The Xperia L (C2104, C2105) is an attractive entry-level handset for which Sony is touting is imaging capabilities, armed with an 8MP Exmor RS sensor capable of HDR for stills and videos as well as 720p video recording. The handset comes with a 4.3-inch FWVGA (480 x 854) SCHOTT display , 1GHz dual-core processor, Adreno 305 graphics , 1GB RAM , 8GB storage and a 1750mAh battery.
The phone got some surprisingly good initial impressions from those that have managed to get hands-on. Positives include the design for its arc-like qualities, solid build with the matte plastic resulting in few fingerprint marks and decent specs for this segment of the market. There are some criticisms on the display and viewing angles in particular, whilst others say it will have to be priced right to succeed. Check out all of the hands-on impressions we’ve gathered below.
Xperia L: Hands-on roundup
Engadget: “The L comes across as a refreshingly well-crafted device, especially given its market positioning. Weighing 137 grams and measuring in at 9.7mm thick, it’s pleasing to hold and well-suited to the palm. Certainly that screen size, a sweet spot for most users, combined with arch of its build reinforces that ergonomic ease. Though it lacks the greater resolution and screen size of its 720p sibling the SP, this more budget-friendly device does enjoy an exclusive perk: HDR stills and video. A feature Sony’s included to make the L an attractive point-and-shoot option for budget-minded consumers concerned with style points and not LTE or raw performance.”
ePrice: “Although the Xperia L is not equipped with Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 display technology, the 480 x 854 pixel resolution display is still bright. However, looking at the picture below showing the handset from the side, you can see that viewing angles remain an issue.” (Translated)
GSM Arena: “The Sony Xperia L has a design similar to that of the entry-level Xperia E, but the arced back is distinct reference to 2011 flagships of the company. The Xperia L is not as slim as the Arc or Arc S, but it’s still an instantly recognizable Sony smartphone and that’s a compliment in our book. The plastic used on the Xperia L is of pretty high quality and feels really nice to the touch. The Sony Xperia L’s extra heft also contributes to the great feeling it gives and makes the smartphone feel way more solid than the bulk of its market rivals. The matte plastics are really hard to get smudged with fingerprints, so they will retain their looks longer, too.”
Hi-Tech@mail.ru: “Xperia L is the continuation of Xperia J released last year. It is a stylish smartphone with a concave hull Arc-concept for a small price. By design, it is very similar to the Xperia J, the body is only slightly larger (by increasing the screen size of 4.3 inches vs. 4.0), whereby the device is better (or rather, more familiar) in the hand. Among the design elements includes the aluminium button and metal camera module which looks dynamic and stylish.” (Translated)
Know Your Mobile: “Sony has opted for a dual-core 1GHz Qualcomm MSM8230 chipset inside the Xperia L and that should translate into decent enough performance across the board, particularly when combined with Android Jelly Bean (version 4.1). We did encounter stutter and the occasional bit of lag while scrolling through menus and switching homescreens, but that irksome problem will have more to do with Sony’s Android UX than the actual hardware. Overall the Sony Xperia L feels like a very strong product. It has the right sort of specs, it looks good, and it features enough USPs to set it apart from the droves of competition it will go up against in Q2 2013 when it gets its UK release.”
Mobile-Review: “The device looks strange, even without holding the device, you can immediately see it is inexpensive. The display, to put it mildly, is not interesting. One word – this is a budget smartphone with Android. Due to the ‘Sony’ name it may be popular, but this will very much depend on the final price.” (Translated)
MobileTelefon.ru: “On the side of this device looks interesting, neat LED lights in the bottom (quite noticeable in the inactive state). Its success also depends on the cost, and I hope that the company will give a chance to this model to quickly gain a foothold in the market.” (Translated)
Pocket-Lint: “It doesn’t have the immediate feel of a “budget” handset by any means. The 4.3-inch screen smartphone is large yet light in the hand, but still features some of the higher-spec build quality from further up the Xperia range. To the side of the model is the very same aluminium standby button as found in the top-spec Xperia Z, for example. A small thing, perhaps, but something that nods towards a more premium experience that’s a far cry from the often “plastic fantastic” entry-level handsets.”
Recombu: “At first glance we were wary of the overall design, strongly reminiscent of the less-than-stellar Sony Xperia J, but once we got our hands on the device, our frowns abated. Just as with the Xperia SP, the L will come in three colour options at launch: black, white and red; the white version (seen here) looked particularly attractive, with a soft touch removable backing, chromed accents and a curved Xperia Arc-esq profile. In the hand the sharp edge skirting the border of the phone isn’t all that comfortable when gripped tightly but the curved back means that it sits nicely in the hand with the soft touch back providing a usable level of grip. Although reminiscent of the Xperia J, the overall look and feel of the Xperia L is high quality, with the larger lens of the phone’s 8-megapixel camera (capable of 720p HD video) sporting a metal surround and a distinctive metal power/lock key down the right side of the phone’ body.”
Sogi.com.tw: “Sony Xperia L does not have the Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 display technology, but has clear stereo and surround sound. Sony Xperia L has 1.5GB storage space to install apps. Around 401MB RAM was free on our unit (1GB total), with operating performance remaining fairly smooth throughout.” (Translated)
