Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S

Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S may look identical to its predecessor, but it packs a lot more punch
by Hiranand Sunny Naresh

Updated 05:56 PM Nov 22, 2011
 


Fans of Sony Ericsson who missed out on the slim model Xperia Arc - launched in April earlier this year - have reason to gloat.

The newly launched Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is just as svelte as its predecessor but come with a few upgrades that makes it sexier.

You won't be able to tell the Arc and the Arc S apart at first glance: They both sport the same slim, elegant shell and has the same plastic back panel which feels brittle.

But power up the set and all complaints are forgiven.



owered by a faster 1.4GHz Qualcomm single-core processor, the Xperia Arc S starts up, snaps photos, consume media at the speed - well, as the press release says - of delight.

Watching movies or video clips on its large 4.2-inch display is a joy because of the smartphone's Bravia Engine; yes, the same Bravia Engine that makes Sony televisions almost addictive.

Photographers will be impressed with the Xperia Arc S' 8,1 megapixel camera, packed with functions such as 16x Smart Zoom, Aperture f2.4, Face Detection, Scene Detection, Smile Detection, Face Recognition, Video Light and more.

The added 3D sweep Panorama feature - the first Xperia set to add this detail - lets you view your photographs, sweeping panoramas at that, in 3D when plugged via HDMI into a 3D TV.

Getting dark? Sony's Exmor R for mobile CMOS sensor lets you shoot in poor light conditions with great results.

What good are photos if you can't put them on your social feeds, right? The Xperia Arc S connects conveniently on Facebook and other social tools via the Timescape app. Your friends will know what you're up to as soon as you do.

Running on the Android platform, users will have access to thousands of apps for free on the Android marketplace.

For chronic text messagers, the Xperia Arc S offers a gesture-based typing method that lets you tap on the first key and swipe to the next without lifting off your finger. Messages are typed out at up to speeds of 40 words a minute. Your mates will never have to wait to read what you're thinking. However, we think you should think about what you're sending before you let fly a missive you'll live to regret.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S is now available in Singapore in the colours Pure White, Midnight Blue and Sakura Pink at a recommended retail price of S$788 without contract. HIRANAND SUNNY