There are currently no Sony Ericsson phones that should be compared to the X1. Nor are there any that can match the X1 in terms of features and functionality. If we were to take a comparing look at the global market of smart phones, we’d find a tiny selection of smart phones that are similar to the X1, but not a single of these is a match for the X1. More on this later in the review.The X1 comes in a nice looking white and blue box in a typical square shape. While there’s really nothing wrong with the design of the box, the X1 is supposed to be a luxurious handset that is at the top of Sony Ericsson’s range. We would have wished that packaging had reflected this rather than just look like an ordinary product. Granted that this isn’t likely to be a deal breaker for many, if any, it is still something we would like to see Sony Ericsson address with future products in this category.
Inside the box, the content is separated in three smaller boxes - one with the phone, one with accessories and the last one for manuals, promotional stuff and the software disc. The X1 product box includes the following:
Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1, Battery, 1500 mAh (BST-41), Charger (CMU-20), USB cable (DMU-70), 3.5 millimetre earphones (HPM-75), Spare stylus (ISP-90), Manuals, documents and promotional offers, Software CD with ActiveSync and WayFinder Mobile.
Advantages
* Quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM, GPRS & EDGE
* 2100 MHz UMTS, 7.2 Mbps HSDPA & 2.0 Mbps HSUPA
* WLAN 802.11b/g
* Bluetooth 2.0 with EDR
* Integrated GPS with support for A-GPS
* Windows Mobile 6.1 Professional
* XPERIA panels
* Opera Mobile web browser
* Excellent build quality and quality feel
* Premium aluminum design
* Full QWERTY keyboard
* Fast processor and loads of RAM memory
* Superb battery performance
* Gorgeous 3-inch, 800 x 480 pixels display
* 3.5 mm jack
* 3.2 megapixel camera and VGA video recording
* 4 GB memory card (micro-SD) included
* Excellent worldwide XPERIA support service
Disadvantages
* Windows Mobile 6.1 - being not so - Professional
* Minor software bugs
* No official support for Flash in web browsers (yet?)
* Would have been nice with a flush display
* Non-standard screen resolution
* Lacks accelerometer and TV-out
* Heavy weight at 158 grams
* Hefty price-tag
Note that the XPERIA X1 makes use of a mini-USB port instead of Sony Ericsson’s proprietary Fast Port connector, which means that you won’t be able to use your old chargers and accessories with the X1. The charger included in the X1 sales package charges the phone via the USB cable, so don’t throw this away! Speaking of accessories for the X1, Sony Ericsson has fortunately announced a few of these, including a cigarette lighter adapter, dubbed the CLA-70.
When you buy the X1 you will also get a 4 gigabyte memory card delivered separately, or at least that’s what happened with my X1. Other regions will receive a full length version of the movie “Hancock” on a 1 gigabyte memory card. I guess it depends a lot on your region and possibly also operator.
While we’re generally pleased with the bundled items, there’s no desk stand in the box, which would undeniably have been a nice addition to the X1.
