XPERIA X1 vs. the Touch Pro

[Brandon Miniman]

What do the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 and the HTC Touch Pro have in common? A lot. They're both considered high-end devices and won't be available until later this year. Both have high resolution screens, add a unique user interface (TouchFLO 3D and XPERIA Panel Interface), and have a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. So which is better? Glad you asked. Read on for a head to head...

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Size/Weight



sizeasy helps us get an idea on how these devices compare in size. Seen in red, the XPERIA X1 is slightly thinner than the Touch Pro (by 1mm), but it's also taller (by 2mm) and wider (by 8mm). In terms of weight, the XPERIA comes in the lightest at 158grams (5.57oz), while the Touch Pro adds just 7 more grams to 165grams (5.82oz).

Screen Size/Screen Resolution and PPI



The XPERIA has a 3.0", QVGA 800x480 pixel resolution screen, making for a pixel per inch density of 310. The screen on the Touch Pro is .2" smaller at 2.8", with a lower pixel per inch density of 285. Because of the difference in screen resolutions, the XPERIA X1 can display 25% more screen data at once than the Touch Pro.

Hardware

Both devices share the Qualcomm MSM7201 CPU that clocks at 528MHz. They also both have 512MB of ROM, though the Touch Pro has slightly more RAM at 288MB versus 256MB as found on the XPERIA. Both devices have 802.11b/g, Bluetooth 2.0 + EDR, and a 3.1MP camera on the rear with fill flash. The Touch Pro has a NMEA GPS module built in, while the XPERIA X1 has an unknown aGPS system. The Touch Pro has TV-out, whereas the XPERIA does not. You'll get a choice of black or silver if you want an XPERIA X1, but black is your only choice for the Touch Pro. And finally, powering it all, the XPERIA X1 has a larger 1500mAh battery, while the Touch Pro's battery comes in at 1350mAh.

Interface

Both devices will run Windows Mobile 6.1. In recognition of the ugly user interface that Microsoft has left generally unchanged for years, both devices have a proprietary interface enhancements that tries to make information more easily accessible. The Touch Pro uses TouchFLO 3D, and the XPERIA X1 uses the XPERIA Panel Interface. Instead of trying to describe them, view the videos below.



Here's a walk-through of TouchFLO 3D found on the HTC Touch Diamond. We expect this experience to be identical on the Touch Pro. Though the TouchFLO 3D Today-screen replacement is undoubtedly cool and flashy, it's slow and often awkward. Power users are likely to revert back to the default Today screen once they get beyond the novelty of TouchFLO 3D.



And here's a walk-through of the XPERIA Panel Interface, as taken by the folks at MobileBurn from CTIA. Note that a pre-production unit is being demonstrated, so the animations aren't perfect and there are some software errors that occur. Can someone explain the utility of this interface to me? The panel system allows for visual representations of various screens, reminiscent of flip-3D in Windows Vista, which turned out to be a seldom-used feature. I much rather tap an icon or call up a program from the Start menu then flick through panels to launch a certain screen or application.

Price/Availability

Sony Ericsson says to expect the XPERIA X1 "in selected markets from the second half of 2008." And HTC is giving us hazy details as well, claiming that the Touch Pro "will be available to customers across all major European, Asian and the Middle East markets in late summer. The North American and Latin American versions of Touch Pro will be available later in 2008."

As with most high end Windows Mobile handsets, Europe sees them first, and the US gets them a few weeks or months later, with the choice of paying high price to have the device imported into the US while they're still only sold in Europe. My good source tells me that you'll be able to buy a Touch Pro (triband) in July, and an XPERIA X1 (probably quadband) in September. Expected to pay around $850 for each as an unlocked phone. If you want to preorder either device (and prices are not yet available), do so via Negri Electronics.

And when will they land on US carriers, and thus be less expensive? This is what I think: the XPERIA X1 or Touch Pro will show up on AT&T in time for the holiday season 2008 (which could be as early as September). I'm putting my bets on the XPERIA X1 to go to AT&T, while HTC sells the Touch Pro as an unlocked GSM phone, or turns it CDMA and puts it on Verizon (or Sprint, though not likely).

Which is Better?

If I were to pick a favorite based on what we know above, I'd go for the XPERIA X1. I have to say that I'm not impressed with TouchFLO 3D (too slow) or the XPERIA Panel Interface (too pointless and too slow), so these UI enhancements are not a consideration in picking a favorite. The XPERIA has a higher resolution screen (can't wait to use Opera 9.5 on it!), plus a really neat arc slider design that not only looks cool but also tilts the screen slightly towards the user. And to boot, the XPERIA is slightly thinner and weighs less than the Touch Pro. I'm sold.

So, all that said, which are you diggin' more?

[adamz]

Also, the Experia has Start and OK keys on the keyboard, but no arrow keys or softkeys. The Touch Pro has arrow keys, but no Start, OK, or softkeys.
Both will make it difficult to navigate Windows Mobile using the keyboard without touching the screen, but I'm leaning towards the Experia since at least you can open programs by pressing the Start key and then the corresponding letter.

[Rainman]

I am leaning towards the Xperia myself because of the same reasons that both of you have. I do wish there were arrow keys on the Sony though as I use them on my Tilt alot. What I really would like is a Kaiser with the internals of the Xperia or the TouchPro, lighter weight and a little thinner.

[Don't Panic!]

I'm saving up for the Xperia X1 AKA The SeX1. Now that's marketing!

[masa]

I just would like to know which one has a true graphic 3d card ?
otherwise i will prefer just the diamonds because i do'nt need a stuff with hardware keyboard.

[gwilli100]

Decisions, decisions, decisions, I currently use the Tytn ii or Kaiser or Tilt, on Vodafone and my contract is up. Like others, I just can not accept the diamond as it has no mini SD card.

And I want a keyboard and here I think is the decider for me!

So Xperia or HTC Touch Pro? They both have features that I like and want, However the keyboard is the decider for me.

Brandon or anyone else for that matter,
How do the keyboards compare on the Xperia and the touch pro?

On my Kaiser one thing that drives me wild with its keyboard, it has very nearly resulted in the phone being thrown against the nearest wall many a time. The kaiser keyboard's tendency to "double enter a character" is so frustrating. It is very easy to think you've entered a character once only to find 2 or 4 of the same character on the screen.

How does the keyboards on the Xperia and touch pro feel, are they tactile enough to prevent this happening.

Originally Posted by chillax68

wtf how can you guies vouch for the xperia it doesn't have opera pre-installed, reviews of the xperia says the keyboard sucks, theirs no motion sensor, it doesn't have nearly the community that the htc touchpro will have, no tv-out, touchflo on the touchpro is faster now because of the faster processor.

Wrong, both use a Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor. How hard can it be to install Opera? Is a smartphone really the right choice for you?

Originally Posted by chillax68

The only one up that the xperia has is that it's thinner and has a screen that is an inch bigger wtf how is this better than the touchpro? It's just a polished version of all the winmo phones that came before it while the touchpro is an evoloution I mean all though it is thick it has improvments such as...

You've been misinformed, the Xperia is built by HTC and has many features that is common with Touch Pro, and some that are better like screen size and resolution. Are you SURE that is hasn't got a G sensor?

Originally Posted by chillax68

-great graphics chip(you only know when you see touchflo in person)
-great community (I have a touch and most people that support the touch and develop for it are jumping to the diamond and the touch-pro)
-one of the few winmo phones with a motion g sensor(once developers develop for this you will be sorry that you have the x1)
-a Five row keyboard... thats an actual pc keyboard layout minus the f1 keys and it got fantastic reviews
-Great presentation form the box to the carrier *cough *cough sprint

I was very interested in the Touch Pro until i tried it yesterday. I don't have very large hands, but the keyboard felt really small and there is no space between the keys. Forget the reviews, try it for yourself. A four row keyboard sounds like a much better idea.

How can HTC have a larger community or software support then SE? Get real.

Originally Posted by chillax68

oh and btw it has tv-out so i don't think the smaller screen will be a huge problem :-)

Fine, if you don't mind carying a monitor around... :P

Originally Posted by Guest

Wrong, both use a Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor. How hard can it be to install Opera? Is a smartphone really the right choice for you?

yes, he's wrong about the processor. but the touchflo3d has really gone faster, not because the processor, but because HTC had improve it's performance..

Originally Posted by Guest

You've been misinformed, the Xperia is built by HTC and has many features that is common with Touch Pro, and some that are better like screen size and resolution. Are you SURE that is hasn't got a G sensor?

xperia can't auto rotate to landscape/potrait mode, you had to do it manually..
but for touch pro, u have gsen app, that can auto rotate to landscape/potrait mode..
-based on my research on the net-

Originally Posted by Guest

I was very interested in the Touch Pro until i tried it yesterday. I don't have very large hands, but the keyboard felt really small and there is no space between the keys. Forget the reviews, try it for yourself. A four row keyboard sounds like a much better idea.

i've read some review about xperia keyboard, and they said it sucks.. it's from boygenius site if i'm not mistaken..
but for touch pro,, the review said it's good.
and it's just about time 4 u to type faster with the keyboard if u felt it's small..

Originally Posted by Guest

How can HTC have a larger community or software support then SE? Get real.

i think what he means is a large community that help u to upgrade and customize ur phone,, exploit it's hardware potential by giving a great software (xda-developers). not a FANBOY community.

Originally Posted by Guest

Fine, if you don't mind carying a monitor around... :P

3" vs 2.8" won't give a big difference,, BUT the capability of TV out is a BIG DEAL..
it's like u can make the touch pro a real PC with TV screen as the monitor..


not satisfied with the black n white color of touchflo3d ??
now u can have many theme for the touchflo3d...thx to xda-developers..
so whenever u feel bored with ur phone interface,, just change the theme.. :P
what about xperia x1 ? i don't think so, u will stuck with the panel interface for the rest of ur phone life...

Originally Posted by Guest

Wrong, both use a Qualcomm MSM7200 528MHz processor. How hard can it be to install Opera? Is a smartphone really the right choice for you?

Actually the HTC Touch Pro Uses 528MHz Qualcomm MSM7201A, and the Xperia Uses the MSM7200. The MSM7201A has major improvements.

Well, after watching that youtube video, im going to buy the xperia for the fish panel!!!

Specs considered the X1 appeals to me as a cellular device; my experience with Sony Erriccson, however, tells me to be wary of little niggles and quirks that pop up and drive you nuts slowly over the period of ownership.

That aside there's a few other more strategic reasons I probably won't get the X1. Firstly, a quick perusal of the software available says that support for the WVGA screen used by the X1 is not going to be forthcoming, and the regular VGA screen used by the Touch Pro will probably see more software designed for it if current trends are sustained. We're moving into a VGA and larger generation of phones, software will eventually catch up, but for now and for the next year or so I don't think WVGA will see full support. VGA devices have been out long enough for demand for the programs to reach viable levels. I'm talking free software. Pay-for software may, and probably will, differ.

HTC listens to its userbase; I've never seen such a responsive company. I've watched them incorporate custom ideas from the forums and messageboards into new releases and ROM updates, I've talked to their tech support people and discovered people who actually know more about the phone than I do. Something difficult to do considering the hoops I jump through to NOT have to call in. (The battery was bad. I was sent a new one after contacting AT&T and telling them what HTC had told me)

Experience with Windows Mobile. The X1 is a first foray into a brave new world. Sony Erriccson isn't 'bound to screw it up' or anything, but I don't want to worry about the niggles and quirks while I'm trying to dial out. HTC has always done Windows Mobile to my knowledge. They're experienced, and they don't load crap onto it that you can't get rid of or that bog down RAM with little care as to the user (Same can't be said for the service provider, but HTC phones seem to have a...bug in the software, I'll call it, that lets you 'opt out' with a strategic soft-reset before customization begins.) Sony Ericsson, I'm not so sure about.

I'll be buying my next upgrade unlocked. The last concern, Budget, suddenly becomes important when you go to unlocked devices, and it puts the Touch Pro firmly into my sights. Paying extra for a company's first foray into a field (est. US$1200 - Xperia X1) dominated by the lower cost and solid and reliable competitor's devices (est US$1000 - Touch Pro) may be a good investment in a company's future, and it may turn out it's a great device. I think I'm just gonna go with the Touch Pro instead, just to be safe.

how well does HTC touch pro run TV out specifically LCD projector?

LOL ME TOO!!! XD

Originally Posted by Unregistered

Well, after watching that youtube video, im going to buy the xperia for the fish panel!!!

[KIKE II]

Hello! Brandon. I'm from Honduras and I am interested in the Xperia X1 and then asked whether this has the option of video calls, and I've seen on the website of Sony Ericsson which has such an option, but the images that are not seen to have the phone a front camera ... And I ask what is the maximum memory capacity of X1. Because I've seen that has until htc pro 16gb with a micro SD..

[Snow334]

I would take XPERA X1 any day .... I use to have HTC Diamond its good phone but i wouldn't buy the Touch Pro I Got It at www.selectgsm.com

http://www.selectgsm.com/sony-ericss...-pr-16738.html

http://www.selectgsm.com/htc-touch-p...-pr-16795.html