Sony Xperia Go Review

Media
We tested a few media files on the phone. Though the phone has a dual-core processor and GPU that can handle high-definition video, this phone did not manage to impress us. HD 1080p videos thrown at it framed badly, and were unwatchable. Even 720p and 1080p HD videos from YouTube looked as though they had been encoded in 3GP format. However, regular 720p videos from the memory card played flawlessly. The crisp display quality is perfect for enjoying the content. The brightness and contrast levels are good making the video look great and the handset a perfect entertainment device while travelling. We think the issue can be with the operating system or that the drivers in Gingerbread are causing the video jitter. Maybe the problem will be solved after an ICS or Jellybean update. But don’t let this small issue deter you from buying this phone as you aren't likely to watch HD movies on a 3.5-inch screen anyway.

The media player

Audio quality is great when using the earphones, but with the onboard speaker, the trebles are somewhat shrill, and the vocals not heard well. Enjoying casual audio from the built-in mono speaker would be acceptable, but movies are a plain no-no. We recommend using the headphones for better audio volume and quality.

Connectivity
The Xperia Go has standard connectivity like other Android phones. A micro USB for PC connectivity also supports USB on-the-go (OTG) for external storage drives and input devices. FM, GPS, Wi-Fi b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 with A2DP and 3G are standard features.

Camera
The camera featured here is a 5 megapixel one with auto-focus and an LED flash. It has a 16x digital zoom capability, and can record videos at 720p resolutions. The camera coupled with the 3D panorama app pre-installed can generate quick 3D sweep panorama photos within seconds, owing to the fast processor and GPU. Face and smile detection are again standard for cameras nowadays. As far as the quality of the photos taken by this camera is concerned, it was almost immaculate. We also tried taking photos in pitch darkness. Unlike other phones, which would struggle to focus even after shining a light on the subject, this one did not falter. A short distance photo can be taken within two seconds with crisp details and a sharp focus. Distant subjects are an issue as the LED flash is not as powerful, resulting in grainy pictures at night.  But pictures taken in broad daylight are great and almost flawless. This is another example of an all-in-one travel companion phone, which doubles up as good, quick camera. The camera is super fast and takes the shot within a second or two. Here are some daylight photos that highlight the quality of the camera. Also included are a macro shot of a bug, and a photo taken in the dark in two seconds sharp.

Outdoor shot

Outdoor shot

Macro shot

Indoor shoot, in pitch darkness.

Battery test

The handset is powered by a 1305mAh Li-ion battery. Sony claims that you can get at least 6.5 hours of battery life while talking or watching a video. Standby time is around 460 hours while music time is around 45 hours. To test these claims, we ran a standard definition video continuously in a loop to drain out the entire battery, and got an average battery life of around 8 hours and 15 minutes with around 5 percent of the battery remaining but unusable. The battery run time was almost two hours above the manufacturer’s claim, but it can differ with conditions and environments. The factors that affect battery life include applications running in the background, Internet via 3G or Wi-Fi, audio volume levels, and display brightness levels. To test the talktime, we used the phone as a regular daily handset for a week and found that we did not have to charge the phone for almost 12 hours at a stretch. This includes an average of talk time, video time, music, internet via 3G and Wi-Fi and casual photography.

Verdict
The overall experience was great, and the performance was very impressive. We must say that Sony’s Xperia Go is a fantastic Android smartphone for those who frequently travel. Those who love trekking, mountaineering or wandering into the wild will find this phone extremely useful. Featuring light weight, a sleek form-factor, a crisp display, a fast UI, a waterproof and dustproof shell, an onboard GPS, music and entertainment, and Internet connectivity, all packed into one phone, we definitely recommend Xperia Go to those who are looking for a completely rugged phone on a low budget.