Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 - Unboxing

Hmmm...
Well upgradeability aside (come on like XDA hasn't already cracked this thing open, it's already running touchflow), I just don't think It's a competitive phone. Really the only thing it has besting the competition is the screen and build material.
As I can easily find the Touch Pro for a little more than half the price of the Xperia, I'll go Touch Pro. I'll sacrifice the extra screen res in favor of a 5 row keyboard and accelerometer.

I'm on a month to month SERO plan, so I'm not doing ANYTHING that might impact my contract. I'm buying non-subsidized until Sprint goes belly up. I find it encouraging that SE are trying to break into the US retail phone market, but they seriously underestimated the competition from their own ODM.

"Not to mention having the ability to use your device anywhere with any provider."

Shoey, the above statement is only true for EDGE data. For 3G this device can ONLY be used with AT&T. Really Shoey, $800 for an EDGE data device? You find an EDGE device something that meets your criteria below?:

"the quicker I can do it, and the less pain it is to do it"

I don't think that even you believe using a semi-capable browser as Opera 9.5 yields anything near "quickly" being done on an EDGE data network.

If you want to pay $800 for an EDGE device that is not upgradable, that is your choice and I wish you all the best.

Deluding yourself to believing that this device meets the criteria you mentioned, however, does you no service.

For the first time EVER this country's 4 biggest cellular data providers are all on 3G (either GSM or EVDO) Why aren't we demanding high quality, upgradable, 3G technology to go with it????

When do people get it? The more you keep paying out for substandard technology, the longer the companies will keep offering it to you.

Ooooh, and here we have the new X505 from CrapTC and it is the first new EDGE device out with a Fucia notification light!!! Selling now for $1000.00 Whooopie!!! or as Steve would say "I won, I won!!! lol

Nice unboxing, I am looking forward to your full review. $800 looks a little pricey for this, but I could see this as a decent replacement for my Tilt. I know the screen is at a slight angle when the keyboard is out. How usable is it sitting out on a desk? Could you read your email on it while eating lunch just sitting on the desk like the Tilt? I like seeing a dedicated 3.5mm jack and the metal construction.

Physboy, I've spent more than this price on previous devices. What it really comes down to is how much the device is worth to you.

ie. I rely on my device not just as a phone but pretty much everything. I don't just rely on it, I use it heavily, so the more it can do, the quicker I can do it, and the less pain it is to do it, the price ends up being pretty cheap over a period of a year or two. Not to mention having the ability to use your device anywhere with any provider.

It really comes down to a question of what it's worth to you but I can tell you there are a lot of people that feel the same way as I do.

Exactly techcrunch. I thought Apple was nuts with the original iPhone but these prices lately with WM devices where they are not even guaranteeing upgradability are insane.

Dave, T-Mo Wing. None of my clients uses any devices that exceed $400. It's just not cost effective, especially in this volitile economy, for these new devices that are asking from $800-$1100 for technology that does not even have the guaranteed ability to be upgraded on OS or hardware. It just reaks of rip-off.

I'm not knocking the X1 for not being "upgradable" right out of the box. As you and Chris said, who knows? I'm taking the more general view that iPhone owners expect to be able to upgrade to the latest OS, for owners of devices running WM mot so much. Upgradability is one of the best features of the iPhone and is something, when the continuing viability of WM is increasingly an issue, Microsoft would do well to emulate.

With WM smartphones broaching the unsubsidized $800 mark and the simply truth that most people don't upgrade their phones every six months, obviously a reliable WM OS upgrade path is a big plus to those that keep their phones longer. (As opposed to the all too common frozen-in-time scenario once a WM phone is purchased.)

I only bring it up here because Mobility Today and news, blog, review, and discussion sites like it need to bring up the subject of upgradability as much as possible with the carriers and manufacturers. If they get the message, not only will it be better for us consumers, it will help insure the survival of WM as well.

Dave - sorry if I tarnished what I thought was a good introductory review; and talking about $800 phones, my Touch HD came today!

For a device that long, they could have reduced the screen size a bit (still VGA), and put a front facing QWERTY bar keyboard.

Hi this phone got released in india before US thats kind of good ,But they are not going to see any sales soon for the price they have on the phone.
Read here more :
http://www.techcrunch.in/2008/11/14/sony-xerpia-x1-released-in-india/

Great video, the inside box was similar on my retail version although the cardboard inside was coloured blue with the xperia logos but the same form. Really interested to see what you think of the signal strength, major issue on the one I had.

Thanks Justia.. Phys.. What device are you using now?

I could never justify purchasing a device for $800 that could not be upgraded. Just my perspective.

Once again, tremendous video quality! I would watch this video even if I didn't care about the device just because it is so pleasing to the eyes.

Correct Chris I was on that call. Honestly I dont think someone could knock Sony Ericsson for that? We all know Microsoft doesnt release until the last minute to OEM's

If I remember correctly, SE were asked during the launch if this device would be upgradable to Windows Mobile 7 and they declined to comment as expected. You never know if an update will be available until it is released anyway from my experience.

I dont think Sony ever said it wasnt upgradable did they? It for sure is a very powerful phone so I dont see why not.

Dave -

Good first look. I wondering if the relative small screen size mutes the impact of the pixel count. Also, does the non-carrier distribution channels indicate that the U.S. carriers were the hold-up?

This device would have made quite a splash if introduced a few months after it was announced. Now it's in the pack based on the less than cutting edge Qualcomm MSM7200A chipset. The price needs to come down a bit for it to be competative.

Dave, if I understand your response to Physboy question, why isn't WM upgradable? (Sometimes carriers and manufacturers like HTC make it so.) IPhone owners expect that they be able to run the latest OS, why not owners of WM devices?

What kind of upgradeability are you speak on? I dont think any WM device has the capability?

Too much for too little. What kind of upgradeability options do they have for this device? If none, then it is a waste of extra money.