Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (Verizon Wireless)
Manufacturer: Sony Ericsson Part number: Xperia Play
- More product information:
- Editors' review
- User reviews
- Specifications
- Manufacturer info
- Bottom Line:
- The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a significant step forward in mobile gaming, but it suffers from key hardware limitations.
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CNET editors' review
Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (Verizon Wireless) price range: $239.99
- Reviewed by: Nicole Lee
- Reviewed on: 05/24/2011
The good: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play ships with Android 2.3 Gingerbread without a complicated overlay. It has a slide-out game pad that makes gameplay more immersive, and it comes preloaded with popular game titles like Crash Bandicoot and Asphalt 6. Features include a 5-megapixel camera plus a front-facing camera, Wi-Fi, and GPS.
The bad: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play's touch-screen gaming controls are not as responsive and precise as we would like, photo quality is average at best, and it lacks an HDMI port and 4G LTE.
The bottom line: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a significant step forward in mobile gaming, but it suffers from key hardware limitations.
User reviews
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The potential is all there; you just need to find it!
by Vaclon on July 2, 2011
Pros: Android Operating System
Gamepad is small but extremely well suited for emulators
Built in games are very fun
Several apps already developed specifically for the Xperia Play (Camera Mod App)
The undisputed 'King of Emulation'. Snes, NES, GBA and otherCons: Touchscreen isn't as responsive as expected, however isn't bad at all
Touch'pads' on the gamepad, while sensitive and responsive, dont give you any easy tactile information where they end. they beg to be used like joysticks but the only way your fingersSummary: Dont be fooled; this isn't a gaming console with phone capabilities. If you'd like that then wait for more information to come out on the Playstation Vita and ...
Summary: Dont be fooled; this isn't a gaming console with phone capabilities. If you'd like that then wait for more information to come out on the Playstation Vita and it may be what your looking for.
This is a phone with a gamepad in it. The built in games are fun, the reasonably powerful, and of course its android which is a great thing! however this phone's potential for emulation is what really makes it worthwhile. Playing Metal Gear for the NES on a Playstation phone just feels right. its great to be able to not only enjoy all of the games on the Android Market but also enjoy all of the Atari-era, GBA, SNES, NES, N64 and other console's libraries through emulation. This phone is definitively the king of emulation. While it is above average in most of its characteristics its the potential that really makes the Xperia shine.
Like all android phones it requires regular maintenance: cache cleaning, occasional softwipes and rare factory resets in order to keep it running at its optimal potential. Also the compass and gyroscopes seem to be permanently calibrated at an extremely high sensitivity; which makes motion controlling in games easier but navigational applications like compasses and augmented reality apps that use the gyroscopes have to rely entirely on GPS data; which makes some applications unusable.
All in all The Xperia is a phone that knows its audience and does a rather good job at catering to them. In most other areas (with the exception of navigation and AR) it performs above average as most Android handsets do, but its potential in gaming is where it really shines and its certainly a unique find among the monolithic black-slab android lineup Verizon has currently.4 out of 4 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome Phone
by celestial4 on November 8, 2011
Pros: Great battery life, fast download speeds, great steaming for you tube videos, games, and music, no more lag, crisp and clear pictures, nice sound quality, nice chrome look, screen very responsive for messaging. 100x faster than my last 3g droid incredible
Cons: Battery cover is flimsy, easy to break.
Too much fun, might take your life away.
My friends are very jealous.Summary: To tell you the truth, I was worried about getting this phone from the reviews. I wanted to wait for the higher quality 4g, but this phone is plenty fast ...
Summary: To tell you the truth, I was worried about getting this phone from the reviews. I wanted to wait for the higher quality 4g, but this phone is plenty fast for me. I don't mind the shiny chrome plastic, it would be too heavy if it were real metal. The plastic screen makes messaging more responsive. I actually prefer the plastic screen over unresponsive glass. I can definitely deal with this phone for the next 2 years, and maybe even longer. Don't need to wait for the 4g.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Awesome Battery Life, 4 months going no Concerns
by Capsulegang on November 1, 2011
Pros: MY main reason for the 4 stars compared to all other andriod devices ive owned( which i enjoyed all) is the battery life, simply amazing vs other phones ive had
works just as good as all other andriod's
im not a huge gamer, but on the occasion when i do pCons: texting on the keyboard like most touchscreen units sucks ( possibly due to my large hands )
Summary: bottom line phone does leave something more to desire, unsure of what it is and yes i may have inflated the 4 star rating but ive had no crashes nor ...
Summary: bottom line phone does leave something more to desire, unsure of what it is and yes i may have inflated the 4 star rating but ive had no crashes nor problems as ive experienced on other phones and most importantly the battery life is what keeps me holding on to Xperia play.
2 out of 2 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Only way to game on phone
by adampsyreal on September 11, 2011
Pros: Gamepad is perfect
Cons: nothing lacking
Summary: very worthwhile. i love my xperia play.
Summary: very worthwhile. i love my xperia play.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Amazing gaming device, rather in-between phone.
by technodroid423 on September 8, 2011
Pros: Preloaded with Android Gingerbread 2.3, The Sony Playstation certified Gaming pad, the fast processor, the price and the spring loaded slide mechanism is great!
Cons: Phone quality is on the fence, browser can lag at times, only single core processor (despite its quickness), No zoom on the camera(s), front facing camera can be dim, and virtual keyboard can be glitchy.
Summary: The Sony Ericson Xperia Play is a great gaming device, but lacks the support of even older non-smart phones that should have been common sense by now. Features like Camera ...
Summary: The Sony Ericson Xperia Play is a great gaming device, but lacks the support of even older non-smart phones that should have been common sense by now. Features like Camera Zoom do not exist on this phone. Rather strange. But this phone is another joy in my honest opinion. I'm not much of a "calling" person. I text more and that had no problems at all. For a detailed review, go to some other place. But as for me, i say the phone is great itself, and has many ups, with minimum downs.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Dream come true for gamers
by vincientjames on May 31, 2011
Pros: Excellent call quality, snappy performance, game pad opens a new dimension in gaming for cell phones, 6 games pre-installed, virtually no bloatware or custom UI, impressive stereo speakers, Hardware flash support, great battery life
Cons: Low internal memory, no physical camera button,
Summary: The Xperia Play offers exactly what its audience is expecting. Contrary to the cnet review the analog pad work just fine but it may take a minute or two to ...
Summary: The Xperia Play offers exactly what its audience is expecting. Contrary to the cnet review the analog pad work just fine but it may take a minute or two to get used to. It is also important to adjust the sensitivity level on them to fit your liking. Web browsing, playing back media, and general browsing on the phone is on par with any other device offered by verizon. The xperia play also offers more exclusives (and higher quality ones at that) then are currently available on the Tegra zone.
1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Spectacular!!!!!
by howiewowwow on May 30, 2011
Pros: Does everything very well.
Cons: Xperia game library needs to increase.
Summary: A true gamers phone with a speedy android os.
Very well made and so easy to use.
Does practically everything I could require in a cell phone.Summary: A true gamers phone with a speedy android os.
Very well made and so easy to use.
Does practically everything I could require in a cell phone.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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Great console emulator and phone
by jordangsu on May 28, 2011
Pros: Has a sweet slide-out game pad. Well designed, very responsive.
Cons: 3g only.
Back cover is going to break eventually if you take it off very often to remove SD card or battery...very flimsy.
Hardware doesnt raise the bar at all, so it will be obsolete faster than recently released dual core phones.Summary: If you love playing old-school games on an emulator then this is the phone for you.
Unfortunately someone is going to war against emulators in the App market. The ones ...Summary: If you love playing old-school games on an emulator then this is the phone for you.
Unfortunately someone is going to war against emulators in the App market. The ones I have been using since 2009 (nesoid, snesoid, etc) were all banned from the market VERY recently. Attempting to install those emulators was the first thing I tried after unboxing, and was very disappointed to see them gone. Fortunately Astro can be used for restoring backup copies of apps. The SlideMe app store is a good place to check for emulators as well.1 out of 1 users found this user opinion helpful.
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This is a great product for anyone to have.
by aarmhe on February 8, 2012
Pros: Playstation Controller
Android 2.3 Gingerbread Firmware
Comes With 7 Free Games (includes Asphalt 6, Dungeon Defenders: Second Wave, NFL Pro 2011, Star Battalion, TBloxx My City, The Sims 3, and Crash Bandicoot)
5MP Camera With LED FlashCons: Minor Crashes
Summary: This is a great phone. I own one myself. The games are great and the phone is easy to use. I would recommend this for anyone. It has minor crashes, ...
Summary: This is a great phone. I own one myself. The games are great and the phone is easy to use. I would recommend this for anyone. It has minor crashes, but it is better than most phones. Great for anyone who plays many android games.
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You will never game on another phone after owning this!
by bennrock on January 6, 2012
Pros: + Controllers
+ Snappy performance
+ Great sound
+ Many free top quality games included free
+ Small yest big
+ Battery lifeCons: + Screen is just OK not amazing
+ The touch sticks are not great
+ The build quality is akin to a gaming device and not a phone
+ inherent android problem of unknown background apps slows down gaming performance from time to time - Not SE's faultSummary: I have owned this phone for a month now and I am still blown away. I always did two things with my phone. I make calls and play a few ...
Summary: I have owned this phone for a month now and I am still blown away. I always did two things with my phone. I make calls and play a few games. On both fronts the phone is great. It has Android 2.3 and performs snappy. The screen is OK but just having the controllers and being the only phne that does makes it a dream. Everyday I tool around with it I found something else neat about it. Emulators run mostly great on it with the exception of N64. The camera is quite good in my opinion and as a phone it performs like any other Android phone. The only critique is that Sony dropped the ball on the PSX games that they promised us. The build quality is just OK but it is a slider so it is not going to be solid like a uni-body. Screen is more than adequate but obviously not retina. With that being said the controlelrs make this so uniques and pure AWESOME that I cannot give it anything but 5 stars. It is a GREAT phone and I am a very very picky user. I send things back without hesitation.
Specifications
- Manufacturer: Sony Ericsson
- Part number: Xperia Play
- Description: Need a super-efficient, full-featured smartphone? And what if it also had real game controls? You've got it, the XPERIA PLAY. A PlayStation certified Android smartphone that lets you immerse yourself in the games you want. Never get lost again. Explore cities and sights with 3D maps. Use Google Voice Search to call, text and more. With your XPERIA PLAY Android mobile, there's no need to type. Just speak. Want more? Get the apps you need from Android Market. Once a fantasy, now a reality. The first PlayStation certified Android smartphone gives you incredible graphics, great sound and real gaming controls. This phone is not actually named "the PlayStation phone" though - it is XPERIA PLAY. What's your thrill? Slide out the controls of your XPERIA PLAY and get behind the wheel of a race car. Or jump into a street fight. Challenge your friends: XPERIA PLAY supports multi-player gaming. In addition to the pre-loaded games, you'll find an ever-growing selection of additional titles available for download.
General
- Packaged Quantity 1
- Product Type Smartphone
- Form Factor Slider - Gamepad,
Touch screen - Phone Design PDA
- Integrated Components Wi-Fi hotspot,
GPS receiver,
2nd camera,
Digital camera,
Digital player - Width 2.4 in
- Depth 0.6 in
- Height 4.7 in
- Weight 6.2 oz
Cellular
- Technology GSM / UMTS
- Band GSM 850/900/1800/1900 (Quadband) / UMTS 900/2100 (Dual Band)
- Service Provider Verizon Wireless
- Operating System Google Android 2.3
- Input Device(s) Gamepad , Capacitive,
Touch sensitive screen (multi-touch) Messaging & Internet
- Cellular Messaging Services MMS,
SMS - Instant Messaging Services Google Talk
- Supported Email Protocols POP3,
IMAP4 - Supported Social Networks and Blogs Twitter,
Facebook - Messaging & Data Features XHTML Browser
- Mobile Services YouTube,
Gmail,
Google Search,
Video Call,
PlayNow,
Android Market Communications
- Wireless Interface Bluetooth 2.1 EDR,
IEEE 802.11b/g/n - WLAN Security WPA,
WPA2,
WEP,
TKIP,
AES - Bluetooth Profiles Serial Port Profile (SPP),
Object Push Profile (OPP),
Hands Free Profile (HFP),
Headset Profile (HSP),
Phonebook Access Profile (PBAP),
Advanced Audio Distribution Profile (A2DP),
Audio/Video Remote Control Profile (AVRCP),
Audio/Video Control Transport Protocol (AVCTP),
Audio/Video Distribution Transport Protocol (AVDTP),
General Audio/Video Distribution Profile (GAVDP) Phone Features
- Polyphonic Ringer Yes
- Ring Tone Formats AAC,
MP3 - Sensors Proximity sensor,
Accelerometer,
Ambient light sensor,
Digital compass - Additional Features OpenGL 2.0 support,
Multitasking,
Widgets support,
Built-in stereo speakers Media Player
- Supported Digital Audio Standards MPEG 2.5 Audio,
MPEG 2 Audio,
MPEG 1 Audio,
eAAC+,
AAC +,
LPCM,
WAV,
MP3,
ADPCM,
MIDI,
Ogg Vorbis,
AAC,
AAC-LC,
AMR - Supported Digital Video Standards MPEG-4,
H.263,
3GP,
H.264 Processor
- Type QUALCOMM MSM8255
- Clock Speed 1 GHz
Graphics System
- Graphics Accelerator Qualcomm ADRENO 205
Memory
- User Memory 400 MB
- Supported Flash Memory Cards microSDHC - up to 32 GB
Digital Camera
- Sensor Resolution 5.1 megapixels
- Focus Adjustment Automatic
- Camera Light Source LED light
- Video Recorder Resolutions 720 x 480
- Features Video recording,
Geo-tagging Navigation System
- GPS Navigation A-GPS receiver
- Navigation Software & Services Google Maps
Display
- Type LCD display - Color
- Technology TFT
- Diagonal Size 4.3 in
- Display Resolution 480 x 854 pixels
- Color Depth 24-bit (16.7 million colors)
- Features Wallpaper
Connections
- Connector Type 1 x Headset jack - Mini-phone 3.5 mm,
1 x Micro-USB Battery
- Capacity 1500 mAh
- Run Time Details Talk ( CDMA ) - up to 460 min,
Standby ( CDMA ) - up to 405 hour(s),
Playback ( Music ) - up to 30.6 hour(s) Miscellaneous
- Included Accessories Power adapter
Manufacturer info
- Manufacturer profile
- Browse Sony Ericsson products on Shopper.com
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- Manufacturer:Sony Ericsson
- Address:
7001 Development Drive, Research Triangle Park, NC 27709 - Phone: 1-866-766-9374



