Sony Xperia s lt26i. Review and testing of Sony Xperia S

New flagship with new features

However, the Sony Xperia S model itself was announced even earlier, at the beginning of the year, during the CES 2012 exhibition. And now, finally, the final sample is in our editorial office: we meet and test new flagship Sony Mobile (formerly Sony Ericsson), which will remain so for quite a long time - until the fall for sure.

In the field of production mobile devices At Sony now everything is unusual and new. It all started with the “breakup” of the Sony Ericsson brand, from which at the beginning of this year only “Sony” remained. The division of the Japanese company that develops phones and players is now called Sony Mobile - and, we hope, it will soon also deal with tablets with readers, which are still under the control of “big” Sony.

Further, new line or, more precisely, New episode NXT in the Xperia line is the “Next generation”, new generation, as the company itself says. It is clear that this is an emphasis on the turning point in the life of the company's mobile division after the breakup: new brand, new design, new policy. From the old one - only the logo: an unshakable circle remains on all devices and does not change a bit.

From the global tops, all this novelty is transmitted below - to the devices themselves, their positioning, appearance and even packaging. Sony Xperia S comes in a cardboard box of an unusual format: flat and wide, it is not at all similar to the narrow parallelepipeds of Nokia and HTC, for which they are new packaging is a copy of an iPhone box.

From this package comes a flat black box with many opening compartments - even though it is made of cardboard. True, the compartments themselves are not so dense: a charger with a USB input, a USB-micro-USB cable, hdmi cable and a wired stereo headset with in-ear headphones. The equipment, at first glance, is not rich, but even here everything “breathes” with novelty - even if it is not striking, then the thoughtfulness in the development process is certainly noticeable. It turns out that the new high-power power supply is capable of charging a phone battery much faster than its predecessors, and this also has a certain turning point: after all, smartphones, which have grown in inches and are crammed with gigahertz, have a very short lifespan for a long time, and in terms of batteries and their charging there is nothing global does not change. But with the new one charger literally a ten-minute recharge is enough to extend a smartphone conversation for an entire hour, and this is truly an innovation. Not a breakthrough, of course, but the main thing is that the care and effort of the developers to create at least something new is visible, and this little thing is really pleasing.

Characteristics

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260, CPU 1.5 GHz, dual cores
• GPU Adreno 220
• Operating system Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread
• TN type LCD touch display, 4.3 inches diagonal, 720×1280 pixels, capacitive
• RAM 1 GB, flash memory 32 GB (25.8 GB available)
• GSM communication 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, GPRS/EDGE
• Communication 3G UMTS HSPA 850, 900, 1900, 2100 MHz
• Bluetooth v2.1 EDR
• Wi-Fi 802.11b/g/n, DLNA, Wi-Fi Hotspot
• TV-Out
• GPS, AGPS
• FM radio
• Camera 12 MP, autofocus, LED flash
• Lithium-ion battery 1750 mAh
• Dimensions 128x64x10.6 mm
• Weight 144 g

Design

New design... It turns out that you only need a little to become completely different from others. And although the new design of the Sony Xperia S (as, in fact, the P and U models) has common features with previous Sony Ericsson models, especially in terms of the curved back, however, due to new materials, which the developers themselves call a new generation of soft touch, the devices look completely different. And they certainly don’t look like Apple or Samsung products, with which users of numerous forums usually compare any new product. No, everything here is our own, our own, not copying anyone.

As for that very “new” soft touch, its innovation is not only less velvety and more similar to the blued steel of a weapon, but also certain protective properties: during the demonstration of the device, the organizers literally draw on its surface with a ballpoint pen, and then playfully erase . This looks especially impressive on the white body of the Sony Xperia S. Color variations The new flagship, by the way, has only two: black and white, and both look equally interesting. Black, as already noted, resembles blued steel, even though it is plastic. White is certainly softer, but the chopped features of the new design prevent even the white version from being called feminine. It will look quite appropriate in men's hands.

Despite the large screen size - 4.3 inches, the communicator fits quite comfortably in the hand. The dimensions are large, but not so large as to become a burden on the palm. The weight of the device is too large for wearing in the breast pocket of a shirt, but it is quite suitable for other clothes, and the good quality of assembly of all the parts means that there is no need to be too careful with it. Of course, you shouldn’t put the Sony Xperia S in the back pocket of your jeans, but it would be blasphemy to cover such an interesting-looking device.

Most of the front surface area is occupied by the screen covered protective glass. Above it there is a slot for the auditory speaker and sensor eyes and front camera. Here, under the glass, there is an LED hidden, notifying about certain events - for example, charging the phone. I didn't like the speaker gap: it is not covered by any grille, has sharp edges and is unpleasantly rough when in contact with the ear. In addition, dust accumulates in this gap over time. A nice grille would definitely not hurt here. Above the speaker hole is the inscription “Sony” - now there is only one, without “Ericsson”.

The most unpleasant design feature is located under the screen, at the bottom of the case. Here the monolith of the body is unexpectedly intersected by a completely transparent strip of plastic, on which pictograms indicating the buttons are applied. But this is not what’s unpleasant, but the fact that when you click on these icons, nothing happens. The sensors themselves (damn them!) are hidden under tiny, barely noticeable dots placed above this strip. Many friends who had the chance to touch the Sony Xperia S for the first time unanimously report erroneous clicks and curse the developers. We also encountered multiple erroneous clicks in the first days of using the device. Then, of course, we got used to it, but the residue, as they say, remained. By the way, below this transparent strip there remains a small fragment of the surface that is not covered by the protective glass. This lower part of the body looks like a separate cover and, in fact, it is such in another model - Sony Xperia U. In addition to the main one, that one is expected to have as many as three multi-colored replacement covers.

But in the case of the Sony Xperia S, this is not at all the case: the lower fragment, with the “Xperia” inscription printed on it, is rigidly linked to the rest of the body, and in it, at its lower end, there is even a hole made for attaching a strap - convenient, but, Unfortunately, this is a rarely used feature in modern smartphones.

The remaining three edges are scattered with control elements and connectors covered with plastic covers: micro-USB on the left, micro-HDMI and volume rocker on the right, and on top there is a 3.5 mm audio input for headphones. There is also a power key there.

But I was pleased with the separate button for activating the camera on the right side: its presence is a rarity for modern Android smartphones. The keys themselves are small, their travel is short, and the location of everything except the photo button is completely inconvenient for a left-handed person. For some reason, the power key suddenly “moved” to the very left edge of the top end, where it can only be reached using the second hand. “Volume” is a little better, but for some reason it was moved to the very middle, where the grip is usually the tightest. Developer Initiative in in this case turned out to be punishable: everything had already been invented a long time ago, and there was no point in spoiling one’s karma once again.

The back plastic cover is remarkable: it is exactly a cover, the size of the entire surface of a smartphone, but only a SIM card slot is hidden under it, and nothing else. The battery here is non-removable, and the slot could be on the side, like other smartphones. It is not clear why there was any need to be clever with this cover, weakening the overall rigidity of the structure. By the way, the SIM card here, in accordance with new fashion trends, is used in micro format, and this is an alarm bell. This means that the quiet life is over, and users will very soon find themselves divided into two camps whose SIM cards do not fit each other. Now no one is confident that he will be able, if necessary, to use a friend’s phone or an old spare one gathering dust in his bag. Nowadays, not everyone can move a card from their own phone to a tablet. When moving to near and far abroad, it is also not a fact that you will be able to immediately buy a micro-SIM on a tray from a local operator - checked. Someday all mobile phones will work with microformat cards, but this transition process, like the recent transition of all proprietary connectors to single standard micro-USB will be a pain for some. The modern SIM card wasn't big enough to shrink it even further.

As a result, the overall impression of using the Sony Xperia S was ambiguous: on the one hand, there are high-quality materials and high-quality assembly, interesting, unconventional design and comfortable, well-thought-out dimensions. But, on the other hand, the inconvenient location of the buttons and the dubious usefulness of some innovations do not allow us to give the new flagship a solid “A” for its exterior.

Screen

The screen in the Sony Xperia S is a regular liquid crystal TFT TN matrix, but with an HD resolution of 720x1280, physical dimensions of 95x54 mm and a diagonal of 4.3 inches. With such a high resolution in the given physical dimensions, the picture turns out to be quite clear and smooth; naturally, you won’t notice any graininess - the pixel density in this screen is extremely high. 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 colors on this screen, of course, look more realistic than on acidic AMOLEDs, but the picture seems to lack saturation and looks slightly velvety. This may be because the display is not bright enough, even at maximum level. By the way, there is no automatic brightness adjustment in the settings, only manual. The outside of the screen is covered with protective mineral glass that is scratch-resistant. The screen responds sensitively to finger touches; no erroneous clicks were noticed.

Sound

The sound of the external speaker was not particularly pleasing: it is loud, but mostly high frequencies, no bass. However, it does not choke at the maximum volume level, remains clean and perfectly functions as an alert for an incoming call - you won’t miss a call even on the street. In addition, the sound here is processed using proprietary xLoud technology. This technology developed by Sony does not affect the sound quality in any way, but serves to enhance the volume of the main speaker. To ensure that the table surface does not interfere with the propagation of sound, there is a small protrusion on the back cover that raises the speaker hole above the surface.

But the sound of the media player in the headphones, including the included ones, was quite satisfactory: the sound was loud and clear, and low frequencies were present. Sony Xperia S can definitely be used as an audio player, especially since there are a lot of settings, including an equalizer with ten preset values ​​to choose from (you can set your own).

Camera

The device has two cameras: the front one, for video communication, and the main one, with automatic focusing and LED backlight. The matrix resolution of the front module is 1.3 megapixels, the camera is quite suitable for video conferencing and for using the screen as a mirror.

The main camera module is more interesting: the 12-megapixel camera (f/2.4 aperture) is equipped with a Sony Exmor R CMOS matrix and produces images of very decent quality. The maximum size of photos when shooting with default settings (9 MP, 16:9) is 4000×2250, and when switched to shooting mode 4:3, 12 MP - 4000×3000. The quality and clarity of photographs in original resolution can be assessed by clicking on the thumbnails. An interesting observation: in the first picture, when enlarged, you can even see the numbers on the car’s license plate, which looks tiny against the general background.

Thanks to the opportunity auto focus, text removed from paper or a monitor screen remains perfectly readable.

During the demonstration of the Sony Xperia S, company representatives emphasize the shooting speed of the new communicator's camera. Indeed, literally 1.5 seconds pass from pressing a key to taking a picture, even when the screen is locked. That is, with the Sony Xperia S you don’t need to select anything from the menu if you need to take an urgent photo on the go - just take out the phone and hold down the camera button. By the way, in the settings you can change the assignment of this button to the function of turning on the camera without taking a frame, for example.

The module can also shoot video in Full resolution HD (1920x1080) and take panoramic photos. You can evaluate the quality of video shooting using the example of a 10-second video (MP4, 1920×1080, 17 MB). An example photo is in front of you. The quality and resolution are not great, but overall the feature looks attractive.

Software

Sony Xperia S runs a familiar version of the operating system Android systems 2.3.7 (Gingerbread), but this model has already been promised an update to version 4.0 in the second quarter of this year. It also has its own software shell, which slightly changes and complements the standard one. Android interface, but not much. Five at a time home screens The desktop is scattered with proprietary widgets (like the weather), the general internal list of programs can be sorted by several parameters, and when you turn it on for the first time, the proprietary application offers to configure the smartphone.

Another interesting feature: using software Media applications Remote this smartphone can serve as a remote control for controlling Sony equipment, and this is just part of the ecosystem that the company is creating. During the recent exhibition in Barcelona, ​​the Sony Mobile stand demonstrated various ways of interaction between smartphones, tablets and Sony TVs, turning these bundles either into multimedia combines or into game consoles. For example, the communicator is equipped with an HDMI port and can be connected to a TV using a cable, turning into a multimedia center. The mentioned Media Remote program does not require a cable at all; it works via wireless network and allows you to control other devices connected to this network, such as Sony players or Bravia TVs.

Also, the Sony Xperia S is PlayStation certified, which turns it into a full-fledged portable gaming console with the ability to download and play compatible games from the PlayStation Store. These are mainly games for the first PS One console, adapted for smartphones, or new games specially written for them.

Performance

The Sony Xperia S hardware platform (model LT26i) is built on a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 single-chip system with a central processor based on ARMv7 architecture, which contains two cores operating at a frequency of 1.5 GHz. Besides central processor, there is an Adreno 220 graphics coprocessor. All this power is served by 1 GB random access memory. There is 32 GB of flash memory on board, and it cannot be expanded with memory cards due to the lack of a slot for them.

In Quadrant Standard, the communicator confidently overtook another owner of an HD screen - Samsung Galaxy Nexus, and according to the results of the comprehensive AnTuTu Benchmark, both flagships are almost equal, but the Galaxy Nexus is slightly ahead (6260 points versus 6146).

In terms of graphics performance in NenaMark2 (v2.2), the Sony Xperia S is again ahead: 37.5 fps versus 24.7 fps for the Samsung Galaxy Nexus.

In respect of battery life Sony Xperia S cannot and should not shock with records. If you're lucky, it will last until the middle of the next day, but it's better to charge every evening. This, naturally, applies to a normal workload mode, when both the Wi-Fi module is turned on and GPRS is not turned off, plus several telephone conversations and SMS, a little surfing the Internet and listening to music. The operating time will be greatly reduced if you use GPS navigation or watch a movie. Continuous listening to music on headphones lasted about 23 hours, and watching a movie in an AVI container with a resolution of 720p drained the battery in 5 hours.

Bottom line

When comparing with competitors - with those models that today claim to be flagships - it is worth considering that Sony Xperia S is a flagship new season, which “shot” the first of the new products. Now the smartphone is already available for pre-order in Sony Stores at a price of 24,990 rubles. But the rest of the top new products have not yet reached the shelves, so the summary table now includes the flagships of last season, which will soon be replaced.

	Sony Xperia S	Galaxy Nexus i9250	Samsung Galaxy S II	HTC Titan
Screen (size in inches, matrix type, resolution)	4.3″, LCD TFT TN, 720×1280	4.65″, Super AMOLED HD PenTile, 720×1280	4.3″, Super AMOLED Plus, 480×800	4.7″, S-LCD, 480×800
SoC	Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8260 @1.5 GHz (2 cores, Scorpion)	TI OMAP 4460 @1.2 GHz (2 cores, ARM Cortex-A9)	Samsung Exynos 4210 @1.2 GHz (2 cores, ARM Cortex-A9)	Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 @1.5 GHz (1 core, Scorpion)
RAM	1 GB	1 GB	1 GB	512 MB
Flash memory	32 GB	16 or 32 GB	16 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	No	No	microSD (up to 32 GB)	No
operating system	Google Android 2.3 with update to 4.0 and its own shell	Google Android 4.0	Google Android 4.0 (update) with Samsung TouchWiz 4.0 shell	Windows Phone 7.5
Cameras	rear (12 MP; video - 1920×1080), front (1.3 MP)	rear (5 MP; video - 1920×1080), front (1.3 MP)	rear (8 MP; video - 1920×1080), front (2 MP)	rear (8 MP; video - 1280×720), front (1.3 MP)
Dimensions, weight	128.0×64.0×10.6 mm, 144 g	135.5×67.9×9.47 mm, 135 g	125.3×66.1×8.49 mm, 116 g	131.5×70.7×9.9 mm, 160 g
Price*	24 990	26 990	24 290	22 990

As can be seen from the table, no outstanding breakthrough happened with the release of the Sony Xperia S. Perhaps, only in terms of camera can Sony Xperia S be considered a market leader, and it is not a fact that Nokia N8 will give up without a fight in the competition for supremacy.

However, the Sony Xperia S is worthy of the title of flagship. It showed excellent results in synthetic tests, has an interesting, unconventional design, high-quality case materials and decent hardware characteristics. Considering its pedigree and not a shocking price even at the start of sales, the new top Sony smartphone can count on a serious share of attention from buyers.

08 / 04 / 2012

This year, as in the previous two Sony Ericsson, Sony, to use the words of the classic, “is in a hurry to live and in a hurry to feel.” Like LG, the company hastily announces and brings new products to the market, trying to get ahead of competitors in technology. On the one hand, such a rush allows the first to sell a smartphone with an HD screen ( Galaxy Note doesn’t count), on the other hand, buyers are doomed to receive an update to Android 4.0 later than buyers HTC One or the new Galaxy SIII, about which there are only rumors so far. In any case, it has a number of other advantages - good design (especially if you remember how similar numerous Android smartphones of competitors are to each other, you will never confuse them with this model, or it with other Sony Ericsson models that came out earlier), good performance, the opportunity to experiment with the newfangled NFC (only Sony has figured out how to do this conveniently for the user) and an interesting camera with 3D shooting capabilities, borrowed from Sony cameras.

Technical specifications and equipment Sony XPERIA S (LT26i)

So, the main thing that we will remember is a 4.3-inch screen with a resolution of 1280x720, a 12-megapixel camera, a 2-core processor with a frequency of 1.5 GHz and NFC support “enhanced” by two smart tags that allow you to perform a chain of operations. But there is no support for memory cards, there is a non-removable battery inside, and on the case there is a place for a microHDMI socket. It is worth remembering that, according to the latest telephone fashion, the device uses microSIM cards. Today this is a unique set of characteristics, although everyone has long known that 12 megapixels is less interesting than, for example, a xenon flash, and the lack of memory expansion is completely viewed with hostility by geeks for whom it is extremely important to control everything, despite the fact that that the whole world has long since given a damn about installing a memory card in a phone with 32 gigabytes. It’s also worth mentioning the unique 3D photography capabilities (including panoramas), but more on that later.

I had a gray package, which did not include (another reason to buy the original) an HDMI cable and a couple of tags with NFC tags. Inside the box was a pack of booklets, a USB cable with an L-shaped plug, a power plug with a USB socket, and a wired headset with earbuds.

The headphones of the headset are the most ordinary, but they are earplugs with rubber seals that provide sound insulation. In the end, it’s good when the phone comes with “plugs” that don’t constantly fall out of your ears, and it’s good when they say Sony on them, despite the fact that all electronics have been produced in China for many years.

Frankly speaking, a smartphone for 6,500 hryvnia could use a player control panel on the headset wire, but that’s how it is.

Sony Ericsson is written on the fork (in fact, they shouldn’t remake it, since the car has already been produced). The second inscription “Green Heart” recalls the environmental direction of the company. This is when they save on the wire; the company tries to reduce the amount of plastic and all sorts of poorly recyclable materials in order to cause less harm to the environment when the plug becomes unusable and ends up in a landfill.

The USB cable, as I already said, has an unusual L-shaped microUSB plug. Which, taking into account the location of the microUSB socket, can even be called justified - it looks more aesthetically pleasing and there is less chance of the wire breaking.

Appearance of Sony XPERIA S (LT26i)

When turned off, it is almost impossible to determine the boundaries of the screen - it looks great. Notice the three white, barely noticeable dots above transparent panel- This touch buttons, we will return to them later.

The back cover is pleasant to the touch thanks to the matte plastic good quality, it looks expensive and looks like a top five, although you should understand that it is quite possible to scratch it. And the days of lacquered surfaces in phones seem to have sunk into oblivion with the advent of large and easily soiled touch screens.

The bend at the end makes me think of the XPERIA X10 model. Thanks to this, the designers managed to maintain some continuity. At the bottom end there is an element that has become rare - a loop for attaching a lanyard or keychain. The double volume key, despite its already miniature size, was made concave. This improves ergonomics—it makes volume control more comfortable by touch—and gives designers another line of ode to their honor. Well, the hardware camera button is a separate special thanks for the fact that Sony remembers its role in the development of electronics and does not follow Apple’s lead.

Behind the cover, which occupies almost the entire back surface of the phone, only the microSIM card slot is hidden. In my opinion, by abandoning memory cards and a removable battery, it was necessary to go further and generally make a non-separable case, and place the microSIM slot on the side. It would look even more stylish.

Example of video recording in FullHD Sony XPERIA S (LT26i)

The video is provided for pro forma purposes, to view it in FullHD, you need to go to the YouTube website by clicking on the video and select FullHD there. While shooting video, zooming works (using the volume key), but the results of digital zoom are predictably disgusting; it’s better not to do this.

Impressions from work

In real conditions Sony XPERIA S shows itself at its best. It works quickly and always makes an excellent impression on others thanks to its transparent insert. It has a nice bright screen with excellent viewing angles. However, I noticed a few weaknesses. Firstly, the touch keys are especially inconvenient to use on this device. The point is not that you need to press not on the key icons, but a little higher - you quickly get used to it. The touch keys are very difficult to press in some places; you have to press them twice or even three times over and over again. Secondly, the starting camera takes a picture not so instantly - a couple of seconds pass, and the picture is sharp only if you shoot at a long distance. When shooting macro, the focus simply does not have time to reach. And somehow it happened that on a short distance I have to shoot a lot more often. I was also completely disappointed by the lack of a macro mode. In the example images there is a frame with a branch where I unsuccessfully switched focus modes in the hope of catching a swollen bud in focus. Even touch focusing did not help - the focus stubbornly did not set, assessing the entire area of ​​the frame over and over again. Thirdly, I personally am upset by the lack of a normal package of widgets - to the buyer XPERIA S (LT26i) will have to or be content with a meager set installed widgets, or search for something in the Google store. In fact, the only thing that can be called useful is the weather widget, which has finally begun to suit me. The complete uselessness of the DLNA function in practice seemed somewhat strange to me, since everything that the phone could reach (which, by the way, it handled very well) was not reproduced by the standard video player. No, it is clear that Sony, as the owner of the large studio Sony Pictures, cannot approve the use of the DivX codec, but it’s 2012! The problem, of course, can be cured by installing a third-party player that plays everything with a bang - gigabyte files, MKV, HD resolution, and so on. But why open access to DLNA while blocking the ability to play video from home network- unclear. Otherwise, I was very pleased with the device, especially appreciating its incredible image boost. Sony jumped over its head by creating an objectively beautiful XPERIA Arc even more amazing design Sony LT26i.

Bottom line

• good recognizable design and excellent materials;
• excellent bright screen with HD resolution;
• a decent camera with FullHD video recording and 3D shooting capabilities;
• high performance.

• geek factor (you can’t remove the battery or insert a memory card);
• the need to wait for an update to Android 4.0;
• temporary technological leadership, which will be leveled by competitors in the summer;
• poor sensitivity of touch buttons.
High performance
Face id

Weak 4G
Unstable communication level
Missing fast charging

An excellent smartphone in its price category. Screen with good color rendering, large battery capacity, high performance.




Video review of Vernee Thor

Fingerprint scanner
Fast 4G
Design
Price

Non-removable battery
Weak cameras
Gets very hot when playing games

A model for those who do not play top graphics games and are not a fan of selfies. The rest of the characteristics are excellent. Especially the performance of the device. And the display.

When Sony finally dumped Ericsson from its mobile phone division, its first flagship model from the new brand was the Sony Xperia LT26I, priced at €449 in France, £399 in the UK and $700 in Singapore. With a high screen resolution and a 12-megapixel camera, the smartphone claimed to be the best Android device, but, according to users, the efforts made were not enough.

Design

The first mistake is the design. When Sony phone The Xperia LT26I was first unveiled at CES and users loved its quirky styling, but upon closer inspection of the device they weren't so sure. The clean piece of plastic that goes under the screen still looks frivolous, but otherwise the model leaves its owners indifferent - it’s just an ordinary smartphone.

There is a gap along the entire edge of the back panel, and some ports are covered with plastic plugs, so the phone does not seem to be a premium device at all, as the manufacturer positions it. Even having a white model doesn't help, as it lacks the harmony of the contrasting matte white plastic lid and black glass on the front. The gaps are even more noticeable on the white background, although the black model is also missing something.

The funny thing is that the manufacturer managed to do almost everything right. The Sony XperiaS LT26I's matte finish looks and feels good, the elements on the back are neatly lined up, and the plastic section is nice and clean. The phone fits well in the hand. Despite the 4.3” screen, the device feels manageable and the soft curve of the lid makes it quite comfortable, although users would have preferred slightly more rounded corners.

Controls

The plastic section has 3 white icons indicating the locations of the touch buttons located above, each of which is highlighted with a tiny white dot in the center. But more importantly, they are illuminated from within. During a call, message notification, or simply when charging, the icons light up. However, these touch buttons, which provide a minimalist look to the phone's front panel, are not very practical. Not only will it take time to get used to pressing the dots rather than the symbols underneath them, but even when hitting Right place they don't react very quickly. The user has to repeatedly poke at the same place to get a response.

At the other end of the vast black front panel there is a speaker and a 1.3-megapixel camera capable of recording HD video at 720p resolution, which is great for video calling.

Connectivity

The gaps at the edges of the back panel are explained by the fact that it is removed, revealing access to the SIM card slot and... nothing else. The ability to expand memory using a Micro-SD card and a removable battery are not provided. Phone owners don’t understand why Sony needed to do all the work to replace the SIM card. back panel removable. You can also remove a small area that covers the bottom of the phone, but there is nothing there. The manufacturer offers a decent 32 GB of internal memory, but the lack of an expansion slot will scare off many.

You can find much more on the sides of the Sony Xperia LT26I black phone functionality. On the right there is a camera shutter button, a volume rocker and a Micro-HDMI connector for displaying content on a large TV screen, if you additionally purchase a cable with the appropriate connectors. On the left is a Micro-USB connector and a charging port. Unfortunately, USB ports and HDMI are covered in bulky plastic covers that are completely impractical - if you have to charge your smartphone every night, why cover this connector at all?

Another small omission is the power and screen lock button. It is located on the top edge next to the headphone jack, so it is difficult to reach if you use one hand. More and more more phones They cleverly place it on the side where it's easier to reach, making Sony users regret the omission.

Display

Probably the biggest feature of the Sony Xperia S LT26I phone is its HD screen. Its 720 x 1280 pixel resolution was a significant step up from the 480 x 800 displays that were prevalent at the time, although it didn't reach the iPhone 4S's 326 dpi pixel density.

There is very good evidence that more pixels in a smaller area has its limitations, but in this case there is clearly a noticeable advance. Images, videos, games, websites and more look more realistic, sharper and just plain nicer. More information can be placed on the screen without compromising readability. Websites in particular benefit from the extra display width by displaying web pages at full size.

But there is a small problem: the Sony Xperia LT26I display characteristics are such that a slight deviation to the left or right is enough to reduce color accuracy and contrast. Is this a disaster? No, as the overall quality of the LCD screen is good, the colors are bright and clear, the brightness is high and the blacks are deep. However, some premium phones are a little better in this regard.

Interface

At the beginning of the smartphone's production, Android 2.3 Gingerbread OS was installed on it, and then updates to Android 4.0 and 4.1 followed. Sony also slightly changed the interface, providing it with light proprietary changes.

The lock page allows you to either unlock the phone or switch between silent and normal modes. Pressing and holding the power button will allow you to take a screenshot, as well as turn on airplane mode or turn off the device.

The home page lets you go to any of five desktops and populate them with apps and widgets. The manufacturing company offers many widgets, including weather forecasts, software recommendations, games and movies, useful tips and tips, message channel social networks, media player, music and videos of friends, viewing photos and videos, links to Sony Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services. Most of them seem pointless - it’s better to use space more efficiently and place quick switches, a music player, a clock and a row instead of application shortcuts Google search. However, it is noticeable that widgets have little effect on the phone's performance. Navigation between the pages they are installed on does not slow down, and shuffling them around does not affect 3D animation.

Along the bottom Sony screen Xperia S LT26I black the usual set of icons is supplemented by a Media folder, which provides quick access to the gallery, music player, FM radio and camera, store Google Play, messaging programs and telephone communication. Of course, it can be replaced with anything. Sony's app drawer has familiar settings that let you sort programs alphabetically, by frequency of use, by installation date, or in your own order. On the other hand, there are no notification area settings, no quick access to the media player, enabling airplane mode or wireless access to the Internet, which are quite common in other Android smartphones.

Performance

Overall, the Sony Xperia LT26I has great specs thanks to the 1.5GHz dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon processor. According to reviews from users who subjected the phone to the usual tests, although it lags behind the Samsung Galaxy Nexus and Apple iPhone The 4S has a lot to offer. For example, SunSpider 0.9.1 shows a result of 2677 ms versus 2261 ms for the iPhone 4S and 1973 vc for the Galaxy Nexus. The RightWare BrowserMark test showed a score of 63,102, compared to 89,530 for the iPhone 4S and 99,472 for the Galaxy Nexus.

Software

Sony XperiaS LT26I copes well with its everyday duties. The smartphone provides clear sound from both ends of the communication line. Messaging is also easy thanks to the excellent messaging app, large and responsive touch screen, as well as a slightly improved Sony keyboard.

Job Email corresponds to what can be expected from Android platforms. The smartphone provides fast and easy message navigation, and graphically rich HTML emails look great on large display With high resolution.

Sony has integrated Facebook but not Twitter, which is an odd omission. This application It's not even preinstalled. The integration allows you to view a contact's interests, photos, and updates on their page. This is quite useful, although it is nothing revolutionary.

Things are better with web surfing. Gorgeous screen makes the journey through world wide web much more exciting, which is also facilitated by a simple interface and support for Flash video.

Multimedia

Multimedia options include a music player, FM radio and a photo app, while installing a third-party video player will allow the phone to play almost any video and look and sound great. According to user reviews, mkv files with a resolution of 720p are reproduced without difficulty.

Sony Xperia S LT26I: camera characteristics

It's sad that one of the most important features of a smartphone wasn't as good as expected. Shots taken in good light show additional detail compared to 8MP models, but the photos are incredibly grainy with big amount noise from image compression. According to user reviews, pictures come out very poorly in low light conditions - the phone is unable to set the correct exposure, and its flash is weaker than usual.

At the same time, the camera speed is excellent. Sony XperiaS LT26I is capable of capturing 6 frames in 10 seconds. The user also benefits from a dedicated camera button, which allows you to quickly launch the corresponding application and instantly take photos. This makes it easier to take self-portraits or subjects that are difficult to see on the screen to press the shutter. In addition, there are excellent panorama and 3D panorama modes (the latter cannot be viewed on a phone) and a decent selection of scenes and modes. However, users remain dissatisfied with the quality of the images.

Battery life

Fortunately, the situation with the phone's power consumption is much better. Although the Sony Xperia LT26I's 1750 mAh battery does not set any records, according to user reviews, it passes the basic test and can last a day and a half without recharging.

Conclusion

With a high-definition screen, a 12-megapixel camera and several unusual options, the Sony XperiaS LT26I should have matched the best models of its time, but this did not happen. The quality of the display and image sensor did not meet user expectations. The design, although quite attractive, is nothing surprising. It's just a decent high-end phone, not the sensation it could have been.

The Sony smartphone has pretty good ones. First of all, it is important to note the excellent processor for such a device. The operating system it uses is the Android series version 2.3. Today this model costs around 16 thousand rubles.

Main settings

The Lt26I smartphone has the following characteristics: processor frequency - 1.5 GHz, screen resolution - 1280 by 720 pixels, RAM capacity - 1 GB. The battery capacity of this device is 1750 mAh. It must be said that the battery for Sony Xperia S Lt26I loses its capacity over time and must be replaced. The display diagonal of this model reaches as much as 4.3 inches. The processor in the presented device is of the Qualcom series. The camera in this sample is used at 12 megapixels. If we talk about the dimensions of the smartphone, then its length is 128 mm, width - 63 mm with a thickness of 11 mm. With the battery, this device weighs only 143 g.

"Iron"

The hardware installed on the Sony Ericsson Xperia Lt26I device is quite serious. First of all, it should be noted that the thyristor unit in the presented model is quite powerful. Wherein throughput he has a good one. This was achieved through the use of traverses. They are installed on the contact type model only. High performance in the device is also achieved due to the converter. If you believe the reviews of experts, then it can withstand quite large loads.

The Sony Xperia S Lt26I has a high-quality speaker. The selector in this model is of the oscillatory type. System failures occur very rarely. The modulator helps a lot in this regard. Finally, it should be mentioned that the microcircuit in the device is used for four channels. Thus, everything is fine with signal conductivity.

Communication Tools

You can use the Internet in the specified device to communicate. In this case, the toolbars for this purpose are quite compressed. The user can install a wide variety of browsers on the Sony Xperias Lt26I device. Today, the “Opera Classic” program is considered to be the most popular for communication. If you believe consumer reviews, storing bookmarks in it is quite comfortable. At the same time, departures from the system occur very rarely. The user can save links directly on the main panel.

Bookmarks are transferred to the device quite easily. In this case, the manufacturer provides an extensive menu for this. If we consider standard messages, then there is a predictive input function in the settings. It should also be noted that you can choose the message language. Sending a text directly does not take much time. In this case, the device processor is not overloaded. The specified model has a function for inserting a recipient, but it should be noted that the device supports few characters. Renaming bookmarks is quite easy.

Camera

There are quite a lot of effects for adjusting images in this camera. Brightness settings can be adjusted through the main menu. In this case, the user has the opportunity to set the maximum. Autofocus options can also be selected. The quality of the images is directly set through the effects tab.

The light sensitivity in this device is adjusted with a slider. You can set the video recording volume. The minimum photo resolution is selected through the tab additional features. V this device It is not possible to assign. The user can adjust glare through the main menu. Switching directly to the camera is very fast.

Reviews about the camera

Today the camera in the Sony Xperias Lt26I receives a wide variety of reviews. Switching directly to the video camera is quick. However, saving files can take quite a long time. It should also be taken into account that the user has the ability to adjust the brightness of images. At the same time, you can turn off the sound completely when recording from the additional settings tab.

The autofocus system on the device works well. The zoom in the model is quite comfortable to use. However, it should be taken into account that when changing the scale, a certain blurriness appears in the video. The shading in images can be adjusted. The device has a Sepia mode. Minimum values Permissions can be set through the main parameters tab. Motion blur is quite rare. The user has the opportunity to record a maximum of 25 minutes of video. In normal mode, photos are saved quickly.

Media player

The media player in the Sony Xperias Lt26I device has advanced capabilities. In this case, creating albums in the device is quite convenient. At the same time, assigning them by genre to the user is quite simple. The system plays video clips in various formats. If necessary, you can select sound from the panel or the main menu. The media player control buttons are located at the bottom of the screen.

Search by name is carried out only through the parameters tab. Additionally, it should be taken into account that the mp4 format is played by the system. Direct rewinding is carried out from the media player panel. Adding new music is done from the gallery and memory card of the device. Unfortunately, the user does not have the ability to customize the interface.

Media player reviews

This media player deserves mostly positive reviews. Overall, it is quite simple and easy to understand even for a beginner. The rewind buttons in the media player are in a convenient place. It should also be taken into account that long melodies rarely freeze. Directly provided by the manufacturer is comfortable. If you believe consumer reviews, the slider does not jump sharply.

The user has the opportunity to select the “stereo” mode in the presented media player. Additionally, there are advanced options for customizing the playback of video clips. In this case, the main formats are supported. If necessary, you can always download the necessary utility. You can directly view information about music only from the album in which it is located. It should also be noted that deleting tracks from the list is quite fast.

Firmware

How to flash Sony Xperia S Lt26I? Many people are concerned about this issue, since the device may have serious problems with its performance. Sony firmware Xperia S Lt26I is done through the "Recovery" program. However, many experts still prefer the "Speedrun" system. When Sony Xperia Lt26I does not turn on, it can help. It is quite difficult to find it on the Internet, but it is considered more optimized for the specified phone.

Additionally, it is worth noting that the "Recovery" program is often missing from open access. Fraudsters may provide it with viruses. Ultimately, all this must be taken into account before flashing the smartphone’s firmware and trust only trusted sources. To install the program directly, you only need a USB cable and a personal computer. It can have absolutely any operating system. Before starting installation, many experts recommend fully charging the device. It should also be taken into account that the model must be checked for viruses. This is quite easy to do using the Doctor Web program. Direct installation system files starts after clicking the "Install" button.

The complete installation time of the program on the Sony Xperia Lt26I (firmware) takes no more than 25 minutes. At the end of the work, all you have to do is turn off and turn on the phone again. First of all, after startup, it is important to make sure that the system is performing well. To do this, you can open several applications on your phone at once. If slowdowns are observed, the system will have to be completely restored.

Special abilities

Accessibility mobile phone The Sony Xperia S Lt26I has quite a lot. The first thing to note is the security program settings. In this case, the function of speaking passwords in the model is activated by default. It should also be noted that the program constantly monitors active applications. Thus, it is quite easy to monitor the system performance. Limit background processes You can display it in this model. The settings also allow you to save basic work reports. System programs in the device are also tracked. The user can adjust device scan parameters. In this case, a separate tab is used to compose processes.

Organizer functions

The organizer of the Sony Xperias Lt26I model consists of a clock and an alarm clock. Setting up a call on it is quite simple. At the same time, by default the manufacturer provides many melodies. The presented device also has a currency converter. The device's calendar deserves special attention. It is ideal for planning business meetings. It's quite easy to take notes with it. It is also important to mention that this model has a timer. In this case, a stopwatch is installed and is capable of operating in various modes.

Equipment

The Sony Xperia S Lt26I phone has a standard package. Unfortunately, there is no memory card in it. It should also be noted that the case for the device will have to be purchased separately. The battery itself for Sony Xperia S Lt26I and instructions are included in the kit. The user will also be able to find a driver for installation there. To connect to personal computer Models cannot do without a cable with a USB connector.

Summarizing

Considering all of the above, it should be said that the presented smartphone is considered quite relevant today and has many functions. However, it is important to consider that there are many other devices in this price range that are ready to compete with the specified model.