The Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini pro is not an entry-level smartphone. Far from it, in fact. As small as it may seem, it actually packs some fairly impressive hardware and software features. One only need to spend a few minutes using it to fully understand just how great it is not only as a phone but also as a mobile computer.
Being a phone that was designed to have the slider form factor, the Mini Pro makes good use of the limited real estate that it has for hardware features. It comes with a 3-inch HVGA touchscreen display that’s protected by a layer of scratch-resistant glass. The screen itself can be used for easy user input. And on top of that, it also has a conventional keypad setup that can be used to type or navigate the apps and menus.
The Mini Pro’s 3G antenna is located inside its casing, which measures 18mm thick. It's quite chunky, but it weighs a mere 136 grams so it shouldn't be that hard to carry around. As with many other Sony Ericsson smartphones with the Android operating system, the Mini Pro features an excellent 5-megapixel camera with LED flash and 8x digital zoom. It can record HD video at 30 frames per second and has special features like smile detection and geo-tagging.
Speaking of the Android operating system, it has Android 2.3 Gingerbread by default. An update to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is available, but even with the stock software, the phone can prove itself very useful.
Ultimately, this phone will be chosen by those who want the power of Android in a very handy package. If you don’t like to fiddle with devices that have 4.5-inch screens or larger, then the Mini Pro might be just right for you.
Need To Know: Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro
1. Can be upgraded from Android 2.3 Gingerbread to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. (The Good)
2. Gives users option to ues either touchscreen display or built-in keypad for navigation and character input. (The Good)
3. Small amount of user available RAM and internal storage space. (The Bad)
4. HVGA native resolution of 3-inch screen can be somewhat limiting for certain applications such as Web browsing. (The Bad)
What the Critics Are Saying...
- GSMArena Team, GSMArenaWe're impressed with the Xperia mini pro, and can't hide it. Having tested many of the recent Sony Ericsson smartphones, we have to admit the difference between old and new Xperia has never been so sharp. Keeping it all so neat and compact while nearly putting the specs through the roof is a remarka...
- Matt, Tracy and MattThe end of another exciting review and of all of the reviews that I have done, this is the one that I've taken the longest to complete and I would say that this is because I like the device and wanted to accurately portray it's quality in this review so you guys can make your own judgements from it....
- Sahil Mohan Gupta, NDTVIf you are looking for an Android smartphone in the range of 15k then without any hesitation we would recommend the Xperia Mini Pro. It boasts of the silky smooth performance we expect of the top-end smartphones and it combines this slickness with the finesse of a full QWERTY keyboard, crisp display...
- Barry de la Rosa, Expert ReviewsWhile Sony Ericsson's choice of software is less about customer choice and more about cashing in on marketing deals, we loved the Mini Pro's keyboard and its screen is just big enough to work with. Add to the mix a decent camera and good performance, and factor in the low SIM-free price, and you hav...
- Simon Sage, IntoMobileThe physical keyboard on the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro naturally lends itself to heavy messagers first, but I find the app selection, customizations by Sony Ericsson, and unique form factor make this phone a really well-rounded device. Sure, the screen size might not be as huge and sharp as some...
Prices (Where to Buy)
Common Questions
Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro 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 $279.99. You can compare Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro prices from around the web here on The Informr.
We've got you covered! Download a free PDF copy of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro user manual here.
Sony backs up the Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro with a 1 Year parts & labour warranty.
If your Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro 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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