I found that quite a number of people online were critical about Xperia PLAY, so I decided to write this to drive away the misconceptions!
There are several reasons why Xperia PLAY is the perfect gaming and multimedia smartphone, as given below:
1. Advantages of Snapdragon SoC (Scorpion Processor and Adreno GPU):
Xperia Play has a single-core 1GHz Snapdragon processor and an Adreno 205 GPU, however this doesn't put it behind the other SoC's out there (explained below)
Many people believe Adreno to be weaker than NVIDIA Tegra2 or PowerVR, but that isn't the case!
The truth is that the latter two seem good on paper and benchmarks, but their practical performance isn't up to the mark.
i. Adreno GPU is efficient and powerful:
Game developers find Adreno a better GPU when it comes to complex game effects. It handles them in a faster, better and power efficient way.
ii. Adreno is friendly to the battery:
Consider NVIDIA's Tegra2 GPU, which requires a heavy dependance on the CPU for it's optimal performance, and that reduces it's battery efficiency.
Follow the link in Techdread's thread to find a thorough comparison from Game developers' point of view.
http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1243036
iii. Snapdragon SoC has hidden tricks up it's sleeve
Adreno GPU and Scorpion CPU has some really cool optimizations up it's sleeve, which makes it better in most tasks than the other options.
e.g. Adreno has support for Hardware acceleration in Flash content. In a video test result, Snapdragon on Xperia Arc played a 720p Youtube video perfectly, whereas other major dual-core devices lagged!
See video below:
http://phandroid.com/2011/06/15/qua...re-tegra-2-for-flash-content-supremecy-video/
Paul Jacobs, Qualcomm's boss says that Single core snapdragon with latest drivers outperform the current dual core processors.
"Looking at benchmarking tests for our single core product, it outperforms against dual core products from our competitors,’ said Jacbos.
He added: ‘The performance that you can get is literally much more than just counting the number of cores on a chip - it about how these cores work together seamlessly and efficiently. Compared to our competitors' [dual-core chips] they use 50 to 75 per cent more power to deliver the same perfomace compared to our single-core CPUs.’
iv. Snapdragon has DEVELOPER SUPPORT
Snapdragon is widely being supported by developers and alot of games for it are being made.
What hardware advantage does any SoC give the device if it has little developer support??
How many times have you seen these words on game threads: Make this for SGS2 please!!
v. Xperia series has the latest drivers for Snapdragon and Adreno, getting the most out of them.
(vi. BONUS : Custom kernel from DoomLord can boost the already-so-efficient CPU to 1.9 GHz B-) )
2. Dual-Channel RAM:
Xperia Play is the currently the only device that possesses a dual channel DDR2 memory working at 300 Hertz. This increases the performance as data can be passed much faster between components such as the CPU and the GPU, and enables it to perform heavy duty tasks optimally, and to keep a constant 60fps refresh rate in games.
3. PlayStation Controls:
Of course everyone knows what this is about
The physical controls are of great advantage in gaming for obvious reasons.
The virtual analog controls got mixed reviews, however they are awesome in my opinion. I always find myself using them rather than the buttons.
Moreover, they can also be used for key mapping in emulators, giving a great plus value!
4. Havok Game Engine:
Don't miss out this beast!
Havok game engine has debuted on Android via Xperia Play. This helps developers make great games with accurate physics and realism!
About Havok:
Havok™, an Intel® company , was founded in Dublin, Ireland in 1998, and is the premier provider of interactive software and services for digital media creators in the games and movie industries. Havok works in partnership with the world ’s best
known game developers, including Microsoft®, Nintendo®, and Sony Computer Entertainment Inc. Havok’ s cross- platform, professionally supported technology is available for the Xbox 360™ video game and entertainment system, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, PSP® (PlayStation ®Portable), Xperia™ PLAY, Wii™, PC Games for Windows.
Havok’s combination of superior technology and dedication to delivering for its customers has led to the company’ s technologies being used in over 300 of the world’ s best known game titles, including Halo Reach, Assassin’ s Creed Brotherhood, Epic Mickey, Fallout New Vegas, Uncharted 2 , Demon’s Soul and Bioshock 2 . A further 130 games are in development. Havok products have also been used to drive special effects in movies such as Clash of the Titans, Watchmen, Quantum of Solace, Harry Potter and The Order of The Phoenix, and The Matrix. Havok has offices in Dublin, San Francisco , Copenhagen, Calcutta, Munich, and Tokyo.
5. 3d Stereo speakers with xLoud
Gaming isn't fun without good sound effects. Many people entirely depend on their headsets for gaming and multimedia, due to the lack of good speakers in the phone.
Xperia Play's speakers, especially after the xLoud update, are AWESOME. You wouldn't need to depend on your headsets for gaming anymore, the speakers really take care of all!
They are also perfect for watching movies or listening to songs.
6. Xperia PLAY exclusives and game library
Sony Ericsson has made deals with a great number of game companies, including Gameloft, EA, Glu and Polarbit. A great number of games are out in no time at all, and more are on their way.
Often, Xperia Play gets the game a month or two earlier than the other Android models.
Xperia Play also has PlayStation titles coming to it, and Sony Ericsson recently announced more AAA titles to be on their way.
Xperia Play's massive game library is much larger than Tegra's.
7. Sony Ericsson's multimedia and entertainment experience:
Sony Ericsson provides a unique, unparalleled experience in multimedia and entertainment fields. It has got a great deal of experience from Cybershot and Walkman products, and has always been ahead of the other brands in these categories.
Xperia PLAY, with it's awesome sound quality and a decent camera reflects these results. The camera, though not SE's best, is still decent overall and faster than the other Android models.
I have the experience of developing top camdrivers for SE's cybershot series, and find that Xperia Play's camera is pretty decent.
Other SE goodies like TimeScape, Facebook inside Xperia etc. are also great if you use them.
____
This is enough to prove that Xperia PLAY really is what it's supposed to be - the perfect gaming and multimedia smartphone!
Imo people were disappointed because in the initial release it was laggy and it took alot of time to boot. And alot of features missing like 5MP HD or no zoom.
Hackers fixed that of course.
Sent from my Xperia PLAY R800i using XDA App
If I was on any other phone I would only be playing angry birds because I hate touch screen controllers that take up precious screen realestate..
Xperia Play <3
Sent from my R800i using xda premium
Cat_On_Droid said:
Imo people were disappointed because in the initial release it was laggy and it took alot of time to boot. And alot of features missing like 5MP HD or no zoom.
Hackers fixed that of course.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well it wasn't laggy and didn't boot up slower than Galaxy and other models out there.
People were mostly annoyed with the lack of a dual core chipset, claiming that better ones were out there. That's what most reviewers said. But in reality, there is much more to the Xperia than meets the eye
subcu1ture said:
If I was on any other phone I would only be playing angry birds because I hate touch screen controllers that take up precious screen realestate..
Xperia Play <3
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Agreed!
One inch or more of the screen is accounted for when using touchscreen controls.
Xperia Play's controls give a big-screen experience!
hasaan6545 said:
Well it wasn't laggy and didn't boot up slower than Galaxy and other models out there.
People were mostly annoyed with the lack of a dual core chipset, claiming that better ones were out there. That's what most reviewers said. But in reality, there is much more to the Xperia than meets the eye
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
No not at all. Like cat said, when the play was first released. Alot of the disapointment came from bad firmware and a lack of support from sony game wise. I don't know any1 that was disapointed in the H/W. We all knew that the scorpion chipset and adreno 205 was a good match for any mobile CPU/GPU combo on the market ATM!
hasaan6545 said:
e.g. Adreno has support for Hardware acceleration in Flash content. In a video test result, Snapdragon on Xperia Arc played a 720p Youtube video perfectly, whereas other major dual-core devices lagged!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Er... from the video i dont see how the xperia arc was playing 720p video smoothly? If anything it was choppy as hell. It was the HTC incredible that pulled off a smooth run. Do explain.
2ndly can the xperia play play a 720p video smoothly? If yes which format? mkv? avi ? mp4?
- Best gaming device.
Yes. The controls make the difference.
- Best ultimedia device.
Lol no. Where's the video output (remember that near ALL Xperias have HDMI output)? Where's the HD video recording? Where's the native support for more advanced video formats like MKV? Etc.
lcw1980 said:
Er... from the video i dont see how the xperia arc was playing 720p video smoothly? If anything it was choppy as hell. It was the HTC incredible that pulled off a smooth run. Do explain.
2ndly can the xperia play play a 720p video smoothly? If yes which format? mkv? avi ? mp4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
play can play 720p in any format easly .....
Miles Wolf said:
- Best gaming device.
Yes. The controls make the difference.
- Best ultimedia device.
Lol no. Where's the video output (remember that near ALL Xperias have HDMI output)? Where's the HD video recording? Where's the native support for more advanced video formats like MKV? Etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
The play has native support for quicktime formats....
http://support.apple.com/kb/HT3775
AndroHero said:
No not at all. Like cat said, when the play was first released. Alot of the disapointment came from bad firmware and a lack of support from sony game wise. I don't know any1 that was disapointed in the H/W. We all knew that the scorpion chipset and adreno 205 was a good match for any mobile CPU/GPU combo on the market ATM!
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Well i was talking about most reviewers like CNET etc, they had a go at the processor and GPU.
lcw1980 said:
Er... from the video i dont see how the xperia arc was playing 720p video smoothly? If anything it was choppy as hell. It was the HTC incredible that pulled off a smooth run. Do explain.
2ndly can the xperia play play a 720p video smoothly? If yes which format? mkv? avi ? mp4?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Take a look at the blogpost and the video again and you'll get the point.
The video whose link i posted does not have Xperia Arc, it has HTC Incredible which has the same chipset as the Arc, and it performed better than the other dual core ones.
The video Qualcomm posted at their official site had Xperia Arc, and there they claimed the same thing.
Anyway, Xperia Play can play 720p perfectly for almost all formats, best being mp4, mov etc. Others can also be played well if you've a decent video player. MX Video Player (optimized for ARM Neon processors) and Vital Player work best. Try them, you'll like it
Miles Wolf said:
- Best gaming device.
Yes. The controls make the difference.
- Best ultimedia device.
Lol no. Where's the video output (remember that near ALL Xperias have HDMI output)? Where's the HD video recording? Where's the native support for more advanced video formats like MKV? Etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
I agree on the TV out stuff, but apart from that, Xperia Play is great. Mkv native support isn't much needed, it works perfect with fast Software Codec. Try MX Video player.
Besides, Xperia has great display and stereo sound quality which most others lack. and you can still view your media files on Bravia TV via Wifi.
With a bunch of plus points, it does make up for the few limitations that it has, and it's a great multimedia package overall!
AndroHero said:
play can play 720p in any format easly .....
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Really? I own one and cant get it to play 720p video files smoothly. Esp mkv formats.
Pray tell me which player you use?
I see no connection with xperia play in the apple website you posted?
lcw1980 said:
Really? I own one and cant get it to play 720p video files smoothly. Esp mkv formats.
Pray tell me which player you use?
I see no connection with xperia play in the apple website you posted?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use mobo player is awesome Look on the back of the box, it says it a quickime cerified device. That website just shows quicktime compatable formats
AndroHero said:
i use mobo player is awesome Look on the back of the box, it says it a quickime cerified device. That website just shows quicktime compatable formats
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
i use moboplayer too but even 720p mkv anime playback is laggy. I even downloaded the arm7 codec already. any tips?
lcw1980 said:
i use moboplayer too but even 720p mkv anime playback is laggy. I even downloaded the arm7 codec already. any tips?
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
when your on the main screen, go into setting and set it to software render mode
AndroHero said:
when your on the main screen, go into setting and set it to software render mode
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
hmm still have audio sync issues.
Strange, I watch at least 1 720p file a week. Never had a problem with Mobo. I haven't download any extra add ons just the main app. What file types are you using?
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Blue ray quality rmvb format lags for me but it plays other HD files fine
Sent from my XPlay using XDA App.
kupo5131 said:
Strange, I watch at least 1 720p file a week. Never had a problem with Mobo. I haven't download any extra add ons just the main app. What file types are you using?
Sent from my R800i using XDA App
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
mkv file h264 encoded.
Miles Wolf said:
- Best ultimedia device.
Lol no. Where's the video output (remember that near ALL Xperias have HDMI output)? Where's the HD video recording? Where's the native support for more advanced video formats like MKV? Etc.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Those are pretty lame points. I would have gone with SAMOLED Screen, but meh.
How often really, have you or would you plug in your phone to your tv? I have a freakin computer, ps3, wii, and digital cable connected already, why on earth would I need my phone on there as well?
HD recording would be nice, but it's nothing tragic. And it's not like it's technically impossible.
Otherwise, I agree with the OP. The screen while not the very best out there, it's still pretty damn nice. The speakers is what really makes it, I can't think of a single phone out there that even steps close to the Play in this respect. I never wear headphones with this thing, because it sounds great! Be it NES, PSX, Music, Videos, anything, it has high frequency response which means full sound, plenty of amplification, very little distortion at high volumes, and because there's two of them, you get stereo sound.
When I hear multimedia, I think picture and sound. Even though the screen isn't the best it makes up for that in the audio department. It's definitely up there in the multimedia department.
hasaan6545 said:
Besides, Xperia has great display
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Meh, no. It has a lot of ghosting.
The Xplay is a good device, but please, don't say it's the best Multimedia device.
Why is it that no one has reported that the 4k resolution on the Z5 premium is only 4k when playing or filming 4k video. At all other times i.e 99% of the time, the device has normal resolution. I think its misleading by Sony regarding the way they have advertised the product. If I buy a 4k phone as Sony has described the Z5 premium, I am more interested in my home screen, normal apps and text messages etc being 4k resolution rather that the ability to film 4k video. Its not that I need such resolution for these but merely the principle.
So you'd rather have a battery that will last you for half the day? Because there's no way around it that the Premium is the first 4K phone, and Sony really played it smart where it won't be a flop by adding smart software that enables 4K when it's needed.
No I'd rather Sony did not push the Z5 as a 4k phone when it isn't. I would have bought it for the screen size alone. The BS about it being a native 4k screen is poor customer service. If battery will be an issue they should have put a bigger battery in. it's thick enough.
What I am also puzzled about are all these journalists with their previews and hands on reviews stating how the screen is great or that they can't tell the difference from a normal phone. Did these chumps not know that's because it isn't a 4k screen most of the time.
They did put 4k resolution hardware they just did not used due to fact that it is little difference or make no difference on 2k. Their might be possible to to change resolution if you root and develop ui.
Sent from my D6503 using XDA Free mobile app
Ukbondraider said:
No I'd rather Sony did not push the Z5 as a 4k phone when it isn't. I would have bought it for the screen size alone. The BS about it being a native 4k screen is poor customer service. If battery will be an issue they should have put a bigger battery in. it's thick enough.
What I am also puzzled about are all these journalists with their previews and hands on reviews stating how the screen is great or that they can't tell the difference from a normal phone. Did these chumps not know that's because it isn't a 4k screen most of the time.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
That's really no different than a 4k TV.
Unless you're watching specific 4k content on your TV, you are looking at 1080p/720p resolution. User interfaces on 4k TVs generally aren't 4k because there is no point. That dosen't make the screen NOT 4k, or the Z5P's screen NOT 4k. It's just that you have to be watching 4k content to actually see it at the proper resolution. That's how all 4k devices are, and they are all advertised as 4k, and rightfully so.
I mean I don't know what you expect... you want the browser/texting to be 4k? What's the point of UHD aside from watching videos? None of the websites you visit will be in 4k aside from when you're watching videos. Sony did the right thing here in utilizing the 4k screen for videos/pictures. There would be no point in having a 4k home screen since it would just drain a ton of battery
Are the journalists reading this site or is it a coincidence that articles about the lack of 4k on the Z5 premium now start to roll out a few days after my post. Am surprised this was not reported on day 1.
interesting
Ukbondraider said:
Why is it that no one has reported that the 4k resolution on the Z5 premium is only 4k when playing or filming 4k video. At all other times i.e 99% of the time, the device has normal resolution. I think its misleading by Sony regarding the way they have advertised the product. If I buy a 4k phone as Sony has described the Z5 premium, I am more interested in my home screen, normal apps and text messages etc being 4k resolution rather that the ability to film 4k video. Its not that I need such resolution for these but merely the principle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Your point is absolutely no-point. The phone is 4K phone because it has native 4K display. That the UI (applications etc.) are not native 4K is just because there is absolutely no point rendering user interface at 4K. The point is that th phone is capable of natively displaying 4K content. User Interface is not 4K content and there is a good reason behind it.
How about this article? Does it help?
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_z5_premium_4k_display_under_our_microscope-blog-13887.php
My point is that 4k TV/video is not here yet. There is no content. So the 4k video feature is pointless. I don't give a monkeys about the ability to record or view 4k video.
However what a 4k screen provides is better overall picture quality. Whilst the improved ppi will not be noticeable, 4k produces better colours and brightness. This is the feature of the 4k screen that I would be interested in. At the end of the day the Z5 premium is no better than my current Z3. It definitely looks uglier than the Z3.
Funny thing is, Nobody ever complained when their phone's CPU are running on 600mhz on idle when the spec sheet is 2.3Ghz. smh
hansip87 said:
Funny thing is, Nobody ever complained when their phone's CPU are running on 600mhz on idle when the spec sheet is 2.3Ghz. smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
You want the phone to run at 2.3GHz when it's idle. Why?
Seems you don't get my /s implicitly there.. :/ the 4K situation looks a lot like CPU speed. It can be pushed to max but it doesn't have to be activated all the time. But here we are, people are complaining for such reserve as a drawback.
ondrejvaroscak said:
Your point is absolutely no-point. The phone is 4K phone because it has native 4K display. That the UI (applications etc.) are not native 4K is just because there is absolutely no point rendering user interface at 4K. The point is that th phone is capable of natively displaying 4K content. User Interface is not 4K content and there is a good reason behind it.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
This about sums it up.
hansip87 said:
Funny thing is, Nobody ever complained when their phone's CPU are running on 600mhz on idle when the spec sheet is 2.3Ghz. smh
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Because the OP wants 4k to run all the time.... He isn't thinking the clever mind who thought of 4k for videos and pictures only.....
I suppose he also wants the CPU to run at 2.1ghz all the time ... And the ram.... It's stated 4gig but available would be around 3.8gig.... Let's crib for that as well
Ukbondraider said:
My point is that 4k TV/video is not here yet. There is no content. So the 4k video feature is pointless. I don't give a monkeys about the ability to record or view 4k video.
However what a 4k screen provides is better overall picture quality. Whilst the improved ppi will not be noticeable, 4k produces better colours and brightness. This is the feature of the 4k screen that I would be interested in. At the end of the day the Z5 premium is no better than my current Z3. It definitely looks uglier than the Z3.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Uhh what? There absolutely is 4k content. In fact, I'm watching Breaking Bad in 4k on Netflix as we speak. Lots of major streaming services are getting 4k content and there is more and more every day.
Are you upset that TV manufacturers are advertising TV's as 4K even though most content watched will currently be 1080p/720p? The TV UI's are generally not 4K. How is that different?
And just like TV's, Sony has claimed that the phone will upscale 1080p content, so it should produce better color and brightness, although who knows how noticeable it will be w/ such a small screen?
We always can see whether the panel is 4K by playing a 4K video from youtube. Like it should give the option to switch between the qualities, Am I not right?
Ukbondraider said:
Why is it that no one has reported that the 4k resolution on the Z5 premium is only 4k when playing or filming 4k video. At all other times i.e 99% of the time, the device has normal resolution. I think its misleading by Sony regarding the way they have advertised the product. If I buy a 4k phone as Sony has described the Z5 premium, I am more interested in my home screen, normal apps and text messages etc being 4k resolution rather that the ability to film 4k video. Its not that I need such resolution for these but merely the principle.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Read this, son. It will play 4K and will UPSCALE image/video content to 4K, along with the other image/video enhancements. That's the focus of the phone, a "premium" viewing experience. The UI will remain 1080p to preserve battery life, because who the hell cares about the image quality of the freakin' UI? Same goes for apps and games, unless (maybe) the game actually comes with 4K resolution, which I doubt there are for now when consoles still struggle with 1080p.
It indeed 4K panel. only uses for Media and stuff.
http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_explai...tive_4k_resolution_when_needed-news-14078.php
op shouldnt buy a supercar, or else he would drive top speed all the time