The Sony Xperia S comes with tempting hardware and sophisticated design touches that will compete favorably among its peers. The phone is notably Sony’s first device after Ericsson’s break away, considering its flourished features and serious specifications; Sony Xperia S is bound to bring fortunes in a highly competitive market segment. It features 720p resolution, 1.5GHz dual-core processor and an amazing 12-Megapixel primary camera. Despite Sony Xperia S’s serious specs, the phone has some obvious drawbacks compared to others in its caliber such as the onboard Gingerbread software instead of the latest Android Ice Cream OS (an update is expected) and a relatively non thin body. Sony was keen to ensure a sophisticated design on this shiny black device to keep it afloat amongst its competitors, though it’s not the thinnest device we’ve seen so far in this category.

There is a transparent stripe a long the bottom that’s illuminated by touching three touch sensitive buttons sitting just above it. The stripe could be considered divisive although it’s intended to make the handset look unique and sophisticated. Sony Xperia S’s major design drawback surfaces when its thickness is put to test alongside peers in the same genre, its not as thin as expected or at least not as slender as its peers such as LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940, the handset is not bulky though and comfortably fits in your pocket with no difficulty. Turning to the positive specifications, Sony Xperia S has a 4.3inch screen boasting of an amazing 720x1280p screen resolution, enough to display sharp, crisp clear images and text. Browsing web pages is quite an experience as small text and images are crisp clear enough due to its undisputable resolution capability. In addition, the enormous screen resolution ensures on-screen icons look sharp and vivid as well as doing justice to your photos and high-definition videos.

Sony Xperia S is powered by a 1.5GHz dual core processor which is at par with most high-end devices; at this speed, the phone is capable of processing HD movies and other graphically demanding applications and games comfortably. Sony Xperia S is also capable of processing 3D applications as well as multitasking without any noticeable lag, the chip is fast enough to achieve comfortable performance, its does not record any lag while sweeping through various home screens. There’s a 12.0Megapixel camera nested in the back, when compared to its peers, that’s too much of resolution to snap those beautiful moments, it snaps with speed (1.5 seconds to be precise) too from standby.

Sony Xperia S (Nozomi) Features/Specifications;

• Android v2.3 Gingerbread OS (I CS update expected), Touch sensitive controls
• 1.5GHz dual-core Processor, GPU: Adreno220, Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8260
• 4.3inch (720x1280p) (342ppi) LED TFT Capacitive touch screen, 16m colors
• 12.0MP (4000x3000p) Prim. camera, auto-focus, LED flash, 1.3MP front camera
• Geo Tagging, image stabilization, smile and face detection, touch-focus
• Sensors (Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass, Gyro), GPS: A-GPS support, NFC
• No MicroSD card slot, 16/32GB Internal storage, 1GB RAM
• 14.4Mbps HDSPA, 5.8Mbps HSUPA, MicroUSB, Stereo FM radio with RDS
• WiFi 802.11/b/g/n, WiFi hotspot, DLNA , WiFi direct, Sony mobile BRAVIA

Sony Xperia S (Nozomi)Price in Kenya: (unavailable)

Walkman used to be a prestigious name among the Sony Ericsson family boasting of superior music experience via an impressive player. Today, this scenario has been put to test by other industry players, discrediting Sony Ericsson of the once most envied capability. As its name suggests, Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman is mainly a music-focused android smart phone with a 1GHz processor capable of recording 720p video clips. Back in the days, before emergence of portable media players and mp3’s, Sony Ericsson’s Walkman brand-name used to rock, while the then cutting edge Dolby digital play lists were limited to 90minutes per tape, Sony ruled the roost. But since then, this segment has evolved and it would be improper to carry forward these nostalgic feelings when comparing Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman to its amazing peers.

Although Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman possesses a unique ’Walkman’ logo name compared to its siblings, the phone does not impress as a music device when compared to its rivals in the industry. It borrows heavily from its Xperia siblings aside from the distinct walkman shortcut button; in fact, Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman uses a similar player to that of Xperia. Part of its challenges manifests from the on board 2GB MicroSD card which is not big enough to absorb enough tracks to amuse music lovers like its able peers such as the iPhone 4S. The phone isn’t meant to compete with iPhone 4S given their price differences; but considering cutting short some music oriented specifications in favor of a low price tag is ridiculous. On the upper side, Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman squarely outperforms other devices in its genre with some serious specifications, it may not realize the ‘Walkman name’s’ expectations, but the device is powerful enough to put a smile on its users with exotic features such as 720p video recording capability.

The phone features an attractive, quick user interface dubbed ‘Timescape’ v4.0 and utilizes Xperia Active’s smart corners to achieve a 3.2inch screen. Users can stow away application shortcuts in each corner of the screen, you can put four application shortcuts in each corner to stay in place regardless of which of the five home screens you are using. Timescape adds xLOUD audio enhancement to Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman which in turn boosts the volume of music and notifications. The phone is shipped with Android v2.3.4 Gingerbread OS bringing newer flavors such video calling on apps like Skype and Google Talk allowing users to communicate face to face with their friends.

Sony Ericsson Live with Walkman Features/Specifications;

• Android v2.3.4 Gingerbread operating system, Touch sensitive controls
• 1GHz scorpion Processor, GPU: Adreno202, Chipset: Qualcomm MSM8255
• 4.3inch (320×480 pixels) (180ppi) TFT Capacitive touch screen, 16m colors
• 5.0 Megapixel (2592X1944P) Pri. camera, auto-focus, LED flash
• Geo Tagging, image stabilization, smile and face detection, touch-focus
• Sensors (Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass), VGA-front camera
• Up to 32GB MicroSD card, 320MB storage, 512MB RAM, GPS: A-GPS support
• 7.2Mbps HDSPA, MicroUSB Port, on-the-go support, Stereo FM radio with RDS
• WiFi 802.11/b/g/n, WiFi hotspot, DLNA , Bluetooth v2.1 with A2DP, EDR

Sony Ericsson Live with WalkmanPrice in Kenya: (unavailable)

LG was quick to ensure its latest device Prada 3.0/K2/P940 gets to the lucrative smart phone market immediately after launch. We took liberty to digest it soon enough and bring back reliable feedback to our esteemed readers. LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 does not disappoint on first impression, it features a high fashion Italian glamour design and some serious specifications hardly on its peers. On its bright side, LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 is housed in a svelte and impeccable body revealing a dazzling clear 4.3inch touch panel while its dark side lies squarely on the onboard Android Gingerbread operating system despite the availability of an up to date Ice Cream Sandwich software, though an update is expected. When compared to its peers, LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 confidently edges with superior specifications and an all black styled chassis giving room for Prada logos.

LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940’s back comprises of a unique textured pattern that presents a leather feel though it’s plastic, there is also a plastic silver rim covering around the handset which significantly improves on weight while creating a perfect grip in your hand, so you hold it tight. The phone maker’s Nova technology was utilized adequately to create an impressive 4.3inch capacitive touch screen on LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940, Nova technology is said to afford twice as bright screens as those preferred by an industry player, Samsung. According to LG, Nova screens are capable of producing pure whites and deeper blacks while at the same time consuming less power than their standard LCD counterparts. The phone has a glamorous design comparable to Galaxy S2 featuring a skinny body, and what’s more, LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 uses smoke and mirrors technique dubbed ‘floating Mass technology’ by LG to make it appear even thinner.

LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 is powered by a dual core 1GHz processor that lurks compared to high-end devices though at par in many other aspects. The processor speed is still and will be snappier enough in the foreseeable future though most consumers may prefer the upcoming quad core phones instead. The phone has plenty of onboard storage memory (8GB to be precise) which can be expanded using a MicroSD card (up to 32GB) to store as much as you want. LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 comes with two cameras; 8.0 Megapixel primary camera that’s capable of shooting 1080p resolution videos and a front facing 1.3 Megapixel camera essentially for video calls. The screen has an amazing resolution (480x800p, 217ppi pixel density) that affords crisp clear text and vivid images.

LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 Features/Specifications;

• Android v2.3 Gingerbread operating system, Touch sensitive controls
• 1GHz Dual core Processor, GPU: PowerVR SGX540, Chipset: TI OMAP 4430
• 4.3inch (480×800 pixels) (217ppi) IPS LCD Capacitive touch screen, 16m colors
• 8.0 Megapixel (3264X2448P) Pri. camera, auto-focus, LED flash
• Geo Tagging, 1.3MP front camera, TDMB TV Tuner ( Korean version)
• Sensors (Proximity, Accelerometer, Compass)
• Up to 32GB MicroSD card, 3GB storage, 512MB RAM
• 21Mbps HDSPA, 5.76Mbps HSUPA, Bluetooth 3.0, v2.0 MicroUSB Port (MHL)
• WiFi 802.11a/b/g/n, WiFi hotspot, DLNA, WiFi direct,
• Stereo FM radio with RDS, GPS with A-GPS support

LG Prada 3.0/K2/P940 Price in Kenya: (unavailable)

After the impressive success of Galaxy Ace S5830, Samsung has introduced its replacement with more improved features and some serious specifications. The new replacement maintained Ace’s stylish design though with a considerable makeover in features and hardware. Of course such improvements will attract additional bucks though not as much as one would imagine. As far as we know, the handset maker is keen to keep it within the mid-range genre, an indication of slight price variation with its older sibling. Samsung Galaxy Ace Plus S7500 comes with a slightly larger 3.65inch HVGA LCD display screen and a more powerful 1GHz processor compared to its predecessor’s 3.5inch screen and 800MHz processor speed. In addition, its exterior also received a makeover from a matte finish witnessed on the earlier version to a glossy finish.

Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is one of the best performing mid-range smart phones from the South Korean handset maker on the global scale, and the Kenyan market has not been left behind either. When compared with other mid-range devices, Samsung excelled in selecting potential compromises on the Galaxy Ace S5830 in an effort to maintain its affordability; vital features were preserved as least important specifications were eliminated. Although it has a low screen resolution compared to its peers as one of the major compromises, Samsung Galaxy Ace S5830 is crisp enough to afford normal web browsing experience with clear and readable text. Inability to play flash video clips was also compromised at the expense of affordability; however, it packs serious specifications and features that make it look even dearer than its retail price. Playing video clips via web browsers shouldn’t be a real issue since the Youtube application can still accomplish same tasks smoothly.

• Android v2.2 froyo (Upgradeable to v2.3 Gingerbread)
• 800Mhz ARM 11 Qualcomm MSM7227 Processor, Adreno 200
• 3.5inch (320×480 pixels) LCD Capacitive touch screen, 16m colors
• 5.0 Megapixel (2592x1944pixels) camera, auto-focus, LED flash
• Up to 32GB MicroSD card (2GB included), 158MB storage, 278MB RAM
• 7.2Mbps HDSPA, WiFi 802.11b/g/n, WiFi hotspot, DLNA
• Stereo FM radio with RDS, GPS with A-GPS support

LG X350 comes with Dual SIM capability, QWERTY keyboard and a digital TV receiver, a combination hardly available in the industry even on high-end devices. There is a reasonable similarity between LG X350 and its peer Samsung Chat322/GT-C3222 Duosthough it adds ISDB-T digital TV receiver flavor on top; they both brag of a QWERTY keyboard and Dual SIM capability for GSM networks. It’s presumed LG’s main motivation to unveil X350/Neo Smart phone featuring some of the most flourished features yet at an unbeatable price is the continued emergence of cheap Chinese made handsets that house serious specifications only witnessed on high-end devices. As of now, there are hardly any mobile handsets with a combination of the aforementioned features especially in the budget genre, LG X350 Dual SIM TV is unique in that respect.