Xperia SP: An impressive midrange, LTE-capable Android smartie

MANILA, Philippines - Packing quite a powerful punch within its svelte profile, the Sony Xperia SP is one of the recent LTE-capable smartphones to reach the local market. It’s perhaps one of the most impressive tech pieces to come out of the brand’s mobile phone segment since parting ways with Ericsson. However, compared to its Xperia Z sibling off the high-end spectrum, this slim smartphone is more geared for the midrange market with its price. Despite this, its set of feature and specifications will definitely address today’s mobile needs and even satisfy high-end users.

At a glance, the Sony Xperia SP is definitely a looker. Whether it’s the black or the white variety, this phone can make heads turn. Right in front is a bright 4.6-inch touch-screen display and a front-end VGA camera under a panel of glass, while its rear is plastic with a matte finish that is easily complemented by the shiny chrome ring around the built-in camera’s lens.

The side panels, on the other hand, feature a matte, metallic finish. Overall, its 130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98-mm body offers a nice grip. The entire model feels solidly built in hand but not at all heavy at only 155 grams.

You will find a microUSB port on its left side panel for both charging and for data cable connections, while the volume rocker, power button and a dedicated camera button are on the right. At the top is a 3.5 audio port and at the bottom you will notice a clear glass bar. This section houses a few LEDs that flash in different colors to alert you of incoming calls or messages, and it also pulses along when you are playing music. You can customize the colors for each notification or even turn them off — a good option since the flashes can be rather bothersome especially at night.

Features and performance

During testing, the calls made using the Xperia SP were absolutely clear with neither lags nor echoes. And as mentioned, this smartie is LTE-capable, letting you take advantage of the wireless network implemented recently by local telcos. In addition to this, it also has your customary 3G, HSDPA, Wi-Fi, GPS, and EDGE connectivity options so you can still stay connected to the Web even when on the go.

At its core, the Xperia SP has a 1.7GHz dual-core processor that makes every operation run smoothly. That, coupled with its 1GB memory, allow for a snappy performance. From launching apps and multi-tasking to downloading files and surfing the Web wirelessly, we did not experience any lags. 

Like most mobile brands these days, Sony splattered its own coat of interface on top of the Android Jelly Bean operating system that runs this phone. However, you won’t notice any drastic changes in terms of interaction and navigation which is a great bit if you are a fan of the Android stock UI. The interface, as expected, is clean and intuitive, a cinch to use and navigate through, and customizable. You get a five-sided home screen where you can put apps and widgets of your choice, while the bottom of the screen can be populated with four shortcuts.

The Xperia SP has a built-in 8GB internal storage that is enough for your apps, photos, videos and audio tracks. However, if you want more storage, a slot is available for a microSD card up to 32GB. Along with the microSD slot is an embedded 2370mAh battery. During our test runs, this lithium ion battery enabled the phone to power through more than a day at a full charge. A battery saving mode is also available, extending the battery life even further.

Entertainment

During the development of the Xperia SP, Sony welcomed aboard engineers who work on its Bravia line of televisions to help develop this phone’s 4.6-inch display. The resulting touch screen is capable of hi-def resolutions up to 720p, enabling it to produce bright images with great clarity and sharpness. Sony also threw in the latest Bravia Engine 2 to optimize video playback, enhancing images with sharp contrasts and color definitions.

While the screen and its enhancements make for a truly enjoyable viewing experience, the screen’s viewing angles are a tad bit subpar. Tilt the phone a little or change the angling and you will notice a bit of downward shift in contrast.

Its 8-megapixel built-in camera comes with an LED flash, autofocus with 16x digital zoom, geotagging, image stabilizer, smile detection, and other cool mobile photography features. Videos, on the other hand, are recorded in 1080p. Shooting outdoors and in bright rooms yield photos and footages that are clear and bright with nice contrast and detailing. Unfortunately, the same can’t be said for those taken in less luminous areas where the photos had some noticeable noise.

The Xperia SP also features a built-in speaker that churns out audios that are loud enough for you not to miss calls or any alerts. Thankfully, this volume level comes with high audio quality whether you have plugged in earphones or not. This audio quality pitches in with a good tonal definition — clear high tones, decent midtones and a full-bodied bass. Obviously, this adds a nice touch to the multimedia experience on this phone.

While the Sony Xperia SP has a laundry list of good quality specs, it still has a few hitches up its solidly built sleeves. Despite this, it’s still a very capable smartphone, able to take on any user’s needs. It’s a good midrange LTE-capable handset that retails at P19,990, a considerably affordable model for a phone of its class.