MWC 2012: Sony Xperia P Hands-On Preview

Similar S and P siblings, the P is one of the first device's announced by the now Ericsson-free Sony; though in terms of spec the device isn't the best thing since sliced bread, it does have its charms.

Tech Spec

Sitting in the middle between the Xperia S and U, the P is the middle child of Sony's latest batch of smartphones.

Not housing any ground breaking components, the Xperia P boasts a decent looking 4-inch 540 x 960 display, 8-megapixel camera capable of 1080p video recording and is powered by a dual-core NovaThor U8500 processor.

In our time playing with the device, we found the screen to be one of the P's key assets, with the display being crisp, clear and full of vibrant colours. Though we didn't have a chance to fully put it through its paces, during our hands-on we were slightly concerned about the 1GHz dual-core processor. While the unit was generally snappy and easy to use, it did at points feel slightly chuggy - though as was the case with the U, this could be because of the early software build loaded on the demo unit.

Past its larger screen size, one thing that differentiates the P from its little brother the U, is its 8-megapixel camera. A step up from the U's 5-megapixel snapper, in our efforts, despite less than ideal lighting conditions at Sony's booth, the unit did prove capable of taking some pretty decent shots.

Look and Feel

Like the U, the Xperia P has the same design features of Sony's high-end Xperia S handset. The unit also has the same clear plastic bar at the bottom. As well as housing the home, back and menu buttons the bar also changes colour to alert users of incoming calls and texts. While the bar won't be to everyone's taste we quite like the touch, feeling it adds an air of originality to the design.

One feature that does separate the P from its siblings is its uni-body aluminium case. Always a fan of metal cases, as well as adding a layer of class to the device, we felt the touch made the P feel far more robust than the S and U.

Operating System and Software

The P will be released running the Gingerbread version of Android. But don't let that put you off, Sony has promised that the P will get an Ice Cream Sandwich update before the end of June.
Past this, another feature that will set the P apart is the inclusion of Sony's "White Magic" technology - which apparently helps photos to be much crisper and clearer, reducing the reliance on back-lighting while reducing overall power consumption of the display, making it easier to take photos outdoors. Additionally, another nice touch for users too lazy to bother dealing in hard cash, the P will house NFC connectivity.

Release Date and Price

There's been no official word on the unit's price past that it will be mid-range. Like the U, the Xperia P has been pegged with a Q2, 2012 release date. Check back at the International Business Times UK closer to the time for a full review.