Posted by DevilHell
Xperia ion revealed – first LTE smartphone from Sony available exclusively from AT&T
• HD powerhouse – two HD cameras, 4.6-inch1 HD screen and HDMI-out support
• Unmatched Android camera experience in the US with 12 megapixel rear camera
• Effortless sharing of content with easy connectivity across multiple screens within the world of Sony
• PlayStation™ Certified and access to entertainment services from Sony Entertainment Network
January 9, 2012, Las Vegas, Nev. – Xperia™ ion, the first LTE smartphone from Sony®*, was introduced today at the 2012 International CES and will be available exclusively in the U.S. from AT&T in the second quarter.
Xperia ion from Sony enables easy connectivity with multiple screens for consumers looking to share and enjoy content on whichever screen they choose, whether it's TV, smartphone, laptop or tablet.
Xperia ion from Sony has a stunning 4.6-inch HD display (1280 X 720 pixels) that provides a visual brilliance for superior viewing experiences. For photo enthusiasts, Xperia ion features a new Fast Capture innovation to make sure life's unexpected moments are not missed: the HD camera goes from standby mode to first shot in 1.5 seconds.1 The impressive images taken with the 12-megapixel rear camera are unmatched by any other Android smartphone.
Additionally, both rear- and front-facing cameras deliver HD recording capabilities.
"With Xperia ion, we're bringing together several firsts that will take users beyond the smartphone," said Paul Hamnett, President, Sony Ericsson North America. "Designed to deliver a seamless experience across the multiple screens we use to play, watch, listen, and share, Xperia ion is the gateway to entertainment when and – most importantly – where you want it."
Xperia ion users will be able to access the richest entertainment experiences from Sony Entertainment Network. Music Unlimited offers a global catalogue of 15 million unique songs while Video Unlimited has the latest Hollywood blockbusters and TV shows from all major studios.
Xperia ion is also PlayStation™ Certified, guaranteeing a high quality smartphone gaming experience.
Key Features for Xperia ion:
-4.6-inch HD Reality display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine with HD resolution screen (1280 x 720)
-1.5GHz dual-core processor
-Internal 16GB flash storage
-12MP rear camera with Sony Exmor R™ for mobile with fast-capture to go from standby to first shot in less than two seconds; Rear (1080p) and front (720p) cameras for HD recording
-2G Network: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900
-3G Network: HSDPA 850 / 1900 / 2100
-4G Network: LTE 700 / 1700 / 2100
-33 x 68 x 10.8 mm; 144g
-more spec @ http://www.gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_ion-4412.php
blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sony-xperia-ion-att/
http://gizmodo.com/5874411/so[....]-lte-and-a-12-megapixel-camera
[ This Message was edited by: DevilHell on 2012-01-10 15:03 ]
Posted by Lollylost100
Just AT&T? Hopefully they make a generic version of this model.
Posted by lolstebbo
Rename the thread. The Xperia S is 4.3", the Ion is 4.6". Not the same phone.
Posted by DevilHell
On 2012-01-09 20:32:13, lolstebbo wrote:
Rename the thread. The Xperia S is 4.3", the Ion is 4.6". Not the same phone.
You are right, thanks!
Posted by mediar
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this phone is damn ugly...
Posted by DevilHell
I am a big SE (or Sony now) fan. And I agree that this phone is a little blah. Maybe it is just the front. I will need to see all sides to judge it properly.
(edits) after seeing more sides of the ion. This is looking good. Thank SE for not dropping the ball.
[ This Message was edited by: DevilHell on 2012-01-09 20:16 ]
Posted by lolstebbo
http://developer.sonyericsson[....]-smartphone-for-the-us-market/
Specs confirmed:
"Inside boasts a 1.5 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon S3 MSM8260 dual core processor to deliver great battery life and stunning, fluid graphics. This is further supplemented by an Adreno™ 220 GPU, which provides an enhanced level of 3D graphics performance, allowing for high-end, immersive gaming experiences previously limited to PCs and game consoles."
From here, I believe it's fair to presume that the majority of the NXT/2012 Xperia phones will be S3-based.
Posted by smclion102
Posted by smclion102
[ This Message was edited by: smclion102 on 2012-01-09 19:58 ]
Posted by smclion102
http://www.sonyericsson.com/c[....]-ion?cc=us&lc=en#view=overview
Posted by Legen
I like!!!
Posted by adsada
Also no one has mentioned yet, the obvious fact it has a search button as well?!
Not a fan of the typical 4 button Android look, SE adapted only 3 buttons omitting the search which looks better and is nicer to use...also with this layout the back button is on the right side! 
Madness, haha
Posted by argiriano
Now I officially hate Sony for producing beautiful ION in the US and plastic S in the rest of the world.
Posted by rikken
No ICS at launch?
Posted by motvikt
On 2012-01-09 21:10:01, adsada wrote:
Also no one has mentioned yet, the obvious fact it has a search button as well?!
Not a fan of the typical 4 button Android look, SE adapted only 3 buttons omitting the search which looks better and is nicer to use...also with this layout the back button is on the right side! Madness, haha
Think AT&T made them do that
Posted by DevilHell
I hope this will be a version with US Tmobile bands too. I doubt tho.
Posted by rog
On 2012-01-09 21:13:55, argiriano wrote:
Now I officially hate Sony for producing beautiful ION in the US and plastic S in the rest of the world.
S is not plastic...
Posted by Arne Anka
On 2012-01-09 21:15:40, rikken wrote:
No ICS at launch?
•Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system. Upgradable to Ice Cream Sandwich in 2nd quarter 2012
Posted by Bonovox
Finally a Sony worth shouting about!!
Posted by Tsepz_GP
On 2012-01-09 21:10:01, adsada wrote:
Also no one has mentioned yet, the obvious fact it has a search button as well?!
Not a fan of the typical 4 button Android look, SE adapted only 3 buttons omitting the search which looks better and is nicer to use...also with this layout the back button is on the right side! Madness, haha
You must remember, this is an AT&T phone, they dont just brand, they like to make their own look to a phone and they like the 4-button layout, just look at all their Androids e.g. Galaxy S2 Skyrocket compared to normal one, or Captivate compared to Galaxy S. I bet you now the International version of ion will have a more classy design and 3 button layout.
Posted by pt020
On 2012-01-09 21:41:01, Bonovox wrote:
Finally a Sony worth shouting about!!
He says on the video that it is only for the American market
Posted by Bonovox
On 2012-01-09 20:38:15, mediar wrote:
Correct me if I'm wrong, but this phone is damn ugly...
Nooooooooooo way this is a beaut!!
Posted by Tsepz_GP
The international version of Ion, the Xperia S, is official!!!! http://gsmarena.com/sony_xperia_s-4413.php
Looks even better and as i said, 3-button layout is there!
Posted by rikken
But sadly no expenable memory
Posted by Bonovox
Really poor over sight in Sony's thinking
Posted by Arne Anka
On 2012-01-10 00:06:58, Bonovox wrote:
Really poor over sight in Sony's thinking
Seems to work very well for some other company.
Personally I couldn't care less since I haven't had to exchange my SD card om my X10 mini for the last 1.5 year.
Posted by doministry
Xperia S looks even better and it HAS memory card support!
Posted by goldenface
On 2012-01-10 00:05:03, rikken wrote:
But sadly no expenable memory
Yes it does.
xperiablog.net.
Posted by Bonovox
That's good but having Xperia S and Arc S just confuses people. Nice device though
Posted by goldenface
Great hands on vid. I like the HDMI out and the camera is ready to shoot again after 1 sec or thereabouts.
Quite impressive!
[ This Message was edited by: goldenface on 2012-01-10 00:46 ]
Posted by Bonovox
Wanna see camera samples. Many recent Xperia phones the cameras were a let down
Posted by tranced
Xperia ion is also PlayStation™ Certified, guaranteeing a high quality smartphone gaming experience.
Nice!
Posted by Bonovox
Yes good but i could never get to grips with games on touch screens.
Posted by DevilHell
hands on!
http://www.engadget.com/2012/01/09/sony-xperia-ion-hands-on/
Posted by mediar
Another video, showing the camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_zopmhb2Q
The new camera interface is shitty, and it's clearly copied from iPhone 4:
I still can't believe that Sony could do that... I lost any hope.
[ This Message was edited by: mediar on 2012-01-10 07:31 ]
Posted by moogoo
i don't understand the need for a touch shutter button if there is a hardware one? or isn't there one? can't remember... and i might be mixing it up with the Xperia S...
Posted by io_bg
Both phones have shutter buttons. It indeed is a shame they copied Apple's camera interface.
Posted by mode
On 2012-01-10 08:30:47, mediar wrote:
Another video, showing the camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_zopmhb2Q
The new camera interface is shitty, and it's clearly copied from iPhone 4:
I still can't believe that Sony could do that... I lost any hope.
[ This Message was edited by: mediar on 2012-01-10 07:31 ]
They keep f***ing it up don't they. They've lost every ounce of ingenuity and creativity. Tailing from behind and hoping they get it right. Pathetic.
Posted by DACHA
Why does the Ion white paper show 4Hrs. 3G talk time?
The Xperia S has a 8.5 Hrs. 3G talk time.
[ This Message was edited by: DACHA on 2012-01-10 15:55 ]
Posted by Bonovox
On 2012-01-10 15:49:20, mode wrote:
On 2012-01-10 08:30:47, mediar wrote:
Another video, showing the camera:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RF_zopmhb2Q
The new camera interface is shitty, and it's clearly copied from iPhone 4:
I still can't believe that Sony could do that... I lost any hope.
[ This Message was edited by: mediar on 2012-01-10 07:31 ]
They keep f***ing it up don't they. They've lost every ounce of ingenuity and creativity. Tailing from behind and hoping they get it right. Pathetic.
Why don't they keep to their own originality?? Be Sony being sued next
Posted by jesonk
You guys need to calm down
.Yeah, it does look a bit like the one on the iphone but it is not a complete rip off, only partial. Samsung is better at that
It is not like Sony copied everything about the phone from apple, just the camera interface. You don't have to question their integrity or creativity for that. Doesn't even matter that much. Everybody takes a little inspiration from someone else once a while. Even apple got ideas from other companies.
Two famous quotes about stealing come to my mind,
“Good artists copy, great artists steal”
- Pablo Picasso
"We have always been shameless about stealing great ideas"
- Steve Jobs
There you go, straight from the horse's mouth. All this stuff about apple being original, innovative, suing others for 'stealing their ideas' etc is just for marketing and sales. Apple is no better than Sony or any company for that matter. Just because they sue others for stealing their ideas doesn't make them any better. So enough of sony bashing for now
Posted by Bonovox
Still it's damn nice though & that screen as a camera view finder
All this is wayyyyyyyyyyyy sexier & better than anything Apple ever made!! And did I hear right 720p front camera?? I prefer this design to the Xperia S[ This Message was edited by: Bonovox on 2012-01-10 16:31 ]
Posted by tranced
The phone's not been released. Wait some more.
Posted by Bonovox
We know
I may take out a 2nd line for one of the new Xperia's 
Posted by roanmy
I want this one for Europe!!!
Posted by DACHA
On 2012-01-10 01:53:45, tranced wrote:
Xperia ion is also PlayStation™ Certified, guaranteeing a high quality smartphone gaming experience.
Nice!
Indeed, that is nice but I am worried about the battery life with the LTE module. Most of the LTE phones have very poor battery life.
Posted by randomuser
What's with some guys here pretending to ignore the fact that this phone as well as Xperia S is actually a 100%
device only rebranded SONY at the last moment and blaming SONY for some things ?
Posted by Big_D
Just to get some facts straight:
1) Xperia Ion and the Xperia S are 2 different phones?
- Ion is 4.6", S is 4.3".
- Ion is thicker than S.
- Ion is 4G LTE, S is unknown. nowhere did it says S is 4G.
- the buttons, Ion have 4, S have 3 and a clear bar underneath them.
- Memory card slot: Ion says microSD, up to 32GB, which means it's removable, S says 32GB eMMC, is that removable? I need confirmation.
2) Sony says the Ion will be available in the US for AT&T exclusively. But I always buy my phone unlocked anyway. If I buy the 4G LTE Xperia Ion, will I get to use the 4G speed on my T-Mobile USA network, which is 4G?
3) Is the battery removable? rumors says that the Xperia S isn't.
I hope it uses the same battery as the Xperia x10 and Xperia PLAY, cuz I have BST-41 and hope to get the best out of them once I switch to a new phone.
[ This Message was edited by: Big_D on 2012-01-11 06:08 ]
Posted by moogoo
@ Big D
Ion and S basically have the same features except that:
-Ion is 4G/LTE and S is 3G
-Ion is larger than S
-Ion has 4 buttons (one dedicated search, probably due to AT&T requirements), and S has standard 3
-Ion has microSD slot (removable card) and S has onboard 32GB only.
To answer question #2 - there won't be an unlocked Ion (at least there has been no intent to have one as of yet) and it will be exclusive to AT&T in the US. This means even if you can get your hands on one and unlock it, you'll might not get 4G speeds on tmobile depending on the bands they use for their 4G and if i recall, tmobile doesn't run LTE at all... so, if you get it to work, signal would probably be spotty.
For #3 - both phones have embedded battery
Posted by Supa_Fly
@Big D,
T-Mobile USA uses "4G" being HSPA ... they don't own LTE license do they? Either way the bands for HSPA on T-Mobile USA is different than AT&T's so you're better off getting the Xperia S.