Part 2: Screen and features
The
screen displays low resolution when compared with other Android models in the
same price range.
Coming in attractively look and advantage
of being waterproof, Xperia Go has a downside which is low display resolution. This
disappoints many people when the phone is against trending designs of Xperia
2012 series as well as Sony’s hi-class models.
Having a 3.5inch screen, similar to Xperia
U, Xperia Go only features 480x320 pixel resolution. This makes the monitor wider
and more regular in shape than, and not as bar-shaped as, Xperia U (plus
480x800 pixel resolution). The low intensity of image dots produces noisy images
that are not smooth and detailed.
Bright
screen has wide color radiation yet the images are not sharp and smooth.
If using this phone for a time and getting
used to the screen, when distanced rather far from the screen, users may accept
with Xperia Go’s display. For the price ranging from $350 to $400, this model’s
low resolution is really considered. On this phone, web surfing may be
acceptable but movie/game playing as well as photo shooting in such a low
resolution would decrease both interest and experience of users for Xperia Go.
As a compensation for the display, Xperia
Go owns powerful specs which can rival those of mid-class models (Xperia
U/Sola/ Neo L) and hi-class ones (Xperia Ion/S/P). Xperia Go supports 3G/HSPA
connectivity and extendable memory card slot for a quite comfortable storage. However,
there’s no HDMI output.
TimeScape
interface on Xperia Go runs smoothly.
The model uses TimeScape interface allowing
for smoothing operation. It is also deeply integrated with social networks as
well as personal accounts. Virtual keyboard remarkably accelerates the input.
Xperia Go is equipped with 5MP camera and
LED flash and no front-facing camera. Like Xperia U, shooting ability is fully
completed and integrated with a lot of features assisting capturing images and
recording videos at maximal resolution of 720p.
Camera
is a good feature of Xperia Go.
Sony’s 5MP model can quickly capture images
and focus in standard lighting. Image quality shown on computer is nice color
is quite acceptable though it is artificial. Images captured in low-lighting come
in high noise and glare when there is a lighting source in the frame.
HD-video’s quality captured by Xperia Go is
quite fine. Display is smooth and clear while sound is complemented. However,
when the phone is casted fast, produced images easily get distortion and frame
rate doesn’t maintain at 30fps.
Music/video players on Go are similar to
those on Xperia U with DivX/Xvid codecs yet they are limited at 720p
resolution. Music players support tools for automatically detecting songs,
TrackID, SensMe (playing music according to user’s moods), xLoud technology for
enhanced volume of loudspeaker and ClearBass for better sound produced by
earphones…
Sony’s
model is suitable for energetic users and those interested in sports.
Besides, Sony also integrates this
smartphone a program kit assisting user’s working out and activities.
Part 3: Performance and battery
Xperia Go has smooth operation and good
performance. Using STE U8500 dual-core processor (1GHz), 512MB of RAM and
Mali-400MP GPU plus low-resolution screen makes this model a little stronger than
Xperia U/Sola or Samsung’s Ace 2 model and as powerful as last year’s Xperia P
or HTC Sensation. Sony’s dual-core model is well compatible with many strong 3D
games.
Tested
by Quadrant Standard Benchmark, the model gained 2.632 points, which was higher
than scores of Galaxy Nexus, Desire HD and Optimus 2X.
Marked
by NenaMark, Xperia Go’s graphics achieved high score, similar to Galaxy S II.
Enclosed battery has only 1.305mAH capacity
which seems smaller than that of a dual-core Android smartphone at present. However,
the 3.5inch screen with low resolution brings Xperia Go longer runtime than
other dual-core opponents.
In our test, we turned on WCDMA/GSM mode,
Internet connection and pushing mail synchronization for Gmail and Microsoft
Exchange accounts, played game, refreshed web sites after each 15minutes. In
this condition, Xperia Go could run within 1 day (from 8AM to 10PM). Once
restricting connectives and customizing networks, the phone could stand 2 days
running.
