Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 scores cameo on Vodafone's site for October release
By Chris Ziegler 
posted Aug 22nd 2008 11:49AM
posted Aug 22nd 2008 11:49AM
The uncertainty of trying to predict exactly when -- and where -- Sony Ericsson's beastly X1 would launch has come to be one of the more entertaining dramas in the mobile world this year, but it looks like Vodafone's ready to shut down the rumor mill. The Windows Mobile superphone has now been slapped with an "expected" launch date in October for Voda's UK audience, which means we can probably expect it in at least a few other European locales in the same timeframe. Americans (of both the South and North variety), Asians, Africans, Australians, and Antarcticans, though -- well, there's no telling where you guys stand at the moment, so hang tight.[Via CoolSmartPhone]
This is the phone that may lure me away from Sprint onto AT&T despite their overpriced "Unlimited Plan"
The Touch Pro looks nice but it seems kinda fat compared to the X1.
Here's a nice comparison, including size.
http://discuss.pocketnow.com/showthread.php?threadid=23530
It may see it's way to the US before the year is over (I hope). I'm afraid it might be too late though. Touch Pro, Android and even WM7 release could make this a stiff competition. I like the screen size and pixel dimension. Not sold on the panel interface but the underlining screens looks alot like the standard PSP/PS3 navigation we're use to. The keyboard is okay, five rows would be better like the Pro. I'll wait for the review of the production model.
Hey,
Although this phone is branded as Sony Ericsson, HTC still built and developed it. So whether someone buys Touch Pro or this, HTC still banks off of it.
The smart part is that HTC already got there money up front!
Lure you to ATT? It might even lure me from that other phone they have. Considering i can get $700 for it on ebay, it might make sense to move to this when available.
I WANT this resolution.
never heard of it, but it looks good. it doesnt even look like its running windows mobile =/
That's definitely the fad these days is to develop your own interface that hides as much of windows mobile as possible... I hope the Xperia interface is really nice, because from what I've seen of the TouchFlo interface on the TouchPro it's really slick and would be a tough thing to top.
It's running WM, but with SONY's new panel interface. cjeck out the video: http://htcsource.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=211&Itemid=1
@Nick, that video was not even worth watching, he repeatecd the same trick over and over, not really going indepth into the OS (even though I'm familiar with WM, I would still like to have seen how they dressed it up.
P.S. it sounded like he had peanutbutter stuck on the roor of his mouth. "Shake and Bake!"
Is it me, or is this the most delayed phone in the history on phones being delayed. lol
This phone was supposed to be the iPhone (first gen) killer. Personally I think the Omnia is the most kick ars device available (iPhone couldn't hold a candle to it.
iPhone defenders, you may begin with your low rankings...
Unfortunately most of SE's phone take a while from first pictures to actual release.
It's very frustrating.
YOU GUYS? What do you mean YOU GUYS?
Ha! funny. He meant "YOU PEOPLE"! You gotta see the movie.
I got so bored of waiting I got the inferior iPhone (based on the rumors, slide out keyboard, and sexy-time interface)
Physical keyboards are soooooooooo legacy on phones!
- Apple Fanboi
No, no, sooo necessary...
The iphone is actually my moms old 2g :(
Well, I emailed Engaget a few days ago now the link to Sony-Ericsson's own store http://www.se-store.co.uk/?objectid=FED6335A-3005-8DAD-19B78C0E964DF956 which has the X1 coming in January 2009...hope they are wrong though...
That's probably when the carrier free version is coming.
Anyone experiencing massive flakiness (
Sony did say second half of 08. The problem is they never stated a release date -- this has the effect of frustrating people .. who get impatient and then go for a competitor.
Sony .. you announce a phone, announce a release date too for goodness sake.
That company is a basket case.
I agree. Even though it will be expensive, I'd love to buy this phone. But I am definitely getting ancy and eyeing the competition. I've even considered... the iPhone. I know.. that's bad.
If I can wait though, it's between either the Xperia or the Touch Pro.
This phone really is nothing special, in my oppinion.
There's so much exciting stuff happening now, with the way how Apple is changing software developement for mobile platforms, but there still seem to be a lot of people who think spec lists are more important then software and interface.
Let me give you a hint: software is already much more important than hardware right now and it will be more so in the future.
Software like cut and paste, MMS, turn by turn GPS navigation? Or hardware like removable batteries, tactile keyboards and reliable 3G radios?
Specs matter, especially if you're into cars or gadgets. Do you want a Hundai engine in a Porche? I don't think so. When you talk about WinMo devices, you can pretty much change the interface and tons of software on it. The specs will determine how much and what you can do with it. I've seen Apple's software development--and most of the software available on the App Store is useless. Simple functions with nice navigation. Woop-dee-doo.
Software like cut and paste, MMS, and kill switches? Or hardware like removable batteries, tactile keyboards and reliable 3G radios?
Now, is that a fact or your opinion?
Hint: Sounds like an opinion to me. If this phone was made by Apple you would be probably be praising it. And im no fanboy as i am writing this right now on my own Apple MacBook right now.
My opinion: This phone looks good and may not be an iPhone killer but im still getting it and i will be able to do more than you on your iPhone.
This needs to come with Opera 9.5...X1 screen > Touch Pro screen!
How rather interesting. O2 normally get the brand new Sony Ericsson stuff before the other networks hmmpf
Another one on my list with Bold and HTC Android I'll wait to try out in person. Innovation is great!
Looks like a great phone that will be UTTERLY CRIPPLED by that Vodacrap software they insist on installing
Why the fuck do they do this to every half-decent phone on the network? Surely a logo on the case is enough?
I lusted over the X1 until I saw the Touch Pro. That extra row of keys on the keyboard really call me. Besides, the X1 will likely never be offered for Verizon, and no other network's 3G coverage can come close to Verizon...which almost makes up for the fact that phones that Verizon sells are antiquated and crippled. At least the Touch Pro has a snowball's chance in hell of eventually making it to Verizon (after a 65-year exclusivity contract with Sprint and a 6859-year testing phase by Verizon)
Verizon's CDMA, in other word's they picked the wrong horse. You definitely won't see any sweet Nokia's or SE's
For those of you deciding between the Pro and the X1, check out this mini review of the pre-production model. The Pro is mentioned throughout the review (no Pro side-by-side pictures) and plenty of shots of the X1.
http://www.smape.com/en/reviews//Sony_Ericsson_XPERIA_X1-prev.html
An interesting point mentioned in the review is that the X1 lacks hardware acceleration and a couple of other small issues. Hardware acceleration has been a key issue with HTC users so this might raise another argument. Yet, the panel interface does nicely without it even on a pre-production model.
I like it.
Actually, the X1 does have hardware graphics acceleration. They got that part wrong.
when rumour spreads and become news and news spread and nothing happens after almost half a year... everyone will get fade up. just like the fox's story...
Sony X1... you are just the same. Lost my interest on this phone.
can anybody offer a positive interpretation on why they are keeping mum on the price?
I'm trying to remain optimistic but to me it strongly suggests that it is going be somewhere between firstborn and left nut expense.
Unfortunately Tmo users do not really have a choice between the Pro and the X1. The X1 is the only phone out of the two that supports the Tmo 1700band for 3g. As much as I like HTC's products I guess I am stuck.
Am inferior device running on Windows!
Might as well buy an HTC, why bother with Sony Ericsson if one had to deal with a Windows phone with a skin on top?
Personally I would credit BlackBerry for their Storm, atleast they make the phone, with the software with it, thus making the whole device a whole lot more integrated (would hate to imagine interface glitches typical of third party software).
Clearly Sony has lost its earlier position, as one of those great phone makers, ranging from the class leading P series (touch screen since 2002), to the Walkman series. Not to forget their award winning T610.
An utter disapointment, for me. Have been using Sony Ericsson for a while now (begining with T610, K500i, and now P1i, based on Symbian on UIQ)