The Sony Xperia U smartphone represents the Xperia NXT family, based on the Android operating system. There are three phones in the line, and the U model, that is, ST25I, is the youngest among them. But this does not mean at all that the device is initially focused on the lower segment - perhaps among premium devices. The phone received a completely modern filling with a dual-core processor, as well as a high-resolution display. However, not everyone likes the Sony Xperia U (ST25I). The reviews of the owners themselves note that the smartphone loses to the flagship members of the NXT series in terms of performance and the quality of materials for the case. Also, many emphasize that the phone is equipped with a smaller screen, although the matrix provides an image of similar quality.
Appearance and ergonomics of the model
The model received balanced characteristics of the case - it is thin and light, but it is very comfortable in the hand. The main manufacturing material is plastic. It is especially worth highlighting a solid cover that covers both the back side of the device and the side parts. The configuration of the location of the battery and SIM card is traditional and nono surprises. Perhaps it was this decision that made it possible to realize the almost perfect design of the Sony Xperia U without cracks and creaks. The first impression of the case is quite capable of inspiring associations with a monolithic plastic block. And the more surprising can be the ability of the cover to separate along with the buttons.
In terms of ease of use, the phone deserves high marks. In many ways, this is facilitated by the fact that the lid itself is made using unusual plastic. This is a rubberized material, provided with a soft touch effect. That is, in the process of using the Sony Xperia U, the owner can count on the grip of the coating and the absence of fingerprints.
Specifications
If in terms of appearance this model is not much different from its older counterparts, then the hardware filling has some features - of course, in the direction of lowering the level, but this does not prevent us from considering the phone as a full-fledged modern smartphone. Still, the flagship representatives of the NXT series are significantly more expensive than the Sony Xperia U, the technical characteristics of which are presented below
- Measures 112mm in height, 54mm in width and 12mm in thickness.
- The weight of the device is 113 g.
- Processor - U8500 series from ST-Ericsson with two 1000 MHz cores.
- Battery capacity - 1290 mAh.
- OS - Android updated to version 4.
- Display - 3.5-inch 854×480.
- Gadget RAM – 512MB.
- Communication capabilities - implemented through 3G, Bluetooth and Wi-Fi.
- Camera - 5 megapixel sensor is used.
- The built-in memory of the device is 8 GB.
- Presence of sensors – light and proximity sensors are provided.
- Additional functionality - FM radio, electronic compass and G-sensor.
Performance
The hardware base of the model is based on the ST-Ericsson platform, in which the processor is a dual-core ARMv7 with a frequency of 1000 MHz. Additionally, the Mali-400MP system is also provided as a graphics accelerator. According to these parameters, the model corresponds to the older representative of the line - Xperia P. The differences begin with RAM, which is 512 MB in Sony Xperia U. Android in the initial version of Gingerbread provided the phone with a good interface, which allows you to optimally use the capabilities of software equipment. In the aggregate, the performance indicators of this model can be safely assessed as average against the general background in the segment. Of course, when compared with devices from manufacturers of the corresponding level. The same applies to graphics processing capabilities - you should not expect an outstanding result, but the model fulfills the declared characteristics with dignity. And this is especially noticeable against the background of direct competitors in the class.
Expert opinions about the smartphone
The general impressions of specialists about the Sony Xperia U model come down to such characteristics as rational,balanced and economical. It can be seen that the developers carefully and responsibly approached the creation of a junior representative of NXT. As for the shortcomings, experts note the lack of the ability to expand memory. By today's standards, this decision looks strange, but there is a considerable part of consumers who are ready to put up with this shortcoming.
Also during operation, you may notice that sometimes Sony Xperia U does not turn on the first time. Problems of this kind can be related to battery problems or incorrectly executed firmware. Like other smartphones, this model is quite sensitive to any adjustments in the hardware and software, so it is better not to touch it without the help of specialists.
User reviews
Almost all phone owners praise it for its stylish design, ease of use, speed and responsiveness of the menu, as well as good photo quality. By the way, the camera is additionally provided with the possibility of LED flash and autofocus. There are quite a few high marks for the Sony Xperia U screen. Customer reviews, for example, note good color reproduction and good display performance in the sun. True, there are complaints about its small size. But the lack of the possibility of using memory cards does not really bother users. In everyday use, many people have enough built-in memory, but on long trips, of course, problems can arise. This shortcoming is compensated by the wide range of Google services provided by the Android shell.
Conclusion
The model is a rare example when a small smartphone uses a fairly productive stuffing. Coupled with the original design, the high speed of the phone makes it attractive to a variety of consumers. Of course, in the first place, the Sony Xperia U is aimed at young people, but it also has a lot of conservative solutions. This applies to the same design, and to the decision to abandon the memory card, and in general to the idea of the NXT line. The manufacturer set the task to embody in this series all the advantages of Sony Mobile's corporate identity. And it should be noted that the new items were very willingly accepted by fans of the brand. In any case, there are far fewer disappointed critical reviews than positive ones.
