Xperia SP any good?

Slam · 6 Mar 2014 at 18:18

Was thinking of getting the 16GB Moto G but saw that the Xperia SP is on offer for £199 (payg). Anyone got this handset?
The advantages seem to be the camera, 4g, micro sd, cpu speed.
Disadvantages seem to be wifi reception, 8GB storage

Superficial · 6 Mar 2014 at 22:21

Fantastic phone and v. well manufactured. You're getting it at the right time as the new 4.3 firmware is about to be released in the uk.

4.3 fixes the wifi and gives you a better ui overall. They did release a beta in Australia already which some have installed but there is a fixed/updated version coming.

You can upgrade the storage with an 32GB SD card so the 8gb as you say so it shouldn't be a reason not to get one really.

My uncle has the 8gb moto G so I won't take anything away from it but, if you care at all, the sp wipes the floor with it in games etc.

I also wouldn't say the is much in it for the camera either though and 4.4 kitkat won't be coming to the SP for ages if ever but, frankly, who cares.

EDIT: one more thing - I bought my SP with the EE PAYG special offer for £199 + £30 cashback but unlocking this phone was £17 on eBay whereas the Moto G was like £2 so there's that.

Buffman · 6 Mar 2014 at 22:45

Yeah I've got one and like it, 0 problems so far, durable and a good step up from my iPhone 4. Any specific q's just ask.

Slam · 6 Mar 2014 at 23:40

Thanks guys. Sounds pretty positive. I'm a bit worried about the wifi reception (kind of fundamental!) but it sounds like the new firmware will fix this and in any case it isn't so bad that you're screaming don't buy this phone!

best price I can see is £209.95 sim free from one of the high street retailer websites.

Buffman · 6 Mar 2014 at 23:46

I read something about poor wifi before buying it but I've never had any problems.

(admittedly I'm in a small 1 bed flat) but works fine across the whole area

Slam · 6 Mar 2014 at 23:51

I understand that the sd card memory is essentially for video and music and that the internal memory (what's left of it!) is for apps. I've read that FolderMount is the way around this.
https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.devasque.fmount

Is this something you've tried (or have needed)?

Also, is there an easy way to root the phone?

Buffman · 7 Mar 2014 at 00:09

Think there's about 4gb left on it once the OS is installed. I have a 32 gb card (no idea what folder mount is), however I don't really need this much space.

Unsure on rooting.

Iraklis F.C. · 7 Mar 2014 at 00:15

The screen is horrible on this phone...

Orcvader · 7 Mar 2014 at 00:23

Iraklis F.C. said:
The screen is horrible on this phone...

Like every other Sony phone (apart from the Z1 Compact/Z2). But apart from that, it's a solid good phone. The Moto G is worth considering as well but microSD is an advantage. I guess the SoC performs better as well (quad A7 + Adreno 305 vs dual Krait + Adreno 320). Now if only Sony could speed up it's software updating speed...

Warp279 · 7 Mar 2014 at 02:09

the screen is very dull. i got rid of it straight away!

Slam · 7 Mar 2014 at 02:17

I haven't had a chance to see the screen in action, could only find dummy display models.
I don't mind a narrow screen angle but dull colours would be bad.

Superficial · 7 Mar 2014 at 02:29

GalaxyS4 said:
the screen is very dull. i got rid of it straight away!

the screen, face on, is fantastic - the OP can go and view videos of it to settle the issue. There is a contrast issue that can be calibrated though.

I hate this guys voice but here is a fair review with screen footage:

http://youtu.be/ModBdEVWpxA

the issue with the screen is viewing angles but, just like the reviews say, who the hell looks at their phone from anything other than face on.

This vid is shown almost exclusive off-angle and I think it still looks fine:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PTZfgD-rKt4 or an outside comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YU3BB-_niAI

in my view the screen is fine but not to be compared to any top range phone. Also it was being compared to the Moto G - which has a slightly better screen but which also has viewing angle issues - just not as pronounced.

You get 5.5GB/6GB free after the OS is installed.

You cannot root the unlocked PAYG SP's not sure about sim free's though.

Slam · 7 Mar 2014 at 09:18

Thanks Superficial, all useful info.
Sounds like a good phone for me. I'll need to get a payg model that can be rooted (and unlocked) though.
Some places sell the sim free version for less than a network payg handset. Doesn't make sense to me!

Buffman · 8 Mar 2014 at 18:01

One main point I forgot about this phone is the battery life (its excellent!), lasts about 2 days on average for me with a fair bit of use (facebook, games, push emails etc).

Software updates are quite slow, however the stock given 4.2 is fine anyways. (only reason I can see you really wanting 4.4 and above is if an app requires it)

Slam · 8 Mar 2014 at 21:48

Thanks The Craig. It all sounds good. I like the design, the notification bar and the red option.
If only it had more than 8GB memory. That worries me

OspreyO · 11 Mar 2014 at 19:50

Superficial said:
...My uncle has the 8gb moto G so I won't take anything away from it but, if you care at all, the sp wipes the floor with it in games etc.

I also wouldn't say the is much in it for the camera either though and 4.4 kitkat won't be coming to the SP for ages if ever but, frankly, who cares....

I would have expected the SP to have a better camera. I assume that mean it doesn't.

How does it wipe the floor with it in games? Why?

mame · 11 Mar 2014 at 20:17

Superficial said:
the issue with the screen is viewing angles but, just like the reviews say, who the hell looks at their phone from anything other than face on.

the only issue I have with viewing angles on a phone is when you put it flat on a desk and you are looking at it at probably about 45 degrees and it's suddenly half the brightness. I do tend to casually read messages etc like this.

Buffman · 11 Mar 2014 at 20:25

Slam said:
Thanks The Craig. It all sounds good. I like the design, the notification bar and the red option.
If only it had more than 8GB memory. That worries me

I have a 32gb micro Sd card in mine which cost about 15 quid. (nowhere near full)

Superficial · 12 Mar 2014 at 04:20

OspreyO said:
I would have expected the SP to have a better camera. I assume that mean it doesn't.

How does it wipe the floor with it in games? Why?

There is a noticeable frame rate difference - As I said I have access to both.

As has already been alluded to the CPU and GPU is faster (sorry but this is an enthusiasts forum - you should know how to look up benchmarks/reviews/video comparisons). I have already posted a video of gaming on the device. The SP plays everything smoothly bar the most demanding games.

I am not suggesting that the Moto G is bad for gaming btw.

if you like you can check this persons live comparison: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3j7vqEpjmBA

from 6.00 mins - it is the only direct head to head I can find.

Re: the camera - You've quoted my opinion on the matter. The camera is fine - it is comparable.

Superficial · 12 Mar 2014 at 04:25

mame said:
the only issue I have with viewing angles on a phone is when you put it flat on a desk and you are looking at it at probably about 45 degrees and it's suddenly half the brightness. I do tend to casually read messages etc like this.

I don't disagree with you but since we are comparing this against the Moto G, whilst the Moto G has better viewing angles, I would still submit that there is not all that much in it.

The best thing the OP can do, unless he can get hold of each handset, is to check video comparisons imo.