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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play review

7.5/10 AVG.
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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
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7.5/10
Informr score
The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play currently has an Informr score of 7.5 out of 10. This score is based on our evaluation of 27 sources including reviews from users and the web's most trusted critics.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY puts a gaming twist on the standard smartphone model. The phone features a full PSP-like gamepad that slides out from underneath the phone's 4 inch, LED backlit 480 x 854 TFT LCD screen that features capacitive multi-touch capabilities. The phone also includes built-in stereo speakers that put out impressive volume and sound quality despite their small size.

Powering the Xperia PLAY is a 1 GHz Scorpion processor paired with 512 MB of RAM. The phone has only 400 MB of internal flash storage which can be expanded via the external microSD memory card slot. The phone includes a free 8 GB memory card.

While marketed as a hybrid gaming device, the Xperia PLAY isn't lacking in many of the core features you would expect to find on a smartphone, including GPS navigation, integrated Bluetooth capabilities, and WiFi b/g/n connectivity. Due to its design, the phone is a bit bulkier and heavier than the average smartphone, weighing in around 175 grams; however, it is by no means unwieldy.

The Xperia PLAY's rear-facing 5 megapixel camera features autofocus technology coupled with a bright LED flash for crisp and detailed pictures even in low-light settings. Unlike most other smartphones, it does not record in full 720P HD, as the phone's video capture resolution maxes out at 800 x 480; however, an update is rumored to be in the works to remedy this. An 0.3 MP front-facing camera allows for video phone calls to be made with other compatible devices.

All in all, the Xperia PLAY successfully bridges the gap between portable gaming devices and smartphones. A full range of titles specifically designed for the phone are available for purchase, and deals with multiple content partners ensure that new material will be released for the phone and its future successors.

Need to know: Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY

1. Unique hybrid smartphone-gaming design, featuring a slide-out game pad, is appealing to gadget geeks and gamers alike, and a wide variety of games are available for the phone. (The Good)

2. Slightly less responsive screen with lower color contrast than the Super AMOLED screens on some of the competition. While it is an improvement over the PSP's screen, it could have been far better. (The Bad)

3. While the hardware is capable of 720p video capture, the software does not support it at this time. (The Bad)

4. A measly 400 MB of internal memory, making it fully dependent on external memory cards. (The Bad)


Android
Operating system
Operating system
Android
1 GHz
Processor
Processor
1 GHz
4"
Screen Size
Screen Size
4"
5+ MP
Camera
Camera
5+ MP
1500 mAh
Battery


What the Critics Are Saying...


GSMArena
GSMArena

The first thing for Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play to worry about is filling up its game store with exclusive content – and quick. But even if it fails in that it, will have accomplished something. For one, it proves people wrong who thought the gamephone went extinct with N-gage.Secondly, it&rsquo...

- GSMArena Team, GSMArena
Top Ten Reviews
Top Ten Reviews

The Xperia Play breaks some new ground in the world of multimedia cell phones and certainly is a game changer for consumers who are particularly interested in gaming on their phones. It's cutting edge in most regards but makes a few performance compromises that – although they'll likely not be much...

- Top Ten Reviews Team, Top Ten Reviews
PhoneArena
PhoneArena

Gaming enthusiast will no doubt love the Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY 4G as it’s a suitable gaming device that intricately presents us with a fantastic gaming experience. Add the lovable elements of any Android smartphone, we essentially have something that’ll keep us preoccupied during som...

- John V., PhoneArena
Techsmart
Techsmart

The SE Xperia Play is a really capable smartphone and delivers an improved mobile gaming experience thanks to its dedicated controls. According to SE its Xperia Play is a phone first and portable gaming device second, but you’ll still be able to replace your old smartphone as well as a PSP with just...

- Hanleigh Daniels, Techsmart
Digital Versus
Digital Versus

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is THE cameraphone to have right now. If you're looking for a reasonably-sized smartphone with a great camera, then this is the one for you. It's responsive and has a great interface, so it's just a shame that the exterior could do with a little extra attention.

- Florence Legrand , Digital Versus


Prices (Where to Buy)




Common Questions


Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 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 $349.99. You can compare Ericsson Xperia Play prices from around the web here on The Informr.



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


If your Ericsson Xperia Play 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.



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Quick view

Screen Size
4"

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play's screen size is 4 inches with x pixels resolution.

Processor
1 GHz

There is a Qualcomm MSM8255 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 is also a secondary front facing camera useful for video chat and self portraits.

Storage
400 MB

Internal memory is 400 MB. An external, MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB) expansion slot is available for increased storage capacity.

Battery
1500mAh

The phone is powered by a Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion), 1500 mAh battery. Sony's performance ratings are 17.5 days standby time, 505 minutes.

Ericsson Xperia Play Specs

Overview
Release Date March 26, 2010
Regions Available USA
Operating System No

Compare Android Smartphones

Processor Qualcomm MSM8255 1 GHz
Internal Storage 400 MB
RAM 512 MB
Hearing Aid Compatible No
TTY/TDD No
Noise Cancellation Yes
SAR Head: 0.32 W/kg
Body: 1.4 W/kg
Manufacturer Warranty 1 Year
Accessories Included AC Charger, Data Cable, Headset, Manual, Standard Battery
Cellular
Networks
GPRS, EDGE, HSDPA 7.2, HSUPA
Mobile / Cellular Data
Push-to-talk (PTT) No
Wi-Fi Calling No
Voice over LTE (VoLTE) No
SIM card size
Yes
variations
Dual SIM No
Connectivity
USB Micro-USB 2.0
USB OTG Support No
GPS Type A-GPS
Infrared No
Bluetooth 2.1
Bluetooth Profiles A2DP, AVRCP, OPP/FTP, HFP, HSP
Bluetooth Audio Codecs SBC
Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n
Mobile Hotspot No
Memory Expansion Slot Yes
Expansion Slot Info MicroSD, MicroSDHC (up to 32 GB)
NFC Yes
Data Tethering Compatibility Yes
Camera
Main Camera
Resolution / Aperture
5+ Megapixels
Zoom
2x digital
Flash
Yes
Additional Rear Camera Info
Auto focus, Effects, Geotagging, Image stabilization, White balance
Video Recording Formats
3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Video Recording Parameters
720 x 480 pixels
Front Camera
Resolution / Aperture
Additional Front Camera Info
VGA
Video Recording Parameters
Display / Screen
Type Color
Technology LCD (TFT)
Colors 16.7 million
Resolution x pixels
Pixel Density Unknown
Size 4 inches
Secondary Display No
Sensors Ambient Light, Proximity, Motion / Accelerometer, Digital Compass
Multi-Touch No
Fingerprint-Resistant Coating No
Additional Display Features -
Power & Battery
Battery Type Lithium-Ion (Li-Ion)
Battery Capacity 1500 mAh
Removable Battery Yes
Wireless Charging
Fast Charging No
Video Playback Time Unknown
Internet Use (Wi-Fi) Unknown
Internet Use (Cellular) Unknown
Talk Time Up to 505 minutes
Standby Time Up to 17.5 days
Mixed Usage
Physical Characteristics
Design Type Slider
Colors Black, White
Dimensions [H x W x D] 11.9 x 6.2 x 1.6 cm (4.7 x 2.4 x 0.6 in)
Weight 175 grams
Water Resistant / Waterproof Unknown
Rugged design No
IP Rating No
Headset Jack 3.5mm
External Speakers Yes
Input / Navigation
Sleep / Wake Key No
Home Key No
Input / Keyboard Type Touchscreen
Navigation Type D-pad, Touchscreen
External Volume Control Yes
Fingerprint Sensor No
More
Additional Information Messaging: SMS, MMS, Google Talk
ROM: 512MB
Multi-Use Smart Phone / PDA: Yes
Graphics: Yes
Themes: Yes
Backlit Illumination: Yes
Zoom / Magnification: Yes
Predictive Text Entry: Yes
Voicemail Key: Yes
Keypad/Screen Lock: Yes
Multiple Numbers Per Contact: Email address, Other fields
Voice Activated Dialing: Yes
Photo Caller ID: Yes
Web Browser: Yes
Email Client: Yes
Email Protocols: POP3, IMAP, SMTP, Microsoft Exchange
PC Synchronization: Yes
Java Application: Yes
Audio Formats: MP3, AAC
Video Playback Formats: 3GP / 3GPP, MPEG-4
Streaming Video: Yes
Custom Ringtones: No
Vibration Alert: Yes
Downloadable Ringtones: Yes
Ringer ID: Yes
Speakerphone: Yes
Haptic Feedback: Yes
Data Tethering: Yes
Viewable document types: DOC, DOCX, GIF, HTML, JPG, PPT, PPTX, RTF, TXT, XLS
Games: Yes
Apps: Downloadable, Pre-installed
Included Software / Apps: -
Calendar, World Clock, Alarm, Calculator, NotePad, Voice Memos / Recorder

Other Names (AKA): Sony Ericsson Zeus, Sony Ericsson PlayStation phone, Sony Ericsson R800i

8GB MicroSD Card included.
Device has gaming buttons which are available behind the screen and simply slide out to offer landscape mode gaming opportunities.
Upgrade to Android OS 2.3.3 available.
Related Links Manual (PDF)
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Reviews
Where to buy Sony Ericsson Xperia Play
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