Convergent device
There's no doubting that this is genuine innovation by SE, and generates a level of buzz around one of its handsets that it hasn't seen for years, but that doesn't make it a sure-fire hit by any means. Our primary concern applies to all converged devices - will it perform either function as well as a stand-alone device?
The gaming experience looks adequate, and the dedicated controllers give it an advantage in this respect over all other smartphones, but it's hard to believe gaming won't be superior on a standalone portable device, not least the forthcoming NGP from Sony itself.
The Xperia play has a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8255 SoC in it, featuring Adreno 205 graphics. Qualcomm is quite happy with the Adreno 205 graphics core, but has already launched chips with more powerful graphics. Meanwhile the chip inside the NGP is expected to have four ARM Cortex A9 CPU cores and quad-core Imagination Technologies SGX543 graphics.
And then there's the price. A quick look around this morning reveals Vodafone offering the Xperia Play for ‘free' on a £35 per month, two year contract, while Expansys wants over £500 for it SIM-free. Given that SE is presumably targeting a younger demographic with this phone, the price may be prohibitive.
It will be interesting to see what reviewers think of the SE Xperia Play, and how many it sells. SE should be commended for trying to do something different, but it will be praying the Play doesn't get spoken of in the same breath as the Nokia N-Gage too often.
