Given the market’s current restrictions on screen size and controls, Sony Ericsson thought it was the right time to launch a dedicated mobile gaming hybrid that could take advantage of the growing complexity of today’s games. The Xperia PLAY is the first smartphone to receive PlayStation certification. Essentially, it means that the device is allowed to use the PlayStation controller scheme and has access to a large catalogue of PlayStation titles. Nevertheless, Sony Ericsson has launched the Xperia PLAY as a smartphone first and foremost, with the secondary focus on being able to play games ‘properly’ while on the go.
In the first of PALGN’s articles on the Xperia PLAY, we will be giving an overview of the product and its overall usefulness as a smartphone. In the second piece, which will be available early next week, we will be looking at the Xperia PLAY as a gaming device and giving a snapshot of the various titles you may expect to play on the unit. Most importantly, as Australia’s most trusted source for video game reviews, PALGN will be giving you the verdict on whether or not the Xperia PLAY is worthy of your hard earned dollars!
Upon a casual inspection, the Xperia PLAY may seem on the large size, but when held against an iPhone it is isn’t so bulky. The Xperia fits nicely into your hand and can fit snugly into a pocket, but can be somewhat weighty. The phone is encased in a glossy black shell, but like the screen, it doesn’t cope well with finger marks. The removable battery cover is rather flimsy, but overall, the phone boasts a decent build quality and is atheistically pleasing on the eye.
The device features a 4” LCD screen with a 480 x 854 resolution, displaying sharp and vibrant colours. The screen doesn’t adjust automatically to light, so brightness should be set at maximum all the time. Underneath the main touch screen are four buttons for quick navigation between the phone’s functions. On the side of the phone is a headphone jack and micro USB port, with the main power button residing at the very top. The power button on our review unit was somewhat unresponsive, with a power on or off generally requiring several seconds of pressing down. Users may also find themselves inadvertently pressing down on the power button while playing games, given its close proximity to the left shoulder trigger.
The Xperia PLAY features a large, vibrant screen.
Sliding out the underside of the Xperia PLAY reveals the PlayStation inspired gamepad. While Sony Ericsson developed the smartphone, the slide-out controls were designed by the PlayStation branch of Sony. Thankfully, the slide-out design is sturdy and conducive to extended gaming sessions. The gamepad emulates the traditional PlayStation controller in every way, including left and right shoulder buttons, but for two touch-sensitive analog pads in place of the usual movement sticks. The traditional face buttons and direction buttons are very durable, but gamers may find the touchpads unwieldy for titles that require very precise input.
The Xperia PLAY sports a very decent 5MP camera and LED flash. The phone uses the standard Android Interface while in camera mode, so tacking pictures is easy and painless. The device produces rather detailed pictures, with a range of settings to toy around with depending on the environment (you can check out some pictures we took in the media panel below). Shooting videos is also a breeze, with the quality on par with what you would expect to see on any other smartphone. As you would expect, you can transfer music and video onto the phone. The unit produces excellent sound and video, and browsing through media is very easy. The speakers on the Xperia PLAY are also surprising good, creating crisp, sharp sound for both your games and media library.
The camera is one of the main selling points of the device.
The Xperia PLAY has been optimised for the latest version of the Android operating system, version 2.3, also known as Gingerbread. From the home screen, you can access all of your applications, or with a quick flick of your finger, access dedicated pages for your music, games and phone settings. The interface is a little overwhelming at first, but once you get used to the operating system, you can find your way around the phone’s various functions in no time. Internet can be accessed via your service provider or with the inbuilt wireless functionality. Browsing the internet is simple thanks to the phone’s easy-to-navigate browser. Further, the Xperia PLAY’s screen can comfortably accommodate alot of the text and graphics of a website.
Voice quality on the Xperia PLAY is satisfactory, both from the bundled earpiece and handset speaker. On one charge, the battery lasted for an entire day at work, but obviously that will vary depending on what applications you have active and how long you spend playing games on the device. Nevertheless, the phone will still require a daily charge, no matter how you use it.
Overall, the Xperia PLAY has all the bells and whistles that you would expect to come with a modern smartphone. The device is well-built with a vibrant display and easy-to navigate interface. Importantly, the Xperia PLAY supports all the modern conveniences, including social media, GPS, web browsing and more. Including the quality camera and speakers, and you have a phone that stacks up just as well against all of the other popular smartphone brands. What will set the Xperia PLAY apart from the crowd is how well it works as a dedicated video game platform. Stay tuned for part two of PALGN’s first mobile feature early next week, in which we break down how just well the Xperia PLAY performs while gaming on the go.
Sony Ericsson Product Manager, James Buckingham, will be on hand if you have any queries about the Xperia PLAY, so please post them in the comments section below. We will attempt to answer any and all questions you may have.
. Just curious, I won't be replacing my Desire HD anytime soon anyway 
. Dissapointed the phone doesn't bake me cake. That really would have been a selling point.
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