Sony’s Android model attracts people with
nice design, good performance, reasonable price and effective abilities for
being waterproof and anti-dust.
Xperia
Go is among latest smartphone in the market.
In mid-class segment with
less-than-500-dollar price, Xperia Go ST27i shares similar specs to its
predecessor, Xperia U, when it has NovaThor U8500 dual-core processor (1GHz),
4GB of RAM and one superior feature which is extendable memory card slot. Besides,
rear camera owns 5MP resolution, supporting recording HD 720p videos.
Despite having 3.5inch screen like Xperia U
does, Xperia Go comes with lower resolution (480x320 pixels) thus the display
is square-shape, not bar-shape. This model’s display isn’t so detailed, which becomes
a downside of this Sony’s waterproof model.
The product meets IP67 standard for being
waterproof and anti-dust. This allows the device to be soaked in water under
1meter-depth during 30mins and to prevent the touch-sensitive screen against
dust and scratch. It is impressive that Xperia Go still retains nice, sleek and
simple appearance bearing resemblance to that of its predecessor, Xperia Sola.
Moreover, the phone doesn’t look bulky and heavy, like heavy-duty models from Sonim
or JCB.
Xperia Go comes with Android 2.3 at
default. RRP is $425, a great deal for such features, performance and interest
that this smartphone brings users.
Part 1: Design and waterproof ability
Xperia
Go owns nice design yet impressing endurance.
Compared with last year’s Xperia Active, Xperia
Go’s appearance is not as stylish but friendlier. Different from Xperia S/P/U
(introduced at beginning of the year) in look, Xperia Go owns different style but
still retains familiarly elegant curves. Sony’s waterproof model bears common
look with Xperia Sola, with figure seeming regular in shape and balanced, plus rounded
corners.
This
phone shares common design with Xperia Sola and features of Xperia smartphones
of 2012.
Tacked
bottom makes the display a little convex.
The display and touch-sensitive buttons is
covered by glossy black surface made of glass and a little convex. The bottom
is smoothly tacked, making the phone fit completely in palm. Xperia Go shows
beautiful design, especially in front view. 9.8mm thickness and 110g weight
give the phone a sturdy and compact feeling when it is handled or put in
pocket.
Simple
back lid
Removable
back lid reveals mouthed battery inside.
Xperia Go’s back lid looks simple, with
material similar to that on Xperia U or Sola. It feels a bit rough, fit in palm
and hard to get dusty. Camera plus flash is neatly mounted into the back lid. Beside
is Sony logo and loudspeaker having waterproof metal grid.
Xperia
Go looks sleek and nice despite being waterproof
Having waterproof and anti-dust ability meeting
IP67 standard, Xperia Go, at first sight, doesn’t seem having these abilities. Power
button, volume keys and slots for speaker are simply designed and unnoticeable.
However, covers for 3.5mm and micro-USB slots are thickened and hardened by rubber
to help cover the phone tight and prevent water penetrating.
Ports
for SIM and micro-SD card are tightly covered and well protected against water.
Loudspeaker
comes with waterproof grid and battery is mounted into plastic case, like on
Xperia S model.
To insert SIM or memory card, users have to
open the back lid. In fact, when the device is deeply soaked, water can penetrate
into but Sony did put the battery in a plastic cover to form a waterproof block
like the company did to Xperia S. Slots for SIM and memory card is thickly
covered by a plastic layer. Thus, when joining the back lid with the phone, there
will be a heavy-duty block against penetration, of both water and dust, into
SIM and memory card slots.
Touchscreen
can’t work under water and it get malfunctioned when hit by a torrent of water.
Xperia Go shows good abilities against water
and dust. In practice, when soaked under water for 10 minutes, Xperia Go didn’t
get any trouble like common smartphones. Talking and internal speakers are not
easily penetrated by water. Just pat the phone on its back to get rid of water,
and then you can continue talking normally. Moreover, connectors and jack slots
are also waterproof.
Users have to note that Xperia Go’s back is
removable so when the product is soaked in long hours, water can penetrate
into. However, Sony did take the thing into account and promise there would be
no issue.
Xperia
Go is high appreciated for its unique features.
Unlike the previous waterproof Xperia
Active phone, Xperia Go’s touchscreen fails to work under water. Putting the
device against a streaming from a faucet, we saw the display malfunctioned. However,
when used under heavy rain, the screen still supported interactive movements,
such as touch, press and slide, well with no difficulty. Sony equips this model
a good touch-sensitive operation even when user’s hands are wet. Besides, this
phone finds no difficulty acquiring signal in either humid or soaked condition.
