In a smartphone market saturated with 3.5-inch and larger displays,
Sony Ericsson reckons there's still a little place for petite packages. Enter the Xperia
X10 Mini (E10i) and
Mini Pro (U20i) -- both direct descendants of the beastly
X10 Android 1.6 handset. Apart from the Pro's slide-out keyboard, removable battery, and positioning of various features, the two Minis are otherwise internally identical -- same processor, same camera, and same screen. So can these cute baby form factors offer more than just some palm-cuddling time? Can we get a decent smartphone performance out of them? Follow us after the break to find out.
Hardware
As we pointed out earlier, the X10 Mini and Mini Pro share identical guts: Qualcomm MSM7227 600MHz processor (as featured on the
Legend,
Aria,
HD Mini and
MyTouch 3G Slide), 2.55-inch 240 x 320 LCD capacitive touchscreen, 5 megapixel autofocus camera, microSD expansion, micro-USB port, FM radio, A-GPS, Bluetooth (with A2DP), and 802.11b/g WiFi. Phew! Now what really differentiates the two models is the Mini Pro's slide-out QWERTY keyboard -- we dig its tactile feedback and spacing between the keys, although it did take some getting used to with the oddly-positioned shift key, and not to mention the non-offset rows of keys. To pack all this goodness, the Mini Pro therefore has a slightly longer and thicker body (we measured 18mm vs 16mm), but both devices feel just as good and secure in our hands thanks to SE's signature "human curvature" design.
Those who are super picky with their phone's color may be somewhat limited by their choice of carrier -- there are six options in total for the Mini: metallic red (our favorite), lime, pearl white, black, glossy silver and glossy pink (not so hot on the last two); Orange UK only stocks black and lime, for example. On the other hand, the Mini Pro only comes in black, pearl white or red (the latter two not pictured), and no, you can't fit the Mini's shells onto the Mini Pro due to the different sizes and button layouts. Even if the cases were swappable, we wouldn't be keen on doing so on a regular basis -- from time to time prying them open was as difficult as picking warts off our feet.
Over the last few days we've become rather fond of the Mini Pro's right-side button layout -- the wider camera button's more accessible, and the further-distanced volume rocker is positioned much closer to where our right thumb rests. Just to confuse us reviewers, the micro-USB port and headphone jack are situated rather differently on the two devices -- the Mini's got both on the bottom side (with a soft flap covering the USB port), whereas the Mini Pro's got the micro-USB port on the left and the headphone jack on the top. Due to the way we hold these phones, we found that having the headphones plugged in at the bottom of the Mini to be a bit intrusive for our palm. Another tick for the Mini Pro.
Moving on to the big question: can we really get much use out of Android on that tiny 2.55-inch LCD? Well, for starters, these low screen resolution devices suffer from the same app compatibility problem as the HTC
Wildfire, so you'll be missing out on a small selection of popular apps like Robo Defense, WeatherBug, PdaNet, Tumblroid, and even our own
Engadget app (but there's always the mobile site). Obviously, we wouldn't recommend using the small screen for car navigation, but otherwise Google Maps is still usable for more casual purposes. Additionally, not only were these screens fairly usable outdoors, but they were also no doubt one of the main reasons for the excellent battery life -- we got around 12 hours from our usual stamina test (continuous music playback, 3G data connection only, the occasional camera usage, and Twicca running in the background). The average user could easily get up to two days worth of usage on one charge.
Let's talk about using the Minis as actual phones. Like most SE phones these days, the X10 Mini and Mini Pro are blessed with a good quality isolation-type handsfree kit -- great clarity and decent amount of bass for your music. Sadly, we also discovered that the kit's mic induced an echo for our own voice during calls, and it didn't do well in noisy environments. On the other hand, the phone's own mic did a much better job in the same scenarios, but we wouldn't go as far as saying it's a total noise-killer. While on the topic, we were also saddened that the mic's button could only pause music and not skip tracks. Come on, SE, show us some love!
Software
Judging by our readers' frenzied comments on Android posts, it's pretty clear that we all desire something much newer than Android 1.6 these days, but let's not forget that SE's
promised us a 2.1 upgrade for both Minis starting from Q3 this year (so it could well be tomorrow!). That's better than nothing. Meanwhile, we applaud SE for the work it's put in to make Android usable and run smoothly on this small package, albeit the occasional slow wake up. There are a couple of related key features here: first we have the zoom bar in the album app -- you hold down your finger to prompt the bar, and then you can zoom in and out with your vertical scrolling action. This is of course a way to disguise the lack of pinch-to-zoom functionality, but it actually works pretty well as a single-handed operation on a small device anyway. Secondly, there's the quick scroll tool in the browser -- you activate it by clicking on the bottom-left button, and then you're given a magnifying glass on a zoomed-out view of the web page, thus allowing you to quickly scroll around; there are also the good ol' plus and minus buttons à la Google Maps for plain zooming.
On top of the usual software package (including photo viewer, video viewer, email client, music player, etc.), you also get a 30-day trial of Wisepilot car navigation app, NeoReader barcode scanner, TrackID music identifier (SE's version of Shazam),
PlayNow online store, and Timescape. The Mini Pro also has an extra app called Creatouch that lets you create some funky artwork, and then use them as wallpaper or share them on Facebook or Picasa. Let's start off with the music player: the playback controls at the bottom should be self-explanatory, while your library's just one click away with the top left button, and you get the "now playing" list with the top right button. The infinity button above the album art loads up relevant YouTube videos and PlayNow tracks -- gimmicky, but a fun feature. In case you've never come across it, PlayNow is SE's very own content delivery system that offers Java apps, games and music. The prices aren't attractive when compared to the likes of iTunes and Amazon, but PlayNow's there if you're super bored and desperate.
We've already briefly touched upon the gallery app earlier and there really isn't much else to talk about it -- it just works. As for the video player, the only caveat is that it doesn't play 720p and above video clips, so make sure you have the right settings when converting MP4 clips to watch on the go. In fact, now that to think of it, PlayNow would be pretty awesome if it also offers video downloads. Anyway, let's move on to Timescape: as featured on the
X10, this app is pretty much SE's take on HTC's FriendStream, letting you stalk your friends and strangers from Twitter, Facebook and text messages in the style of a vertical timeline. You can also link up your Twitter and Facebook contacts with your Google contacts through Timescape, but for some reason you can't do the same in the address book -- in that sense (no pun intended), HTC does a better job at social networking service integration.
Worried about typing on the X10 Mini's numpad-style virtual keyboard? It actually wasn't too bad for us, which says a lot since we're accustomed to other smartphones' QWERTY keyboards. Text prediction on both phones worked well most of the time, and we could also easily add customized words on the spot; if you prefer, you can quickly switch to the old-fashioned multitap input. Still, we'd favor the Mini Pro's physical QWERTY keyboard for speedier typing, even if it means we'd be carrying a slightly heavier package -- a hefty 1.1 ounces extra. Regardless of the input type, though, we did spot a common bug: while minding our usual Twitter business in Twicca, we noticed that the text cursor -- also a unique SE feature -- could only travel back by a certain number of characters, meaning we couldn't fix any previous typos. Hopefully this would be a quick fix for SE.
Last but not least, we have the SE PC Companion for Windows. This is essentially a gateway to four tools: Media Go for syncing media files, Support Zone for keeping your phone up to date, Sony Ericsson Sync (beta) for syncing personal data with SE's website (great for users migrating from other SE featurephones), and File Manager that just opens up your phone's microSD card in a new window. Of course, the highlight here is Media Go -- most other Android handsets lack a full desktop media sync suite, so we were pretty stoked with SE's offering. That said, it'd be even more awesome if Media Go could also optimize video files for the phones, rather than just copying files across.
Camera
Both Minis come with a handy two-stage camera button, meaning not only is it easy to launch the app, but you can also focus the lens by holding it down half way (and no, you can't tap to focus on a specific area). There's not much to be fiddled with in the camera app -- the top left corner toggles auto flash mode or no flash; the top right corner switches between photo mode and camcorder mode; the bottom right corner lets you pick a still camera mode (auto, macro, twilight or sports) or video mode (normal or MMS); and the bottom left corner opens your gallery. That's all. In other words, you cannot adjust the picture quality, resolution (5 megapixel stills and 640 x 480 videos) and file format. Regardless, both phones produced equally beautiful pictures and sufficiently good videos in well-lit surroundings, while images taken in the dark don't suffer too badly from noise. As always, we'll let your eyes be the final judge.
Wrap-up
The X10 Mini and Mini Pro turn out to be a couple of uniquely loveable Android phones. Despite the smaller screens, SE has done a pretty good job at optimizing the interface for the two phones, and we've had little frustration with them except for the few missing apps. As for which of the two to go after, we'd go for the Pro without hesitation -- sure, it's a tad heavier, thicker and more expensive, but we'd kill for a QWERTY keyboard any day. Even if your favorite carrier can't offer the Mini you want, you'd still benefit from the same useful multimedia features, as well as SE's handy Media Go suite to sync your media files with your computer -- a service that most other Android phones fail to deliver. So it's safe to say that if you're looking for a small and affordable smartphone, chances are you'd want to grab yourself either of these Minis.
posted July 8th 2010 1:06PM
It's so tiny!
@Revolutionary
that's what sh....
*gets shot by meme police*
@Revolutionary That's what she said???
I'm not sure these will sell past tge 10,000 mark.
@Revolutionary
Thats what she said...
Now to the topic, they look pretty decent. A little on the chubby side, but different. Would have been nice a year ago. May be tough to compete in today's market.
I'm not going to bother reading this and just answer 'no' to the above the break question.
@Revolutionary Is that what she said?
I love the keyboard, it looks so good I would have mistaken it for a CG render. Next step: Put it on a real smartphone.
@Revolutionary
This is a blah from me
@SlaterGS I know it looks "chubby" in the pictures, but I have tried mini (not pro) myself and it sitts perfectly in your hand.
After having played with one for some time, my full-size android felt VERY awkward.
@Revolutionary Agreed
Can't resist the thats what she said though.
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@SlaterGS They get wild reviews all over the place. Have you actually tried one? NO ONE has made a phone that powerfull in a package that small.
And btw, they're aimed at youth, not nerds. We don't have an age, we just have a winey mouth.
Amazing! Engadget's biased and inconsistent reviews come shining through again! Your whole mark down to 7/10 on the Droid X review was because it didn't come with Froyo out of the box yet you give this device a 8/10 and it only has Android 1.6??!
From the Droid X review:
"if it can just offer this phone with stock Froyo -- you've got perhaps the best Android phone ever made. "
You guys clearly need to just going back to benchmarks and spec analysis and leave the ratings to the professionals.
got 5 x10 mini for my family............different colors.............lovely device
@XRX
you got 5 xperia minis for your family!?
@nicholasphan
yep
@XRX
Are you in UK? because I have been looking for the mini pro in the states for a while and no success
@jigzjader
Dammit, why must they test the camera in an Apple Store?!
Isn't there other places in the world they can go?
Why must it be the Apple Store?! -_______-
@Revolutionary
I think its in a BestBuy with an apple section
@Revolutionary There's an Apple section in BestBuy silly.
They look insanely bulky. Kinda interested in them though.
@PrepaidAndroidUSA I think it's a bit deceptive, because the front is so small. Yeah, they looks bit thicker than most smartphones now (they'd have to be to fit everything), but I doubt they're awful.
I'm sure someone will say, "Mine's mini, but it's pro. If you know what I mean."
@mikmik111 your SEX10?
ok. I'm gonna need Engadget writers to be banned from ever using this phrase again: "as difficult as picking warts off our feet"
@ror i concur
@ror true, it aint that difficult
@WebOn
do you have a lot of experience picking warts off engadget writers' feet?
I've ALWAYS loved SE's quality and form factor. Owned a crap load of their products, and to this day, I still say the best "dumb" phone ever made was the W810i.
@Mekkakat
what about the K800i? i still kinda miss mine every now and then
@Mekkakat
I love my W810i so much (T_T )
@Mekkakat
My W800 was amazing, the first phone that helped me drop the mp3 player and the digital camera and use one device.
@Mekkakat
P800 all the way. UIQ, mmmmm....
@nicholasphan
I still use a K800i. The only real flaw is that the audio quality is crap (for music, via headphones). And WiFi would be nice.
Too little too late?
Wow, the battery life is insane on this phone. 1.6 is a little disappointing, but I do like the tweaks for Rachael UI done here.
So... I've been a SE loyalist forever and was just dying for the X10, until it got overshadowed by HTC... Maybe if they release a phone that's technologically competitive and relevant on the market ON TIME for once, I'll move back. At this point I'm keeping my P1i till the Windows 7 phone comes out.
Boo SE, boo!
@xler8r Actually, this is really a great phone. After playing with mini a few days, I just sold my big-android-running-froyo (you know which one i mean) to get one of these.
This will be yet another flop, just like the Palm Pre. Great device, but there are better alternatives out there.
Physically, it looks like a throw-back to the Nokia N95 days, in terms of thickness. Retro I'd good, but this is bad.
@Ruthless
Nope. It's a chick phone and it'll do pretty well.
@Ruthless Not at all. Have seen them both and they are a product of what Sony does best - miniaturisation. And very usable too.
Where can I find the SALES FIGURES for these phones? Every 2 weeks, someone comes out with a new phone that's simply a rehash of another phone and I have to wonder how much traction they get. We all know the Kin sales figures (I think).
@Center I don't have any figures, but I know first hand that the phone has been sold out in most places (tried to get myself one of these while back)
Engadget,
Please get rid of scoring cards.
So will this not work on T-Mobile USA because it doesn't have the 1700Mhz band? I see it has 2100Mhz, but does it need both? STill confused about 3G bands.
From expansys:
• Network:
- 2G/EDGE: Quad-Band 850/900/1800/1900MHz
- 3G Data: Dual-Band 900/2100MHz (Europe/Asia)
@gpass
Correct, this will not work on T-Mobile USA 3G (voice + EDGE works though). T-Mobile uses 1700 here.
@hellfroze Just to be clear: T-mobile has 2100Mhz here (according to wiki). What do they use that for? Is 2100mhz for download and 1700mhz for upload, or do they really only use 1700mhz here?
@gpass I was looking into this myself. so apparently 3g bands are separated into two streams - one set of bands for UL another for DL. check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/UMTS_frequency_bands
Tmobile: 1700 MHz (uplink) /2100 MHz (downlink)
ATT: 850 (up?) / 1900 (down?)
to note. the mini and mini pro also come in "america" band varieties e20a / u20a. unfortunately those are on the 850/1900 bands (att)
super frustrating for tmobile subscribers.
@gpass
It's pretty confusing but these phones use Band I, aka "2100" aka European spec 3G, which operates actually at 2100 and 1900 (down and up). It seems the downlink frequency is usually used as the label for the band.
In contrast, Band IV (AWS) uses 2100/1700 so I don't know if in theory you could download on T-Mobile with these phones, but since you can't upload the URL you want, it's sort of moot (^_-).
As for AT&T: the two bands are distinct, 850 and 1900 have their own up/down frequencies. My understanding is that which one is in use depends on where you are.
The URL Ruben posted is great, I refer to it a lot because it's hard to keep it all straight.
For what it's worth: there appears to be a AT&T-compatible Mini available (E10a; no Pro yet, though) through mobilecity and negri, for $300... I'm suddenly interested (o_o)
Wow. A review that didn't end with a feeling of slight of disappointment, or lacking...
Why don't they ship walkman with these phones. How about a sony walkman x series player running on android with android market support. Does nobody want to compete with ipod touch?
@GreenLeaf Yes, they could have called it a "Sony Phoneman"!
The phone looks cute - and I'm all for anyone who can put a better skin/functionality over the stock Android music player...