Upside
Similar to Nokia's N96, the X1 has a spec sheet as long as your arm, though this is where the comparisons should end. With 16GB of storage the N96 is positioned for media playback. On the other hand, the X1 is all about super stylish business functionality, and from what we've seen so far, it meets the style factor with aplomb.
The X1 features a three-inch touch-sensitive WVGA (800x480) screen framed in a piano black finish. It's also a slider, with a full QWERTY keypad under the display. The highlight of the handset's input is "Xperia panels"; nine colourful menu shortcut thumbnails displayed on the home screen. The X1 also sports an optical joystick, like a mini version of a trackpad found on a laptop. This should make for a better Web browsing experience than on most PDA-phones with directional pad input.
Under the bonnet is all the major modes of popular mobile connectivity including HSPA (uplink and downlink), Wi-Fi (802.11 b/g) and Bluetooth including the A2DP stereo protocol. Unlike many Sony Ericsson handsets the X1 supports MicroSD memory expansion, rather than the Sony patented Memory Stick Duo readers we usually find.
The real highlight is the apparent employment of the long-awaited Windows Mobile version 6.1. In our opinion, the WM OS has needed an overhaul for a while, with a focus on making access to menus and settings more intuitive. Here's hoping we get a much greater improvement to the WM platform than the ".1" seems to suggest.
Downside
With all the tech packed into the X1 it's difficult to see where the handset might fall short as a business-centric device. There are two key areas we'll be keeping our eye on, both relating to our previous experience with Windows Mobile handsets.
The first is performance. The secret behind the user experience of the iPhone is its powerful 600MHz processor which makes using the interface as smooth and impressive as we know it is. Current versions of Windows Mobile require a lot of processing and most of the devices we've reviewed suffer noticeable processing lag. For the X1 to be a real winner its 528MHz processor has to have the necessary grunt to make the experience of using this smartphone fast and fluid.
Secondly, is battery life. Window's Mobile phones available today have been struggling with short battery cycles, most needing to be charged at the end of each day. With HSPA, Wi-Fi, Windows Mobile, as well as assisted GPS and multimedia playback, we suspect Sony Ericsson will have its work cut out making sure the X1 has enough gas in the tank.
Outlook
We've been talking iPhone killers for the last 18 months, crossing less impressive phones off our lists as each came and went without making a dent on the Australian mobile landscape. Sony Ericsson's Xperia X1 stands a chance to change all of that; forget a dent on the landscape, the X1 looks set to leave a meteoric crater. If the X1 can live up to the hype we'll be asking if the next generation of iPhone is the X1 killer.
Arch Ange156
01/07/2008, 09:30 PM
rating
9/10
Cant wait till it comes out in Australia. Anyone know an actual release date??
Pros: Look very stylish and has everything i could want in a phone
Cons: Could of made the camera a bit better, at least 5 mega pixels.
Report offensive comment
xREVENTONx
23/06/2008, 10:40 PM
rating
9/10
Love the features, Love the look & Design
Pros: Candy Bar & Slider in one !
Touch Screen with Windows Mobile, No Symbian OS here!
Cons: 3.2 Megapixel Camera, No Flash
Lacks GPS
Report offensive comment
Erin
19/06/2008, 07:59 AM
rating
8/10
When is this phone coming out? I keep hearing different release times!!
Report offensive comment
Merlin
16/06/2008, 06:15 PM
rating
10/10
looks to good to be true
Pros: Its not Nokia
Cons: Maybe slow
Report offensive comment
yamum
08/06/2008, 04:09 PM
rating
8/10
I really like the fact that practically everything is included but coming from a p910i, which is at my weight/bulk limit I don't think I can go this model.
I'll wait for the hybrid touch/numeric key candy bar version.
Still, way better than the p990 etc and great for those who don't mind bigger phones or swapping handsets for different things, eg using this for work throughout the day.
Pros: Like the article says:
Hamburger w/ the lot
Cons: Bulky (but that's par for the course with qwerty sliders)
Report offensive comment
Ken
19/05/2008, 02:15 PM
rating
8/10
Not a phone/PDA for old farts (with aging eyes).
Pros: Swiss army knife gadget, unless crippled by the networks.
Cons: The screen is too small. The high resolution will make processing slower, while not adding to readability.
Report offensive comment
Andrew
13/05/2008, 08:28 PM
rating
9/10
I currently own the P910 nad previously the P900. Both of these phones are and were excellent with little cons. After looking at the XPERIA™ X1 on a number of websites, it seems excellent and will probably be my next phone. I use most of the P910 functions in my personal life, business life and part-time military career. As a consequence many of my peers now own these phones. It is assumed that if I purchase this phone and love it like I have the other Sony Ericssons, my peers will follow suit. Really like the GPS function as it would really assist with my military and business travelling around the globe.
Pros: ALL looks good!
Cons: A few sceptics on the processing speed. I don't mind waiting a few extra seconds if the phone has most of the functions that I need. Battery life is fairly important and a second battery may be required especially in more remote places where charging is limited.
Report offensive comment
Farshid
09/05/2008, 03:16 AM
rating
10/10
I'm really looking forward to know the release date and the price. Already saving for it. Anyone knows when it will be available in Australia?
I really prefer this phone to an iPhone.
You can actually watch some reviews of this X1 on YOUTUBE.
Pros: Stylish, high build quality.
Cons: Can't think of one.
Report offensive comment
AW
01/05/2008, 02:42 PM
rating
9/10
I have every faith that Sony will have no problem in maintaining its domminance over every other make off phone when it comes to Battery life on this x1. I have had roughly 9 or 10 sony ericssons now and have never had an issue with the battery. I understand that the Windows Mobile client will eat juice lik eno tomorrow but surly Sony will not release this kind of phone (iPhone`s Rival) without haveong the i`s dotted and the t`s crossed? Im looking forwar dto getting my hands on this phone.. Please please please, can anyone tell me when this x1 will be released in Australia?
Pros: The dogs for a phone. I like its slimness and touch-screen.
Cons: Not sure yet.. I hope the processor will handle Windows Mobile 6.1. Please god let it!
Report offensive comment
hotshot
30/04/2008, 01:56 PM
rating
5/10
its ok, nothing crash hot.
Pros: sleek look
Cons: the slide of the phone will wear out
Report offensive comment