Sony Xperia P smartphone

Photo: Beamish4 via Wikimedia Commons (CC BY 4.0)

Sony

Sony Xperia P

May 2012 6/10 Rating Updated
In brief: The Sony Xperia P is an Android smartphone that was released in May 2012, featuring a 4-inch "WhiteMagic" display for enhanced brightness and an 8-megapixel camera with Sony's Exmor R sensor. It was part of Sony's NXT series, known for its distinctive design and focus on multimedia capabilities.
Display4.0-inch LED-backlit LCD with WhiteMagic technology (540 x 960 pixels)
ChipsetST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500 dual-core 1.0 GHz
Main Camera8 MP with Exmor R sensor and 1080p video recording
BatteryNon-removable Li-Ion 1305 mAh
Starting from $47

💰 Sony Xperia P Price

The Sony Xperia P lowest price is $47, based on current retailer listings.

📌 Full Specifications

Display

TypeLED-backlit LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors
Size4.0 inches, 44.1 cm2 (~60.8% screen-to-body ratio)
Resolution540 x 960 pixels, 16:9 ratio (~275 ppi density)
ProtectionScratch-resistant glass
FeaturesWhiteMagic technology (RGBW pixels for high brightness up to 960 nits), Mobile BRAVIA Engine

Platform

OSAndroid 2.3 (Gingerbread), upgradable to 4.1 (Jelly Bean)
ChipsetST-Ericsson NovaThor U8500
CPUDual-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A9
GPUMali-400

Memory

Internal16GB (approximately 13GB user-available)
RAM1GB
Card slotNo

Main Camera

Single8 MP, f/2.4, 28mm (wide), AF
FeaturesLED flash, panorama, touch focus, geo-tagging, face detection, smile detection, Exmor R sensor
Video1080p@30fps

Selfie Camera

SingleVGA (0.3 MP)
Video480p

Battery

TypeLi-Ion 1305 mAh, non-removable
Stand-byUp to 470 h (2G) / Up to 470 h (3G)
Talk timeUp to 6 h 40 min (2G) / Up to 5 h (3G)

Body

Dimensions122 x 59.5 x 10.5 mm (4.80 x 2.34 x 0.41 in)
Weight120 g (4.23 oz)
BuildAluminum unibody design
SIMMini-SIM

Comms

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

Launch

AnnouncedFebruary 2012 (at MWC)
StatusDiscontinued, Released May 2012

⚖ Pros & Cons

Pros

  • Bright and clear "WhiteMagic" display for excellent outdoor visibility
  • Solid build quality with a premium aluminum feel
  • Capable 8MP camera with Exmor R sensor for its era
  • NFC for convenient short-range communication
  • Compact and ergonomic design, comfortable to hold

Cons

  • Non-removable battery with relatively low capacity (1305 mAh)
  • No expandable storage via microSD card slot
  • Severely outdated operating system (Android 2.3, upgradable to 4.1)
  • Limited internal storage (16GB total, less user-available)
  • Older hardware may struggle with modern applications and web browsing
★ Our Verdict

The Sony Xperia P offered a bright display and a capable camera for its time, packaged in a premium design, but its non-expandable storage and limited battery capacity were notable drawbacks even then, and its age makes it largely obsolete for modern use.

The Sony Xperia P is a vintage smartphone from 2012, primarily suitable for collectors, enthusiasts, or those seeking a very basic feature phone experience. Its Android 4.1 Jelly Bean operating system is severely outdated, meaning most modern apps will not function, and security updates are non-existent. The 1305 mAh battery is small by today's standards and will offer very limited usage time. Furthermore, the lack of expandable storage means you're stuck with the internal 16GB, which is mostly consumed by the system. If you're looking for a functional daily driver, this phone is not recommended due to its age, lack of software support, and hardware limitations. However, for a nostalgic trip or as a display piece, it holds historical value as part of Sony's early independent smartphone efforts.

📦 In The Box & Warranty

  • Sony Xperia P Handset
  • Charger
  • USB Cable
  • Headphones
  • Documentation

New Sony smartphones typically came with a standard one-year manufacturer's warranty at the time of release.

❓ Questions & Answers

What is the release date of the Sony Xperia P?

The Sony Xperia P was announced in February 2012 and subsequently released in May 2012.

What operating system does the Sony Xperia P run?

It originally launched with Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) and was officially upgradable to Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean).

Does the Sony Xperia P have expandable storage?

No, the Sony Xperia P does not feature a microSD card slot, meaning its internal 16GB storage is not expandable.

What is "WhiteMagic" display technology on the Xperia P?

WhiteMagic technology enhances the display by adding a white sub-pixel to the traditional RGB pixels (RGBW), allowing for significantly higher brightness levels (up to 960 nits) and improved power efficiency.

What is the camera quality of the Sony Xperia P?

The Sony Xperia P is equipped with an 8-megapixel main camera featuring an Exmor R sensor, capable of recording 1080p Full HD video, which was considered a strong point at the time of its release.

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

No, the Sony Xperia P is not recommended for daily use today due to its severely outdated operating system, limited app compatibility, small battery, and lack of security updates. It is primarily suitable for collectors or as a historical artifact rather than a functional modern device.