Sony Ericsson Xperia Neo
First Impressions
While a lot have been excited for the coming of the Arc, Neo has been on its quieter attempt to win the interest of Sony Ericsson and Android fans. As a midrange smartphone that comes from a rather reputable product line-up, I thought I should give it a try.
Besides, I was curious with the promise of its name – new experience. What new thing could I expect from Xperia this time? Let’s see if it delivers.
Sony Xperia Neo compared to my mid-sized hand
Look and Feel
At 126 grams, Neo is easy to use and carry around with just one hand. Running on Sony Mobile Bravia Engine, I wouldn’t question the beauty of its interface and design. Icons are nicely arranged on top of a translucent base, leaving the user several options for a customized arrangement. Plus, with a scratch-proof screen, there is no use for a protective cover mask. Forget about the accessories, even in its barest form, this phone is already good to go.
Camera
The Neo's camera at the back is capable of HD recording
With 8 megapixels, pictures are clear and crisp especially when there is good lighting. Though at times, as in most Sony Ericsson phones, the flash has the tendency of making the pictures look a bit more yellow. As for its resolution, users may switch from 8 to 6 to 2 megapixels. Needless to say, it’s still best to use the maximum to optimize the shots. Neo also has a secondary camera but picture quality is poor and grainy. If you are after a self-portrait, I’d suggest you use a mirror and the self-timer instead.
Sample shot using Sony Xperia NEO camera - automatic settings
Its video capturing feature provides the option of switching from different video sizes, from HD to VGA variety. One major issue is that none of these options would allow for zooming. Even with photos, only the 2MP 16:9 will allow for zooming. Sony Ericsson should work on this further
Multimedia
The best part about the multimedia feature of this phone is its playful and user-friendly interface. From its camera interface, one can easily shift with direct links for photo and video playback. Though, for later viewing, you might also be pleased with the edgy interface of the gallery.
As for the music playing, sound quality is at best when the phone is turned upside down. I also like the attempt to be fancy with the animation at the menu slider. I just wish Sony developed more options for full screen viewing, as it did with the PSP.
Meanwhile, the worst part about this phone’s multimedia is its rather poor battery life. If you are going to be avid at playing music and making calls at the same time, you might need to charge every now and then, at multiple times of the day. Even comparing it to its other smartphone counterparts, I would say its capacity is only next to that of Samsung and even Nokia.
Internet & Social Networking
Facebook UI of Sony Xperia Neo - just like other Android phones
With a fast and stable connection, browsing is seamless. Its Google search at the slider menu reminded me of its Android counterparts for the other brands. As for its Facebook and Twitter client, I am pretty content. File sharing did not give me much problem.
I also like how its internet-based applications are closely integrated with its browser. Say, when searching for items via Google with YouTube links, you will be automatically given the option to open it using the browser or the YouTube application. Also, I would give a plus to the option to switch between windows. I like the fact that I can open multiple pages and be able to breezily navigate through them.
Best Feature & Recommendation
After going through its features, I would say there is nothing new to look forward to with this phone. Nevertheless, while there is generally nothing to rave about, there is also a little or nothing to complain about.
What won me over is the seamless functioning of its user interface. Not most people may be pleased with its design and graphics but its navigation experience is its forte. No lags and no bugs, it’s easy to shift and move from one window and one function to the next. I would say, it is designed well to give users a good experience of Android OS.
And so, overall, with a seamless interface, user-friendly navigation and a flexible Android OS, one wouldn’t find it hard to be content with this phone.
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Pinoy Konek 