Sony Ericsson XPERIA ray Review

Sony Ericsson's Xperia Ray is an attractive and slender phone with a speedy 1GHz processor and excellent 8.1 megapixel camera. Some people might find the 3.3-inch screen size a little restrictive, but Wired say it is nice and sharp, and there are a lot of other factors about the phone to appreciate. The music player included is well featured, for example.

Coolsmartphone congratulate Sony Ericsson on producing such a good phone in the smaller, but not mini, size format. It should hold appeal for both the male and female markets, and will suit those who want a bit of processing grunt but don't want to use a huge slab. It has been packed full of tech features, and will compete well against the Wildfire S, Galaxy Ace or iPhone 3GS.

Value for money: 9 out of 10 points

Generally, the Xperia Ray is a very likeable handset from Sony Ericsson, and not just based on its looks. Smartphone Daily were even surprised by the decent battery life of this phone, which lets so many others down. Of course the small size means that people with chunky fingers may have difficulty using the compact keyboard, but little else causes complaint.

Not only does the Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray have a fairly decent camera, but its screen is also excellent and IT Reviews approved of its compact size. The keyboard is a bit cramped though and it is not really ideal for media rich activities such or browsing the web. Those who have little pockets and small fingers, and don't need it for too much media activity will appreciate it.

The Xperia Ray is even more pocketable than its predecessor, the Arc, and its design is wonderfully sleek. Its screen is top quality and the powerful processor makes for a snappy all-round performance. The camera is also excellent and the model comes at a very competitive price for a smartphone. The Inquirer were only disappointed by the battery life and the poor keyboard.

"Hot Product"

Sony Ericsson's Xperia Ray really won over Pocket-lint reviewers with its light, compact build, impressive battery life, and beautiful screen. Furthermore, it all comes at an affordable price, and although it's not the speediest around, and the stock keyboard isn't great, for those looking for a versatile yet simple phone, it's near the top of their list.

Thanks to its sharp display and extensive selection of apps, the Xperia Ray barely edges HTC's Radar in Know Your Mobile's comparison. Sony Ericsson's Timescape UI is streamlined and well thought out, and its middle-of-the-road specs make a good job of keeping everything running snappily. It's not exactly a looker, though, and its full plastic build makes it feel cheapish.

Tech Radar found the Xperia Ray was a joy to use and were surprised by Sony Ericsson's ability to fit so many features into an attractive and neat package. The web browser was lightning-swift and battery life was excellent. The only disappointments were the mediocre camera and the fact that typing was made difficult by the tiny screen.

The quick operating system and manageable user interface definitely make the Xperia Ray a smartphone worth considering. T3 were also won over by the clear audio and how easy the device was to navigate. On the other hand, the home screen was slow to respond and operating the camera was sometimes finicky. Overall not a bad model but by no means outstanding.

Value for money: 7 out of 10 points

Good call quality is a basic feature too often overlooked by modern phone manufacturers. Luckily, Sony Ericsson isn't one of them. On top of that, their user interface additions to the Android go over well with Trusted Reviews. The Xperia Ray is neat and petite, takes sharp photos and works quickly. Poor battery life and a small, low resolution screen prevented a higher rating.

Mobile Choice UK were big fans of the look and feel of the Xperia Ray. The screen is a decent enough size to accommodate touchscreen capabilities and the processor operates quickly . Bursting with fun features, a top-class camera and good music player, the Xperia Ray is guaranteed to keep you entertained!

"... The Sony Ericsson Xperia Ray is by no means the answer if you're a power user that wants all the bells and whistles of a fully-fledged touchscreen smartie. ... But ... small can still be beautiful."

CNET concludes that the success of the Xperia Ray is dependent on consumer's attitudes towards such a small touchscreen. As a mid-range Android, it is impressive. The sophisticated operating system and excellent camera are notable highlights. Poor battery life and the minuscule screen are the drawbacks. There are cheaper models with more practical sized screens on the market.

"Budget Buy"

The Xperia Ray almost rivals the iPhone 4's display quality and at £20 a month, it is a fraction of the price which is why it's no surprise that it has earned Expert Reviews' 'Budget Buy' award. Plenty of storage space, excellent photo quality and a swift interface make this an attractive model. The only drawback is that the small screen makes typing slightly more difficult.

It's not easy to find such a well-specced phone as the Xperia Ray for such a low price, making it a veritable bargain in the eyes of Know Your Mobile. Reviewers loved its bright screen, responsiveness and fantastic camera, even though it lacks a dedicated shutter button, and praised Sony Ericsson for rehauling its user interface, which feels more intuitive now than previous versions.