Smartphone use is rising dramatically around the world. Not surprisingly, companies are beginning to address different segments of the market. Increasingly, we will see smartphones that have all sorts of price points and are aimed at all sorts of different consumers. The Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 is priced more competitively than many other smartphones on the market today. But this is not to state that it is not a quality phone with a good deal of functionality.
Let’s face it; so much of the charm and personality of a smartphone comes down to its display. The Xperia X8 has a three-inch screen with a 320×480 resolution and a TFT touchscreen, which can display 16.7 million colors. Additionally, if you have a tendency of being rough with your phones, you will be happy to learn that the X8 has a rather tough scratch-resistant coating.
The X8 is equipped to handle all common video and audio formats such as MP3 and H.264 and it does it well. Just don’t expect it to measure up to the HTC Desire HD or the Samsung Galaxy because it simply won’t. Both of those phones not only have bigger screens, but have higher resolutions as well. If you want a phone largely for a video player and you want the best quality out there, then the X8 may not be your best choice.
The processor speed for the phone is 600 MHz, likewise far below many of the high-end smartphones, which are usually clocking in at 1 GHz. If you need a faster smartphone, then one of the other options, such as the Samsung Galaxy or the HTC Desire HD, might be the way to go. Also keep in mind that it is a little light on memory with up to 128 MB. It also comes with a 2 GB memory card that can be expanded up to 16GB.
None of this is to state that the Xperia X8 isn’t a completely capable phone. However, if you feel that you need more processing power and performance, you will likely want to look at another option. At its lower price point, it is a very good contender. It has a great degree of functionality, A-GPS, a 3.2 MP camera, video recording as well as an organizer, a calendar and a variety of apps. It might not have the wow factor of some of the other smartphones on the market, but it does have their functionality without some of the sticker shock that goes along with it.
