What you need to know about the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Gaming Phone

After series of rumors, Sony's new smart weapon Xperia Play Gaming Phone has been finally unveiled at the Mobile World Congress, 2011, Barcelona. Sony has already declared that the telecom company Verizon will deliver the wireless carrier connectivity. This gaming smartphone launch is having historical and technological significance. Till now, Xperia Play is the only gaming smartphone which includes Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system running on 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor. The user of this phone would get access to PlayStation game content through PlayStation Suite. The games can be played through a full game pad with all of the controls. Besides all this, the Phone will be including: 4-inch 854 x 480 resolution screen, 5MP camera, micro SD slot, micro USB port and a Qualcomm Andreno 201 GPU.

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Pricing and availability

Sony Erickson will hit the US Market by March 2011. Sony is constantly reviewing the global telecom operators for concluding the price for this smartphone.

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What’s great?

It is a perfect assemblage of a gaming console and smartphone. So all those people who always want to carry the Playstation game with them will find a reason to smile. Moreover it is a high-end Android Smartphone functioning on 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor which will support 3D games upto 60 fps. As expected, the gaming controls include D pads, touch pads, shoulder buttons that will deliver enliven gaming experience. And also not to forget the superior Sony Ericsson UI, and gaming applications.

What’s not so great?

The gaming smartphone is not complete, as the Wi-Fi connectivity is still absent in it. In our previous reviews we expected that Sony will rectify this issue. Among its negative points, The Xperia smartphone will also include the much debated Qualcomm MSM8655 chipset - whose shield cage doesn't allow anyone to check its ID. Among all the criticisms this one can be taken as the Jack Hammer, only Android Games can be played in it unless you are referring the expensive emulators.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia Play Gaming Phone

Things to watch out for:

This smarphone can be taken as a basic gaming smartphone in which many new features are yet to arrive. Those who thought that it would be compatible with other gaming applications will be definitely disappointed. The Sony Xperia Ericsson phone also don't have the 4G connection and dual core processors. But still, to an extent these lacks can be tolerated. As, the Android smartphones have became very much identical with each other and the Sony Ericsson Xperia Gaming Phone is creating the major divergence.

Verdict

In an aggregate the phone would be a complete gaming package. It has became the first PlayStation Certified smartphone and the first smartphone to have Google Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. This smartphone has got the potential to attract many Android and Sony fans alike. The Xperia smartphone is has created a different space for itself with specs like 4 inch screen (touch screen) with 854 x 480 pixels, 1GHz, Google Android 2.3 operating system and 5 megapixel camera. So in the coming years, we can expect more gaming smartphone devices from Nintendo and Xbox also.

Further readings or Word around the web

Rikko Sakaguchi, VP and Chief Creation Officer, Sony said that "This is the best Smartphone ever and will open up new possibilities for entertainment."

In one of the interviews, Travis Boatman, VP of Worldwide Studios for EA Mobile said that “EA collaborated closely with Sony Ericsson to bring exciting versions our best-selling consumer favourites such as The Sims™ 3 and EA SPORTS™ FIFA 10 to the Xperia PLAY. The device’s dedicated gaming keypad gives FIFA players what matters most in a footy game — ultimate ball control, quick player selection on the pitch, effortless passes and more. The Xperia PLAYS’s unique gamepad also delivers robust control in The Sims 3 bringing a whole new life simulation experience to fans of the franchise. We look forward to watching consumers interact with our great games in new ways through the Xperia PLAY.”