Price and specifications of Sony Xperia E dual advantages, disadvantages, and a comprehensive explanation

Specifications and Design

The Sony Xperia E dual is an Android smartphone that was announced in December 2012 and released in January 2013. With its compact design, it measures 113.5 x 61.8 x 11 mm and weighs 115.7 g. This compact size makes it easy to operate with one hand, a key selling point for many users who prefer a smaller device. The dual SIM feature allows users to operate with two numbers, which is advantageous for those who need to separate their personal and professional lives.

Display and Interface

The Xperia E dual features a 3.5-inch TFT display with a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels, resulting in a pixel density of approximately 165 ppi. The display supports 256K colors and is protected by scratch-resistant glass, which offers some durability against daily wear and tear. Although not the most high-resolution display by modern standards, it was serviceable at the time of its release, providing clear and vibrant images for its users.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xperia E dual is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7227A Snapdragon S1 chipset with a 1.0 GHz Cortex-A5 CPU and an Adreno 200 GPU. While this setup might seem modest by today's standards, it was suitable for basic tasks such as web browsing, social media, and light applications during its time of release. The device comes with 512MB of RAM and 4GB of internal storage but offers a dedicated microSDHC slot for expandable storage, mitigating the limitations of built-in storage.

Camera

On the photography front, the Xperia E dual is equipped with a 3.15 MP rear camera capable of recording videos at 480p. While it lacks the complexity and features of modern multi-lens setups, it fulfills basic photo and video capture needs. However, the absence of a front-facing camera might be a downside for those interested in taking selfies or engaging in video calls.

Battery Life

The smartphone is powered by a removable Li-Ion 1530 mAh battery. According to specifications, it offers up to 530 hours of standby time and around 6 hours of talk time on both 2G and 3G networks. Although the endurance rating stands at 30 hours, users could typically manage a full day of moderate use without needing to charge the device.

Connectivity and Network

The Xperia E dual supports GSM and HSPA networking technologies, providing coverage on 2G bands (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100). It also offers HSPA speeds of up to 7.2/5.76 Mbps, which was acceptable at the time, ensuring reliable connectivity for browsing and communication. Additionally, the phone includes Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, Bluetooth 2.1 with EDR, GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for connectivity.

Audio and Multimedia

For audio, the Xperia E dual includes a loudspeaker and a standard 3.5mm headphone jack, accommodating the preferences of headphones users. The stereo FM radio with RDS adds diversity to its multimedia capabilities, allowing users to listen to a variety of radio stations on the go.

Software

Out of the box, the Xperia E dual runs on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, upgradable to Android 4.1.1 Jelly Bean, and is layered with Sony’s Timescape UI. This interface, characterized by its clean and intuitive design, enhanced user experience and provided easy navigation among apps and features. Though not as versatile as more recent operating systems, it provided stability and competency for daily smartphone operations during its active years.

Colors and Models

The device was available in two color options: Black and Gold, providing some variation for users interested in aesthetic customization. It was released as two models, the C1605 and C1604, though specifications between the two remain largely consistent.

Market Position and Reception

Originally priced at around 100 EUR, the Xperia E dual positioned itself in the budget smartphone segment, attracting users who needed a reliable phone without advanced features and at a reasonable price. The positive reception largely stemmed from its dual SIM capability, which was not commonly seen in devices from major manufacturers at the time.

Conclusion

While the smartphone industry has evolved considerably since the Xperia E dual's release, this device holds its place as a significant model for Sony, particularly in emerging markets where dual SIM capabilities were much appreciated. Its simplicity, paired with adequate performance for daily tasks, made it a favored choice at its market entry point.