Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness hands-on
By Chris Ziegler 
posted December 30th 2009 1:00PM
posted December 30th 2009 1:00PM
Anyhow, we've just taken delivery of a Pureness today and have had a few fleeting moments to check it out. If it weren't for the screen, you'd be looking at a $30 prepaid candybar here -- you don't have a camera, a high-res display, or any sexy metal or soft-touch bits to give the phone a premium feel. The UI is about the simplest possible incarnation of Sony Ericsson's typical dumbphone platform, owing largely to the fact that the display's just grayscale; you've got an FM radio (with a headset attached) and a basic music player and browser, but if you're in North America, don't expect any 3G.
That said, seriously, look at that shot we took up there: the display is insane. We can't quite get over it -- it's the ultimate conversation piece. Motorola Aura owners looking for a fresh way to draw a crowd might look at this as their next purchase, but if you're looking to do anything but talk (and occasionally browse an eerily translucent version of Engadget), make no mistake, this isn't your phone. Did we mention we want one really, really badly?
@fatslug
hahahahha yeah!!
lol
In addition to the display they offer a concierge-service for all owners (12 month) with the phone: http://www.sonyericsson.com/cws/products/mobilephones/topics/xperiapureness/purenessconcierge?cc=us&lc=en
SE is insanely arrogant in thinking that people will pay them $1000 for this thing.
@Edobe
How do you figure? Because I would pay for it.
This phone isn't made for people like you. They are made for people who appreciate nice design touches and targets the lux market. Read: People with money willing to pay for exclusivity no matter how batshit insane.
iPhones? Don't want that when I see the cleaning lady and road sweepers pull them out to make a call. I want one of these!
OK, so this is a conversation piece. Now make it totally transparent and part of my glasses, with on/off and control via my pupils.
where's the functionality?
Looks like an urban hitster's toy for $1000 which will be played for couple months and then sold for $100 on ebay. :)
The most ridiculous phone ever ffs
$1000 for this? Yeah real funny SE.
Great product to revive the "Keeping it real WTF".
Sweet. Does it come with Pong?
Here's the real question:
How does their concierge service work? I've read the FAQ page on SE's site... while it lists a couple places in a couple major cities around the world that give you free upgrades... what about traditional services? Can I plan a night out in Chicago with some friends, and have the SE Concierge call a restaurant that's booked up and magically get me a table? Or can they call ahead to the club/lounge we would go to, and get us on the list for no cover charge? What exactly is the perk of this service, since you are obviously paying the premium price for it? Engadget staff, can you shed some light please?
Interface looks like its from the late 90's...And we are expected to dish out 1000 bucks for it?!? No way, Jose.
People already buy 10,000 dollar vertu phones, which have last decade's technology and are so heavy that most of the people in this forum will have to start a fitness regimen to carry.
I will not be surprised if at least a few idiots buy this as well...
LOLZ @SONY NewbFOneZ
ME SO 733T with My iPhoneZ !
Aren't you at least a LITTLE amazed by the display ?
no ? Ok then..
I think the Motorola Aura is a better deal....
These high end phones intrigue me. The concept of paying 1000+ for a prepaid phone covered in high end materials is beyond me.
truly a night phone, couldn't be nothing more
If you can afford to drop $1k on this, then you can definitely afford to buy my $2,500 CD walkman revival, with G-Shock and an RDS FM radio. The beauty is, the song names get tweeted to you.
sorry, i just dont see whats so exciting about this phone...or why you'd really really really want one...after 5 minutes of playing with it i'd be ready for my smartphone back
$1000 seems rather expensive for a low tech gadget, alex904 is right, in a couple of months it will sell for $100.
If Sony's path to redemption begins with products like this phone.
Fugly indoors, useless outdoors...
sweet science thats a ridiculous phone.
I love the phone. I'd love to have a simple phone to compliment the phone provided by my company. Just a good texter.
But $1,000? I was expecting $100. It looks like a toy / pre-paid phone from a vending machine.
Apart from grayscale, I don't see what other limitations the screen possesses that would stop S.E. from making it a kick-ass phone. Just because the screen exists doesn't mean the entire phone is pardoned; a lost opportunity, I think.
.
is the screen made of sapphire glass?
This phone seems like it should've came before the present phone not after.
(engineers looking at this thing)
ENG#1: if only there was some kind of light in the back to illuminate the picture so we could see what's going on.
ENG#2: yes, some sort of backlight. maybe when the technology is cheaper; *applies 1,000 sku to box*
This is very similar to the vertu line of phones in its lack of functionality but loads of luxury. Im intrigued by the keypad, screen, and packaging, though this is an idiotic waste of resources. I mean, why would sony burn money producing cellphones they know consumers would not purchase?
Whoa, great picture of engadget on that translucent screen. Amazing to think how this screen technology might be applied to other smart phones, or a 50" TV.
I'd take a 50" translucent TV over 3D anyday.
it's not even thin... it looks a good deal thicker than my Droid...
The build quality of the buttons looks like shit...
It's grayscale, and very gray, with like 7 pixels...
The packaging is ridiculous, I could never use it outside...
WHY DO I WANT ONE SO BAAAADDDDDD
I think it is better to change the wordings of the box to:
Think
Next
Time
Ahh! Back to the good old days of monochrome LCDs. Sighs
What else can you say! S.E. gone a touch loco.
Most of their candybar phones suffer from not quite clear enough screens, but it doesn't stop me prefering them to other makes. I've loved S.E. since I had my first T610 contract phone. Yes I have a C702 which I am very happy with for the moment. That said - WTF, the pureness has no card slot and a menu system they seemed to have taken from their older mono screen phones. Please S.E. NO to a 2nd incarnation of this madness - why not try doing a roll up phone/smartphone hybrid not something that should be a festive toy in a christmas cracker FFS!!! Rant over I still love S.E.
this phone looks like a whole bunch of crap to me