Network speed
As we emphasized in previous reviews,
AT&T’s 4G LTE network is no longer the spring chicken it once was. That is,
the incredible speed of 20Mbps to 30Mbps range is becoming the exception,
though they still occur from time to time. However, we did record the maximum
of 31Mbps in the test route. Overall, we recorded download speeds from 12Mbps
to 16Mbps, while upload speeds from 5Mbps to 10Mbps. Clearly, LTE adoption
amongst AT&T’s subscriber bases us becoming more and more predominant.
Camera
Sony’s
Xperia TL camera
If once used Ion’s camera, you will know
what to expect from TL. Many things are the same: the same fast capture
functionality, accessible via the dedicated dual detent hardware key, along
with the company’s Exmor R sensor. In practice, such small increase in specs
doesn’t affect to image quality. Unless you have sharp eyes and deep
understanding of optics, it’s unlikely to make much difference to the average
customer.
The interface is similar in this second
time, with the option to customize the UI by using a mixed menu icon. By
default, the camera is set to Auto mode, but by switching it into Normal mode,
you can choose from among the usual array of scene modes. The same goes for the
standard resolution setting, as the TL will capture images in a 4:3 aspect
ratio at 13 megapixels. For 16:9 widescreen shots, you will have to step down
to 10 megapixels. There are also options to configure capture method (on-screen
button, dedicated key or touch), quick launch, retagging, focus (touch face
detection, multi auto and single auto), exposure, ISO, white balance and image
stabilization.
We’d like to check TL’s camera in several
of settings, but our phone arrived just before Hurricane Sandy did and, as the
article’s author lives in New York, that translated into less-than-ideal
weather conditions (to put it mildly). Without abundant sunlight, we were left
to conduct our photo tour under mostly grey, overcast skies. And, as our
corresponding gallery will attest, this Xperia handles that particular
environment admirably.
Picture
taken by Sony Speria TL
We’re not saying that we didn’t encounter
certain circumstances where the overall shot was just too dark and lacking
clarity – we did - but in general, the TL sensor (set to auto) can be able to
adjust for various scenes, culminating in crisp shots with a great depth of
field and natural color reproduction. However, the same cannot be said for
images taken in patchy sunlight. In this particular environment, we found a
conspicuous oversaturation that was especially evident in the bumped-up hues of
the blue sky and surrounding buildings. Moreover, the TL seems to handle white
balance inconsistently, as multiple captures of the same scene lead to wildly
different color temperatures. Note that this is without Sony’s Mobile BRAVIA
Engine turned on. Enable that feature from within settings and the color
enhancement only increases. Low-light shots, on the other hand, were a mixed
bag. The TL seems to handle the dim light around best when it is set to auto,
in contrast with the available night scene modes. Left in that latter mode, our
resulting images seemed both oversaturated and softly focused.
Those shots taken at full zoom were
incredibly grainy, but we found that pulling back 50% yielded acceptable images
with a tolerable level of noise. Of particular note is the panorama setting,
which delivered seamlessly stitched shots that were a breeze to take.
On the other hand, 1080p videos are not as
good as photos. The recorded audio comes across clear and distinct, especially
given that we were in the midst of an NYPD chopper, but playback is marred by
the constantly shifting focus and shaky image stabilization. It’s not entirely
terrible, but it’s also not ideal.
Wrap-up
Sony’s
Xperia TL and accessories
It took Sony half a year to get the Xperia
Ion from CES launch to retail shelves. At the time it appeared, it was
outdated, not least because it came with Android Gingerbread. Does the TL
suffer the same fate? Not really, considering this Xperia made its public debut
just two months ago, and was announced with ICS. So, we have to commend Sony
for at least getting it out to market in a timely fashion despite the lack of
Jelly Bean.
When you read its specs notification – 720p
screen, 1.5GHz dual-core S4, 1GB RAM, 16GB storage and 13.1 megapixel rear
camera – the TL seemed to be a high-end phone, a suitable handset to
compete with Galaxy S III and One X on AT&T’s lineup. But when Samsung’s
phone is crammed with several of sharing functions, HTC’s phone has a
magnificent screen and innovative unibody design, the Xperia TL falls a bit
short. With a display prone to washout, a boring chassis and respectable
battery life, the TL fails to meet the expectations we’d have for phones in
this class.
Surely that’s why Sony aims for
budget-minded consumers with $99 on contract pricing, putting it in the same
segment with the One X, Ion and Atrix HD. That way, Xperia TL proves to be less
competitive than its S4 cousin, the One X. We’re not saying that it’s not a
good choice for subscribers shopping on a shoestring – it is. Yet, for all its
pluses, the TL just can’t hold a candle to the superior battery and gorgeous
Super LCD display on HTC’s equally priced device. Finally, the choice is yours:
shell out a $100 premium for the bragging rights of a luxury Android experience
(e.g., Optimus GS or Optimus G) or think wisely with your wallet when choosing
between this economy-plus Xperia and the less fresh One X.
Sony
Xperia TL’s
technical specs and price
General
·
Type: Smartphone
·
Operating system: Android (Ice Cream Sandwich 4.0)
·
Style: Bar
·
Antenna: Internal
Carriers
·
Regions offered: North America (US)
·
Carriers (US): AT&T
Size and Weight
·
Weight: 4.9 ounces
·
Dimensions: 5.09x2.65x0.37 inches
Power
·
Talk time: 2G, 3G
·
Standby time: 450 hours
·
Battery type: Li-ion (1850 mAh capacity)
Camera
·
Camera: 13 megapixels
·
Camera features: Record video, Auto focus, Optical
zoom, Flash, Contact pictures
Storage
·
Internal memory: 16GB
·
Memory card: micro SD
Display
·
Screen size: 4.6 inches
·
Screen resolution: 1,920x1,080
·
Pixel density: 319 PPI
Hardware
·
CPU: 1.5 GHz
·
CPU cores: Dual-core
·
RAM: 1GB
Price: $99
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