Sony announces Xperia GX & SX, buttonless ICS phones for Japan

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Sony continues its tradition of launching desirable new products in Japan first, with today's announcement of two sleek new smartphones in its home territory -- the Xperia GX and Xperia SX. Both phones run Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich, and jettison the traditional capacitive keys found on older handsets in favor of more up-to-date (and Android style guide compliant) virtual keys. The SX boasts that it's the world's lightest LTE smartphone, while the GX looks to be a spiritual successor to last year'sXperia Arc.

The Xperia GX bears a striking physical resemblance to the rumored Sony LT29i Hayabusa, and the specs are a pretty close match, too. It's got a 4.6-inch 720p Sony Reality display, a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU -- an unnamed chip, but rumored to be a Snapdragon S4, a 13MP EXMOR R rear camera and 16GB internal storage. A tantalizing bag of tricks to be sure, and one that easily matches the high-end offerings from other manufacturers.

Meanwhile, Sony's also launching what it says is the world's lightest LTE smartphone, the Xperia SX, which weighs just 95 grams. This is a 3.7-incher with a slightly chunkier design, but similar specs to its big brother. It's got a 1.5GHz dual-core CPU, 8GB internal flash and an 8MP EXMOR R rear camera, plus Japan-specific features like IR data exchange and mobile TV. Both SX and GX come in black and white, and are to launch in Japan this summer.

We have to say, the Xperia GX in particular looks like a gorgeous piece of kit, with some tasty internal hardware. Our fingers are firmly crossed for an international launch for this device in the months ahead. Come on, Sony, let's bring this thing to Europe (and maybe America, too). People want to give you their money.

We've got the full press release, and more photos, after the break.

Source: Sony; via: XperiaBlog

Sony Mobile Communications unveils Xperia GX and Xperia SX ? the first Sony LTE smartphones for the Japanese market

09 May 2012 - Powerful performance and ultra-fast network speed combined with easy connectivity and premium entertainment experiences

Xperia GX features a 4.6? HD screen and 13MP camera for ultra real viewing experiences

Xperia SX is the world?s lightest LTE smartphone weighing only 95 grams

9 May, London, United Kingdom - Sony Mobile Communications today announced two new Xperia? Android smartphones designed specifically for the Japanese market. Xperia GX and Xperia SX join the popular Xperia NX and Xperia acro HD, currently among the best selling smartphones in Japan. Both Xperia GX and Xperia SX enable easy connectivity with multiple screens to share and enjoy content on whichever screen best suits the situation, whether it?s TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.

Xperia LTE smartphones for Japan

The first Sony branded smartphones to launch in Japan Xperia GX and Xperia SX are LTE enabled with download speeds of up to 75mbps. They come with 1.5GHz dual core processors for faster performance and Reality Display powered by the Mobile BRAVIA? Engine for razor sharp clarity, full HD video and Sony Exmor R? for mobile, enabling the capture of high quality, bright pictures and HD videos even in low light. With HD sharing through DLNA, and HDMI, controlling the smartphone with the TV remote control when connected to the TV, Xperia GX also deliver a full HD experience on the big screen.

New media applications

Bringing the best of Sony technology and premium entertainment experiences, Xperia GX and Xperia SX also introduce three new media applications:

The ?WALKMAN? application integrates signature high quality audio technologies such as clear stereo, clear bass, VPT surround sound, manual equalizer and xLOUD? with new innovative ways to play, discover and recommend music.

The ?Album? application brings new intuitive ways to sort and browse high quality photos and videos in blazing speed, as well as providing instant viewing, commenting and sharing of photos on Facebook and other online albums, leveraging the great camera capabilities of Xperia GX and Xperia SX.

The ?Movies? application streamlines the playback and viewing of movies in high quality audio and video with intelligent database search to discover more info about the movie for a rich and immersive experience.

Xperia GX ? capture ultra real memories in high definition

Xperia GX boasts a 4.6? HD resolution screen for superior viewing. With a 13MP camera and full HD video recording, Xperia GX enables consumers to capture unforgettable moments in the highest quality, wherever they are. Building on the design success of Xperia arc, Xperia GX incorporates a matte texture and slimline body which fits perfectly into the consumer?s palm or pocket.

Key features for Xperia GX

- 4.6? Reality Display powered by Mobile BRAVIA Engine for razor-sharp clarity.

- 1.5GHz dual-core processor for faster performance.

- 16GB internal flash storage.

- 13MP camera with Sony Exmor R for mobile, HD video recording, and Sony technology to take 3D panoramic images.

- Launching on Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.

- Available in white and black.

- Xperia SX ? the world?s lightest LTE smartphone

- Xperia SX combines a sleek and simplistic design with high functionality. Xperia SX is the world?s lightest* LTE smartphone weighing only 95 grams. It has an iconic design with a slim body makes it easy to fit into the consumer?s hand or pocket.

Key features for Xperia SX

World?s lightest LTE smartphone, weighing only 95g.

- 3.7? Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine.

- 1.5GHz dual-core processor for faster performance.

- 8GB internal flash storage.

- 8MP camera with Sony Exmor R for mobile, HD video recording, and Sony technology to take 3D panoramic images.

- Japanese specific features such as infrared port data exchange, mobile wallet and mobile TV.

- Launching on Android 4.0, Ice Cream Sandwich.

- Available in black and white.

- Xperia GX and Xperia SX will be available in the Japanese market from summer 2012.

*As of May 7th, 2012, Sony Mobile Communications research.

http://www.androidcentral.com/sony-announces-xperia-gx-and-sx-buttonless-new-ics-phones-japan

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Having setup my wife's Sony Ericcson Xperia Arc S - I would gladly buy a SE phone now :)

[xtrabit racing]

probably the best android phone maker. (xperia arc user)

[+Nik Louch Subscriber²]

Dead`Soul: To me it's about their own apps they put on. Everything about the hardware is as good as my GS2, but the Facebook Sync apps it comes with are perfect!

[starbearer]

Darn. Just when I bought the XPeria S.

No matter. S is quite good. Though the delay in pushing ICS here in India is baffling.

[Ambroos]

Sony generally makes the best Android builds, and Google agrees. Almost all of the architectural optimizations they do are directly submitted to the general Android tree, so other manufacturers benifit from them as well. Their software skin is extremely light and fast and looks amazing.

Aside that, the GX is the first non-Nexus with no physical/capacitive buttons. It'll have the same extremely fast internal memory as the Xperia S, and will probably be the fastest phone at it's release thanks to the Snapdragon S4. Since the GX doesn't contain any Japan-specific features aside LTE, we can expect it to launch in Europe near the end of the summer!

I can't wait :D

[Ambroos]

Darn. Just when I bought the XPeria S.

No matter. S is quite good. Though the delay in pushing ICS here in India is baffling.

ICS for the Xperia S isn't out for anyone yet. The update should start near the end of this month, Nordic countries first. I've got the Xperia S too right now and am replacing it the day I can get my hands on a GX :D Because of the lack of buttons and no transparant bar, the Xperia GX is only 2 or 3 mm higher than the Xperia S and just a little wider, even though it has a much bigger display! It also has an SD card slot as far as I know.

[RadishTM Veteran]

Lovin' the design of the SX (Y)

[htcz]

As beautiful as it looks, if it has no QWERTY physical keyboard, not intrested at all.

[Ambroos]

As beautiful as it looks, if it has no QWERTY physical keyboard, not intrested at all.

Seriously, what do people have with full-size physical keyboards? They're really not that useful, I can type as least as fast on a portrait touch keyboard (with autocorrect or something Swype-like).

[htcz]

Seriously, what do people have with full-size physical keyboards? They're really not that useful, I can type as least as fast on a portrait touch keyboard (with autocorrect or something Swype-like).

Because it is better and always will be faster than some soft touchscreen crap to put fingeprints all over. I like keeping my screen VERY clean.

In 2.3 maybe Swype was matchable but in 4.0 it is impossible and physical is still faster. The autocorrect is also applied, in 4.0, to physical keyboards.

[Ambroos]

Because it is better and always will be faster than some soft touchscreen crap to put fingeprints all over. I like keeping my screen VERY clean.

In 2.3 maybe Swype was matchable but in 4.0 it is impossible and physical is still faster. The autocorrect is also applied, in 4.0, to physical keyboards.

Enjoy your crappy phones with tiny displays then :p

[htcz]

Enjoy your crappy phones with tiny displays then :p

Tiny? What are you, Andre the Giant?

3.7 is more than enough. Im not blind like you seem to be :rolleyes:

[AbandonedTrolley]

Certainly look like the Arc in design and make the Xperia S (which I have) look dated. Would love to pick one of these up but sadly will be a while till the next upgrade. Loved my Arc previously and as mentioned Sony certainly make the most of Android and the processors that they use. Some may call the dual-core chips outdated, but they certainly fly when Sony get their hands on them.

[Muhammad Farrukh]

Xperia phones are awesome, and this one is no exception

[guru]

that is some seriously well designed phone. i'm a WP7 user but if i were to go Android, i'd pick this over badly designed Galaxy S3.

[Phouchg]

While I've successfully distanced myself from smartpants now, I had a moment of consideration trying Xperia S at the store. Original, good looking design, plastic it may be, but felt solid. Rather heavy for some reason. And the screen!

These things here, not so much good looking, but still better than most others.

Let's hope they don't pull an HTC and start filling market with all-similar looking crud atop of the flagship model. In fact, they kind of do already... oh well.