I call myself for 4 months proud owner of Xperia S and can now share my long-term experience with you to possibly help you in your buying decision.
After the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is my second Android phone, and I was not disappointed with my expectations. The Ray has made me hungry for more, the Xperia S has this desire completely satisfied, because it is a well thought out for my needs to the last detail System.
Unboxing:
After opening the phones immediately catches the eye, with its front, which consists almost entirely of the display. The equipment leaves nothing to be desired as well, HDMI cable, Cool Sony In Ear Headphones (Sony is like the father of in-ear headphones), Quick Charger (From various forums it appears that not everyone gets the quick charger), manual or working note and NFC tags. If you take the phone in hand, notice that it appears to be all of a piece, despite removable "battery cover", but more on that later. After setting up recently in 9 steps my old contacts, thanks to Google Account on the new phone and I will be offered an update that works impeccably. Thus, here the version is evaluated with Android 4.
Display:
After unboxing and Geilen feel of the device (for me is weight in a mobile phone a sign of quality, but that's a matter of taste) and the first switch, you immediately notice the display on. It is the only device that offers HD to 4.3 inches, and thus has the largest pixel density of all devices on the market. It is said that the density brings a certain point nothing more, but it will definitely bring a certain something, who has worked with the display knows what I mean. I find the display of the color her more natural than AMOLED displays have me to bright colors. The brightness is OK, I have never had problems with the reading in sunlight and the automatic control works well, but is trimmed to save battery, ie it is often a tick darker than would be optimal, but still readable. Another positive aspect is definitely the display foil from the factory on it. In various forums I read that some remove this and the glass does not scratch, but I have not tested myself.
Operation / User Interface:
The Sony UI is exactly my taste, no exaggerated effects, everything kept discreet, functional and not jerky. There are a lot of small useful programs available, such as the Power Options. Here you can choose at what time or battery level to turn on the mobile phone which features off or (hammer!).
The contacts app has become very clear. Man lands directly on the call list and the numbers start with the same. For Android 2 still had to switch.
There is an assistant available for the keyboard, with which the keyboard can individualize really good. You can choose whether you want the classic Android Design, in which you want between character and letter mode back and alternates, or reach the characters and figures by a long press on the letter, you can do the spacebar smaller to make room for a period, comma, having setting button or smileys. You can also set a correction 2. language, which means it can be simultaneously displayed word suggestions in two languages and the recognition runs correctly. In addition, there are 3 keyboard skins, one is white ;, one black and one gray / white (reminds us of the iPhone). I personally use the black design, but all fit into the overall picture of the smartphone. One misses no setting with the keyboard!
Another feature of ICS is the menu item "Data usage". Here you can see exactly which program has consumed much-Fi / Mobile Internet volume, individually set each program limits and set a general limit at which is warned and put a limit beyond which no more Internet.
There is also little gimmicks like Face Unlock, which recognizes the face of the owner and unlock the phone. A status LED is also present, the lights in different colors and so eg Whatsapp, missed calls, SMS and email can shine differently. A program to adjust the color does not exist, with calls, SMS & email illuminated blue, but at Whatsapp you can adjust the color.
The MP3 player can be operated even with locked screen and the sound is 1A.
A blemish but it has, the touch panel keys seem more pressure to be as Tactile, but you get used to.
Camera:
The camera is probably the best thing that has to offer a mobile phone. Just looking on the net for pictures look that's spare a compact camera. It finally has a physical shutter button which only focused and press to correct triggers. There are many settings available and the album stands app from the Android standard is clear because it is very clear and liquid. Exmor sensor combined with the class display and the software are definitely state of the art.
Features:
GPS, HDMI output, display with Bravia Engine, 12,1MP Exmor R camera, NFC tags, In Ear headphones, quick charger. With the equipment you can complain nciht! But you missed a replaceable battery (here escapes Sony money with original accessories such as a stronger battery -> inaudible). The battery cover is removable, but the battery does not. At least you can replace the cover with too much wear.
The phone has about 1,97GB separate app store and approximately 26GB of internal memory available. I have a speed of 3,9 MB / s measured in transferring what nciht very exhilarating is (have until now even transfer my entire library, may be that it was just bad luck). In tests I've read from much higher rates. But when the data are first plan, makes viewing on the display just plain fun ud the mp3s just listen to cool!
Battery life:
Because you can do a lot of things with a Smartphone also arise an infinite number of user profiles. If you use it like his old Nokia 8210 only for calls and SMSs bit, are four days in there (at little-Fi, I've done). However, if you're constantly online, then give Ca. 3 hours Display on Time. Did it finally tested, 2 days 2 hours persevered the phone 8 hours it was on 3G Internet, rest Fi, 20 minutes I've phoned and 2 hour 55 minute it was, calls the display on (WhatsApp, but mostly Internet and gamble ). I think this is a good value.
Phone Features:
A smartphone should indeed still be a phone in the first place, so I rate times the phone functions. The quality of the phone I would describe as very good call, it is definitely the best phone I had. The earpiece is a bit too quiet for my taste. But the speaker is so loud that my roommate has each got time on my alarm clock shocked, to say nothing of me completely.
The contacts app is as I said very clearly, it can be created and favorite contacts can be saved directly to the Google account so that they are transmitted at a mobile exchange to the new phone.
The SMS messages makes on the phone especially fun, because of the customizable keyboard to the last detail and the clear SMS app. Reception problems I hardly got, if I do not receive the other also have no reception. But if you're in a wireless coverage area, it sucks very on battery.
Other:
So anyone who has reasonably informed about the cell phone should know what the yellow tinge problem. My phone had the problem. I sent it and get exactly 2 weeks later with swapped display and frame. This, even though I had no proof of purchase. So now the mobile phone is perfect and I hope I could help you.
All in all, the most complete smartphone of last generation that I have ever had in your hand!
Advent If questions, just comment.
Addendum:
After many months of my euphoria did not become a little less. I manage about 4.5 hours on screen time a day if I really go from 100 to almost 0%. The voice quality is unparalleled and the supplied headphones are great in comfort and sound.
Today I phoned 50Minuten and it consumes only 9% battery, make about 9 hours telephoning endurance (at a stretch).
And what you will be As for Custom Roms nigends happier at the moment.
It has also finally updates to who aufgefrisht the phone, such as a 3D appearance on the launcher.
After a year inspire me still movies on mobile phones and its crystal clear and color and contrast display, and the sound quality is superior to even that of the iPhone.
