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Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY Pro Reviews

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AnandTech‘s review Edit Like Unlike

So would I buy the 'PlayStation Phone'? Honestly, probably not. Generic titles for Android and iOS are less expensive than their Xperia Play-optimized counterparts, not to mention more numerous; the developers are making less money per sale but in exchange have access to a much larger potential sales audience. And many of the broad-base Android and iOS titles are at least as engaging as their Xperia Play counterparts, some of which I've already played on other Sony hardware and therefore wouldn't buy again, if not more. Heck, I've even tried a few homebrew PSP games that are the equal of their Xperia Play counterparts in overall entertainment value. The Xperia Play delivers a decent gaming experience, but it makes too many hardware tradeoffs (weight, thickness, etc) and its content is too expensive and limited in variety to justify its presence in my particular gaming stable.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Aug 08, 2011

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pocketnow‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play is a great all-around device for any hardcore gamer and smartphone enthusiast. The slide out game control is a nifty innovation that makes gameplay far superior to devices using only the touchscreen. Some have speculated that the XPERIA Play is a transitional device between the PSP and the NGP. We predict that the XPERIA Play’s success will likely be determined by the availability of cutting edge games. When the PlayStation Suite is officially debuted there will unquestionably be more gaming smartphones from Sony Ericsson in the near future. So is the XPERIA Play the right phone for you? If you are a serious gamer that doesn’t mind low-quality exteriors than this is the device for you. If you are a more cautious consumer, than we suggest holding off until more game titles are released and Sony Ericsson uses higher-quality materials. Nevertheless, the XPERIA Play and PlayStation Suite look very promising.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 28, 2011

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ubergizmo‘s review Edit Like Unlike

So without going on any more, the final takeaway is that the Xperia Play is really the run-of-the-mill 1GHz, 512MB RAM, 5-megapixel, Android 2.3 smartphone. It’s average at best for an Android device and its gamepad is hardly the ground-breaking bridge to finally melding the standalone PlayStation with a smartphone. If you’re looking for a good-looking smartphone on Verizon that is not made by HTC, Samsung or Motorola, then the Xperia Play is the best option. If you’re a gamer at heart and want to play real games on the go, we suggest getting a Nintendo 3DS or waiting for the PS Vita as both those devices will better suit your gaming needs.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jun 27, 2011

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ITreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play works fine as a smartphone, but the gaming element just doesn't have the wow factor we were really hoping for. We'd advise anyone really into mobile gaming to buy a dedicated device instead. The Nintendo 3DS need not worry.

6.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 03, 2011

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brighthand‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Ericsson Xperia PLAY is a truly excellent device. It's quick and responsive, an entertainment powerhouse that also has a very good camera and great sound and call quality. It's a bit thicker and bulkier than comparable smartphones, but not too heavy. The gaming experience is top notch, and the controls work very well. The only real trade-off is that those gaming controls take the place of a physical QWERTY keyboard, but if you're a gamer you'll be glad to make that trade. I can easily recommend this phone for gamers who want an all-in-one device. It's the first real gaming phone, and there's a good selection of PlayStation-certified games that are compatible with it. And when it's time for a little work, the Xperia PLAY still has you covered. Sounds like a win-win to me.

10.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 24, 2011

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Phone Scoop‘s review Edit Like Unlike

If you're a hardcore gamer, like the idea of the dedicated gaming controls, and are willing to forgive the Xperia Play's hardware missteps, then the Xperia Play is at least worth demoing at your local Verizon store. If you're only a casual gamer, though, there's nothing about the Xperia Play that really makes it a worthwhile pick over a standard Android handset.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jun 02, 2011

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HardwareZone‘s review Edit Like Unlike

While its content is ever expanding, will the Xperia Play still be relevant one year down the road with its single-core 1GHz processor, and the average LCD display? If you think the Xperia Play can withstand the test of time (two years, given the rate at which smartphones are upgraded), you can probably accept the S$888 price tag or an appropriately subsidized two-year plan exclusive to SingTel.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 06, 2011

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Digital Trends‘s review Edit Like Unlike

If you want the most gaming-friendly Android phone, this is it. But don’t cancel your PSP Go purchase just yet. The first “PlayStation-certified” phone is only a handheld gaming console in the same way a bicycle with an engine bolted onto it is a motorcycle – the difference is all in the details. With compromised controls, a small library of available titles that work with them and sometimes lukewarm controller integration on the games that do, the Xperia Play has a ways to go before any real gamer would swap a PSP or Nintendo DS for it. Even so, we have to give Sony Ericsson credit for adding game controls to an Android handset without destroying its credibility as a phone. Unless the bulk bothers you, the sacrifices made for hard game controls are quite livable, making the Xperia Play a worthy consideration for smartphones gamers sick of swiping at glass.

7.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 13, 2011

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MacNN‘s review Edit Like Unlike

It's a truism that that you never really want to get exactly what you ask for because you don't really know what you want. That's not entirely true here: if you're looking for more PlayStation-like gaming on a phone, the Xperia Play might be your only pick but can be a good one. As an Android device, too, it's on the sunnier side in terms of experience and features.

6.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 12, 2011

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LAPTOP Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Sony PlayStation Portable fanatics looking to consolidate their mobile gaming and messaging devices into one will find a lot to like in the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. It's a stylish device with a bright and colorful display, and it has performance and battery life to spare. However, as with most hybrid devices, the Xperia Play has to make some concessions: As a gaming platform, its controls were not as easy to use as a dedicated gaming device, and as a phone, the Xperia Play is on the large side. On the whole, though, the combination works. What will make this device truly compelling is the launch of Sony's PlayStation Suite and PSOne games for Android.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 01, 2011

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Macworld‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Xperia Play will appeal to mobile gamers who are sick of poor touchscreen controls and are looking for a more fulfilling gaming experience on their phone. Currently, only a handful of games are optimized for use with the gamepad, but more game developers may support it in the future, since the APIs for physical game controls are included in the Android 2.3 SDK. Users who aren’t big into gaming, however, should look elsewhere. The Play’s relatively outdated hardware, microscopic memory, and lack of 4G support are enough to keep most smartphone buyers away.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Jun 04, 2011

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MobileBurn‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Xperia PLAY is a solid Android smartphone that offers some unique gaming features, even if it doesn't execute fully on them. The basic version of Android 2.3 Gingerbread works well enough and is free of the cruft of manufacturer customizations that plague other handsets. Unfortunately, the build of the PLAY is not of the same quality as other phones in its price range, and the gaming features are not so well executed that it is worth the extra money to pay for them. The lack of game titles available is a bit surprising as well, as I would have expected Sony Ericsson to provide many more exclusives for the PLAY that would make the handset more desirable.

6.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Jun 01, 2011

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

So the bottom line, is it worth it? For the price $200 with a two year agreement on Verizon, non-stop mobile gaming could be yours. The only problem is, the Xperia play doesn’t really stand out as a phone or a gaming system. There are plenty of great Android phones out there to choose from, and the advantage of this phone lies mostly in the gaming controls. But unless you have the hands of a tween, the controls and phone itself are too small to lend to a great mobile gaming experience.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
May 27, 2011

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PC Advisor‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play will appeal to mobile gamers who are sick of poor touchscreen controls and are looking for a more fulfilling gaming experience on their phone. Currently, only a handful of games are optimised for use with the gamepad, but more game developers may support it in the future, since the APIs for physical game controls are included in the Android 2.3 SDK. Users who aren't big into gaming, however, should look elsewhere. The Play's relatively outdated hardware, microscopic memory, and lack of 4G support are enough to keep most smartphone buyers away.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 24, 2011

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CNET Reviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a significant step forward in mobile gaming, but it suffers from key hardware limitations.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 23, 2011

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PC Magazine‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The Android-based Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a unique phone designed for gaming, and it games well.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
May 23, 2011

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GSMArena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

Not least – you won’t be playing games 24/7. Or so we hope at least. But the extra weight and width will be there regardless. The XPERIA Play is just not the most comfortable of gadgets to use as an everyday phone. But we guess we shouldn’t be treating the XPERIA Play as just another phone. The unique gamepad puts it in a league of its own – and in a place that’s pretty much safe from competition. The first thing for Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play to worry about is filling up its game store with exclusive content – and quick. But even if it fails in that it, will have accomplished something. For one, it proves people wrong who thought the gamephone went extinct with N-gage.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Apr 20, 2011

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www.trustedreviews.com‘s review Edit Like Unlike

The arrival of a PlayStation phone has been rumoured for years and finally Sony Ericsson has obliged with the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play. However, rather than being a PSP with a few phone features bolted on, it's actually a fully fledged touchscreen Android smartphone with slideout game controls. With so many new and very capable smatphones now available, can it possibly find its niche, or is it a compromise too far? Read on to find out.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 19, 2011

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PCPro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As a phone it’s unremarkable, but the PlayStation controls give it unique entertainment appeal

6.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 15, 2011

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PC Pro‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As a phone it’s unremarkable, but the PlayStation controls give it unique entertainment appeal

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 15, 2011

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expertreviews‘s review Edit Like Unlike

A good idea, but we're not sure the execution is great enough to bear the weight of a whole new gaming format.

8.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 08, 2011

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Phone Arena‘s review Edit Like Unlike

What can we say, the chubby green robot just grew opposing thumbs, as there aren’t any smartphone alternatives with a dedicated gamepad now, although we shouldn’t be forgetting Nokia’s efforts with the N-Gage line once upon a time. What we think Sony is trying to do here is to create a PlayStation Certified mobile gaming platform, which will be accessible from future phones, portable consoles, and maybe even its tablets, in order for the company to have a chance against Apple in mobile gaming. The Sony Ericsson Xperia Play is a bit rough around the edges, as all first efforts are, but it might very well be a harbinger of things to come, and it’s good to have a front seat for some fun in the meantime.

8.5 Rated at:

Published on:
Mar 31, 2011

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Pocket-lint‘s review Edit Like Unlike

In these early days we'd cautiously take a step back and see what happens as the competition in Android phones is very strong. We're concerned about the decision not to make the Xperia Play a more advanced device from a hardware point of view. The screen, certainly, needs to be better and we’re not altogether sure that if developers treat us to a wide range of advanced games for Android that the Xperia Play will have the power to cope. With premium handsets offering dual core processors elsewhere, the Xperia Play will need careful software development, with an emphasis on gameplay, if it is to really take hold.

7.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 01, 2011

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SlashGear‘s review Edit Like Unlike

As we said before, the rumors about Sony Ericsson making a PlayStation phone with plenty of Sony gaming input aren’t new. Neither are the mutterings that Sony execs refused to allow the cellular partnership to use the PlayStation brand, over fears that a sub-par product might dilute its appeal among the gaming community.

n/a Not rated

Published on:
Mar 31, 2011

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TechRadar UK‘s review Edit Like Unlike

What we will say is that the Xperia Play is no knock-out punch set to revolutionise mobile gaming. It's better than playing on a touchscreen, but you have to weigh that advantage against the cost and the competition. Regardless of whether you're a Sony fanboy or Nintendo freak, we reckon you could do better for your cash. Plus, we'd caution waiting to see what happens when the NGP hits.

6.0 Rated at:

Published on:
Apr 01, 2011

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The average pro reviews rating is 7.4 / 10, based on the 27 reviews.

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