Sony Xperia sola

AKA: Sony Pepper, Sony MT27i

$270 - $450 Compare Prices
8/10
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  • 480 x 854 display
  • Android
  • World Phone
  • Touchscreen
  • Wi-Fi
  • Bluetooth
  • Speakerphone
  • GPS
  • Memory slot
  • FM Radio
  • View full specs

Most mid-tier Android smartphones don’t have any real distinguishing characteristics. As a result, the market may look like it’s filled with endless copies of the exact same handset wearing a slightly different outfit. This is fortunately not the case with the Sony Xperia sola, which apart from carrying standard mid-range Android features, also boasts one curious bit of display wizardry: floating touch technology. It enables users to manipulate elements on the touchscreen display without even touching the screen itself. It’s either the future or a lousy gimmick. Either way, it’s nice.

The sola is equipped with a 1GHz dual-core processor and 512MB of RAM. Its spec sheet says it has 8GB of internal storage space but in reality only 5GB of it is available for use. There is however a microSD slot that takes cards up to 32GB. The sola also has several other noteworthy hardware features which include a 5 megapixel auto-focus camera with LED flash, stereo speakers, HSUPA data, 802.11 b/g/n Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP, NFC, and microUSB connectivity. It also offers up to 5 hours of talk time in 3G and about 40 hours of non-stop music playback.

It’s clear that the sola has a well-rounded smartphone feature-set. The thing is, most reviews indicate that it might have been a better overall performer if the default operating system had been Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich instead of Gingerbread. With that said, it’s still not a bad choice if what you’re after is getting bang for your buck.

Need to Know: Sony Xperia sola

1. Equipped with speedy dual-core processor. (The Good)

2. Boasts a unique new feature called floating touch technology. (The Good)

3. Android 2.3 Gingerbread is the default OS instead of a later version of Android. (The Bad)

4. Comes with a limited amount of on-board RAM and internal storage space. (The Bad)

Prices (Where To Buy)

410ghLab5bL._SL160_ Amazon Merchant
41toLp5Wd4L._SL160_

Xperia Sola MT27i Dual Core Smart Phone Factory Unlocked (White) from Amazon Merchant

  • Condition: New
  • Availability: In Stock
  • Contract: No
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140

Sony Xperia Sola MT27I 8GB No Contract Cellular Phone (white) 1262-3155 from eBay

  • Condition: New
  • Availability: In Stock
  • Contract: No
  • Located In: USA
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Latest Reviews

GSMArena
The Xperia sola has a competitive set of features for its price range and the Floating Touch technology adds a measure of exclusivity

GSMArena team from GSMArena (12 months ago)

Even in the face of capable competition, the Xperia sola comes across as a solid effort. Its Floating Touch screen might not be the game changer Sony makes it out to be and it lacks the sophistication of its NXT brothers, but the boxy handset isn't without charms of its own. We liked the look and feel... More

Cnet
A solid smartphone with a good array of features, beyond the basics

Joseph Hanlon from Cnet (12 months ago)

8/10

Sony's Xperia Sola is a respectable mid-tier phone, with a good smattering of features and decent performance. Some that will argue that its 3.7-inch screen is too small for various smartphone tasks and the colour banding issues we've encountered may be a deal-breaker for others. Both impact on multimedia... More

Mobile88
Attractive design, responsive UI, and a floating touch

Tan Ming Sin from Mobile88 (12 months ago)

The Xperia Sola does not offer high-end specs, however you sure can look forward to its floating technology. What we can say is that the Xperia Sola is still not at its best. Nonetheless, you can consider it pretty good value for money.

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