Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray, announced in June 2011 and released in August 2011, represents a unique blend of style and technology from the early 2010s. Though now discontinued, it remains a notable part of Sony Ericsson’s smartphone lineup during its era.

Body and Design

The Xperia Ray boasts a sleek and compact design with dimensions of 111 x 53 x 9.4 mm and a weight of just 100 grams, making it light and portable. Its minimalistic form factor is complemented by a modern look, available in colors such as Black, Gold, White, and Pink. The device is designed to house a Mini-SIM, continuing the trend towards more compact phone designs in a time when bulkier models were more common.

Display Features

The Xperia Ray features a 3.3-inch LED-backlit LCD display with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels. This constitutes a pixel density of approximately 297 PPI, offering decent clarity for a device of its time. The screen is protected with scratch-resistant glass, adding durability to its slim build. The relatively small screen size contributes to the phone's compact and easily portable nature.

Platform and Performance

Running on Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) out of the box, the Xperia Ray is upgradable to Android 4.0.4 (Ice Cream Sandwich), allowing users a taste of more recent technology even for its time. At the heart of this smartphone lies the Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2 chipset, featuring a 1.0 GHz Scorpion CPU and an Adreno 205 GPU. These specifications ensure that the device remains responsive and capable of handling basic tasks and media applications with relative ease.

Memory and Storage

The device is equipped with 1GB of internal storage, of which about 300MB is available for user data. To extend its storage capabilities, the Xperia Ray includes a microSDHC card slot, with a 4GB card included in the package. RAM available on the device is 512MB, which was moderate for the time and suffices for running most applications supported by the device's operating system and specifications.

Camera Capabilities

The Xperia Ray is notable for its 8 MP main camera equipped with autofocus and LED flash, capable of capturing high-quality photos for its time. The rear camera also allows for 720p video recording, adding a multimedia edge to the phone. For selfies and video calls, the phone features a VGA front camera, a standard inclusion in many smartphones from the era.

Sound and Multimedia

The device supports a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, ensuring compatibility with most audio peripherals. It also includes a stereo FM radio with RDS, providing users with a variety of media options beyond digital audio files.

Connectivity Options

For connectivity, the Xperia Ray supports GSM and HSPA networks, making it versatile for use across different mobile networks. It provides Wi-Fi capabilities with support for standards b/g/n, along with DLNA and hotspot functions. Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR allows for wireless data transfer, and the phone includes GPS and A-GPS for location services. A microUSB 2.0 port offers a reliable means of charging and data transfer.

Sensors and Features

The Xperia Ray features a suite of sensors including an accelerometer, proximity sensor, and compass. For web browsing, the phone supports HTML and Adobe Flash, enabling a more interactive web experience compared to basic HTML-only browsers.

Battery Life

The Xperia Ray is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1500 mAh battery, which supports up to 430 hours of stand-by time on 2G networks and up to 440 hours on 3G networks. Talk time extends up to 6 hours and 50 minutes on 2G, and up to 7 hours on 3G. Notably, the phone allows for up to 36 hours of continuous music playback, catering well to users who enjoy extensive multimedia consumption.

Price and Market Position

At its release, the Xperia Ray was priced at approximately 170 EUR, positioning it as a mid-tier smartphone option within the market. It offered a combination of style, performance, and multimedia capabilities that appealed to a wide range of consumers seeking a balance between functionality and aesthetic design.

Conclusion

Though the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is now discontinued, it remains a testament to the innovative merging of fashion and function within mobile technology during the early 2010s. With its elegant design, respectable performance, and comprehensive feature set, it served as a popular choice for users looking for both a reliable and stylish smartphone.