Sony Xperia Tipo Specs Pricing Pros & Cons Unveiled

Overview of Sony Xperia tipo

The Sony Xperia tipo is a compact smartphone that was launched in 2012 as an entry-level Android device. It was designed to cater to budget-conscious consumers looking for a reliable and functional smartphone experience without a hefty price tag. With its simple design, modest specifications, and affordable price, the Xperia tipo aimed to make smartphone technology more accessible to a broader audience.

Design and Build

The Xperia tipo features a minimalist design with dimensions of 103 x 57 x 13 mm and weighing just 99.4 grams. Its compact size makes it easy to hold and carry. The phone has a sturdy build with a plastic body available in various color options, including Classic Black, Classic White, Deep Red, and Navy Blue. The design is simple yet functional, meeting basic aesthetic and ergonomic expectations for a phone in this range.

Display

The smartphone is equipped with a 3.2-inch TFT display that supports 256K colors. With a resolution of 320 x 480 pixels (~180 ppi density), the screen provides adequate brightness and clarity for day-to-day tasks. While not intended for high-definition media consumption, the display is protected by scratch-resistant glass, which adds a layer of durability that is appreciated in everyday use.

Performance

Under the hood, the Xperia tipo is powered by a Qualcomm MSM7225AA Snapdragon S1 chipset. The 800 MHz Cortex-A5 CPU, coupled with an Adreno 200 GPU, offers sufficient performance for basic smartphone operations like browsing, emailing, and using low-intensive apps. The device comes with 512MB of RAM, which supports multitasking but limits its ability to handle more demanding applications smoothly.

Storage

The device has 2.9GB of internal storage, with approximately 2.5GB available for user data. Although this storage capacity is limited, the presence of a microSDHC card slot allows for expansion, which is crucial for users needing additional storage for apps, photos, and media files.

Camera

The Xperia tipo features a single rear 3.15 MP camera capable of recording video at 480p. While the camera offers basic functionality for casual photography, it lacks advanced features found in more modern smartphones. There is no front-facing camera, which further emphasizes its nature as an entry-level device aimed at basic communication rather than extensive multimedia use.

Battery Life

One of the key features of the Xperia tipo is its removable 1500 mAh Li-Ion battery. This provides ample power for the device’s limited specification sheet, offering up to 470 hours of standby time on 2G networks and up to 545 hours on 3G. With approximately 5 hours of talk time on 2G and about 4.5 hours on 3G, users can rely on the Xperia tipo for a decent amount of daily usage. The phone can play music for up to 30 continuous hours, a handy feature for avid music listeners.

Connectivity

The phone supports GSM and HSPA network technologies, featuring 2G bands (850/900/1800/1900) and 3G bands (HSDPA 900/2100 for model ST21i). It offers HSPA data speeds of up to 7.2 Mbps for downloading and 5.76 Mbps for uploading. Connectivity options include Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n with hotspot capability, Bluetooth 2.1 with A2DP and EDR, GPS with A-GPS, and a microUSB 2.0 port for charging and data transfer. The Xperia tipo also supports FM radio with RDS, adding to its functionality as a media device.

Software and User Interface

The device runs on Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich, offering a basic yet user-friendly experience. The interface is intuitive and easy to navigate, aligning well with the simple hardware setup. The Xperia User Interface adds additional features such as customizable home screens, widgets, and access to the Google Play Store, enabling users to download apps and games. Despite its modest hardware, the Xperia tipo delivers a smooth navigational experience for its users.

Audio and Additional Features

The Xperia tipo includes a 3.5mm audio jack, making it compatible with a vast range of headphones and external speakers. The loudspeaker provides decent sound quality for calls and media playback. According to test results, the device achieves voice clarity at 65 dB, noise at 61 dB, and ringing at 71 dB. Audio quality measures a noise level of -75.9 dB and crosstalk at -79.1 dB, which, although not outstanding, is acceptable for the device's category and price point.

Sensors and Additional Utilities

For additional functionality, the Xperia tipo features an accelerometer and proximity sensors. The device's SAR measures 1.37 W/kg for the head and 0.74 W/kg for the body in general usage, and 1.62 W/kg (head) and 1.30 W/kg (body) according to EU standards, respecting consumer safety regarding mobile radiation exposure.

Conclusion

The Sony Xperia tipo serves as a practical entry-level smartphone designed to meet essential communication and connectivity needs at an affordable price. Priced at approximately 80 EUR upon release, it was a cost-effective solution for consumers looking for a smartphone that delivers basic functionality without additional frills. Its success lies in its simplicity, reliability, and ease of use, making it a suitable option for first-time smartphone users or those in need of a secondary device.