ET Reviews: Sony Xperia Tipo offers newer Android 4.0 platform

NEW DELHI Being a budget smartphone, the Sony Xperia Tipo does not offer too many bragging rights. It runs on a 800Mhz processor, 512MB RAM with 4GB in-built storage. Thankfully, it does get the newer Android 4.0 platform instead of the older Gingerbread (Android 2.3).


The Tipo’s 3.2-inch display has a 320 x 480 pixel resolution. Though the screen's touch response is great, colors feel a bit washed out. We think that people with large hands will not find the phone’s onscreen keyboard too comfortable in portrait mode.

However, build quality and ergonomics are good and it fits nicely into the palm.

The overall performance of the phone is better than what we expected with this hardware. For the basic use of calling, messaging and social networking, it works great.

The interface responds nicely (with the condition that minimum apps are running in the background). Many games (like Temple Run, Angry Birds, Fruit Ninja) did not run smoothly and exhibited random frame drops.



The Tipo's 3.2MP fixed focus camera takes average quality photos in ample daylight — they are good enough to share on social networks only. In most other scenarios, the images lacked sharpness.

The VGA video recording is surprisingly above average in terms of quality with minimum visible frame drops. As for the sound output, the loudspeaker's output was mediocre.

The Xperia Tipo scores in terms of design and day-to-day performance, but the fixed focus camera and low loudspeaker output is a letdown. If you are not brand conscious, you can consider the dual SIM Karbonn A9+ smartphone .

It has a dual core 1.2Ghz processor, 4-inch LCD, dual cameras (5MP & 1.3MP) and Android 4.0.