Sony Xperia E1 Complete Specs Pricing & Insights

Introduction to Sony Xperia E1

The Sony Xperia E1 is a budget-friendly smartphone released in March 2014, designed to cater to users seeking a balance between affordability and functionality. During its release period, it was noted for being a versatile device suitable for basic smartphone tasks. Despite its modest specifications compared to today’s standards, the Xperia E1 offers a snapshot of early smartphone capabilities, merging essential communication features with entertainment and connectivity tools.

Design and Build

The Sony Xperia E1 sports a straightforward and functional design typical of early 2014 smartphones. With dimensions of 118 x 62.4 x 12 mm and a weight of 120 g, it is a compact and lightweight device. The phone's build includes a plastic body, ensuring durability and easy handling. It is available in three color options: black, purple, and white, catering to diverse aesthetic preferences. The use of scratch-resistant glass offers some protection for the display, though not as robust as modern Gorilla Glass solutions.

Display

The Xperia E1 features a 4.0-inch TFT display, offering a resolution of 480 x 800 pixels with a 5:3 ratio, and a pixel density of approximately 233 ppi. While not delivering the high resolution seen in flagship phones, it is sufficient for basic tasks like reading emails, browsing the web, and watching videos. The display's usability under direct sunlight is limited, with a recorded contrast ratio of 1.372 in such conditions.

Performance

Powered by the Qualcomm MSM8210 Snapdragon 200 chipset, the Xperia E1 is equipped with a dual-core 1.2 GHz Cortex-A7 CPU and an Adreno 302 GPU. This setup provides adequate performance for basic smartphone activities like social media, simple gaming, and media playback. It runs on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean, upgradable to 4.4.2 KitKat, featuring Sony's Timescape UI, which enhances the user experience through intuitive navigation and access to multimedia content.

Memory and Storage

The Xperia E1 comes with 512MB RAM and 4GB of internal storage, a modest amount by contemporary standards. However, for users with basic storage needs, this can be extended via a dedicated microSDHC slot, allowing for additional space for apps, photos, music, and more.

Camera

The main camera setup includes a single 3.15 MP sensor with an aperture of f/2.5. While it lacks the sophistication of advanced imaging systems, it includes features such as HDR and panorama to enhance photo quality. Video recording capabilities are limited to SVGA resolution at 20fps. There is no front-facing camera, which aligns with its budget positioning and the era's technology focus.

Connectivity and Network

This phone supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, with 2G and 3G band accessibility. Users can experience internet speeds of up to 21.1/5.76 Mbps on HSPA networks. For other connectivity options, the Xperia E1 offers Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with Wi-Fi Direct and hotspot capabilities, Bluetooth 4.0 with A2DP, GPS with GLONASS for navigation, and an FM radio with RDS. It does not support NFC, which is a common limitation among budget smartphones from this time period. The device is equipped with a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer purposes.

Audio and Sound

Incorporating Sony’s expertise in audio technology, the Xperia E1 features a loudspeaker with notable quality for its class. The presence of a 3.5mm headphone jack ensures compatibility with a wide range of audio accessories. Performance tests indicate a loudspeaker output of 63dB for voice, 65dB for noise, and 75dB for ring tones. The audio quality is reasonable, with noise at -83.3dB and crosstalk at -80.1dB.

Battery

The device is equipped with a removable 1700 mAh Li-Ion battery. According to endurance tests, it provides up to 56 hours of usage time, offering up to 498 hours on standby for 2G and 454 hours for 3G networks. Talk time capabilities are up to 8 hours and 13 minutes on 2G, and 8 hours and 41 minutes on 3G, reflecting an acceptable longevity for routine use without frequent recharging.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia E1 stands out as a practical and economically viable option for users in 2014 who required a basic yet reliable smartphone. Its combination of simple design, essential functionality, and Sony's build quality made it a sensible choice for budget-conscious individuals. While it has since been discontinued and surpassed by more capable devices, the Xperia E1 remains a testament to Sony’s commitment to providing accessible technology to a wider audience.