Is this the Multimedia Handset of the Year?

Media-junkies will extract great satisfaction from the Neo’s stunning camera

For all you multimedia buffs out there, there’s a new big kid on the block: the XPERIA Neo. With its scintillating 8-megapixel camera, vivid 720p video recording, incredibly vibrant display and HDMI output, the Neo is the phone to have if you’re after the very latest and greatest in mobile phone technology. What’s more is that this Sony Ericsson handset falls into the mid-range price category at a little over £300 brand-new, despite boasting mainly high-end features inside its somewhat flimsy build. The lack of DivX/XviD video support out of the box is an unexplained mystery as of yet, but with this and some design faults cast aside, this is still an excellent phone that could yet become one of the year’s biggest hits as a multimedia and smartphone cross-breed.

What We Like

As you may have gathered from the introductory paragraph, the Neo is a media-centric phone with an amazing 8-megapixel camera and HD video recording faculty. The camera comes with a brilliantly bright LED Flash and autofocus function, with an array of editing options on offer to give you more control over your snaps than ever before. On the other hand, there’s the 720p video recording and playback feature which boast continuous autofocus for a truly revolutionary portable viewing experience.

Another of the Neo’s plus points is its 3.7-inch LCD capacitive touchscreen with LED backlights and an excellent FWVGA resolution. Responsive, vibrant and clear, the display panel is everything you want it to be and more, and works seamlessly alongside the intuitive and rapid Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system.

Other highlights of the Neo include the 3G and Wi-Fi connectivity offered by the device, as well as the Adobe Flash Player support in the web browser and the VGA camera found on the front of the device which permits the user to hold video calls.

What We Don't Like

The somewhat-flimsy build of the Neo is a definite cause for concern, as the plastic casing is fragile in comparison to the brushed-metal exteriors of many modern smartphones. The lack of a dual-core CPU may also be a source of disappointment to some, but when you remember the relatively mid-range price tag of the Neo, this becomes easier to rationalise.

Furthermore, the lack of DivX/XviD video support is a definite shortcoming on-board the Neo. For a media-focused handset that’s priced way above the £300 mark, this sort of video feature should really come as standard, and users have every right to feel aggrieved in its unexplained absence.

Conclusion

On the whole, the XPERIA Neo is a more than competent mid-range smartphone from the brains back at Sony Ericsson, with high-end features and some amazing media offerings making welcome appearances at a well-reasoned price of just over £300. Admittedly, there are a few design faults with this device and the 720p video recording isn’t quite at the dizzying heights of 1080p, but what the Neo does guarantee is the best of both worlds with smartphone functionality and an excellent camera merged together in a seamless, unique blend.