Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1a available for pre-order at Best Buy

As one astute tipster's pointed out, the XPERIA X1a is now available for pre-order on the Best Buy site. Now that the phone's really, finally, almost here are you totally psyched? Or have you been too busy playing with your G1 to notice? Like we saw last week, the phone will retail for $799.99 in its unlocked form, and there's no word yet on pricing with a plan. Order now and they claim you'll receive the phone as soon as November 28th. So... what are you waiting for?

[Thanks, Ian]

[nizzy1115 @ Nov 15th 2008 2:13PM]

That price makes this phone destined to failure.

[Jacob @ Nov 15th 2008 2:54PM]

I know, in this economy, it's easy to see this won't go far.

[LC @ Nov 15th 2008 3:35PM]

Or the A8000i clone more of a deal.... http://www.engadget.com/2008/11/14/keepin-it-real-fake-part-clxvi-the-sany-ericssan-x1-with-wynd/

[ako1pinoy @ Nov 15th 2008 8:53PM]

$800 for a phone which is just similar to T-Mobile G1???? G1 is even more capable and has a lot more apps.

[Apple Fanboy @ Nov 16th 2008 3:15AM]

That's funny. Seems to be doing just fine in the other 99% of the world.
http://wmpoweruser.com/?tag=sony-ericsson-xperia-x1&paged=2

And compared to "at release" and "unsubsidized pricing" it is competitive to most high end phones. People are comparing this to phones that have been out for years. Wait two years and I'm sure the price for this will drop as well. Wait for a US carrier to pick it up (if they ever do, since US carrier selection is a joke compared to what's available to the rest of the world) and I'm sure the price will be competitive as well. Did everyone already forget what the unlocked iPhone was selling at during it's release?
http://www.latest-mobile.com/articles/apple/t-mobile-to-offer-unlocked-iphone-for-999-euro_4288
http://www.engadget.com/2007/11/28/orange-to-sell-unlocked-iphone-for-649-euro-100-euro-unlocking/

The US market simply isn't worth the effort for a lot of manufacturers largely due to people like the jobless fanboys crying on this site, who are only willing to buy carrier locked subsidized phones. Be happy they're even bothering to release a US version of this phone. Many of the other top manufacturers like Samsung aren't releasing US versions of their high end phones for this very reason. People who complain are just shooting themselves in the foot. Take a look at gsmarena.com and filter by US 3g bands. The selection drops to almost nothing. Sad.

[JerJer @ Nov 15th 2008 2:14PM]

can someone explain why it's 800 dollars? how is that competitive pricing?

[Danny F. @ Nov 15th 2008 2:19PM]

That is the average price of Windows mobile pda in todays market. The HTC Touch Pro came out around 800+ when it first came out earlier this year. The phones are usually sold unlocked with no contract tied in or minimum service of yrs. Thats why when the phones get branded under carriers like AT&T they sell for a much lower cost because they lock you into staying for at least 2 years so they recoup about $1,900+ in your two year service plus the cost of the phone when signing up at like $200-$300 upfront.

Ofcourse to the average customer its still gonna look insane regardless.

[SirPasta117 @ Nov 15th 2008 2:29PM]

As opposed to what? Buying then unlocked, then buying a Sim locking you into a contract?

[Levi @ Nov 15th 2008 2:38PM]

It's not competitive pricing; The AT&T Tilt was only $500-600 retail when it first came out, *without* a new/renewed contract.

Also, to reply to the other reply, if you are in the middle of a contract, or are paying on a month-to-month basis after your contract is up, you can buy an unlocked (or locked @ retail price) phone, use your old SIM card or buy a new one, and not have to renew your contract.

[wako @ Nov 15th 2008 3:15PM]

@Danny F


Now matter how you try to justify the price, it certainly is not a compettive price. Many Windows Mobile phones DO NOT come with just a hefty price tag even though they arent subsidized. Usual price tags for Windows Mobile phones are simply 600 bucks. Touch Pro was only 800 bucks because of all the hype and glam that came with the phone initially, now its just under 600 bucks. Usually HTC releases their phones around 500-600 bucks.

Hopefully Sony will have the brains to lower the price within a month or two after the release. The price tag is honestly ridiculous, and only makes me want to buy a n85 instead

[zoona @ Nov 17th 2008 1:07AM]

@wako: Are you serious? I guess you can also say that a Mercedes should only cost $6000 because there are other gas powered cars that only cost $6000. At least you gave one decent comparison about the Touch Pro "at release". Guess what? This phone is "at release".

[Ed @ Nov 15th 2008 2:15PM]

Are there actually people in the world (other than technology journalists) who get the newest phone that's out all the time? I know if I wanted to get a new phone ahead of my contract renewal (every 18 months) it would cost an incredible amount!

[YpoCaramel @ Nov 15th 2008 2:48PM]

People who live outside the United States. But we generally pay less for service per month, and it's nice to have it unlocked, so it balances out in the end.

[Sisyphus @ Nov 15th 2008 2:18PM]

Last month I built this computer as a gift with the following specs:

Antec 300 Case
Intel C2D E8400 3.0GHz
Gigabyte GA-945GCM-SC2 LGA 775 Micro ATX Intel
eVGA 9800 GT 512 MB GDDR3 PCI-E 2.0 VGA
G-Skill 2 GB DDR2 800 RAM
Western Digital 640 GB HDD
Windows Vista 32 Premium
TRENDnet USB 2.0 Wireless Adapter
Antec Earthwatts EA430 ATX 12v 80 Plus
Samsung Touch of Color T220 22" 2MS Monitor

...For about $760.

Or I could have gotten an unlocked phone without a plan.

[mvp @ Nov 15th 2008 2:23PM]

You would have been $39.99 short...

[YpoCaramel @ Nov 15th 2008 2:48PM]

So, I could have bought this awesome leather jacket from Diesel, made in Italy, Black Gold collection. Looks really good.

What's your point?

[Dave @ Nov 15th 2008 3:01PM]

I'm calling shenanigans on that rig of yours.

Cheapest Prices from Newegg based on your claim finding the exact parts you mentioned:

Monitor - $300
Operating System (assuming Home Basic) - $90
9800 - $125
E8400 - $165
2GB DDR2 800 - $20
Case - $55
Power Supply: $70
Motherboard: $35

I'm not even going to look up the Hard drive or the wireless adapter, because these online prices (newegg is cheaper than brick and mortar stores) already total $860, (shipping and tax not included), and that's not including the mouse and keyboard and speakers (which, even if recycled from an older machine, you have to account for when pulling inventory cost on your computer).

You can't say that two completely unrelated products are inherently comparable and that yours is better because you found someplace that was willing to sell it to you at cost. And if you got a combo deal, or bought open-box products, that negates your argument even further because you have an unfair advantage of options. That's almost like me saying my PS3 is better than your Xbox solely because my PS3 came with a copy of Uncharted.

Also, I can't believe how bored I must be to have replied in this fashion to this comment. I'm going outside.

[KAIKAI @ Nov 15th 2008 4:24PM]

well then dave
so my 360 is better because
i got forza 2 and marvel ult allaince with it ???

[Sisyphus @ Nov 15th 2008 6:42PM]

Dave,

I said:

"Last month I built this computer"

You said:

"Cheapest Prices from Newegg"

Did you use the wayback machine?

Also, "You can't say that two completely unrelated products are inherently comparable and that yours is better because you found someplace that was willing to sell it to you at cost." Sure I can -- spending money on "x" rather than "y" presumably draws money from the same source of personal funds, affecting my overall purchasing power. There are a boatload of other criteria that can be applied. I'm not trying to argue about the comparative value of versions of the "good," only practical items people use daily.

It should be obvious / uncontroversial that for people who make millions of dollars a year, bargain comparisons like these become more irrelevant. Hopefully you know how to interpret things non-literally.

[spam_free @ Nov 15th 2008 6:53PM]

@ Dave
He bought them from my cousin Skinny Vinny, who runs a "business" out of his Econoline on a side street in Little Italy. Hence the mighty discount. He MIGHT be able to get you one of these there phones for under 5 bills. Let's talk.

[JOHN @ Nov 15th 2008 9:18PM]

There is nothing wrong with that price. I just built one for a friend and for the system minus the monitor, it came out to be under $450 with speakers and keyboard and everything

Q8200 Quad Core
4GB DDR2 ram
500GB Samsung F1
8800gs super clocked

You just have to know how to find the deals. Q8200 with mobo was $129 at Fry's

[Mr. S. @ Nov 16th 2008 2:16AM]

I got mine for free, so I can spend my $799 on coke and hookers!

[haX0r @ Nov 16th 2008 12:23PM]

@ Dave

May I suggest another site that is price competitive?

http://computers.pricegrabber.com/flat-panel-lcd-monitors/samsung+t220/p/37/form_keyword=Samsung%20T220/rd=1/st=query/

[Fancylad @ Nov 15th 2008 2:26PM]

I agonized about getting an iphone with this in the near future, that price makes me not feel so bad I didn't wait.

[iEye @ Nov 15th 2008 2:27PM]

Hoo Hoo Hee Hee ha Ha!

Bet you all wished you picked up a $199 1st gen iPhone refurb or a fresh $299 4GB when they were out!

Now you all have to pay this price for a sub par iPhone imitator...

This thing will top 1 Grand when you factor in and insurance... This is car money! I'd rather get a 72 pontiac ventura... more fun.

[Juxterium @ Nov 15th 2008 2:35PM]

I'm so glad I didn't waste money on the iPhone + 2 year contract! Because you see, I really have no need for an imitation of a smartphone and I bet more then half of iphone users don't either.

[iEye @ Nov 15th 2008 2:43PM]

Oh please, stop using the CONTRACT word... we all know anyone with 1/4 a brain could unlock an iPhone... $199 out the door.

[Levi @ Nov 15th 2008 2:51PM]

iEye, you get ranked down for being a fanboy on every single comment you leave....

Should I bother? Well, I hate people like you, and I never do this, so here it goes.

I have a 1st gen 4gb iPhone, which I got refurbished (brand new condition, no problems with it) for $200. The data plan is the cheapest on any carrier for unlimited data + 200 messages. Comparitively, an unlimited data plan + 200 messages for a Windows Mobile phone on AT&T would cost $35/mo, whereas the 1st gen data plan is $20. I understand the iPhone lacks in some areas, but I love it. I even purchased an AT&T Tilt recently to try it out, and kept my iPhone so I would have the option of returning the Tilt if I didn't like it more. I'm returning the Tilt today or tomorrow.

Though, I'm not an idiot; NONE of these phones are iPhone competitors. Windows Mobile came farrrrr before iPhone, and it is not sub-par either. It can do everything the iPhone can do and more, save for a multitouch interface. The only things the iPhone has over a top-notch WinMo phone like this is an easier interface and a better web browser (the newest beta of Opera Mobile 9.5 comes really close, but still not quite as good IMO).

Please stop being a fucking idiot fanboy. It's ok if you like your iPhone more than an overpriced Windows Mobile phone, but if you go around making stupid comments like "sub-par iPhone imitator," then you should really just disconnect the ethernet from the back of your computer (and cancel your AT&T plan so you can't post with your damn precious iPhone).

Last, but not least, I know none of us are perfect, but I hate you, so: "This thing will top 1 Grand when you factor in and insurance... " When you factor WHAT in and insurance? Maybe, if you're going to post stupid fucking comments like that, you should at least read them over once before you click Add Comment and feel superior in your tard-hole Apple dream land

It's dumbass comments like the ones you leave that make me ashamed to have an Apple product.

Now I'm going to re-read this so I'm not a hypocrite XD

[Samboini @ Nov 15th 2008 3:49PM]

Levi, if you're words were a gun, iEye's brains would be on the pavement. Unfortunately they aren't. :(

[neodorian @ Nov 15th 2008 4:08PM]

@Levi: good dressing-down but trolls just want to rile you up. Also, there is no way that is the cheapest data plan out there. Sprint has offered unlimited 3G for a while now at $15/month. I think another $5 gets you 500 texts but don't quote me on that. It may be like 400 or something. Their data plans have kept me a Sprint customer for years now because I have yet to see any other carrier offer unlimited data on a smartphone for under $30-45 while voice plans are all about the same.

[Harrison @ Nov 15th 2008 4:49PM]

Not everyone wants an iPhone...

I'll wait while your head blows up over this fact.

[KarlW @ Nov 15th 2008 5:33PM]

@Saboini

Actually, they probably are. One hemisphere at least.

[The Walrus @ Nov 15th 2008 6:43PM]

What would you know about having a quarter of a brain iEye?

[Juxterium @ Nov 15th 2008 7:33PM]

@ iEye

"This thing will top 1 Grand when you factor in and insurance..."

"Oh please, stop using the CONTRACT word... we all know anyone with 1/4 a brain could unlock an iPhone..."

Both quotes, from you... So you're allowed to factor in the cost of owning a phone to make the competition seem worse but I'm not allowed to factor in the cost of owning an iPhone because that would make it look bad?

I will say this one last time, You are a freaking idiot who should really unplug your PC and stick it in a cupboard because it's obvious you're too dumb to own one (even if it is a mac).

[Mike10010100 @ Nov 15th 2008 9:38PM]

Hey Levi, if you want a better browser than Opera Mini, try Skyfire.

No, seriously. The ability to stream flash videos, extremely quick, even compared to the iPhone.

Unfortunately U.S. only, and it has some weird problems downloading/ opening files (pdf, doc, etc.), but other than that, beats every competitor by far.

[Levi @ Nov 16th 2008 11:03AM]

@ neo - I guess I'm not very familiar with Sprint :( I'm not going to switch carriers or anything, but $15/mo for unlimited data is a flippin fantastic price. And yeah, I know it's kinda dumb to respond to a troll, but I had to give it to iEye at least once. I'll just rank him down from now on.

@ Mike - I think I heard about Skyfire a while ago.. doesn't it use servers to buffer websites or something? I would totally give it a shot, but I think I'm actually returning the WinMo phone today and reactivating the iPhone. I think I like them about equally; the Tilt is a sick phone, but if I like them about the same, I might as well keep my monies I guess.

[Chris @ Nov 15th 2008 2:29PM]

I can get the Xperia X1 with a one year renewal of my current contract for 14,95 euro.. but still I'm not thinking about it. If you look at the preview/review video's you can see how slow the screen animations and transistion are.. that's going to irritate you fast! Trust me had a HTC S710 with Windows Mobile for half a year.. think made me crazy. And next to that.. nice going all those animations and skinning but still below all of that glamour there's still that Windows 3.1 look-a-like Windows Mobile interface which just doesn't hold on to the 2008 standard.

Storm gets released on Monday overhere.. waiting on that.

[Ike Turner @ Nov 15th 2008 2:58PM]

Storm = no Wifi = No Buy

[fairlight @ Nov 15th 2008 3:05PM]

Surely the firmware updates will fix this in the future..

[wako @ Nov 15th 2008 3:56PM]

Yeah, the screen transition does suck. However if I ever did get the Xperia, I dont think I would ever even use the stupid panels. Hell, I would goto XDA forums and find a better firmware to turn that crap off AND just install a bunch of SPB software on it...

The panels in my opinion is a huge joke. It just looks like a slower and gimmicky way of switching between programs

[jah @ Nov 15th 2008 4:01PM]

I've had 2 X1s and the Panel switching is not that slow at all. SPB Panel if free!

[Chris @ Nov 15th 2008 5:54PM]

Didn't know that SPB Panel software. Visually looks a lot like HTC's 3D Flo. But just saw a Youtube clip.. looks good idd.
But what I mean is SE, like HTC is trying to disguise Windows Mobile by skinning it but when you eventually for instance check your mail -> same ol' crappy Windows Mobile. Just doensn't fit. Looks like a VW Beetle with a Ferrari bodykit.

Android would have been a better choice I guess for the X1.

And yes I know the Storm doesn't have Wi-Fi it's a bummer but Vodafone has got 95% 3G coverage overhere so I'll survive. And anyways don't think if it would have Wi-Fi it would work. Had the Blackberry Bold for a day, great phone, but couldn't connect to two Wi-Fi routers (no mac filtering on, an 54G en 54N router).. would have had the same probs with the Storm I guess.

[wako @ Nov 16th 2008 4:12AM]

The SPB software that you say looks like HTC interface is actually the exact opposite. It is HTC interface looks like that of the SPB software. SPB's software came out before HTC did...

And quite honestly I really dont care about Android at this point. Mostly because it doesnt come close to having as much software as Windows Mobile does right now. Windows Mobile has almost 9 years worth of software that can be run! The OS is very adaptable despite its many flaws, which I can overlook.

However I wont disagree with you on that many companies are simply just trying to skin over Windows Mobile. But in my opinion that is the beauty of it. Its that flexiiblity that it gives you to make what your phone to look the way you want, anyway you want. Want it to look like an iPhone? Done. Like Symbian? Done. Like Vista? Done. Its really that customizability that attracts me. I dont believe you can really do that with Android. It seems pretty concrete...

[arvid @ Nov 16th 2008 8:15AM]

I just ordered an Xperia with a new contract here in NL. A Mediamarkt in Germany had one, and it was indeed quite slow in the 2 minutes or so that I played with it. But more important: they didn't have the 3G eeepc 901 with linux. Well, first see how I like the Xperia then. I expect it within 2 weeks.

[Jah @ Nov 15th 2008 2:50PM]

Here in the UK there are shortages of the X1 because of its popularity. My X1 was free on a UKP40 per month (18 months with ability to reduce to UKP25 after 9 months) which includes unlimited data. The problem is that US networks don't want to carry the X1, don't blame SE for that.

[Levi @ Nov 15th 2008 2:52PM]

After owning both the AT&T Tilt and the iPhone, I can't go back to a resistive touch screen. Sorry Sony. :(

[Frankenstein Black @ Nov 15th 2008 2:53PM]

"WORD TO THE G!"
http://www.t-mobileg1.com/?WT.srch=1&WT.mc_id=273m1&WT.z=p148490733

[Maikel @ Nov 15th 2008 2:53PM]

Wow! Nice phone but at that price, a lot people gonna stay away from it specially in this recession period that we are in.

[Cassini @ Nov 15th 2008 2:54PM]

The Xperia looks nice, but what I want to know is why carriers in the States charge so much for their phones or charge for them at all when they're locking you into two year contracts with data plans!

AT&T is a freaking fortune - $110/mo. for 900 anytime minutes and unlimited data & messaging, or $90/mo. for the same thing, but with only 450 anytime minutes (which is a complete joke). Plus another $10-15 in taxes on top of that. Who's going to pay $100-125/mo. for that? That pricing is extortionate! And they're still charging us $300 for an HTC Fuze? Then I hear oversees they charge the equivalent of around $20-40 USD for these phones when signing up for a plan. Why don't we do that here in the States? These stupid carriers need to get with it over here.

AT&T charges WAY TOO MUCH for phones and services. For what you're paying, we should be getting our phones for FREE.

I hate carriers here. None of them are good. The only one with decent pricing is T-Mobile (but their network stinks here), the rest have good network coverage, but are nothing more than loan sharks.

Then again, there's always paying $800 USD for an unlocked phone - which is also a joke.

[Eric @ Nov 15th 2008 3:20PM]

If you think carriers in the States are bad, you should see how much Bell and Rodgers charge up in Canada...they charge as much or more than the carriers here, and IIRC, you can't even get unlimited data plans.

I just recently switched from At&t to Verizon, primarily for the free mobile-to-mobile minutes between Verizon users, as everyone I know is with Verizon, but outside of that, I really don't like them, as I don't care for CDMA phones, and Verizon locks their phones down pretty tight (resulting in me using pitpim to add even something as basic as ringtones to my LG Dare).

Even the Dare cost me a fair chunk of change for what it is. They've got everyone by the balls, either you pay a fortune for an unlocked phone, or you're locked into a plan.