Sony Xperia P Reviews

Sony Xperia P Review at Engadget

The Xperia P is a confident, middle-sized handset, but new smartphone shoppers may find it difficult to spend £340 (around $530; off-contract) on it. While the Xperia P has more design charm and better build quality, the Xperia S is already being substantially discounted in the UK, with a grander camera, larger screen and more capable processor. However, big phones aren't for everyone and the Xperia P's footprint lies closer to the iPhone than recent pocket-testing smartphones. It's not going to beat the competition on raw benchmark numbers, but nor did any lag or hiccups frustrate us during testing -- something that other Android phones are still capable of. Another concern is that if someone is looking to buy a small smartphone, they easily could go for the smaller-again Xperia U, which has its own (if slightly brash) design quirks. That shouldn't ruin what the P model can offer; a bright qHD screen that's a revelation in sunlight, with a stable -- but tired -- OS that's promised an ICS update soon. If Sony can follow up on that promise, then the Xperia P might avoid slide into obscurity that several of its phones have suffered from. Read more...

Sony Xperia P Review at CNET

You have to admit the Sony Xperia P is a gorgeous smartphone. Flaunting a stunning design crafted from premium materials, it's a mobile device that has good looks to die for. Unfortunately its major weakness is an underpowered processor, which has serious repercussions. It doesn't have enough speed to run its aging Android 2.3 Gingerbread software, let alone Ice Cream Sandwich as its higher-end sibling, the Xperia S, can do. Frankly I wish Sony had spent as much effort on dropping a robust CPU into the phone as it did on its exterior. The Xperia P's uninspiring camera does pack a lot of features but doesn't match the quality of competing devices, such as the HTC One X or even Samsung Galaxy Nexus. Its $479.99 unlocked price is high, but not as steep as the Xperia S' at $559.99, however. I know the Xperia S has a higher rating since it lasts longer and comes with a slightly better processor, but honestly both phones are sluggish. If it came down to a choice between the two, I'd pick the less expensive Xperia P on style points alone, not to mention ease of use. Of course my current unlocked phone of choice remains the Samsung Galaxy Nexus, hopefully running Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, which is just fast enough for me to forgive its 5-megapixel camera. Read more...

Sony Xperia P Review at TechRadar

A handset that will have owners planning for the future, the Sony Xperia P is packed with enough high-end specs to ensure it remains one of the most impressive devices within its price bracket for a long time to come, and will keep users appeased and free from handset envy for the foreseeable future.

Add to this the inbuilt NFC capabilities - a feature that is to become increasingly prominent in the near future - and the Sony Xperia P quickly marks itself out as a standout performer that is bridging the expectations and blurring the boundaries of mid and high-end handsets. Read more...

Sony Xperia P Review at Pocket-lint

Overall the Sony Xperia P is something of a mixed bag. Our experience with the Xperia S tells us that the design will divide opinion. The core hardware means this is a reasonably powerful device and the way it handles everyday tasks is a testament to that, with no complaints in that respect.

But there are some elements that just seem to get in the way. Launching on Gingerbread is a disappointment for Android fans and some of Sony's design choices when it comes to the user interface are a little disappointing. We don't mind manufacturers skinning Android, but when it makes something like the calendar more difficult to view, we have to question what benefit there is for the end user. Finally the battery life and a screen that doesn't look entirely natural leave us with a device that, despite exhibiting great build quality in that metal body, starts to feel decidedly average. Read more...

Sony Xperia P Review at PCAdvisor

The Xperia P is a more user-friendly sized, better designed and more attractively priced version of the Xperia S. Although the specifications aren't astounding and the software is yet to be brought into 2012, we like the device. Highlights are the decent screen and excellent camera but if you have a bit more cash to spend, the HTC One S is a better option. Read more...