Sony has traditionally been regarded as a provider of high-performance, stylish and functional mobile devices. Many of the corresponding solutions that were released several years ago are comparable in their capabilities with modern devices, even though completely different, more advanced technologies can be implemented in them. Among such devices is the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i smartphone. It was released in 2012, but remains in demand today. Thanks to what technological advantages does this device remain relevant? What are its features?
Phone Overview
Smartphone Sony Xperia Sola MT27i belongs to the mid-range devices. It appeared on the market in 2012, and is considered quite progressive for the time it began to sell. The phone is equipped with Android OS in version 2.3.7, a 2-core processor with a frequency of 1 GHz, a graphics module Mali 400, RAM of 512 MB. The device has a built-in flash memory of 8 GB, supports the connection of microSD modules. The device has a camera with a resolution of 5 megapixels. Supports basic communication technology. The battery capacity of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i smartphone is 1320 mAh. For its time, the device, of course, has very decent characteristics. According to most parameters, a smartphone, in principle, is able to satisfy the needs of a modern user. We study in more detail its specifics.
Design
The appearance of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i is highly regarded by experts and users. Among the noteworthy design solutions implemented in the device is a thinner section of the case in its lower part in comparison with the rest of the device. This feature forms, firstly, the visual effect of screen elevation, and secondly, makes the phone look a little thinner than predetermined by its actual dimensions.
Experts note the high quality of the materials of the case. The screen is covered with protective glass, the back surface of the case is made of plastic like Soft Touch. The sound level adjustment key is located next to the camera start button. The corresponding element, which is designed to turn on the device, is located in the upper part of the right side of the case. The phone cover is quite easy to remove. It is very easy to insert a SIM card into the device, as well as an additional microSD flash memory module.
The device is available in several color versions. The device with a black case is quite widespread on the Russian market - Sony Xperia Sola MT27i Black. The characteristics of the devices in different color options, of course, are completely identical. Now consider the features of the main hardware components of the device. Where can I start a detailed study of the capabilities of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i? The characteristics of the device screen are a quite remarkable aspect of the study of the device in question. Let's start with him.
Screen
The screen of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i phone is made using TFT technology. The display resolution of the device in question is 854 x 480 pixels, the diagonal is 3.7 inches. The quality of the picture is estimated by experts and users as sufficiently high. The graininess of the image is invisible, the contrast and clarity are at the level, the fonts are displayed correctly. The display supports up to 4 simultaneous finger taps. Assessed as very sensitive. Supports technology Floating Touch - a bit later we will consider in more detail its features. Viewing angles, as well as the image quality in sunlight, approximately correspond to those observed at the nearest competitors of the device on the market.
Camera
The device’s camera can shoot videos with a resolution of 720p at a speed of 30 frames per second. There is a function of autofocus, panoramic and three-dimensional shooting. The phone is equipped with a very convenient camera control software interface. The activation of the corresponding hardware component is possible, as we noted above, using a separate button. It is noteworthy that it is functional, even if the device’s screen is locked, but in order to start the camera in this mode, you need to hold the key in question for a few seconds.
The camera is among the most competitive hardware components of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i. Photos and videos created using the device are characterized by experts and users as having a fairly high quality. The main thing is that the shooting was carried out at the appropriate level of illumination.
"Iron"
The phone is assembled on the hardware platform SR-Ericsson. This begs the association with the period when the market was attended by devices released under the brand Sony Ericsson. MT27i Xperia Sola, however, was put on sale after the acquisition of Sony’s share of its partner’s assets in 2011. Therefore, the phone is present on the market under the Sony brand.
The device is equipped with a Cortex A9 processor, operating at a frequency of 1 GHz, as well as a Mali-400 MP1 graphics module. These components form the NovaThor U8500 platform. According to experts, the performance of a phone equipped with the appropriate hardware generally allows you to meet the needs of users of the time when the device was introduced to the market.
The smartphone can run 2D games without problems, as well as not too demanding in 3D format. Regarding household applications - difficulties with downloading those also do not arise. It can be noted that the Android OS in version 2, which is installed on the phone, is, in principle, compatible with a significant number of modern types of software available for download on Google Play and similar portals. Thus, the Sony phone in question is largely relevant in terms of enabling applications for the modern user.
Software
Consider in more detail the software component of the smartphone Sony Xperia Sola MT27i. The characteristics of the device in terms of hardware are on the level. What about software installed on the phone?
The device’s software interface, based on the Android 2.3.7 platform, is generally similar to that of the Xperia S phone. There are a number of notable software options installed by default in the smartphone. Among these are the Office Suite version 5 office suite, Astro file manager, and McAffee antivirus. Additional applications are always available on Google Play and similar stores. The software shell through which the smartphone is controlled recognizes files on plug-in microSD cards without problems.
A very remarkable set of multimedia phone applications. Among them - a branded player Sony. According to many users, the corresponding type of software is one of the most convenient on the Android platform. This player allows you to play music using equalizers and various effects. If you equip your phone with high-quality headphones, the device's audio system will provide the most comfortable listening to tunes. Without any problems, the smartphone plays videos, movies. Their optimal resolution for playback on the device is 720p.
Among other noteworthy features of the software component of the device is the ability to use NFC-modules for quick phone setup. In this sense, the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i smartphone is a completely unique device. The necessary NFC components - tags - are included with the device. In order to activate them, you need to enable the appropriate option in the phone’s settings, and then bring the NFC tag closer to it. As soon as the smartphone scans the tag, the settings are activated.
Another example of exclusive phone options is Floating Touch. This function allows you to control the device without touching the screen, just place your finger at a distance of about 1 cm from the display, and the smartphone will be able to recognize its main movements.
Battery
The battery for Sony Xperia Sola MT27i has a capacity of 1320 mAh. It belongs to the category of non-removable hardware components. The battery capacity indicator is quite modest, however, in practice, the battery life of the device is quite consistent with competing models. The battery life of the device is enough for about 1-2 days of operation with an average intensity of using it. If you use the phone in video playback at the maximum brightness level, the battery lasts for about 4 hours 40 minutes. If we talk about modern smartphones, battery life indicators in them, if they exceed the ones noted, then not by much. In this sense, the global manufacturers of mobile devices of the appropriate type have not yet begun to deliver, on the average price segment, solutions with revolutionary energy-saving technologies.
Summary
The Sony Xperia Sola MT27i is a mid-range device that is fully in line with the trends of its time. In principle, it can be used to solve basic problems that are relevant for the modern user, such as browsing the web, playing music, and video in medium resolution. According to experts, the phone can be called one of the best in the corresponding class at the time of entering the market.
The main advantages of the device:
- excellent build quality;
- stylish design;
- large display with high resolution;
- the presence of relatively high-performance hardware components;
- support for useful options - NFC tags, Floating Touch;
- ease of management;
- high quality sound reproduction;
- the ability to play videos;
- support for external microSD cards;
- battery life corresponds to the performance of devices of a similar class.
Regarding the software component of Sony Xperia Sola MT27i, the firmware of the device, Android OS in version 2.3.7 are quite consistent with market demands that had formed at the time of the phone’s release. Of course, by that time a newer version of Android, the 4th, was being prepared for release. However, the basic capabilities of the 2nd, in principle, are enough for the modern user, who can consider the 4th version of Android as outdated.
Reviews
We are exploring another aspect of the Sony Xperia Sola MT27i device - reviews. What do users say about their experience with the device? The opinions of the owners of the device can be classified into several main categories:
- those that reflect the user's point of view regarding the appearance of the phone, the convenience of managing it;
- those related to evaluating the performance of the device;
- those that reflect the opinion of a person regarding the functionality of the device as a whole or its individual hardware components.
We will study them in more detail.
Design and Management
Reviews reflecting the phone’s owner’s perspective on the design are positive. Users highly appreciate the approach of the brand manufacturer, not only, in fact, to the appearance of the manufactured device, but also to the convenience of managing it. Many fans of the Sony brand remain faithful to the devices that the Japanese corporation produces, precisely because every time the company launches devices with the highest quality design on the market.
Performance
Regarding the performance of the device, this aspect also does not cause much complaints among users, at least judging by the reviews left on thematic online portals at a time when the phone could be considered relatively new to the market and not inferior to more advanced, and at the same time time for cheap modifications of smartphones as part of updated lines from leading world brands.
A 1 GHz processor, 512 MB RAM and a fairly fast graphics module, combined with the high quality of other hardware components, predetermined, therefore, a very positive assessment of the speed of Sony Xperia Sola MT27i among users. Including those that operate the phone so far, considering its performance sufficient to solve modern urgent user problems.
Functionality
Another aspect of the reviews is the opinions of the owners about the functionality of the phone. Those are characterized by a very positive assessment of the capabilities of the device. The owners of the phone in question are considered to be a sufficiently universal device adapted to run the widest range of mobile software. The device can be successfully used as a tool for working with web pages, office documents, or use it to run games and household applications.