Sony Xperia ion

amazon Sony Xperia ion reviews

Design

Sony Xperia ion style design Sony NXT so you will find it similar to the Sony Xperia S, Sony Xperia U and Sony Xperia P. The styling of the machine is quite eye-catching and very comfortable in your hand despite relatively large screen size. Back shell made of metal materials for solid feel and advanced.

This smart phone has 4.6 inch touch screen at a resolution of 720p HD Reality (1280 x 720 pixels) and uses technology from Sony Mobile Bravia Engine. Like the other Xperia line, the screen is made of ordinary glass (mineral glass) scratch-resistant, allowing us to use the phone under direct light of the sun.

As we remember, the first Xperia ion launched using OS Gingerbread (Android 2.3). So far, the new version of the Xperia ion runs Ice Cream Sandwich (Android 4.0). No information from Sony about whether this machine has been updated to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

With a storage capacity of 16 GB on machine, you have a lot of space to store applications. If you need more memory to store video, music, the Xperia ion has a microSD card slot up to 32 GB. Finally, we are not surprised about its battery capacity, up to 1900mAh.

Display

The Sony Xperia Ion was equipped with a 4.55-inch LED-backlit LCD display with a resolution of 720 x 1280 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 323 ppi. This display was one of the key selling points of the device, as it offered sharp and vibrant visuals that were well-suited for multimedia consumption.

Sony utilized its proprietary Mobile BRAVIA Engine technology to enhance the display quality further. This technology, derived from Sony’s expertise in television manufacturing, improved the contrast, sharpness, and color saturation of images and videos displayed on the Xperia Ion. The result was a display that delivered rich colors and deep blacks, making it ideal for watching videos, viewing photos, and playing games.

The display was also coated with an anti-reflective layer, which helped reduce glare and improve visibility in bright sunlight. However, like many LCD displays of the time, it wasn’t as bright or as energy-efficient as the OLED displays that have become common in modern smartphones.

One downside of the display was its relatively low contrast ratio compared to OLED screens, which meant that blacks were not as deep and colors were not as vivid. Additionally, the viewing angles were decent but not exceptional, with some color shifting and brightness reduction when viewed from extreme angles.

Despite these minor drawbacks, the Sony Xperia Ion’s display was highly regarded at the time of its release and remained competitive with other flagship smartphones in its class.

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Function

Unfortunately, similar Sony Xperia acro S, the application of Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich for the Xperia ion is too bad. It was only a feeble effort and Xperia ion version no difference. Menu button is pretty useless, Sony could have stuck with the “menu” Gingerbread or conversion function applications Ice Cream Sandwich.

Like Sony Xperia acro S, Xperia ion lacks the ability to add widgets from the app stores. If this deficiency does not make you too upset, you will see Ice Cream Sandwich features remaining always available and very handy. In addition, it has a feature that allows to create folders. In Ice Cream Sandwich, application installation is much improved, as well as data management features.

12-megapixel rear camera and a faster processor, and similar to other Xperia line. Even, there is a dedicated camera button allows you to take pictures without having to unlock the phone, although it is slightly longer boot. Better that you should press the power button, slide to unlock to take pictures as this will be faster.

Xperia ion camera’s performance completely faded, ugly shooting in low light conditions. Ion line also share a similar problem with the recent Xperia handset, if you are using the automatic mode, you can not use touch-to-focus.

Performance

Xperia ion is equipped with Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon dual-core processor clocked at 1.5GHz  and running very smooth machine. Speaker volume very clearly, even when you’re in a noisy crowded place, and strong enough to vibrate we feel even when the machine is to jeans pocket.

However, the battery life disappointing. With the conventional test installation of two Gmail accounts, Twitter and Facebook pushed up, this smartphone runs has not been a day even when used moderately. You can last for about two days if little use.

Camera

One of the standout features of the Sony Xperia Ion was its 12-megapixel rear camera, which was among the highest resolution cameras available on a smartphone at the time. The camera utilized Sony’s Exmor R sensor, which was designed to improve low-light performance and reduce noise in photos.

The Xperia Ion’s camera offered a range of features and settings, including autofocus, touch focus, face detection, panorama mode, and 3D sweep panorama. The camera also included an LED flash for low-light photography.

In terms of image quality, the Xperia Ion’s camera was capable of capturing detailed and vibrant photos in well-lit conditions. Colors were generally accurate, and the camera’s dynamic range was decent, though not exceptional. In low-light situations, the camera performed reasonably well, thanks to the Exmor R sensor, but noise was still noticeable, particularly in very dark environments.

The camera’s user interface was relatively simple and easy to navigate, with quick access to essential settings and modes. The dedicated camera shutter button on the side of the device was a welcome addition, allowing users to quickly launch the camera and capture photos without having to unlock the device.

The Xperia Ion also featured a front-facing 1.3-megapixel camera, which was suitable for video calls and basic selfies. However, the front camera’s resolution and image quality were limited, particularly when compared to the high-resolution front-facing cameras found on modern smartphones.

In terms of video recording, the Xperia Ion’s rear camera was capable of capturing 1080p full HD video at 30 frames per second. The video quality was good for its time, with smooth motion and accurate colors. However, the lack of optical image stabilization (OIS) meant that videos could be shaky, particularly when recording while moving.

Overall, the Sony Xperia Ion’s camera was one of its strongest features, offering impressive image quality and a range of features that were competitive with other flagship smartphones of the time.

Software and User Interface

The Sony Xperia Ion was initially launched with Android 2.3.7 Gingerbread, a version of Android that was already starting to show its age by the time the device was released. However, Sony later provided an update to Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, which brought a range of improvements and new features to the device.

The Xperia Ion’s user interface was customized by Sony, featuring the company’s Timescape UI. This interface offered a distinctive look and feel, with a focus on multimedia and social integration. The Timescape UI included various widgets and shortcuts that allowed users to quickly access their favorite apps, social media feeds, and media content.

One of the unique features of the Timescape UI was the Timescape app, which aggregated social media updates, messages, and other notifications into a single, visually appealing stream. This app was designed to provide users with a quick overview of their social interactions, though it was somewhat limited in functionality compared to the dedicated apps for each social media platform.

The Xperia Ion also came preloaded with a range of Sony-branded apps and services, including the Music Unlimited and Video Unlimited services, which provided access to a wide library of music and video content. Additionally, the device included the PlayStation app, which allowed users to connect to their PlayStation account and access a selection of PlayStation-certified games.

One of the criticisms of the Xperia Ion’s software was the presence of bloatware, or pre-installed apps that could not be easily removed. These apps took up valuable storage space and could slow down the device, particularly as the Android operating system became more resource-intensive with each update.

In this section, we’ll continue to delve into the software aspects of the Sony Xperia Ion, addressing its update trajectory, user experience, and how it compares to the software environments of its contemporaries.

Multimedia Capabilities

Sony has always been known for its expertise in multimedia, and the Xperia Ion was no exception. The device was marketed heavily as a multimedia powerhouse, particularly in terms of its capabilities in gaming, music, and video playback.

Gaming

The Xperia Ion was one of the first smartphones to be PlayStation-certified, which meant it could run a selection of PlayStation games that were specifically optimized for mobile. This was a major selling point for gamers who wanted a more console-like experience on their mobile devices. However, the PlayStation-certified game library was somewhat limited, and the hardware, while capable, was not always powerful enough to handle more graphically intensive games without noticeable slowdowns or frame rate drops.

The Adreno 220 GPU provided decent performance for casual games and older titles, but it struggled with more modern 3D games, especially as the mobile gaming landscape evolved rapidly during the years following the Xperia Ion’s release.

Music and Audio

As mentioned earlier, the Xperia Ion came with Sony’s Walkman app, which offered a superior music listening experience compared to the stock Android music player. The app supported a wide range of audio formats and provided advanced features such as customizable EQ settings, visualizers, and integration with Sony’s Music Unlimited service.

The audio quality through the device’s headphone jack was good, with clear mids and highs, though the bass was slightly lacking. Audiophiles who preferred richer sound profiles might have found the audio output to be somewhat flat without tweaking the EQ settings.

The built-in speaker, while adequate for calls and casual media playback, was not particularly loud or high-fidelity. It was prone to distortion at higher volumes, and its placement on the back of the device meant that sound could be muffled when the phone was placed on a flat surface.

Video Playback

The Xperia Ion’s 4.55-inch display, combined with Sony’s Mobile BRAVIA Engine, made video playback a strong suit for the device. The display offered vibrant colors and good contrast, making it enjoyable to watch movies and videos. The inclusion of a micro HDMI port allowed users to connect the device directly to an HDTV, enabling easy media sharing and playback on a larger screen. This feature was relatively rare at the time and was a significant advantage for users who consumed a lot of video content.

The Video Unlimited app provided access to a vast library of movies and TV shows, and the device supported a wide range of video formats natively, reducing the need for third-party video players. However, the lack of support for newer codecs and high-resolution content (beyond 720p) meant that the Xperia Ion’s video capabilities were somewhat limited compared to what is now standard in modern smartphones.

Battery Life

The Sony Xperia Ion was powered by a non-removable 1,900 mAh battery, which was fairly standard for a smartphone of its size and capabilities at the time. However, battery life was one of the weaker aspects of the device, particularly given its emphasis on multimedia consumption and connectivity.

In daily use, the Xperia Ion could typically last a full day with moderate usage, which included tasks like web browsing, social media, and some media playback. However, heavy use of the device’s multimedia features, such as gaming, video streaming, or extensive camera usage, would drain the battery much more quickly, often requiring a mid-day recharge.

The device did not support any fast charging technology, which meant that recharging the battery from empty could take several hours. This was a significant drawback, especially when compared to modern smartphones that offer fast charging capabilities.

Battery optimization features in the Android Ice Cream Sandwich update helped somewhat, but the relatively small battery capacity, combined with the power-hungry display and processor, meant that battery life was often a concern for users who relied heavily on their smartphones throughout the day.

Connectivity and Networking

The Sony Xperia Ion was one of the first Sony smartphones to support 4G LTE connectivity, which was a major selling point at the time. LTE provided significantly faster data speeds compared to 3G, making the Xperia Ion a compelling option for users who wanted quick access to web content, streaming services, and cloud-based apps.

In addition to LTE, the Xperia Ion supported a full suite of connectivity options, including 3G HSPA, Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP, and GPS with A-GPS support. The device also included NFC (Near Field Communication) technology, which was becoming increasingly popular for tasks such as mobile payments and data exchange.

The micro HDMI port was another standout feature, allowing users to easily connect the Xperia Ion to an HDTV for media playback or presentations. This port was complemented by the device’s DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance) support, which enabled wireless streaming of content to compatible devices such as smart TVs and gaming consoles.

The Xperia Ion’s call quality was generally good, with clear audio and strong signal reception. The device’s dual microphones helped reduce background noise during calls, making conversations more pleasant for both parties.

Durability and Longevity

When it comes to durability, the Sony Xperia Ion was built to last. The aluminum unibody design provided a sturdy feel, and the device could withstand the usual wear and tear of daily use. However, like many smartphones with large glass displays, the Xperia Ion was susceptible to scratches and cracks if dropped or mishandled.

In terms of software longevity, the Xperia Ion was somewhat limited. While the update to Android Ice Cream Sandwich was a welcome improvement, the device did not receive further official updates to newer versions of Android. This left users with an increasingly outdated operating system as newer features and apps became available on more recent Android versions.

The lack of ongoing software support also meant that the Xperia Ion missed out on important security updates, which could pose a risk for users who continued to use the device long after its release.

10. Competition and Market Impact

At the time of its release, the Sony Xperia Ion faced stiff competition from other flagship smartphones, including the Samsung Galaxy S III, HTC One X, and Apple iPhone 4S. Each of these devices had its own strengths, and the Xperia Ion was positioned as a multimedia-centric alternative, particularly appealing to users who valued Sony’s ecosystem of content and entertainment services.

The Galaxy S III, with its quad-core processor, larger Super AMOLED display, and extensive software features, was a formidable competitor that overshadowed many other devices in the market, including the Xperia Ion. The HTC One X also offered a more modern design and faster performance, making it a strong contender in the Android space.

The iPhone 4S, while not directly comparable in terms of hardware, continued to attract users with its smooth user experience, app ecosystem, and seamless integration with other Apple products.

Despite the strong competition, the Xperia Ion helped solidify Sony’s presence in the smartphone market, particularly in regions where LTE networks were being rapidly deployed. The device also set the stage for future Xperia models, which would continue to build on the strengths of the Ion, such as high-quality design and multimedia capabilities.