Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc smartphone

Photo: WrS.tm.pl via Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Sony Ericsson

Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc

March 2011 7/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc was a high-end Android smartphone released in 2011, distinguished by its remarkably slim and curved design. It featured a 4.2-inch "Reality Display" powered by the Mobile BRAVIA Engine and an 8.1 MP camera with an Exmor R sensor, offering advanced imaging for its era.
Display4.2" FWVGA Reality Display
ChipsetQualcomm Snapdragon S2 (MSM8255)
Main Camera8.1 MP with Exmor R sensor
Battery1500 mAh Li-Po
Starting from $7,328

💰 Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Price

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc lowest price is $7,328, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeLED-backlit LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.2 inches
Resolution480 x 854 pixels (FWVGA), 233 ppi
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass
FeaturesSony Mobile BRAVIA Engine, Multi-touch

Platform

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

Memory

Internal320 MB user storage, 512 MB RAM
Card slotmicroSDHC, up to 32 GB (8 GB card often included)

Main Camera

Single8.1 MP
FeaturesAutofocus, LED flash, Exmor R sensor, Geo-tagging, Face detection, Smile detection, Image/video stabilization, Touch capture & touch focus, 3D sweep panorama
Video720p HD recording

Selfie Camera

SingleNone

Battery

TypeLi-Po
Capacity1500 mAh
Music playUp to 37 hours
Video playbackUp to 6 hours 25 minutes

Body

Dimensions125 x 63 x 8.7 mm
Weight117 g
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

WLANWi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n, DLNA, hotspot
Bluetooth2.1, A2DP
GPSA-GPS
NFCNo
RadioFM Radio
USBmicroUSB 2.0
HDMImicro-HDMI (Type D)

Launch

AnnouncedJanuary 2011 (CES 2011)
StatusReleased March 2011

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Extremely thin and attractive, ergonomic design
  • Vibrant 'Reality Display' with BRAVIA Engine
  • Good 8.1 MP camera with Exmor R sensor for its time
  • Clean and user-friendly Android experience with custom tweaks
  • HDMI output for easy TV connectivity

Cons

  • Single-core processor was quickly outpaced by competitors
  • Limited internal storage for apps and data
  • Physical buttons could be small and fiddly for some users
  • Lacked a front-facing camera
  • Some reports of mediocre call quality
★ Our Verdict

While innovative in design and display for its time, its single-core processor and limited internal storage were quickly outpaced by competitors, and it lacked a front camera.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc, released in 2011, is now a vintage smartphone and not suitable for modern daily use. Its Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) operating system, though upgradable to 4.0 (Ice Cream Sandwich), is severely outdated and will not support most current applications. The 1500 mAh battery offers limited endurance, and the single-core processor combined with 512MB RAM will struggle with even basic tasks today. If you are considering this phone, it should only be for collection purposes, as a nostalgic piece of mobile history, or for very specific, legacy application testing. Do not expect it to function as a primary smartphone in today's ecosystem.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc Handset
  • Li-Po 1500 mAh Battery
  • Wall Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Stereo Headset
  • 8GB microSD card (market dependent)

Standard manufacturer's warranty applied at the time of purchase, typically 12-24 months depending on region and retailer.

❓ Questions & Answers

When was the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc released?

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc was first released in March 2011, followed by a worldwide release in April 2011.

What operating system did the Xperia Arc run?

It initially shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and was officially upgradable to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich.

Does the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc have a good camera?

For its time, the Xperia Arc featured a highly regarded 8.1 MP main camera with an Exmor R sensor, LED flash, and the ability to record 720p HD video.

What was unique about the Xperia Arc's design?

The phone was notable for its remarkably slim profile (8.7 mm at its thinnest point) and its distinctive curved 'arc' back, which gave the phone its name.

Can I still use the Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc today?

While you technically can, its outdated operating system, limited hardware, and small battery capacity make it unsuitable for modern daily use and most current applications. It's primarily a collector's item now.

What kind of display did the Xperia Arc have?

The Xperia Arc featured a 4.2-inch LED-backlit LCD 'Reality Display' with a resolution of 480 x 854 pixels, enhanced by Sony's Mobile BRAVIA Engine for vibrant colors.