Those of you who read my huge review of the XPERIA X1 will know that I absolutely loved it. It featured great hardware for its time, was rather speedy although running Windows Mobile and its metal body was really nice. Last year the successor, the X2, was announced and it was released not too long ago. I received my first review unit back in December and received another one a few days ago. You’ll know the reason for that in a short while.
The XPERIA X2 pretty much packs the same hardware as the X1 – 256 MB RAM and 528 MHz processor – which isn’t too promising for a successor – especially not when it’s running Windows Mobile 6.5, which requires more power from the processor and graphics unit. The X2 adds a slightly larger display (3.2 inches vs. 3.0 inches on the X1) and one of the good things about it is that it’s a flush display, which wasn’t the case on the X1. It’s only a resistive display though, and a rather poor one at that. There’s also an 8 megapixel camera with higher resolution video capture; added accelerometer; better support for Java applications and an updated XPERIA panels interface and management. Other than that not a whole lot has happened besides the obvious make-over.
I suppose the price difference between the two phones would be justified by the added functionality – or perhaps I should say “lack thereof”. Windows Mobile 6.5 is perhaps the worst mobile operating system I have ever used. Not that it lacks features or something like that, but it literally brings the X2 to its knees, as it struggles to keep up with even the most simple tasks. It’s really a pity. It takes ages to load various applications, browsing the Start menu or something along the lines of that. I’ve experienced a lot of bugs, despite only having used the phone for a very short time. That’s just not acceptable. I’ve got to give Sony Ericsson props for their XPERIA panels. They’re faster on the X2 and they’ve updated the management as well, so the phone can automatically use different panels at different hours of the day. That’s neat if you want a panel for work and a panel when you’re off the clock.
The camera performs fairly good, but it’s nothing extraordinary. There’s a small flash light which can be used for both stills and videos.
The webbrowser is crappy and slow. It’s based on Internet Explorer (why not Opera as in X1?) and therefore comes with the same bad rendering of websites. Look at what it did to se-blog.com:
I like the idea of the standard home screen, but what’s the purpose of it when you’ve got multiple panels to choose from? I really don’t see any purpose at all.
There’s supposed to come two major updates for the X2, but I’m sorry to say that I can’t recommend the X2 to anyone at its current state. I loved the X1 and still do, but the X2 is simply unusable to me, which is why I only used it briefly. I even got a second X2 because of my experiences with the first, but the second phone – although slightly faster – wasn’t much better. Still not something I’d be able to use on a daily basis.
I would have loved to use it Android or Maemo instead of Windows Mobile. Now that would have been a killer device!
By the way, I’m sorry about the dark photos. The display on the X2 is rather poor in direct light, such as the light coming from my bounced flash. It washed out the screen completely in almost all shots. Here’s a best case scenario of the screen visibility in sunlight:
Feel free to ask any questions in the comments. I know some of you will probably think I’m being hard, but I’m really not.
pity, i was really looking forward to this device.. that is, until i heard the camera takes 6 seconds shot to shot, which just isn’t acceptable.
is it that much to ask for a phone with a fast UI, 8+ megapixel camera and a keyboard? apparently so =(
I admired you that speak it frankly unlike other reviewers whose will not bring minus side of phone to public too much especially when they reviewed their favs
Yeah, speaking frankly is appreciated, but it should still remain objective. I somehow manage to use X2 every day and surprisingly I definitely wouldn’t go back to X1. WM 6.5 might be a bit laggy, but with such a processor not much can be expected. Compared to X1 it’s exactle the same. And there are much more subtle changes which eliminates all the little annoyances of X1 and actually make using it more of a joy.
Regarding Windows Mobile, everybody has their preferences and if this OS managed to stay on the market for such a long time, obviously, it’s found some fans. So ripping on WM is highly subjective and fine, of course you can be subjective, but please, at least make it clear that this is your opinion and what you consider to be a con, someone else can have this among the main reasons for choosing this phone. Thank you.
Well, I kind of expect people to know that it is my opinion – and my opinion only – when they read my posts. A review will always be subjective, one way or another. However, comparing it to Maemo which my N900 runs, Windows Mobile 6.5 is incredibly slow. There’s no doubt Windows Mobile 6.1 in X1 is faster.
=O a person who’s running a site dedicated to SE is using a n900? thats surprising
Yup! I love Maemo. It’s a brilliant OS. N900 is perhaps the best mobile phone I’ve ever owned.
N900 is huge though…doesn’t seem easily pocket-able.
This is a shame, I knew when they said the X2 would have the same specs as the X1 that the whole thing was done for. Maybe somebody over at XDA will figure out how to load Android onto it and make it a decently usable phone.
It’s really not much larger than an X2. They’re the same in length, but N900 is 2 millimetres thicker and a bit wider due to the large display. I don’t have any problems with its size
Would be nice with Android on the X2.
Well I will soon share my comments too!
I’m getting X2 since it’s really attractive especially when I’m so happy with X1.
Funny since I’ve read so much negative comments after X1 launch and people
threatening me that after 3 – 4 months the device will be a horror…
17 months now after purchase, every day hardcore usage, first FW – very good! Didn’t loose a bit of it’s speed etc.
So as for X2 – it will have upgrades, yes, and also I actually thing WM is the most complete OS right now
when Android is no go for me, and Maemo – well, maybe, but it’s so upopular like
not much software for that I think….
I’ll let you know soon.
I have the X2 now and it’s true it has it’s fair share of flaws , but with all your respect Michelle this is totally exaggeration! I understand this is your opinion and experience, yet I don’ think it’s totally true. The X2 is not slower than my X1, and regarding the Internet, this device is one of the most fastest mobiles I have ever experienced! I really don’t understand how you got the idea that it’s slow. This device may not be the greatest but it’s still a good device and it’s not bad as you made it look like.
Thanks anyway,
How can i use windows 6.1 on x2?is it possible?
hello there! I would like to know that Does X2 come with metal body like X1? or made up plastic body? thank