Sony Ericsson Xperia Active smartphone

Photo: heipei via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY-SA 2.0)

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson Xperia Active

October 2011 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active is a compact, rugged Android smartphone released in October 2011, designed for active users with its dust and water resistance, scratch-resistant display, and wet finger tracking. It features a 3-inch screen, a 5MP camera, and runs on Android 2.3 Gingerbread, upgradable to Android 4.0.
Display3.0-inch LED-backlit LCD with wet finger tracking
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S2 MSM8255
Main Camera5 MP with autofocus and LED flash
Battery1200 mAh removable Li-Ion
Starting from $6,548

💰 Sony Ericsson Xperia Active Price

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active lowest price is $6,548, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeLED-backlit LCD, 16M colors, TFT
Size3.0 inches, 26.8 cm2 (~53.0% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution320 x 480 pixels, 3:2 ratio (~192 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant mineral glass (Dragontrail Glass)
FeaturesReality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, Wet finger tracking

Platform

OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich)
ChipsetQualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon S2
CPU1.0 GHz Scorpion
GPUAdreno 205

Memory

Internal1GB (320MB user accessible), 512MB RAM
Card slotmicroSD, up to 32GB (2GB card included in box)

Main Camera

Single5 MP, AF
FeaturesLED flash, Geo-tagging, Face and smile detection, Image stabilization, Touch capture, Touch focus
Video720p@30fps

Selfie Camera

SingleN/A

Battery

TypeRemovable Li-Ion
Capacity1200 mAh
Stand-byUp to 335 h (2G) / Up to 350 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 4 h 50 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions92 x 55 x 16.5 mm (3.62 x 2.17 x 0.65 in)
Weight110.8 g (3.88 oz)
SIMMini-SIM
IP ratingIP67 dust/water resistant (up to 1m for 30 min)
MaterialsScratch-resistant glass

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP, EDR
GPSYes, with A-GPS
NFCNo
RadioStereo FM radio with RDS
USBmicroUSB 2.0, USB On-The-Go

Launch

AnnouncedJune 2011
StatusDiscontinued

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Durable and rugged design (dust and water resistant)
  • Compact and easy for one-handed use
  • Wet finger tracking on display
  • Good camera for its class and time
  • Comes with useful accessories for active users

Cons

  • Small screen size (3.0 inches)
  • Relatively thick body
  • Limited internal storage (320MB user accessible)
  • Below-average battery life
  • Poor low-light camera performance
★ Our Verdict

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active was a well-executed niche device for its time, offering impressive ruggedness and features for active users, despite its small screen and average battery life.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active, released in 2011, is a vintage smartphone primarily suited for collectors or those seeking a nostalgic experience. It is not recommended for daily use in today's smartphone landscape due to its outdated operating system, limited app compatibility, and slow performance compared to modern devices. If considering a purchase, ensure the device is in good working condition, as replacement parts and support are scarce. Its rugged features might still appeal to those needing a basic, durable phone for specific outdoor activities, but be aware of its significant limitations. Expect to pay a very low price, if anything, for a used model.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Stereo headset with attachable ear hooks
  • Armband and wrist strap
  • 2GB microSD card
  • Charger
  • USB cable
  • Changeable rear cover

Given its age and discontinuation, specific manufacturer warranty information is no longer applicable.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active?

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Active is a compact Android smartphone released in October 2011, known for its rugged design, including dust and water resistance, and a scratch-resistant screen with wet finger tracking.

What are the key features of the Xperia Active?

Key features include a 3.0-inch display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine, a 5MP camera with 720p video recording, IP67 dust and water resistance, and a 1GHz Snapdragon S2 processor.

What operating system does the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active run?

It originally launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and was officially upgradeable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Is the Sony Ericsson Xperia Active still a good phone to buy today?

No, it is not recommended for modern daily use due to its outdated software, limited app compatibility, and significantly slower performance compared to current smartphones. It's primarily suitable for collectors.

What accessories came with the Xperia Active?

The phone typically came with a 'Gear Kit' that included a stereo headset with ear hooks, an armband, a wrist strap, and often a 2GB microSD card.

Is the Xperia Active waterproof?

Yes, it is IP67 certified, meaning it is dust-tight and can withstand immersion in up to 1 meter of water for 30 minutes.