MWC: more S-E Xperia X1 info & photos

By Werner Ruotsalainen, Submitted Monday, February 11, 2008

Topics:

Generic hardware

As you all may already know, so far at MWC, hardware-wise, the multimedia- and gaming-friendly, high-resolution Sony-Ericsson Xperia X1 has generated the biggest stir. A lot of folks all over Windows Mobile forums have started discussing the new device. Many even called it the HTC Kaiser / AT&T Tilt-killer. Which isn’t far from the truth – if Sony-Ericsson indeed manages to deliver a PDA that delivers excellent multimedia / gaming performance (too), then, this model may be the most popular Windows Mobile device of the day.

I had the chance to speak to the Sony-Ericsson people today evening. They will release the new device the second half of this year. Currently, their device was truly just a demo device with a very-very unstable Windows Mobile version; therefore, they didn’t really show any of the niceties (for example, the built-in programs), just the main launcher screen.

The camera of the X1 is pretty low-specced – they’re in no way a close match to that of the Nokia N95 / N82. On the other hand, the other parts of the design are far better than those of, say, the new Toshiba G920 I’ve reported on in the previous part.

Physically, the device is really tiny (also meaning the WVGA screen is only 3" ), which can clearly be seen in my following comparative shots:

With the sliding keyboard opened:

(note that the HTC Universal had an extended battery; hence the thickness.)

Compared to a “dumb” S-E "walkman" phone:

Hardware specification-wise, they haven’t told me anything not present in the leaflet. The latter also contains the currently known configuration. When I’ve asked them about the 3D acceleration, they have stated they try to implement it, but nothing is for sure. (Read: it’s in no way guaranteed the device will have hardware 3D acceleration – that is, the official spec may not become fully implemented.)

A quick note: I'll continue writing about what booths I've visited, what I've seen etc. tomorrow. Not, it's very late in here (12:39AM) and I need to wake up very early.

Submitted by Ben Stanley on February 11, 2008 - 8:22pm.

Werner, any sign of mobile Linux there?

Thanks,

Ben

Submitted by Werner Ruotsalainen on February 11, 2008 - 11:05pm.

Ben, I'll post more information on the Core Solo-based new mobile device from Clarion this evening (hopefully I get home a bit earlier today - not at 11:30 PM - so that I can write a bit more). This is a full Linux device able to run all desktop-compliant software (unlike, for example, Nokia's Internet tablets). I'll also report on the mobile Linux front.

Corleno, the Sony people didn't provide me with the device - they only let me make comparative photos of it. Today, I'll try to be a bit more self-assertive because, in the meantime, I've run into Engadget's article, who did get it for a quick loan.

Submitted by Tariq Bamadhaj on February 12, 2008 - 9:42am.

Wow the device really looks nice. It would be really funny if this becomes the top seller because SonyEricsson just joined the Windows Mobile world.

Submitted by Werner Ruotsalainen on February 12, 2008 - 2:07pm.

Tariq, yup, it really looks nice and is pretty slim. I'll soon post some additional shots - even ones with the device switched on.

Corleno, in the meantime, I've given it a more thorough test. I didn't find the thumbboard so good as that of the Universal (or Kaiser) but it's still pretty passable. The device is styluus-based, it's only Sony's home screen that can also be operated by fingers.