So, through my tweets I managed to grab the attention of Sony Ericsson and they sent me the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S to review.
As soon as I switched it on, I knew it would be easy to use as it is running the same version of Android as my Xperia Pro, 2.3.4. Even if you are new to Android, I am sure you will be able to use the Arc S fairly quickly. Android is great because it is simple for a beginner to use but has the capacity that Tech savvy people, like us require.
Just by looking at the phone I am already starting to see why everyone is raving about it. I am really impressed as to how thin it is and how light it is. I actually couldn’t find it for about an hour and then I found it in my hand! Seriously it is really light. I even thought it had no battery inside!
Let’s get to some features of the phone because that’s what really counts.
Xperia™ arc S at a glance:
- Super fast 1.4 GHz processor
- 3D and 2D sweep panorama photography
- 8.1 MP camera with Exmor R™ for mobile image sensor
- 4.2“ Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
- Latest Android™ platform Gingerbread 2.3
As the Arc S has a big screen, you will land up doing a lot on it. You will want whatever you do to be smooth and fast. So the Arc has a processor which will blow all other phones away. Most phones have a 1 GHz processor but the Arc S stands out from the crowd with a 1.4Ghz processor. So when it comes to installing apps or switching between apps, the Arc S will be capable. What use is a fast phone without a nice screen?
The Arc S has a 4.2 Inch Reality Display with Mobile Bravia Engine. Anyone that knows or has heard of Sony TVs will know that the Bravia TVs are amazing. So the fact that the Arc S has the same Bravia technology for the screen should tell the screen will be crisp and clear. And yes it is. The Arc S’s screen is crystal clear and shows sharp colours.
As stated in my review on the Xperia Pro, I love having my phone as a camera. The Arc S has an 8.1MP camera, which is the same as the Xperia Pro. So the camera on the Arc S produces images that are crisp and clear and when viewed on a big screen or printed, they still retain the same qualities. I actually had some of my pictures printed in A3 recently and I am very happy with the outcome considering it was taken on a phone camera.
If you like taking videos on your phone, the Arc S features a HD (720p) video camera. The quality that the camera produces is amazing but also takes up a lot of space. So that’s why I suggest later on, the 32GB card. But you can always transfer the movies to your pc with the included USB cable.
If you like Android, then you will love to use the Arc S. With a big screen, it helps you to easily navigate the phone with a flick of a finger. The Arc S comes with Android Gingerbread 2.3 but the latest version of Ice Cream Sandwich should be available for the Arc s. If you are not using Android, I suggest you do. It allows you to do so much more with your phone. And with the Arc S, you would want to do more on it.
The Arc S has WIFI, Bluetooth, 3G and HSDPA so you will be able to easily connect to the internet wherever you are. It also has a tethering function. This allows you to use the Arc S as a hotspot/router and connect another device, for example a tablet (I suggest the Samsung Galaxy Tab) or a laptop over WIFI to use your phones internet. Now you won’t have to waster money on a 3G dongle.
For music lovers the phone features that standard 3.5 mm audio jack which is the same as most devices these days. So you can connect your iPod ear phones or if you are cool your “beats” Sigh don’t we all just want a pair of Beats by Dre! Another feature that is standard on Sony Ericsson phones is TrackID™ music recognition which allows you to use your phone to record a song to find out information about it. I love this feature and use it whenever I hear a cool song but don’t know what it is. It beats having to Google a few words, which I normally get wrong.
The Arc S comes with 8GB microSD™ memory card but it can take up to a 32Gb, I got one in my phone so I never have to worry about space.
The Google Play store features many apps! Some are free and some must be paid for. There is an app for everything, sometimes maybe there shouldn’t be! But there is and it’s great because it allows you to do a lot on your phone. I use many apps daily on my phone.
The Arc has comes in Pure White, Midnight Blue, Misty Silver, Gloss Black and Sakura Pink. I got sent the Pure White version and it looked great. I am sure the other version will look super cool as well.
Lastly I know you will want to go on Facebook or Twitter. The Arc S has “Facebook inside Xperia” which means that Facebook is actually integrated throughout the features of your phone. For example Facebook will be integrated into your contact list or even your calendar. For twitter, you can make use of Timescape™integration to see your tweets. But obviously you can always use the standard Twitter or Facebook apps.
If you are wondering what the difference is between the Arc and the Arc S, here it is. The Arc S delivers up to 25% faster entertainment compared to Xperia Arc. Someone online even asked if they could swop the Arc for the Arc S. Not a chance!
Bottom Line: If you are looking for a phone with a big screen that is fast and has a nice camera and feel, then get the Arc S. Go on, get it before it’s too late.
Photos courtesy of gsmarena.com:
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