Sony Ericsson has introduced the Xperia PLAY, the first PlayStation-certified smartphone, combining a PlayStation-quality gaming experience with the very latest Android smartphone technology.
Xperia PLAY delivers the smartphone functionality that the most serious power users could need, teamed with the immersive gaming experience that any gamer would want.
In portrait mode, the Android smartphone offers all the benefits that users have come to expect from Sony Ericsson's existing range of Xperia smartphones with best-in-class entertainment experiences, a great 5 megapixel camera, a brilliant 4″ multi-touch screen and great social networking features.
However, slide out the gaming control and users enter a new world of immersive mobile gaming. The slide out game pad reveals a digital D pad, two analogue touch pads, two shoulder buttons and the four PlayStation icons: circle, cross, square and triangle. Qualcomm's optimized Snapdragon processor with a 1Ghz CPU and embedded Adreno GPU graphics processor deliver silky smooth 60fps play-back 3D mobile gaming and Web browsing with minimal power consumption so Xperia PLAY users can enjoy long hours of battery life and game time. 
Xperia PLAY will run on Gingerbread (version 2.3), the latest version of Google's Android platform. The Xperia PLAY will also be the first PlayStation Certified device. This means it will have access to PlayStation game content provided through the PlayStation Suite initiative, currently under development by Sony Computer Entertainment and due to launch later this calendar year.
Sony Ericsson has partnered with key publishers in the gaming industry to deliver a rich, vibrant ecosystem at launch and post launch with many leading new titles available via the Android Marketplace. Leading franchises coming to Xperia PLAY includes EA's Need For Speed, Sims 3 and a world-first multiplayer version of FIFA 10 for mobile. GLU Mobile/Activision will be bringing Guitar Hero while Gameloft's titles include Assassin's Creed and Splinter Cell. Sony Ericsson is also partnering with Unity Technologies, using its award-winning development platform, to ensure a continuous flow of high quality 3D game titles.
A pre-loaded application will enable users to easily discover and download titles that have been optimised for game play on Xperia PLAY, access recently played games and see information about the games they have downloaded.
Price and Availability
Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY will be available globally in selected markets from March 2011. Check price.
Specifications
- 5.1 megapixel camera
- Auto focus
- Flash / Photo light
- Geo tagging
- Image stabiliser
- Send to web
- Touch focus
- Video light
- Video recording
- Video blogging
Music
- Album art
- Bluetooth stereo (A2DP)
- Google Music Player
- Music tones (MP3/AAC)
- PlayNow service
- Sony Ericsson Music player
- Stereo speakers
- TrackID music recognition application
Internet
- Android Market
- Bookmarks
- Google search
- Google Voice Search
- Pan & zoom
- Web browser (Webkit)
Communication
- Call list
- Conference calls
- Facebook application (from Android Market)
- Google Talk
- Noise Shield
- Polyphonic ringtones
- Speakerphone
- Sony Ericsson Timescape
- Twitter application (from Android Market)
- Vibrating alert
Messaging
- Android Cloud to Device messaging (C2DM)
- Conversations
- Google Mail
- Instant messaging
- Picture messaging (MMS)
- Predictive text input
- Sound recorder
- Text messaging (SMS)
Design
- Auto rotate
- Keyboard (onscreen, 12 key)
- Keyboard (onscreen, QWERTY)
- Picture wallpaper
- Touchscreen
- Wallpaper animation
Entertainment
- 3D games
- Dedicated gaming keys
- Flash Lite
- Gesture gaming
- Motion gaming
- Video streaming
- YouTube
Organiser
- Alarm clock
- Calculator
- Calendar
- Document editors
- Document readers
- E-Manual
- Flight mode
- Google Calendar
- Google Gallery 3D
- Infinite button
- Phone book
- Set-up Wizard
- Widget manager
Connectivity
- 3.5 mm audio jack
- aGPS
- Bluetooth technology
- DLNA Certified
- Google Latitude
- Google Location Service
- Google Maps with Street View
- Media Transfer Protocol support
- Micro USB Connector
- Modem
- Synchronisation via Facebook
- Synchronisation via Google Sync
- Synchronisation via Microsoft Exchange ActiveSync
- Synchronisation via Sony Ericsson Sync
- USB 2.0 high speed support
- Wi-Fi
- Wi-Fi Hotspot functionality
Screen
- 16,777,216 colour TFT
- Capacitive multi-touch
- 4 inches
- 480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA)
Accessories (In-Box)
- Xperia PLAY
- Battery
- Stereo portable handsfree
- 8GB microSD memory card
- Charger
- Micro USB cable for charging, synchronisation and file transfer
- User documentation
Facts
- Size: 119 x 62 x 16 mm
- Weight: 175 grams
- Phone memory: 400 MB
- Memory card support: microSD, up to 32 GB
- Memory card included: 8GB microSD
- Operating system: Google Android 2.3 (Gingerbread)
- Processor: 1 GHz Scorpion ARMv7
- Talk time and networks
Networks
- Talk time GSM/GPRS: Up to 8 hrs 25 min
- Standby time GSM/GPRS: Up to 425 hrs
- Talk time UMTS: Up to 6 hrs 25 min
- Standby time UMTS: Up to 413 hrs
- Talk time CDMA2000: Up to 7 hrs 40 min
- Standby time CDMA2000: Up to 405 hrs
- Game play time: Up to 5 hrs 35 min
- MP3 playback: Up to 30 hrs 35 min
Networks
- UMTS HSPA 800, 850, 1900, 2100
- GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- UMTS HSPA 900, 2100
- GSM GPRS/EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900
- CDMA2000, cdmaOne, EVDO
Colour
- Black
- White
Update
Xperia PLAY is marketed by AT&T in the U.S. as Xperia PLAY 4G supporting HSPA+ and is offered in an exclusive “stealth blue” colour. It will be available as a smartphone package complete with accessories including the Sony Ericsson Multimedia Dock DK300 and MC100 music cable. The device will come pre-loaded with seven games, some of which are exclusive.
Xperia PLAY 4G will be available in AT&T stores from September 18th 2011 for $49.99 with a two-year agreement.
The Xperia PLAY is currently available from Verizon Wireless.
