Sony Ericsson's XPERIA X1, how would you change it?

by Darren Murph, posted Dec 26th 2008 at 7:45PM

Just like last week's How Would You Change, the latest episode is also dealing with one of the snazziest new smartphones to hit the US market. It's certainly not without its fair share of niggles, though, so why not head on over if you've a brilliant idea of how to make SE's XPERIA X1 better? Sure, it's all fun and games, but what the heck is wrong with fun and games? Nothing, that's what.

Filed under: Handsets, HTC, Sony Ericsson, Windows Mobile, GSM, EDGE, HSDPA

Tags: change, HTC, HWYC, SE, smartphone, sony ericsson, SonyEricsson, X1, X1a, X1i, XPERIA X1, XperiaX1

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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Highly Ranked

Big Sam @ Dec 26th 2008 7:49PM

Capacitive screen and Android

Neutral

frank @ Dec 26th 2008 8:10PM

Feel free to jump in any time... all three of you out there who have one of these.

Neutral

Chris @ Dec 27th 2008 4:39PM

LOL ahhahaha yea true, I guess that would be the first thing, add some distribution.... and a better OS (android or osx preferred)

Neutral

NuShrike @ Dec 29th 2008 9:55PM

Find a carrier, make it actually available for sale instead of having your SonyStyle store team play stupid, don't use Qualcomm cpus, make it almost as big as your Clie NX80 (4" screen), accelerometer, flat screen, better keyboard, spend more time polishing the software instead of making it a typical Sony with great hardware and crappy software.

Neutral

Riley Freeman @ Dec 26th 2008 8:19PM

how would i change it? hmmm maybe released it a year ago when it was relevant. these guys are almost as retarded as rim in terms of lengthy delays to release handsets

Neutral

ShogunMaster @ Dec 26th 2008 8:26PM

Gotta agree with Riley. This should have been released eons ago. To have missed the Christmas rush while it's direct competition made it (Touch Pro, Iphone 3G, latest Blackberry etc) is just ridiculous. I heard they are aiming for a summer release now which is far too late cus everyone is locked down in their contracts now. It's too bad because it looks like a decent phone (could use a faster CPU and a better keyboard) but when you're the last horse to cross the line, no one cares how pretty the saddle is.

Neutral

Nippero @ Dec 26th 2008 9:34PM

Well, it actually did release in time for the holidays, in Europe anyway.

And I dont know what youre talking about with this summer release thing. The X1a is out already too o_o (although I have no clue if stuff is still out of stock/recalled lol)

Neutral

ShogunMaster @ Dec 26th 2008 10:54PM

Nippero,

Sorry, I was talking about North America. I haven't heard of anyone over here selling it yet (save for the non-carrier full price ticket), and even more specifically to me (I live in Canada) the earliest I've heard is August. So for me, I walked away from my Titan and went for the Touch Pro because I couldn't wait for the X1 (Titan was dying), though I would have had a tough decision even if the X1 and Pro were out at the same time. I think I went the right route, but I would have liked that bigger screen that the X1 has.

Neutral

Reggie @ Dec 26th 2008 8:41PM

Make the screen flat. I plan to buy one next month

Neutral

Marlon @ Dec 26th 2008 8:41PM

Full YouTube Support... 5 MP camera....have AT&T pick it up and a cheaper price (but all unlocked SE phone are pricey) Riley is right this phone should have been out at least at least last summer but oh well. I was looking forward to this phone for a long time and now I'm thinking on getting the Bold or waiting for the touchscreen Bold that should be out soon.

Neutral

blake @ Dec 26th 2008 8:54PM

i'd like to see a capacitive screen and android as well, other than that.. maybe add another row for numbers.

Highest Ranked

Dave S. @ Dec 26th 2008 9:22PM

find a carrier?

Neutral

mndl632 @ Dec 26th 2008 9:29PM

the phone's been out in the uk since october, i have it and it does have things that should be changed, mainly a flat screen rather than recessed, better camera, 5MP at least rather than 3.2 for something that should be SE's flagship phone. It should also have a more tactile keyboard like the touch pro, though the keyboard itself is not bad

Neutral

Natsume @ Dec 26th 2008 9:29PM

FULL 3G support and a FULL list of multimedia support as well, such as 30fps both recording and playback, and a better camera (5+ MP) with Flash and active lens autofocus.
Ready for open development to be out-of-the-box eager to meet HTC's TouchFlo3D App, and an accelerometer.

I'm currently on the bold, and honestly saying.. I still am looking to get the phone, regardless that I'm in a contract, and I'll have to pay close to a grand for it. The design and it's functionality as a phone, it's really great, but most of what the Xperia does, I can do on the Bold. I'm somewhat sore from buyer's remorse I suppose, but I am still really aiming to get the Xperia.

Neutral

Nippero @ Dec 26th 2008 9:35PM

You can install TF3D as a panel on the X1 easily btw.

Neutral

Nippero @ Dec 26th 2008 9:36PM

whoops, meant to be a reply to Natsume

Highly Ranked

Nippero @ Dec 26th 2008 9:40PM

The X1 needs:
- More tactile feedback (starting to get used to it... but still doesn't feel too good :| )
- Better quality control (some are cracking.. I still fear for mine)
- New firmware (so many little issues)

Things it should have but aren't as important as things listed above:
- Android (maybe, its still a young OS with its own issues)
- A flush screen (but I think that would look a bit odd since the screen is surrounded by metal). Maybe they can make it a screen that pops out, like on the K800i (not a touch screen, but still, that general concept).
- Accelerometer
- Capacitive screen? (I don't have a problem with the sensitivity of a resistive screen, and kinda enjoy the stylus at times)

Neutral

Paul @ Dec 26th 2008 9:58PM

Do Any of you Bozo's Actually Have One? I do. I had the X1a and The X1i the camera is fine if you actually need more than 3 mps buy a real camera. Cell phone Cameras will never be as full featured as a full blown camera. The X1 needs an accelorometer a dedicated start button when keyboard is closed and TV Out and a fix for the bluetooth stack.

Neutral

KilgoreTrout @ Jan 18th 2009 8:26PM

Yes I have tried it (for almost 3 full days): That's why I bought a Samsung Omnia (i910) and an HTC touch HD (i need two phones).
My third choice would have been the HTC touch HD or the LG renoir, not the X1 in any case.
Why?
Because I did try it.

Neutral

evan hal @ Dec 26th 2008 10:27PM

I have an X1a. I would change:

-> flush & slightly larger screen, the high resolution but small screen makes the fonts tiny
-> accelerometer
-> 5.0MP camera
-> Different OS, I would pick Android, but its not mature, that would be the best candidate though, WM is slow, but somewhat powerful
-> software that takes advantage of the hardware. There is a 524MHz mobile processor in this thing, but honestly it doesn't feel like at all. I am still attempting to find the settings to use for encoding video where it'll play smoothly. SE should have launched games for this thing or put more support behind developers for more Panels, software, etc.

I kinda new what I was getting when I bought the phone so I didn't have any overwhelming expectations. But the phone has satisfied me and is a great phone for a WM device.

Neutral

greg216 @ Dec 27th 2008 12:55AM

get rid of the awful windows mobile. symbian, android, blackberry or iphone software please. anything but windows mobile.

Neutral

Lorne @ Dec 27th 2008 8:06AM

Enough with the flip, give me Treo Pro like device with an exposed keyboard, but more relevant than the Treo Pro (which I own and love)

Neutral

Beastage @ Dec 27th 2008 8:46AM

Capacitive and WinMo7 , hurry up MS! and 5MP camera with flash (even led flash)

Neutral

dodo @ Dec 27th 2008 9:31AM

make it go fasterrrrrrrrr it has a Need for Speeed!!! I don't care if from Los Angeles or from Tokyo ...

Neutral

Jvijil @ Dec 27th 2008 11:06AM

put android on it and make it available on at&t

Neutral

Dahk @ Dec 27th 2008 2:31PM

Yeah, mine echoes most people.

1) Flush screen. It's hard to hit places like the start button on the top.
2) Android?
3) Faster PANELS damnit! So damn slow.

Neutral

nekrosentos @ Dec 27th 2008 4:16PM

Honestly my biggest grievance with the phone is the external speaker volume. There should either have been more more speakers added or just one considerably more powerful speaker. A flush screen would have been nice too, otherwise I'm pretty happy with the device.

Neutral

D @ Dec 27th 2008 10:48PM

accelerometer
5.0 - 8.0 MP Camera w/ Flash
Be in T-Mobiles lineup.

Neutral

david @ Dec 27th 2008 10:57PM

Price, price and price!

Neutral

SPOKE @ Dec 28th 2008 8:03AM

Is Sony-Ericsson even rellivant anymore? Let's face it, with the trend of phones out there, even the bad ones, where does this stack?

The screen is small, the implementation of the buttons is stupid. The panel system is an afterthought.

You might as well buy a mylo v2 and talk between string and dixie cups.

Neutral

Vanguard @ Dec 28th 2008 11:10AM

Why is everybody saying android? It's a young os that cant do half what wm can do. WM has its hiccups but I can do everything with it. These other os's cant do simple things like cut and paste a2dp!? Android has limited video playback and no virtual keyboard. Android is promising in the future but not yet ready for primetime. IMHO

Neutral

Robert @ Dec 28th 2008 8:26PM

1. Accelerometer
2. 5.0MP Camera with Carl Zeiss lenses/Flash
3. Lowered Price
4. Android (I'm a dreamer, lol)
5. Flushed/Capacitive Screen
and 6. AT&T ---->>> PICK THIS UP FOR PETE'S SAKE.

Neutral

roach @ Dec 29th 2008 2:17AM

Make it an iPhone....

aayyyooooooo!!

Neutral

richard.neville @ Dec 29th 2008 5:37AM

I've had the X1i for about a month now and here's what I would change --

1. flat screen - the lip makes it hard to select items along the edge without the stylus
2. add the underscore key to the blue buttons -- actually add lots more "symbol" options to the unused keys
3. better bounce-back on the keypad - the keys stick a bit when you press them
4. accelerometer
5. proximity sensor when making calls to turn off the key pad and turn it on when you move the phone away from your face
6. no screen timeout during calls

Neutral

tamadusa @ Dec 29th 2008 4:53PM

only if ATT gets it...

Neutral

Mike @ Dec 29th 2008 7:51PM

Accelerometer. Better OS. Actual good software support and games. Better and more tactile keyboard. Tweaked performance. Flash memory. Better music and video interface. And a Carrier.

Neutral

ferret @ Jan 1st 2009 4:16PM

1. More tactile keyboard - the current one is terrible
2. Flush screen - and larger. Do not need more pixels - just larger area
3. Case that does not crack (mine has as seemingly most users)
4. Accelerometer to make the screen rotate
5. better external speaker - VERY IMPORTANT
6. One good interface instead of a collection is panels - all which miss the mark individually
7. Battery power gauge - anywhere... Use the LEDs
8. Ability to switch off data packages on GSM but keep available for WiFi
9. More responsive or better buffered touch screen - reduce need for multiple tapping to get a response
10. A SyncML program included to allow usage outside Microsoft world..
11. Speed Speed Speed - this is one sluggish cell phone
12. Ability to leave keyboard active while phoning... display is switched off making it hard to navigate voicemail etc.
13. Faster web site rendering
14. Useful navigation buttons or wheel where ones thumb naturally rests when using the phone - enabling one hand use
15. and so on..

Actually get rid of the whole phone.

As a Phone: Too short a battery life and terrible responsiveness on the touch screen. Poor external speaker.

As a Business Phone: To slow and complicated for normal user. Give us a Blackberry or Symbian every time. Business users do not want to have to keep tweaking their phone.

As a Geek Phone: Yeah ok, but Android will offer more functions and custom stuff for Geeks

Conclusion - this is a stop gap device which will not survive the test of time. In 2 years no-one will be too sentimental about having moved on. I personally believe that SE released this phone somewhat in desperation as they needed to show the world that they are "with it". In reality they have come out with a "Me Too" device and have missed the opportunity to move the goal posts. Apple must be laughing...No wonder SE just announced that they will not continue with HTC.

Neutral

MikeWard1701 @ Jan 10th 2009 6:01PM

Bigger screen
Non recessed screen
More keyboard travel
A defineite keyboard click
Number row

Neutral

KilgoreTrout @ Jan 18th 2009 8:35PM

Win mobile is definitely outdated BUT touch flo injected an all new life in it (look at the latest version of it, the one I got with my Touch HD) AND SPECIALLY Samsung has done a miracle with it by creating Touch Whiz: belive me, win mobile has become a pleasure and even fun to use with touch whiz.

The Omnia , thanks to touch whiz ,is the only phone that I think is on the same class as the touch HD (which has a bigger screen) and maybe it's even a better phone (certainly it's better built , with better materials).
I have had those two phones for nearly 3 months now, and I still can't decide which one is the best.

Neutral