Note: We may earn commissions (at no cost to you) if you buy through links on our site. Learn more.
NOTE: This model is discontinued and may no longer be available to purchase new. See the latest cell phones or compare used prices.

Sony Xperia Advance review

7/10 AVG.
RATING
Compare Compare  
Compare Compare  

Sony Xperia Advance
Sony Xperia Advance
Sony Xperia Advance
Sony Xperia Advance
...


7/10
Informr score
The Sony Xperia Advance currently has an Informr score of 7 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 8 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Sony Xperia go is among the best-looking rugged handsets ever released with Android in the past few years. It has a 3.5-inch HVGA screen, a dual-core processor, a 5MP camera, Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, and built-in dust and water protection that’ll keep it safe and working properly in most situations. Its default operating system is Android 2.3 Gingerbread, but it can be upgraded to version 4.0 for free.

Some of its features are top-notch. For instance, its camera boasts 16x digital zoom and can record 720p HD video. Also, it can take in microSD cards to add to its 8GB of standard storage. But that’s the thing: some of its other features can be rather disappointing. Forget the limited storage space. The Xperia go has quite a limited amount of RAM at only 512MB. And what’s with the use of the low-res panel for its screen? It’s like bits of it were taken from another decade.

It’s one of the top stylish picks for those who consider tough features to be a top priority, but it should be noted that it comes with several drawbacks which just might be too tough for some to deal with.

Need to Know: Samsung Xperia go

1. Dust- and water-proof. (The Good)

2. Built-in camera can capture 720p HD video. (The Good)

3. Uses an older version of the Android software. (The Bad)

4. Comes with a low resolution touchscreen display. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
3.5"
Screen Size
Screen Size
3.5"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1305 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


TelecomTiger
TelecomTiger

Good phone with all basic android features. If you are a video call lover and heavy user of mobile phone, explore other phones.

- Telecom Tiger Team, TelecomTiger
Fone Arena
Fone Arena

The Sony Xperia go is definitely one of the best rugged Android Smartphone with good build quality. The 1305 mAh battery lasts through the whole day with few hours of music, calls, messages and Radio. The camera captures nice shots, has a LED flash and offers 720p video recording. The phone has seal...

- Srivatsan, Fone Arena
TrustedReviews
TrustedReviews

The Sony Xperia Go is one of the most attractive "rugged" phones we've seen. It's slim, it's small and it runs the versatile Android OS. However, its rugged credentials don't extend beyond waterproofing and dust protection, and thanks to the low-res screen it feels like you're trading in a lot to ha...

- Andrew Williams, TrustedReviews
Pocket-lint
Pocket-lint

There are things to like about the Xperia Go, like the waterproofing and the design, but this isn't the best Android phone out there.

- Chris Hall, Pocket-lint
GSMArena
GSMArena

Sony may've parted ways with Ericsson but they still seem to hang out at some of the places they used to go together. One thing's for sure, the Xperia go won't mind being around the Xperia active, even if it finds itself under the occasional meter of water.So, it's a phone that's supposed to make a...

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Sony Xperia Advance prices will vary depending on retailer, age, special offers and whether or not it's purchased with a service plan. If purchased with a 2 year service contract for example, you would likely pay much less for the phone itself up front. Sony's suggested retail price is $199.97. You can compare Xperia Advance prices from around the web here on The Informr.


We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Xperia Advance user manual here.


Sony backs up the Xperia Advance with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.


If your Xperia Advance has problems and is still within its warranty period, you could contact Sony support or the retailer you purchased the phone from. You'll find Sony's contact information here. If your phone is off warranty and needs repair for a physical problem such as a broken screen or bad battery, you should visit an authorized service centre or a local phone repair shop. You can also connect with others in The Informr Community Forum to find and share answers to questions.



Ask the Community



Resources


Manuals / User Guides Helpful Links Share / Embed

Maybe one of your friends will find this review helpful? Please help us spread the word.


Quick view

Screen Size
3.5"

The Sony Xperia Advance's screen size is 3.5 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a NovaThor U8500 Dual-core Cortex A9 1 GHz processor (CPU).

OS

The phone runs on proprietary operating system firmware.

Camera
5+ MP

You can take photos or capture video with the phone's onboard 5+ MP camera.

There's no secondary front camera.

Storage
8 GB

Internal memory is 8 GB. An external, MicroSD (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1305mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1305 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 21.5 days standby time, 390 minutes.

Xperia Advance Specs

Overview
Release Date November 14, 2012
Regions Available USA, Canada, United Kingdom
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor NovaThor U8500 Dual-core Cortex A9 1 GHz
Internal Storage 8 GB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 1.12 W/kg
Body: 1.14 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 3.0
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot Yes
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD (up to 32 GB)
NFC No
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
16x digital
Flash
Yes (LED)
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Face detection, Geotagging, Panorama, Red-eye reduction, Self-timer, Smile detection
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4, XviD, AVI
Video Recording Parameters
HD (1280 x 720 pixels), 30 fps
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
No
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 3.5 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch Yes
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features Capacitive touch screen
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1305 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Up to 360 minutes
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 390 minutes
Standby Time Up to 21.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Bar
Material Plastic
Colors Yellow, White, Black
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.2 x 6.1 x 1.0 cm (4.4 x 2.4 x 0.4 in)
Weight 110 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design Yes
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key Yes
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Screen Orientation Lock: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Voice Commands: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Contact Groups: Yes
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: No
DLNA Support: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, MP4, AMR-WB, AMR, WAV, SMAF, OGG, AMR-NB
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4, XviD, AVI
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Mobile Hotspot: Yes
Radio: Yes (FM/RDS)
Wi-fi Encryption: WEP/WPA/WPA2
Viewable document types:
Games: Downloadable
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Stop Watch, Timer, Calculator, Maps, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Sony Xperia Go, Sony ST27a
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Xperia Advance Reviews
Where to buy Sony Xperia Advance
Suggest a correction