Rogers Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Review in Progress

[mjschmidt]

Rogers gave me, Puleen (pir8) and Don (GreatBigDog) each an X10 for 2 weeks to review.

I have some annoying little quibbles so far, but it's growing on me. I really, REALLY love the big screen.

You can read my initial GutReactionReview here: I Want My One Point Six - Demanding Android 1.6 for our Rogers HTC Magic & Dream, and LG Eve Phones

 

[vikingisson]

These real world reviews are usually informative compared to the marketing fluff and fanbois testimonies. The big screen and resolution would indeed be nice including for older folks that do more than texting and youtube. The media player sounds interesting and is certainly needed. However the keyboard input is the show stopper. Without good input methods this is just a media consumption device and there are lots of those. Being a Sony device is also a show stopper for me but I'd take a look at it if it sounded much better than anything else which it apparently isn't.
This also proves why I ignore the glowing reviews of mass media and fanboys that haven't even used one outside of the demo in the stores. Thanks for the review.

 

[TriC]

Have to tell you that you can replace the stock keyboard in like 2min and replace it with some really sweet keyboards.. don't know what you mean by show stopper.. yes the stock keyboard sux's but in 2min you can have the same keyboard as what HTC has if you would like or any keyboard.

 

[vikingisson]

ok, then keyboard can be changed. Does it then respond and work better than other phones? It sounded like it wasn't just a layout issue but if it can be fixed then great. Show stopper is what I mean by a 'feature' or flaw that keeps me from getting one. Data input is important to me.

That leaves only two things that give me pause when deciding on a device: it's a Sony (to me that's not a good thing even if the device is good) and if bought from Rogers then all bets are off and we might have the same eventual issues that used to keep the Rogers forum so busy.

Best thing is that there are several and soon to be more high end phones out there now. That makes it interesting and when the time is right there should be affordable non contract phones available. Meanwhile my unlocked non contract Magics are perfectly fine and don't have any issues. (and they don't suck as someone likes to claim).

 

[TriC]

I have to say it does respond and work better than other phones I have used. Once the keyboard is changed out compared to my N1 that I sold... and the RF on this phone is amazing..... also you can read the screen in the sun.. tho yes it does come with 1.6 but I have to say once it’s rooted. or 2.1 comes out.. This phone will be really great. even with 1.6 and this phone has been setup its still very impressive.

The only real issue is 1.6 but I don't think a root is very far off with the big bounty that has been setup for the 1st person to root the x10 and the fact that now some good people are working on a root.

 

[vikingisson]

Sounds good. But I wouldn't worry about v1.6 for now. As far as I've seen 1.6 is best until 2.1 is better on phones that don't have official ports yet. There are stability, speed, and new radio issues on many devices. 1.6 gets us most of the apps we need.
enjoy.

 

[Deleted User]

Right now my biggest peeve of the X10 is that regardless of using the Android keyboard or the keyboard which comes witht he X10, I can't stand the fact that it is not as responsive to my touch and there are more errors which happen compared to the Nexus One or the Magic.

On top of that I find the Mediascape and Timescape to slow things down and drain more and more battery. Yesterday, I left the phone at my desk without doing anything at all. by the time 6pm came the battery was down to one red bar. Ridiculous if you ask me.

More detailed review coming in the next week or so.

So far, I wouldn't pay $0 to renew my contract for 3-years for this phone. Not happening.

 

[TriC]

Did you take the Screen protector off that it comes installed on the x10?because with it off? if you did you would find its just if not more responsive then the Magic.. and on par with the nexus 1.. no need for a screen protector when the glass on the screen is made of mineral glass. The Magic has a screen made from mineral glass as well and I had it in my pocket every day and my magic was marked to hell but the screen held and still looked like new... had it for almost a year..

The Stock screen protector that comes installed on the phone is very thick.

 

[Deleted User]

Did you take the Screen protector off that it comes installed on the x10?

Seriously!!! You are actually asking this question? Do you think I was born yesterday?

 

[TriC]

Seriously!!! You are actually asking this question? Do you think I was born yesterday?

Duh... not the one that comes just peals off with a tab that all phones come with.. look real close at the edge of the screen to see that its installed. Their are lots of forums about this on the xda-developers website... Rogers is the only one that has it come pre installed.. Here is a image.. took me about 3 min to get the edge to lift up. once you take this installed skin off the screen is very very responsive. Also you get that nice glass feel too.



Uploaded with ImageShack.us

 

[mjschmidt]

TriC: Woah! Just picked up my demo X10 and looked really closely, and yes I can see the edge of that screen protector you show in the image, and I can feel its edge. INteresteing.

However, since these are demos Rogers gave us only for 2 weeks, they might be mad at us if we peel that off. ;-)

For the record, I have not had too much trouble with the responsiveness of my X10 demo. In fact, there are times when it is _too_ responsive, and I accidentally launch apps while scrolling.

When typing of sometimes have trouble with the "keys" at the top left corner of the keyboard.

 

[Crash27]

LOL,,,, Me to, I never even noticed it there,,, thats to funny, I was going to go by one to, good thing I seen that...

 

[porky1981]

Seriously!!! You are actually asking this question? Do you think I was born yesterday?

I think you owe Tric an apology =P

nice looking phone btw.

 

[vikingisson]

LOL,,,, Me to, I never even noticed it there,,, thats to funny, I was going to go by one to, good thing I seen that...

my ears hurt.

 

[GreatBigDog]

Here is my initial review on the X10, I haven't really gotten very deep into any of the included applications yet but will be posting further on each app as I get into them more.

gbd

Unboxing Xperia X10 The GreatBigDog Report

 

[saltorio]

For the keyboard I switched to the HTC keyboard pretty much as soon as I got the X10. Didn't have any issues using it really. Am now getting using Swype and loving it.

 

[CooL_SpoT]

I used the trial version of Swype, and I fell in love with it very quickly. I may actually fork over the cash to buy the full version, and that's saying a lot!

Highly recommended!