Sony has learned and a rethinking, as with HTC successfully implemented

Hello everybody,

advance is to mention that I have been obsessed with the Galaxy S and Galaxy SII. As I was satisfied with the equipment is sometimes debatable and I will draw no comparisons. Otherwise, this review would probably be too long.

The Sony Xperia S I ordered from Sony itself and get a few days ago. My Xperia S is white.

I have been following continuously publishing various news. HTC and Sony Ericsson have had good products in the past, but these 'destroyed' by wrong decisions. All the more gratifying that HTC with the One Series and Sony are trying with the NXT series to make past mistakes is better. How did this happen in the case of the Sony Xperia S learn her now.

Packaging and contents:
Not only the design is extraordinary, but also the packaging takes a different route. Instead of a compact thick box, you have placed on a flat, but larger in length and width carton. The content is not exceptional. In addition to the mobile phone, there are simple in-ear headphones, a USB cable and a power adapter for charging. The battery is 'fixed' installed and is therefore not specifically included. Good place Eich already two attached Smart tags (NFC chips) and one has also found the place immediately in my car.

Housing, processing and design:
The design has a distinctive detail 'the transparent bar that is illuminated as an antenna and serves. The symbols of the overlying Touch Keys can also be found in the bar. I was happy about the fact that you left is a small Benachrichtungs LED above. The one misses but very common in many current models. You do not always directly unpack the entire device to check briefly whether there is news then.
Processing like that. It is better than with some others who allegedly have a Topverarbeitung. The display glass closes with this device really attached to the framework from different and has neither gaps nor dust can penetrate there. Potential dust catcher is on the front of the speakers believed that leaves but easily cleaned with a finger, since the gap is wide. The USB cable for charging has a 90 ° connector and goes way up. The connector is located on the left and thus the device is in a dock on the page in landscape mode. This is by design because you (via HDMI cable) also operated the unit in TV mode so. On the right side there is then logically the HDMI connector. On the back there is a battery cover, which, however, only there is to insert the micro-SIM. There are already instructions on how to replace the battery yourself. However, this will void the warranty, since you have to remove a few small screws. The lid can be easily opened and closed and is not clicked, but is pushed. Although the cap is flush to the frame from, but leaves room for dirt. There is dirt could shove. When clicked battery covers, where one has the impression that this could not happen, but it happens.

Software:
As each manufacturer has its own Sony surface and its own embedded services and integration of social media. The UX interface has been rebuilt earlier times because of problems with updates. The design has successfully inspired by the predecessor and one feels at home, unless you have previously had been a Sony (Ericsson). The surface acts as a unified whole. The design is harmonious and the preinstalled templates offer different color combinations to personalization. The widgets fit together all the style. This package is rounded off by simple, elegant effects that make the system work smoother and more fluid. The one misses but very common in Android devices. Often you get a loveless surface with motley widgets that do not fit together. Instead of relying on a rudimentary Launcher they've managed to incorporate many settings sent, so that the user does not feel overwhelmed. It is also why a good overall package, because you have built nice Clues here what you otherwise used apps. The lockscreen can view messages from Facebook, for example, directly as well as other features such as the MP3 player can be operated directly.
The overall quality can be divided into 3 days Bad, but so far I have not experienced any negative effects. That was with me in the past already different. And I then switched over time on MIUI or CyanogenMod, because the quality of the software is wrong and gave me just do not like the package, because there was simply none. Sony completes the package but even with other software from. There is a music service for streaming and offline music, movies and a Playstation Store. Here one has refrained from unkind to install a third-party software whose power is anyway not available in Germany. While for others trying shaped frame their own app store to offer software which is also available in the Play Store on Android, Sony has integrated a separate category of recommended software in the Play Store here. For the Galaxy Nexus with NFC you need additional software to be able to use NFC chips for profiles and other applications. Again, Sony has already a ready software.
We could list now continue, but I think I have mentioned here the most important things, and you can tell that here has a first genuine androids with cloud / streaming and multimedia services.
Perhaps it should be mentioned that it is still used Timescape the social network to implement integration. It has become a real Facebook and Twitter alternative and you can liken eg photos directly from the gallery. Although Timescape has been decoupled from the system for quite some time, it feels like an integral part of the system that is really usable when you want it. I have otherwise have done without it and prefer the original manufacturer used apps.

Sound:
A word 'Wow. If you have ever had a Sony Walkman (In my case, a MiniDisc player in the years 2000-2004), has high expectations. On mobile devices, I know hardly anything better for the casual market. The machine prints out solid bass and clear treble. The stereo sound is awesome and fun. About the Video Unlimited service I have borrowed for 99cent Cowboys and Aliens and seen the movie. It's fun for the display and sound. Even with bass-heavy tracks, heights are not swallowed. I find it difficult always to refrain from comparisons. I missed such a sound when listening to music for years painfully. Apps like PowerAmp had to try to compensate for the bad sound. This was only partially successful because the built-in software quickly comes with software equalizers to their limits.

Display:
Madness. To me it was important to have this time no AMOLED display. The yield is simply too low to be able to provide a certain quality standard. We need here is not to discuss with real colors have AMOLEDs sometimes provide not care much, as rather oversaturated colors on the problems.
This display offers the currently highest PPI and not only looks awesome. One can also surf so well. The resolution is 720p (1280 * 720) and in addition to the sharp image also provides a good color rendering and brightness. The sharp image is also favored by the RGB matrix unlike the AMOLED where to place Pentile matrix. As with LCDs customary whose black level is not as good. Against an AMOLED or plasma to get there just is not on. That was it but also already with the negative points of the display. Photos have here again a relatively true color reproduction. In the sun, the display can be read well, we have to test so currently fortunately good weather around the.

Camera:
The camera takes good shots. In poor lighting conditions, the device has no problems with noise as fast and preservation of detail. Differentiate itself from others in the area is not particularly difficult. Apart from Apple and now HTC has no other, a BSI sensor. I am, however, noticed in testing that pictures in 16: 9 format to noise much start earlier images. So you should prefer the 4: 3 mode for taking photos - shame really. In good light but you can easily have the 16: 9 mode use. More you need hardly say. I think Sony (Ericsson) has been known for some time camera built for.

Battery and MicroSD:
These are a LiPo battery is firmly installed. Many deterrent, as well as the lack of microSD slot. This battery can be charged really fast and by that I mean less than 2 hours from completely empty state. Here it is really worth that device once briefly for 10 minutes to hang somewhere off in an emergency. Other devices sometimes require more than three hours to load and can not be with empty state switch directly and must only times briefly invite. An advantage, which I liked hinnehme a permanently installed battery, if it has an acceptable service life. Theoretically, is also possible that otherwise forms on the contacts corrosion. Only a theory that I do not want to argue out.
The missing MicroSD slot is at first glance a drawback. Is he that but really? Other devices such as the Galaxy Nexus offer 16GB (11-12GB real) and also no microSD slot. Still others have 16GB and offer a slot. But here's the problem that apps that use use the SD memory to the internal memory and the external card and not move an is not possible in 90% of cases. The SXS has a contiguous memory of about 26GB real. But also more services to be added to cloud services in the future (Photo albums, streaming services) and internal memory lose in importance. Here then save later the manufacturer and shift the problem simply to the respective Internet service providers that need to invest in infrastructure without huge money to earn it. The then earn the manufacturers with their services.

Heat generation:
Today's smart phones can be properly called. This is not only unpleasant. It also shortens the life time and especially when one has a sAMOLED display. Often it is not only the back is, but also the display. Therefore, I would like to note with this positive list and here that the unit while playing is lukewarm with charger and a good heat distribution has. It is warm, but not unpleasant and you get no fear that a part of the abraucht equal.

The thing with the SoC and LTE:
I want to briefly give my personal opinion on the subject of quad-core SoC and LTE. I find it a pity that the press and the mass of people, a high-end device on the SoC and technologies such as LTE accounts. These are really the two points only secondarily make up a good complete package. Firstly, the quad-core SoCs consume even more power at the moment with security. It can be effectively used by the software takes forever to quad-core SoCs and the bottleneck is not the SoC, but the flash memory. At the MWC, we have in the last year with the dual cores and again this year with the quad cores but can see live, that such devices can top extremely jerky. In synthetic benchmarks when it comes to scores they may pull all of it, but in the real application you have no or only a modest advantage. Sony (Ericsson) has already proven with the Arc and Arc S. The Sony runs directly to release clean and tidy, as you'd expect. Of other manufacturers should take a leaf out of time. In other high-end devices you need usually one year until a good current firmware finally delivered.
LTE is nice to have. Imported into Germany devices like the HTC Velocity prove but the + really is interesting for mobile devices only LTE. LTE devices need to be able to maintain an even stronger battery to the runtime and 72MBit 'hand on heart' who needs on a smartphone, especially since the flash memory is anyway too slow for that. For surfsticks and as a landline replacement that's interesting. Furthermore, does not exist once a voice standard for LTE. Furthermore, I find it necessary to support the LTE chips all Frquenzen. So far, it is necessary to provide different models for different countries, since other Frquenzen be used in the US and in Germany. Otherwise, I see the problem is that this will worsen the update policy for Android devices again.
So rather than just a good overall package good SoC and features such as LTE.

Android 2.3.7 instead of Android 4.0
With Android 2.3.7 Sony Xperia S has a mature and reliable Android version. Mir is no other device known that even with 2.3.7 is currently running. Samsung has launched the update 2.3.6, but pulled back due to lack of quality. Android 4.0 also has problems that need to be currently avoided by the producers themselves, such as the NFC. It's a pity that Sony has not managed to bring 4.0 to the device out, but perhaps you, the quality is not good enough. After HTC now already brings the updates has now started at short notice ICS in some countries Samsung. In Poland there are already ICS, but the quality seems to have suffered. Also a shame that it only creates there only for a device from the more than 20 Galaxy devices in Europe to bring the update.
It remains to be seen how Sony this year with the restart in terms of updates deal with the customers. The problem with androids is not only the update cycle and skipping updates, but also the quality of the updates appear in.

Short Conclusion:
I hope I could help some of you a little bit with the review when deciding. The unit I have only three days, and over time can certainly notice quite a few things that can be seen immediately. So far, it is certainly the first Android device, where I do not long for the first custom ROM CyanogenMod or MIUI and I am so far impressed and satisfied. This has been done no Android device with me.
It really is here for a good overall package that it is not necessary deficits with a swanky SoC or other supposedly great things has to compensate.

Addendum dated April 2, 2012

I have the equipment now in use for a few weeks. The following development there with me:
- Battery lasts felt slightly longer than at the beginning
- It was after a week at the bottom of the display a yellow discoloration. After another two days this has disappeared
- Overall, there were a total crash. There was nothing left. This is when the game "Shadowgun" happened which, incidentally has a fairly ingenious graphics and awesome looks on the high resolution of SXS. There are such cases, as with all Androids a hard reset function, because you, the device also can not turn off with the power button. Pushes for the power button and the Volume up button simultaneously for a few seconds. It deletes anything, but only restarted.
- The device works quickly, sometimes it looks the back and forth wipe a little choppy, but right hanger stay out. Overall, one can speak of a speedy device. It always responds immediately.
- The change between WiFi / cellular data connection is very fast in both directions. Also switch between HSPA / UMTS / EDGE are fast and make surfing on the train a little bit better than my predecessor. There were always slowly down the bar, then he followed a call and then came the next change ... by the slow change came one can not stop there and surfing was often a pain. It is now a little better and more stable.

Addendum dated 12.04.2012
- The color of the white cover has become slightly darker. I also no longer get it right know. One sees only the meticulous exact look. I could not breathe and clean with finger rub. A lens cloth and an eraser could not restore the original color in an inconspicuous place. I do not know if only I have the problem, because I do not think at the Googling also has the problem. I'm using for the device and a bag of Fitbag not go off with filthy hands :-)
- My unit I had but for safety's sake sent at Sony, because the first occurred yellowness, who had disappeared in me. Although I have not had him, but who knows how it would have looked like in the summer when it is warmer. Better safe than before Sony is no longer repaired later for free. In the same course I let my unit from white to black to rebuild since a refurbishment gives me no guarantee that the unit will now really do. I would be very happy if you give me tells your experiences in this regard.
- Before the ICS upgrade me grauts. With my girlfriend I have the Galaxy SII with ICS (already available for T-Mobile devices) over gravel updated. My Exchange works there as usual with ICS not still. I hope Sony gets at least this Google problem with the update later back, otherwise I'll probably stick with 2.3.7 that really runs very very stable.

Supplement 23.04.2012
I have my device still not back (See Edit from 12.04.2012). Unfortunately, it is not foreseeable when do I get it back. Who wants to read this gruesome story, she finds in the comments (Page 6 - comment 56). As this has nothing to do with the product itself, this does not flow in the evaluation and is not taken by me in the review. These are certainly hopefully only an isolated case, which is annoying for me. Sony also has another repair shop partners, should someone but are afraid.

Addendum 03.05.2012 - Edited on 04/05/2012
Sony Service - Part 1
This addendum, I would like a little nicer and represent factual. I was very angry, so he is of me changed later without changing the real facts. It has me almost 4 weeks after communicated returning the unit that I will now get my device completely unrepaired back and am forced again sometime to send over a certain period and in the meantime, have to live with my failures. Mir is then finally the collar burst (Previously was already an agreement, what was the extent of the repair, not complied with) and this resulted in an e-mail in which I asked to respond in writing. In the next Supplement can be found then the reaction Sonys.

Supplement 04.05.2012
Sony Service - Part 2 - The U-turn
I am going to next week my device completely repaired will be returned. I am delighted that it is now but works. Honestly I have despite my complaint mail no longer believed and considered how I made the thing come halfway economically back out, no matter how good the equipment to be it. Too bad that I had to run a huge effort here but to achieve a solution now. I can do this now stamped me as unfortunate individual case and now hope but to be even happier Sony permanent customer. If there still are addenda to the review, this will hopefully be positive in nature. At the next warranty claim - which I hope will not happen - it runs then hopefully differently or without a series of mishaps from as sample service processes usually have to be run.

Supplement 13.05.2012
Sony Service - Part 3 - The result
I received my unit back on 11/05/2012. The processing is correct and the display will know me no color cast on. I have a test, set with a running game and connected to a charger under my pillow to get it as quickly as possible to get a little warmer than usual. This resulted in a great temperatures. After that I could against a completely white picture hear no yellow tinge. So I should now be prepared for the coming summer or sun vacations. I am glad that the repair result is satisfactory. The course was very - I'd say - run unhappy and could intervene only by their own and not slacken be brought to an end. Now, after two days of extensive retesting weekend I'm glad the matter is finally able to complete fully. I recommend to everybody now wants it to send in, ask whether a replacement display currently exists and otherwise to delay the submission.

Supplement 11.06.2012
Reception / call quality and phone function
On request, even a short addendum to quality in terms of reception, voice quality and calls in general.
The call quality is good and stable. On the train I could without tearing phone calls (also outside of the Ruhr area. The light sensor which switches off the display and prevents accidental pressing of previously once did with me failed. On average, very good. For wider smartphones like the Galaxy S2 so I had previously often some trouble. On the iPhone it's always been perfect (Due to the dimensions). This certainly depends so together how to keep the device on which ear you invest it and how wide it is (thus resulting positioning of the sensor). In my view it better to invest the SXS on the right ear. Feedback to the microphone I have not. But so far no one has complained. The sound on the handset is very clear, but also depends on the microphone of the other person. The phone calls via Bluetooth with a speakerphone in the car worked for me so far works perfectly with Audi, Ford, Opel and a Becker navigation device. Even retrieving the phone book goes smoothly. If you call the phone function on, you get next to the dial pad also a History and can via tabs on the phonebook (with quick search function ) and Favouriten access.
In terms of Internet reception I have only yesterday - in the car (as passenger) - the EM-match between Spain and Italy followed, and did this on the route Kerpen-Münster (A4 - A1) very well. The frequent changes between EDGE - UMTS - HSPA made absolutely no problems and was fast. I could break free (Short hangers and stuttering, there were times) watch the game and only the image quality of the bandwidth has adapted.
Of course, the reception (Telephone & Internet) largely depends on the provider, but it is not self-evident that devices are able to quickly switch between different standards and to do this also reliable in the long run. Many devices build nice and slow their beams off, switch to the other standard, build their bar again. In between, nothing happens, and sometimes it takes so long that it already has a change again. Eventually nothing works and you have to get in and out switch to airplane mode in order to do something again can. So far, I am spared with the equipment thereof. I quite often go train this is now much Frustration-Free and tunnels or dead zones now only provide for complete failure.

Addendum 21.06.2012 & 26.06.2012
The ICS update for the SXS is already being rolled out worldwide. I now have the firmware 6.1.A.0.452.
Next I noticed so far:
- The battery life has increased markedly with me
- The settings can now be reached quickly via the Notificationbar
- The wireless connection now appears even better to get along in "difficult" environments
- The wireless receiver has become in my opinion worse
- The images from the camera in particular in 16: 9 format, unfortunately, still exhibit a strong noise on
- The unit does not quite as "rounded" as most recently at the .75 firmware.
- The device is faster bit warmer.
- As with all devices with ICS / Android 4.0 there may be problems with the Exchange Sync. TD Smartphone Sync works so eg not. The same, I've found some time ago the Samsung Galaxy SII and the Samsung Galaxy SIII recently. The problem is global and apparently makes Google in the subject nothing. In the TD case, the problem is well known, but when a problem solution can be found, unfortunately, is not yet known.
- Screenshots can not be created via the Power Button. This you do with the following combination "Power Button + Volume Down"
- (Now called Walkman) The music player is the old players only in reamed shape with more social networking features
- The photo gallery is no longer the standard Android gallery. I personally like the new gallery better. There is a total of clearer and more organized (After months separated). Of course you can still sort by folders.
- A real advantage in Filmeapp has not been revealed to me. One has to have here the opportunity to seek information about the video and view on the Internet.

What I personally have for the UX Launcher wish are buildable folder for AppLauncher.

Otherwise, I have to confess that I am really happy with ICS yet. After what other companies have delivered, I was very skeptical and would probably remain even with GB (2.3.7). But Sony has a very good job in this respect. In the product and software policy I have to praise Sony. Concise range of products and equipment for an update, even if it takes place a little later than others. This had been announced but so and now respected. In addition, more emphasis was placed on quality here apparently. Mir is currently no known manufacturer of so many products and will update such a lean portfolio provides and delivers such a good quality. But is offset by the disaster with the replacement of the display. My only service experience that I could gather so far with Sony and that has been very poor. Whether this is due solely to the poor availability of the display I can not judge. Here, perhaps, other people have more experience than me.

Supplement 23.08.2012

Interesting for enthusiasts may be the following information:
Bootloader:
The device can be unlock with Sony. Here it is accepted eventually to dispense with damage to the warranty. That's not necessarily so, but can - be rejected - as is usual with any manufacturer.
An unlocked bootloader can easily lock again. Finding a way to unlock the bootloader without official way does not yet exist.
Root:
The unit can be with or without rooting unlocked bootloader and unrooten.
Custom ROMs / Kernels:
There are not many custom ROMs and kernels, but this is not necessary because the existing do what one knows as: detox system and kernel optimization (Governor, CPU clock, etc.).
AOSP:
MIUI I have not tried yet, but CyanogenMod 9 is stable and everything is working properly. There are also nightlys published. Moreover CyanogenMod 10 (Android 4.1.1) already in RC status and has the Alpha behind. Here is dispensed in the prerelease version still on features like the camera, the absence of an updated driver here.

It is gratifying to hear that Sony should step up work on Android Project and closely cooperates with Google and the Community. Sony has recently made more publicly Code and also strengthen cooperation with Google and the Community. The Xperia S was not charged the first Nexus device in this "status" and receives its own experimental GIT in Android Project, in which all can participate. Here everyone can benefit. I would appreciate it if other manufacturers would follow suit here.