the iPhone. and this is a minus
2 years ago 0
the paint peels off very quickly ... and so everything suits
2 years ago 0
There is no front camera, but it would be very useful. If you use the flash as a flashlight, then it is rather weak compared to the Samsung s2. As with any android phone, you always need a charger at hand!
2 years ago 0
Not enough RAM - it comes to the point that in order to put "VKontakte", I have to demolish the "Yandex-cards". Rave. Back panel semicircular, you can not press the screen when the phone is on the table, the phone shakes and jumps. The screen is too sensitive to some shadows by hand, all the time something rewinds and switches somewhere. The screen is not blocked, turns on by any buttons quietly even in a bag. The camera is terrible. It just disgustingly reads barcodes, and the photos are all whitish and blurry. Non-touch buttons on the panel get clogged and it's harder to maintain the correct press time than on other phones, which is a little annoying. The battery in surf mode lasts about an hour. I charge my phone at night, at work it is in my bag, but sometimes the battery is not enough even until the end of the working day
2 years ago 0
1.Very little internal memory
2.Very fragile case (the whole product is completely made of plastic, even the buttons), the back cover creaks when pressed, after two years of use without a case it looks terrible, it has never fallen, but the end wall has cracks on all sides, pieces of plastic fall off in the area of \u200b\u200bthe buttons
3. Little RAM (slowly opens even the contact list)
4.Inconvenient location of the lock key and audio output
5. Sometimes it lags unrealistically
2 years ago 0
Constantly loses the network! Often right during a conversation. it known disease Sony smartphones.
2 years ago 0
The absence of a front camera, 3.5 output on the side, could not make the phone work in modem mode, but I’m ready to refer it to my stupidity, although the antenna appeared once on the bottom right and immediately disappeared without appearing at all. For some reason, you need to update PC Companion , otherwise the program simply does not work on the computer. After working for 2 months, the "functions" button (on the right) flew out, they fixed it under warranty, now without problems.
2 years ago 0
THE BATTERY IS AWESOME!! But I noticed that some write here that they have 1 or even 2 days
Yes, and they manage to use it in it, this is complete nonsense! Batteries last for 1 day! But of course, if you only call and that’s all, yes, it’s enough for 1.5 for 2 days. But then the question is nafik is he needed? For show off chtoli! Yes, and the ears are not very molib and make a remote control.
Positioning
What is needed to extend the "life" of a good device, released a year ago and still on sale? The easiest way is to slightly improve the "iron" characteristic and add some index to the model name. Actually, that's what Sony Ericsson did with their successful Arc: they added the Latin letter "S" after the name and installed an overclocked Qualcomm MSM8255T processor. In addition, we decided to change the color a little. Now Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is available in white and pink, and there is also a universal black "Arc".
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Due to the fact that the review of the SE Arc has already been, and the Arc S practically does not differ from its predecessor, I will not describe many points: I will pay more attention to the performance tests of the “old” and “new” devices.
Design, dimensions, controls
understand by appearance, where is the Xperia Arc, and where is the Xperia Arc S, is not easy. Recognizable only by color back cover. For example, for the "first" Arc, it was made with a gradient - from dark silver to black, and for the "second" it was completely black. Also, the previous model did not have a pink and white body color. That's all visual differences are running out.
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If there are no fingerprints and small scratches on the white cover of the device, then on all other colors they are very noticeable. When squeezed in the hand, the body of the SE Arc S crunches unpleasantly. However, the design of the device is quite ergonomic.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/all-face.jpg)
On the front panel are light and proximity sensors. Next to it is a speaker. Its volume is very high, the timbre is pleasant, the interlocutor is heard clearly and legibly. Unfortunately, the front camera was not added in the new modification, although it would be appropriate here. The screen is protected by mineral glass. True, the display still has a film pasted on it, which is quickly wiped off. At the bottom of the device there are three buttons: "Back", "Home" and "Menu". They are pressed very gently, but the stroke is small.
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On the left side there is a standard 3.5 mm audio output, on the right side there is a volume rocker, microUSB and an indicator of missed events, as well as a small camera activation button. Frankly, it is quite inconvenient to use it because of the size and placement (close to the edge of the bottom end). At the bottom there is a microphone and a strap attachment bracket, at the top there is a key for turning the phone on and off and a microHDMI connector under a plastic cap, which is almost recessed into the case.
The speaker, camera eye, LED flash and an additional microphone are located on the back side.
Samsung Omnia W and Sony Ericsson Arc S (right):
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0019.jpg)
Samsung Ace and Sony Ericsson Arc S (right):
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0036.jpg)
HTC Mozart and Sony Ericsson Arc S (left):
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0055.jpg)
Samsung i9000 and Sony Ericsson Arc S (left):
![](https://i2.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0056.jpg)
Display
Screen diagonal - 4.2 "(physical size 93x52 mm), resolution - 480x854 pixels (density - 233 pixels per inch). The "no air gap" technology is used, i.e. there is no air gap between the matrix (LED-backlit LCD) and protective glass. The sensitivity of the capacitive touch layer is high.
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Viewing angles are small: under the slopes the picture loses contrast. Color rendition at a right viewing angle is pleasant and rich. Perhaps thanks to the "Mobile BRAVIA Engine". But in any case, Super AMOLED Plus loses a lot to the matrix and even Super AMOLED.
In short, all the specifications and screen parameters are comparable to the SE Xperia Arc. Light display:
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/dsc05716.jpg)
Display Comparison samsung galaxy Note (SuperAMOLED) (left), Sony Ericsson Arc (LED-backlit LCD), Samsung Galaxy S (SuperAMOLED), Samsung Omnia W (SuperAMOLED), HTC Mozart (S-LCD), Samsung Ace (TFT-LCD), Nokia 700 * (CleareBlack AMOLED) (Right):
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* - the brightness of the Nokia 700 display at maximum brightness is higher than in the photo. This is due to the fact that I shot in the dark, and the phone's ambient light sensor slightly dimmed the backlight of the display.
Battery
The Xperia Arc S uses the same removable 1500mAh BA750 Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion) battery as the Xperia Arc. According to official data, the phone will work in standby mode for about 460 hours (for the "first" Arc this time is 430 hours), in talk mode - up to 7 hours and 30 minutes (for the "first" Arc - about 7 hours), music playback - up to 37 hours (for the "first" Arc - up to 30 hours). In general, the difference is small.
![](https://i2.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0052.jpg)
![](https://i2.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/pic/0053.jpg)
To test the battery life, I installed a special Antutu Tester application. The results were interesting: the device scored 494 points, leaving behind the Samsung Galaxy SL, Galaxy S2 and LG Optimus 2X.
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/scr/scr16.jpg)
In the course of practical operation, the following figures were obtained: in standby mode, the smartphone worked for about a week, up to 20 hours when playing music at maximum volume (in headphones) and up to 5 hours when playing HD video at automatic backlight brightness. On average, with 20-25 minutes of calls per day, one hour of shooting photos and videos, the same amount of listening to music, four hours of Wi-Fi (typing on the keyboard - Twitter and Skype) and two hours of watching movies, the battery was discharged in 10-11 hours. Approximately the same figures for Sony Ericsson Arc or slightly less.
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Communication options
The Xperia Arc S smartphone works in 2G (GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900) and 3G networks (HSDPA 900 / 2100). Speed GPRS - up to 86 Kbps, EDGE - up to 237 Kbps, HSDPA and HSUPA - up to 14 Mbps and 5.8 Mbps, respectively. There is Wi-Fi standard 802.11 b/g/n. To distribute the Internet, it can be used as an access point. Supported by DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), a standard that allows compatible devices to transmit and receive over home network various media content (image, music, video), as well as display it in real time. Bluetooth version 2.1 with A2DP is used for data and voice transmission.
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Memory, memory card
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S, like the entire Xperia line, has 512 MB of RAM. Although they could increase to 720 MB or 1 GB. About 300 MB of free internal Flash memory (only 1 GB) is also somewhat embarrassing for a flagship model. Comes with a 16 GB card. The maximum supported micrSD card capacity is up to 32 GB.
![](https://i1.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/scr/scr12.jpg)
Camera
As in the previous model, an 8-megapixel camera module is installed, there is an LED flash. But the front camera is still missing. It is clear that not everyone uses it, but if you upgrade your smartphone, then you could install it. It makes no sense to describe the section in detail, it is better to read the review. I will give examples of photos and a couple of videos. I will only note that the camera shoots very well, and the sound in video clips has a fairly wide stereo base.
From the photo file we obtain the following detailed EXIF characteristic:
![](https://i0.wp.com/mobile-review.com/review/image/sonyeric/arc-s-lt18i/scr/scr0186.jpg)
Video file characteristic:
- Format: MP4
- Video: AVC, 6000 Kbps
- Resolution: 1280 x 720, 30 fps
- Audio: AAC, 128 kbps
- Channels: 2 channels, 48.0 kHz
Photo examples:
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Performance
Well, here we come to the most interesting part.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc has a Qualcomm MSM8255 chipset and a 1 GHz processor. The Xperia Arc S has the same chipset, but with the "T" index. This means that the factory clock frequency processor increased to 1.4 GHz. Interestingly, the MSM8255 can also run 400 MHz faster, but for this it will have to be overclocked manually. The graphics accelerator is the same - Adreno 205. There are no more differences.
Visually, the SE Arc S performs the same as the Arc S. Below are a few performance tests and browser benchmarks of the two devices. For control, the third device will be the SE Xperia Play, built on the same technological base as the Xperia Arc.
Brief technical information.
As for shooting video, almost the same settings are available here as in photo mode. The maximum resolution for videos is 1280x720 at 30 frames per second. In addition to it, you can set 854x480, 640x480, 320x240 or 320x240.
Performance, autonomy, software
At the heart of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is a Qualcomm QSD8255 processor running at 1 GHz, as well as a 512 megabyte RAM array. A nice addition to the powerful hardware was the use of the latest android versions- 2.3 Gingerbread. All pages in the browser (of course, with flash support) open cheerfully, navigation through them occurs without delay. Compatibility with the entire range of applications from the Android Market is guaranteed.
One of the strengths of the model was extended multimedia capabilities- this is especially true for Android platforms, often characterized by rather insufficient support for media functionality. Arc has one of the best photomodules, which has already been mentioned, as well as a microHDMI connector responsible for transferring images to external media. In addition, the manufacturer has provided a proprietary software shell that hides the classic Android interface. It is built on a combination of two applications: Timescape and Mediascape. The first collects information about activity in connected accounts social networks- Facebook, Twitter. Information about calls and SMS has also been added to the general feed. Thus, the entire history of any “social” changes and actions is collected on the screen, which is very convenient. It's disappointing that Timescape's functionality is noticeably inferior to dedicated social media clients, in fact, you can only read a new message. To view a photo or a web page, this interface is not used, but a standard browser.
Mediascape offers an alternative interface for browsing the gallery and music library. The interface offered by Sony Ericsson is almost in no way inferior HTC Sense, which has already become the standard of Android add-ons. The latter only looks prettier, especially his latest version. However, in terms of customization and shell customization, we observe complete parity. By the way, specialists from Sony Ericsson adapted their interface to low-resolution screens in a very interesting way, namely, to Xperia smartphones mini and Xperia mini pro. However, we will talk about them in a separate article.
conclusions
In general, despite the fact that the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc is no longer hot novelty He is very good and interesting. Someone might argue that it does not have a dual-core processor, unlike the flagship solutions from other manufacturers. It really is. But in essence, what does it change? There are still very few applications that would use the potential of two cores. The available performance is enough for any task. The design is beautiful and unique. Sony Ericsson cares about the appearance of their devices like no other. In principle, there can be no comparison with similar bars from Samsung or LG. The camera is objectively one of the best in the Android environment. Well, the price has come down a bit. For example,
17 / 03 / 2011
In early 2011, a smartphone was introduced at CES in Las Vegas, which quite unexpectedly became one of the main trends of the entire event. The fact is that at that time it was the thinnest smartphone in the world (8.7 mm), the only one that worked on Android 2.3, and also had parental technologies. Sony: sensor Sony cameras Exmor R with backlight technology, BRAVIA mobile engine for post-processing of the image on the screen in viewing mode. We have already released a very detailed material about this smartphone, and with the advent of a commercial sample, all that remains is to check the time battery life and the quality of pictures and videos.
At the top there is a power button, a micro-HDMI connector under a plug (this connector is needed to connect to a TV for video playback). On the right side - micro-USB, volume keys and start the camera / shooting. Standard set. It is a pity that the 3.5 mm mini-jack was moved to the side, now it is on the left side. Connecting headphones has become less convenient. You will have to look for headsets with angled connectors, because the complete earbuds are not suitable for everyone.
Camera
Here is another nod to the developers, good cameras(and especially good video and sound recording) for Android smartphones is an absolute rarity. More precisely, there are simply no devices with normal video on the market, and we could verify this even on the example of LG Optimus 2X and Samsung Galaxy S II, which record in Full HD (1080x1920 pixels), but do not differ in quality. Sound recording by all modern Android flagships is terrible, loud sounds turn into wheezing and clanging, you shouldn’t even think about recording at concerts, parties. The situation was not bad in X10, but 720p recording was added only 8 months after the release, with an update to Android 2.1.
Android 2.3 and software platform
From the beginning of sales will work under the management of new version OS, Android 2.3.2 Gingerbread. On top of the standard Android, there is a native interface, as well as a proprietary Timescape application, just like in the Xperia X10. Widgets have changed, I liked the gallery widget in the form of a thumbnail wheel, it is convenient to view images and videos right in the standby mode.
Content:Now it's popular way, manufacturers save money by not having to develop new design, everything is limited to the color scheme and some small changes in the exterior. For example, these are devices from Apple ( and , and ), Samsung ( and ).
Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is slightly higher than the usual “arch” in the lineup, while it will not be easy to determine which model is newer. Calculate it will turn out only in appearance. The latest generation will receive black, pink or white cases. This is where all external differences end.
The filling of the device has become more powerful. Now this is a 1.4 GHz processor, the amount of RAM has not changed, still the same 512 MB. From the media component, an 8.1-megapixel camera, 720p video recording, as well as a large 4.2-inch screen are offered.
Contents of delivery
- Telephone
- Battery 1500 mAh
- 8 GB memory card class 2
- Charger
- USB cable
- Instruction
- Warranty card
Appearance
The appearance of the device completely coincides with that of. The company has created a model in a nice case, which combines both straight and rounded lines. The side edges are slightly beveled, and the top and bottom ends are slightly curved. If you look at the device from the side, then the concave shape of the rear panel will surprise you even more.
Previously, the expression "human curvature" implied high ergonomics and comfort when using mobile device, but the devices had a convex shape. This design has been implemented in many models. But now, on the example of Xperia Arc (and some other models, too, for example), you can see a completely different kind of back cover - it is concave. Unusual, but also comfortable.
The dimensions of the smartphone are 125x63x8.7 mm, weight 117 g. The device is thin, it fits into trousers or a jacket pocket without any problems. For a top-segment phone, a stylish design combined with reasonable dimensions is always a positive factor.
For this model, several additional shades are provided, in addition to the already available blue and silver. Now available in white, black and pink. We had a snow-white sample, the phone looks very nice in this color, I liked the combination of shapes and such elegant plastic. The coating is glossy, but there is no need to complain about soiling, prints are hardly noticeable.
A silver stripe runs along the sides, which, with its thin profile, emphasizes the small thickness of the case. The bottom end of the smartphone is slightly beveled, the same can be said about the side planes.
On a black plastic overlay at the top of the front panel there is a semicircular cutout for the earpiece. On the left are the light and proximity sensors.
Under the large screen, which occupies almost the entire surface, there is a strip of three keys that have practically merged into one. The buttons look like metal in color, but they are actually plastic. The movement of the buttons is small and intelligible, the clicks are pleasant. There are two bright LEDs here. They do not carry any functional load. They just glow.
The first key returns to previous paragraph menu, the second helps to return to the desktop, as well as the activation of the manager running applications(you need to hold this button for a few seconds), the latter calls up the functional menu.
At the top end there is a micro-HDMI-port closed with a silver plug in the color of the casing edging. In the corner is a small round key that locks the screen. It is uncomfortable: small, made flush with the body, due to the lack of a relief profile, it is uncomfortable to use. At the same time, it is necessary to mention the tight travel of the button.
At the bottom there is a strap mount, and there is also a small notch that helps to remove the back panel.
On the right side there is a microUSB port. It is used to connect charger, and for synchronization with a computer. Next to it is an LED that lights up when charging, notifies you of missed events. The place is not the best, you need to remember which side the phone is turned in order not to lose sight of the indicator.
Just below you can see a small paired volume control button made of silvery plastic. It feels good, pressing is clear, it is comfortable to use.
Almost in the corner there is a two-position camera button. The implementation of this key is not entirely successful: its move is too tight, when taking a photo you have to press it with force.
On the left side, in the very corner, there is a hole for connecting headphones with a 3.5 mm jack. Not a very convenient implementation, because if you do not use the bundled headset, it will not be so easy to choose another tool for listening to music.
On the original view of the rear plane there are several elements. At the top is a round cutout for the camera lens, next to it is an LED flash. At the bottom you can see the speaker hole of the phone.
Under the plastic curved panel is a slot for a SIM card. Next to it is a microSD card slot. Both are battery locked. You can't change the card quickly.
Screen
The display diagonal is 4.2 inches, up to 16 million colors are displayed at a resolution of 480x854 pixels. The response is excellent, thanks to the large diagonal, it is convenient to control the device, pressing is error-free. The proximity sensor turns off the screen when the phone approaches your face during a call.
Thanks to the built-in accelerometer, when you turn the phone on its side, the picture on the screen changes its orientation from vertical to horizontal. There is no auto brightness function. The backlight level is set manually. However, if you set the brightness to half or less, you will notice that as the lighting conditions change, the brightness of the screen also varies. This is an unexpected fact.
The Xperia Arc S uses Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine feature, familiar from the company's TVs. Its peculiarity lies in the fact that when this function is activated (it can be disabled in the menu), the contrast and sharpness of the image increase. The picture is bright, the colors are juicy, natural.
The smartphone does not have an air gap between the glass and the matrix (“No Air Gap” function, like Sony TVs Bravia Monolith). The advantage is that the overall thickness of the hull is reduced due to compact screen. In addition, the brightness of the screen is increased. The technology behind the display is called Reality Display, this is a significant step forward compared to, the difference with the previous generation is very noticeable. The ideology of the Japanese world is such that priority is given to natural, natural colors, in contrast to Korean companies, which are dominated by an excessively bright, but at the same time unnatural image.
The display is covered with fiberglass, it should serve as a reliable protection against scratches and scuffs. Also, initially a protective film was glued on the screen, it is practically invisible and can serve as an additional tool to preserve the original appearance.
Behavior in the sun is no different from other smartphones. It is better to set the brightness to the maximum value, otherwise the information will be unreadable. Marked front surface is found in all such devices.
Interestingly, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S uses a brighter display than the Xperia Arc. In direct comparison with there is no significant difference in this parameter. In addition, I give pictures next to. Complaints are only about the viewing angles of the novelty, here Sony Ericson is unable to compete with the Korean flagship, where the colors are practically not distorted. At the top is the Samsung Galaxy S II, then the HTC Titan, then the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S.
Platform
The smartphone is running operating system Android 2.3.4 Gingerbread, installed Qualcomm MSM8255 processor with a frequency of 1.4 GHz. There is 512 MB of RAM, as well as about 300 MB for the needs of the user. It is stated that the processing of media data takes 25% less time, and web pages load 20% faster. The Xperia Arc S has a microSD card slot. The device comes with an 8 GB card.
Menu
The company abandoned the Mediascape application, which received mixed reviews from users. But here there is Timescape and a new proprietary shell. At the top of the screen is a service line, which displays the time, battery charge, signal reception level indicator. Active connections and other data are also displayed there. By clicking on it, you can learn more about what programs have been downloaded, what messages and letters have been received, or what files have been received via Bluetooth.
As a design element, you can use both pre-installed images or wallpapers from Sony Ericsson, as well as your favorite pictures. There are now seven colorful menu themes available. In addition, shortcuts and folders are placed on the desktop. For the folder, you can choose one of eight design options, give it a name. Icons are added by dragging them from the phone menu directly into this area.
Of course, there are widgets here, they can also be added to the desktop. There can be five such screens, their number does not change. At the same time, an interesting function works: you can swipe with two fingers from diagonally opposite corners, all desktops will decrease and be displayed on one screen. Available themes that change color scheme menu.
Movement between zones is fast, without any hint of sluggishness. There are 5 icons at the bottom of the screen. These are multimedia, messages, menu entry, contacts and dialing. If you click on media, an additional menu will pop up with those applications that are in this category.
The application manager is activated by the Home button. It displays 8 programs and in essence it is not the usual task manager. As you know, Android closes applications on its own, guided by the amount of free RAM.
When the screen is locked, the display shows the date and time. To unlock the screen, you need to slide your finger along from left to right. If you do it the other way around, it turns on silent mode, as indicated by an additional icon.
The smartphone menu consists of several work areas, initially there are three of them. If you install additional applications, then over time there will be more such areas. There are 16 icons on the screen. translucent background, under which you can see the wallpaper set on the main screen. Icons can be arranged as it is convenient for the user. There is also sorting by several criteria: alphabetically, frequently used, recently installed. Other application menus are made in blue tones, here you can trace related features with others Sony models Ericsson.
Phone book
The smartphone has a handy 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 to the memory card, the data can be restored later. The display order of the data cannot be changed. The first name comes first, then the last name.
When you create a new contact, a lot of fields are created. These are different types phone numbers, email addresses, quick communication tools (AIM, ICQ, Gtalk, Skype and others), residential addresses and others (nickname, note, internet call).
The smartphone has a list of alphabetic characters located on the right side of the screen. If you press your finger on this line and drag it down or up, then a letter pops up on the screen - a kind of quick search, which helps in cases where there are several hundred or even thousands of contacts on the phone. The search by the first letters of the contact name works for both language layouts.
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 place for the icon with the contact photo, after which you can call, send a message via SMS or e-mail, see the data in Facebook.
Call log
Straight from phone book you can access the call log, it is highlighted in a separate tab. There is a single list of dialed numbers, received and missed calls, for clarity they are marked with icons different color. By clicking on the line, you can remove the number from the call log, add it to a contact, or perform some other actions. Selecting a number from the list will display detailed information about the call.
Viewing the history of calls, you can not only make telephone conversation with the selected subscriber, but also send him an SMS or an e-mail from this list without going to another menu. Dialing a number is carried out using a convenient virtual keyboard. The smartphone does not know how to automatically substitute numbers based on the order of the entered numbers. During a call, the picture assigned to the user is stretched to full screen.
Messages
For SMS and MMS there is a shared folder where received messages go. When sending, by adding various objects to the SMS, you can automatically convert it to MMS. Messages are grouped by recipients in the conversation feed. When dialing a subscriber's number, the phone displays a list of matching numbers in alternating digits.
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 (and not only in the messages themselves, but you can also add it to a document or to email). For navigation, a convenient cursor is used, which helps to correct typos, highlight the necessary sections of text. In addition, you can use the arrow buttons.
Predictive text input is available when word correction and auto-completion systems help you type text, allowing you not to waste time correcting errors. Possible word options are shown as a separate line above the keyboard. Copying and pasting fragments is supported.
To work with e-mail starts auto tuning mailbox(unless it's Gmail, connecting immediately after the email address would have been entered during the initial activation of the phone). It includes entering basic information (login, password). The phone perfectly understands various encodings, supports downloading attachments (you need to insert a memory card, otherwise this function will not work) of familiar formats.
When creating a letter, you can also attach various files from the device's memory to it. The function of copying text and automatic checking of the mailbox also works (the interval is set manually). The device simultaneously runs two applications - Gmail and E-mail. The only difference between them is that in the first one, mail comes only from the gmail.com server, while the second application works with any mail storages. You can create multiple accounts for e-mail, and each of them has its own color. This is convenient, because you can view mail for each mailbox separately, and displays messages from all accounts into one. Works sorting mail by date, subject, sender and size.
Camera
The smartphone uses an 8-megapixel module with autofocus and LED flash.
To launch the camera, a dedicated key on the side of the smartphone is used. By holding it for a few seconds, the shooting mode starts, this can be done from any application, it is not necessary to go to the main menu. I liked the high speed of launching the camera, as well as the very fast saving of pictures.
The interface is designed not only for landscape, but also for portrait mode. Help icons are displayed on the screen to help you set up shooting modes and conditions. 5 small icons are displayed on the side - the phone shows the latest received frames. Pulling the icons to the side opens a gallery of images taken.
Various options are available:
Image Capture Mode: Normal, Scene Detection, Smile Detection, Panorama, 3D Panorama.
Photo size: 8M (3264x2448), 6M (3264x1836), 2M 4:3 (1632x1224) or 16:9 (1920x1080 pixels).
Shooting Conditions: Normal, Portrait, Landscape, Night Scene, Night Portrait, Beach & Snow, Sports, Party, Document.
Touch Capture: Enable, Disable (This function allows you to take a photo without pressing the camera key, just touch the screen).
Flash: auto, off, fill, red-eye reduction.
Timer: 2, 10 seconds.
exposure number.
Image stabilizer.
Geotags.
Shutter sound: There are 3 sounds to choose from, you can also turn it off.
White balance: auto, room lighting, fluorescent, daylight, cloudy.
Measurement: center, middle level, point.
Focus: Single AF, Multi-AF, Macro, Face Detection, Infinity, Touch Focus.
The quality of the pictures remains the same. You can see the same need for manual exposure correction, eliminating the phone's tendency to create overly bright shots.
![]() Gallery Photos and videos stored in the smartphone's memory are shown here. The gallery works in both vertical and landscape orientations. Working with files is accompanied by nice animation effects. Image previews are generated without delay. Pictures are displayed in a 2x3 or 3x2 grid, depending on the position of the device. In the thumbnail folders smaller, thanks to which not 3, but 4 pictures are placed vertically. The image opens in full screen, scaling works with multitouch. 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. Rotation of images, reduction of their size is supported, as well as additional information about a specific file is displayed, the place where the picture was taken is also shown if geotagging is working. Images are shown both in folders (for example, received via Bluetooth, section with photos), and ordered by date. Thanks to this, it is very convenient to view photos - several sections are obtained in the same folder. You can scroll through either using the strip displayed at the bottom of the screen, or by simply touching the screen with your fingers anywhere in it. The video is played from the gallery, where a separate folder is allocated for the videos. Nothing special can be said about the phone here. There is no support for DivX and XviD codecs in the smartphone, respectively, the ability to play video out of the box is rather modest. 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, e-mail. Displayed data is configured, unnecessary can be hidden. The update is also installed: manually or automatically. Additional applications are installed from the market. So, 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, as well as the source from where the message came from are written. The ability to customize the background has disappeared, now it is a permanent blue color. The list scrolls very quickly, without a hint of delay. In general, the thing is beautiful and interesting, the main drawback is associated with not very beautiful design- if the author of the message has an avatar, then this image will be displayed stretched to the full width of the transparent panel. Player To listen to music, you can select tracks sorted into several categories: artist, album, tracks, lists. In the latter case, there are automatic playlists (recently added, popular tracks, never played), and manual listening lists are also created. From the music list, you can add songs to a playlist or send them via MMS, Bluetooth, or email. The screen displays the name of the artist, the name of the album and the song being played. In the music playback mode, the album cover is displayed (if it was assigned earlier), there are playback control buttons on the screen. If desired, the song is set as a ringtone. In addition, you can mark the song you like and publish information on Facebook. Equalizer settings available. These presets are: Normal, Classical, Dance, Flat, Folk, Heavy Metal, Hip Hop, Jazz, Pop, Rock. Manual settings no. Mixing mode is provided. While listening to music, you can find Additional information about the artist using tools from Google. The xLOUD function allows you to get very loud sound from the speaker. It is easy to notice the difference, this option allows you to hear your phone in any, even a very noisy place. The sound quality for the Android segment is very good. There is a sufficient volume margin, the mids are well developed, and the lower range is not bad either. lovers deep bass can try to play with the equalizer, which will help change the sound image, albeit not without some distortion. Radio The smartphone has a radio receiver that has the function automatic search stations, you can switch input and manually. You can also save several dozen frequencies in the phone's memory. You can easily switch between your favorite stations by clicking on a small icon that will automatically move between saved waves. While listening to the radio, you can record a snippet of a song, identify track information using Track ID, and post the information to Facebook. TrackID allows you to identify the melody sounding on the radio in your smartphone or somewhere nearby. Not only the song title will be displayed, but also the album title, artist name and cover art. Organizer The calendar in the device is made in a traditional style, the display of information for a whole month, a week or a specific day is configured. You can customize the type and alert tone for recorded events and appointments. There is a separation of information by storage location, each option has its own color label. By creating new record, it is given a name, a period, a place. It is indicated with which of the calendars it will be synchronized, you can send invitations to contacts from the notebook. The repeat period is set (every day, weekly, monthly, yearly). A reminder will help you not to lose sight of the recording - the signal will work in advance. Alarm The smartphone allows you to save several alarms in memory. The repetition is set both for 1 time and for every day, only on weekdays or weekly. You can also set specific days. The melody of the signal is set, you can add a vibrating alert and a text file to it. Sets the period for the re-triggering of the signal. The phone screen can display the weather forecast, date and time in large characters. Subsequently, the screensaver mode is activated. The calculator works in both portrait and landscape orientations. The Android Market will be a useful source for installing new applications. There is a convenient search function, as well as dividing programs into categories, which greatly simplifies browsing. You can look at the reviews, evaluate the rating and express your opinion about the software. Each application comes with brief description and pictures for more clarity. Purchased applications are displayed in a separate list, which is convenient: if it was purchased new phone, you can immediately install those programs that were previously purchased. Standard for most modern devices the application allows you to view videos, search among them. The application runs in full screen mode. built-in Office version Suite can work with Word files, Excel, PDF, PowerPoint. At the same time, it includes the ability to not only view, but also edit documents of these types. Weather forecast and news are useful every day. The Facebook application will allow you to communicate in the network of the same name directly from your mobile device. Let's golf is a beautiful game from Gameloft. Traffic consumption can be not only controlled, but also limited by a separate application. Google search works not only among the data in the device itself, but also through the worldwide search network. Browser Used for internet surfing handy application. A navigation bar is displayed at the top of the screen, to the right of it there is a shortcut that allows you to bookmark the page. The phone remembers the most visited pages, there is a log of pages viewed. Multi-window support, search for words on the page, text selection, as well as a practical function for changing the brightness of the screen directly from the browser. Thanks to multi-touch, pages are easily scaled (virtual keys also work to change the size of the displayed one). The font size changes, password saving works, flash is supported. Excellent scrolling speed allows you to comfortably use your smartphone to view WEB pages. GPS navigation Used for navigation Google Maps- standard software for all Android backgrounds. There is also a Wisepilot app. The only drawback is that both programs require constant network activity, which affects the amount of traffic consumed by the device. Traffic jams are displayed, thus, the application has become full-featured and convenient not only for pedestrians, but also for car owners. There is a function of determining the current location, calculating the route from the start to the end point, and the method of movement is set: by car, on foot or public transport. The route is laid on the map, while key places are indicated in the form text messages, which are displayed on the screen as a column, you can switch between them: view the route in advance or vice versa, go back and lay a different path. Scaling works using multitouch or virtual buttons. Connections The smartphone operates in the GSM 850/900/1800/1900 and UMTS 900/1700/2100 bands. There is Bluetooth 2.1 with support for EDR and A2DP, in addition to support for other common profiles. Wi-FI b\g\n work is implemented at the usual level. The smartphone remembers the entered passwords for networks, can automatically connect to them, being within their range. The device can work as an access point, serve as a source for Internet access for other devices. Using the microUSB connector allows you to connect your phone to a computer to synchronize and recharge the battery. The presence of a microHDMI slot allows you to connect your smartphone to various external sources (TV or monitor) and broadcast media content from the device to them. Working hours A lithium-polymer battery with a capacity of 1500 mAh is installed. Official data on the operating time are as follows: up to 7.25 hours of talk time, up to 460 hours of battery life in standby mode, up to 37 hours of music listening. In the continuous video playback mode at maximum brightness, the device worked for 4 hours and 40 minutes. Conclusion There can be no complaints about the volume of the speaker, as in many other models of the company, the xLOUD option works here. With its help, the call is perfectly audible. The vibration signal is average, not always felt. Talking on the phone is pleasant, there is enough stock. As you can see from the description, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is actually a complete copy of a six-month-old model. In practice, changes in the processor frequency are somehow not distinguished. The phone works quickly, although it cannot compete with the dual-core Samsung i9100 Galaxy S II, which is still the leader in its class. I liked that they changed the screen, now there are no problems with the margin of brightness, in the first generation it did not differ in particular richness of colors. Alas, the quality of the photo has not improved, during this time it would be possible to change at least something. In the end, it turns out that the company has slightly updated its flagship model. Although this is not a total improvement, there are still some positive changes. The model costs a little more. The recommended retail price is 22,000 rubles, while the Xperia Arc costs a couple of thousand less. "Gray" models are even more attractive and noticeably more affordable. Competitors can be considered and, which offer similar screen sizes, are close in function. Smartphone from Sony Ericsson impresses primarily with its design. It stands out, looks great, I really liked the modification in white. It is pleasant to consider it as a kind of fashion device, but with good functionality.
© Alexander Pobyvanets, Test Lab |