Sony Xperia V

Of the three smartphones announced at IFA in Berlin, the Xperia V is the only one that packs LTE connectivity as the default option. Branded as the "Bond phone" for the Singapore market, we find out if this dust- and water- resistant handset is the perfect device for a secret agent.

(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Upside

If you took the best of the Xperia arc S design and refined it to look somewhat like the Xperia acro S, then you'll likely find yourself staring at the Xperia V. While we only spent a brief amount of time with the handset, our initial impressions of it's build were positive, the matte, rubbery material used in the rear cover was comfortable in our hands and gave a good grip.
Design-wise, it shares the curved arched rear of the arc S, and the bezel around the sides seem reminiscent of the iPhone 4S. The 4.3-inch display has a HD resolution (1,280 x 720 pixels), and features Sony's Mobile Bravia Engine 2 technology. We liked how vibrant it looks, and we look forward to test it out under bright sunlight when we get a review set.

The bezel around the sides seem reminiscent of the iPhone 4S.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Note the familiar Xperia arc S design.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

The Xperia V is priced at just S$698, which is a pretty affordable price point for a LTE handset. Sony's pricing is certainly aggressive, especially when other 4G handsets cost at least S$800. And while the Lumia 820 compares favourably in the same price point, the Xperia V has a higher-resolution display.
It's the only 4G smartphone that we know (at the moment) that is dust and water resistant. The Xperia V has a rating of IP57, which, based on the IP Code, means that you can immerse it in a depth of up to one meter for 30 minutes without worrying that your phone's damaged. It's likely you can use this when showering, though we note that it's not safe to drop the handset as it's not shockproof.

There's a seal on the back cover to keep water out.
(Credit: Aloysius Low/CNET Asia)

Downside

With only a 1,750mAh battery, we are understandably worried that you won't be able to get a day's use with this handset. The LG Optimus True HD LTE had a 1,830mAh battery and runs on a dual-core processor and we had less than a day's use with that smartphone. This doesn't bode well for the Xperia V.
Our experience with Sony's 13-megapixel sensor on its other handsets have shown us that a larger sensor does not mean better photos, so if you were expecting images from it to outshine the iPhone 5, HTC One X+, Samsung Galaxy S III or the Nokia Lumia 920, well don't hold your breath. We'll be sure to test this properly when we get the review unit.
While there's talk that Sony will be bringing the Jelly Bean (Android 4.1) update to the handset, the fact that it's not available at launch means that the smartphone will be two steps behind--given that the Nexus 4 launched with Android 4.2. A spokesperson also told us that the company is working on bringing in Sony content that will only be available on its handsets, but could not give us a definite date.
It sounds similar to how HTC promised us its HTC Watch service since last year, though we have yet to hear anything being launched. Given that this is Sony (who has its own movie studio and record label), we believe that there's a much higher chance of Sony's own digital content service being available soon.

Conclusion

With its aggressive price point of S$698 in Singapore, the Xperia V is likely one of the best high-end LTE-enabled smartphones that will not cost you an arm and leg. With a great design, HD display as well as dust and water resistance, the Xperia V shows that Sony still has worthy tricks up its collective sleeve. The Xperia V will be sold on December 8 in Singapore, while Malaysia will get this handset the week after. Those living in Indonesia will have to wait till January.