Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc

sony ericsson xperia arc review

Release Date:  Q4 2010
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• 4.2 inch LED display working on Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine
• Android OS v2.3 (Gingerbread)
• Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon 1 GHz processor
• 8MP camera
• 3G, Wi-Fi
• Slim design

• No secondary camera for video calling

    Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc Deals (467)

Sony Ericsson did have a rocking 2010 and this year they are looking to maintain the same rate of success. Expected to hit global markets within the Q1 of 2011 is the brand new Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc. The handset popularly referred to as the Sony Ericsson X12, launches the evolutionary Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Running on the latest Android™ OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread), the Arc incorporates an astounding 4.2 inch LED-backlit LCD Display with support for 16M colors. On a recent interview, current CEO and President of Sony Ericsson Bert Nordberg did say about Sony handsets going for enhanced handset displays for 2011. This slated to be released Ericsson X12 bears ample testimony to his statement, as the revolutionary BRAVIA Engine works wonders on the handsets color display. The handset will provide tough competition to the top rated phones such as Apple iPhone 4G HD and Samsung Google Nexus S.

Powered by the latest Android™ OS, v2.3 (Gingerbread), the XPERIA Arc incorporates a Scratch-resistant display that also includes built in Accelerometer sensor, Proximity sensor and a special Timescape™/Mediascape™ user interface. Although the XPERIA series has done quite well globally, users did complain about the lack of power. The X12 addresses all those complaints by including the powerful Snapdragon 1 GHz processor. Besides, shutter bugs will be delighted to know that Sony has preserved the brilliant 8 MP camera seen previously on the popular Sony Ericsson X10. However, this camera is not entirely the same as it has been tweaked slightly to support enhanced imaging through the improved Touch focus and image stabilization features.

Apart from the amazing display and the brilliant auto focus HD camera the XPERIA Arc also acquires Wi-Fi, 3G, Bluetooth® (2.1), EDGE and GPRS connectivity. Sadly, there hasn’t been an inclusion made for the latest Bluetooth® 2.2 which is considerable faster than the 2.1 version. On the brighter side, Sony ships the X12 with a mammoth 8GB of internal storage space which can be further prolonged to 32GB. This complete Quadband 3G handset is slated to be released within mid of Q1 however network carriers have not yet advertised any mobile deals for the X12 just yet.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc – Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine Benefits

Making its debut on the X12 is the much anticipated Sony Mobile BRAVIA Engine. Sony had previously displayed the technology in last year’s mobile congress and it looked incredibly impressive. The Engine is programmed to do real-time colour management, change contrast levels, enhance sharpness automatically and even does real-time noise reduction. Every text, image and graphic appears in vivid colour at any given time. Besides, the Mobile BRAVIA Engine is also programmed to reduce battery life drastically by automatically adjusting brightness and contrast exposure on the 4.2 inch LED-backlit LCD display, when not in use.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc – Network and Connectivity

Today, most contemporary high-end handsets come with exhaustive network and connectivity options. The Arc is no different. The device is a complete 3G Quadband Smartphone that operates over 3G Network HSDPA 900 / 2100/ 850 / 1900 / 2100 / 800. Also embedded within the Arc is a special internal antenna that amplifies signal strength and keeps the signal quality constant. Connectivity wise, users will have nothing to complain about as the handset comes with Wi-Fi® (802.11b/g/n, DLNA), Bluetooth® (2.1) GPRS (237 kbps), Edge (86 kbps), 3G (HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps) and micro USB (2.0) for desktop connectivity. Users can expect high speed internet connectivity over the HSPDA networks as the speed extends up to 7.2 Mbps. Pairing up your Wi-Fi® with other Wi-Fi® enabled devices is fairly easy on the innovative Android™ 2.3 OS.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc – Display

Weighing at just 117 grams for a handset that incorporates a 4.2inch screen is just incredible to say the least. The device is angular in shape and comes with a chrome bezel that runs throughout the sides of the phone. There are 3 hard keys at the bottom of the display for getting through to the main menu and for multitasking where as the headphone slot and the USB port can be seen on the left hand side and on the top right respectively.

The Sony Ericsson X12 features a 4.2 inch LED-backlit LCD Display that comes with a native resolution of 854x480 pixels. Thanks to the innovative BRAVIA Engine, the display seems amazingly clear and crisp as the BRAVIA Engine does real-time adjustment to suit comfortable viewing. The display is completely scratch resistant besides you get all the usual stuffs such as Multi-touch, Proximity sensor for auto turn-off, Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate and the newly added Mediascape™ User interface. The new Gingerbread OS does slightly accentuate the feel of the multi touch display.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc – Memory

With the X12 including such a vast list of impressive multimedia features, memory is one aspect that the Arc will require in abundance. Sony rightly incorporates the X12 with a massive internal storage space of 8 GB which can be further extended to an astonishing 32GB via a microSD™ card. With internal memory extended up to 8GB you can practically have unlimited phone book and call record entries.

Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc – Multimedia

With Sony touting the Arc as the best multimedia handset within the "XPERIA" series, the Sony Ericsson X12 really had to pull out all the stocks to beat its predecessors which were excellent multimedia handsets in their own ways. The most notable multimedia feature on the X12 is the updated 8 MP Autofocus HD camera. Images can be recorded at a maximum resolution of 3264x2448 pixels where as HD quality videos can be shot at 720p@30fps. To aid you shoot in low light conditions you have a powerful dedicated LED flash. Image stabilization, Touch focus, geo-tagging, smile and face detection come as standard. However, the X12 misses out on a secondary camera which would have been great considering its powerful 3G HSPDA and Wi-Fi® connectivity.

Music and video playback on the new Arc is simply phenomenal. The sound feels crystal clear besides the provided noise cancellation headphones are probably the best the ones within the mobile market. The built in music player supports all the contemporary audio and video formats including the popular ones such as MP4/H.263/H.264/WMV (Video) and MP3/eAAC+/WMA/WAV (Audio). The music player also features TrackID™music recognition software that can be used to track your entire music portfolio.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc is easily one of the most anticipated handsets of 2011, expected to hit global mobile markets within Q1 of this year.