Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness Review

The sharp eyed regular reader of the blog will have noted a little footnote to our news-of-the-week roundup back at the beginning of September, when we mentioned a forthcoming device in the Sony Ericsson range, news of which only came to light in document from a business update meeting. The press release talked about a device which would be marketed under the name of the Xperia Pureness, and the marketing blurb spoke of a handset designed for “Talk, Text, Time – a holiday from technology” a handset that would be designed to “reflect the purity of water and a sense of calmness when not in use” and most intriguing of all the Xperia Pureness would be the world’s first handset with a totally transparent display. The handset was scheduled for a November release, and we now have more detail on this most fascinating phone.

The Xperia Pureness is Sony Ericsson’s assault on the premium market, a market where form takes priority over function, where feature is second best to design, where money talks and if you don’t ‘like it’ it’s either because you don’t ‘get it’ or perhaps can’t afford it. More money than sense probably aptly describes the average premium handset consumer. The spec detail on the device certainly reflects Sony Ericsson’s assertion that the Xperia Pureness will be a “holiday from technology”, as apart from the main talking point, the Pureness offers little to those of us who like the maximum amount of features from our phones.

But it does have a unique feature, with the Pureness the first mobile phone in the world to offer a transparent display. The display itself is a TFT Monochrome display, just 1.8 inches across and with a resolution of 176 x 220 pixels. Thankfully the display is scratch resistant (although not scratch proof) as nothing would be worse than ruining the screen after a week of keeping it in your trouser pocket. Dimensions wise the Xperia Pureness isn’t a large phone, measuring in at 112 x 43 x 13mm and weighing in at just 70g.

Interestingly, the Pureness device does offer a built in web browser, a standard browser from NetFront as found on most Sony Ericsson devices. Access to the web is handled via HSDPA Turbo 3G, and via the web browser you will be able to navigate most mobile websites. The handset also offers an email client, and there is support for Exchange ActiveSync too. The Pureness comes complete with a built in MP3 player, as well as an FM radio. Internal memory on the device is set to just 88MB, but there is a separate 2GB of memory for media storage, which will account for music storage requirements. Supporting MP3 and AAC music files, the music player sorts tracks by various methods, including artist, album and composer, and you can also arrange music into your own favourite playlist.

As the handset incorporates the proprietary Sony Ericsson FastPort connector, an adaptor will be needed to use your own headset on the device, but there is support for Bluetooth A2DP stereo wireless connectivity, which would probably be a better solution. There is also support for that perennial all time favourite Sony Ericsson app, TrackID, which allows you to record snippets of songs and upload them to the web to retrieve the details of the track, including artist and album name.

So far, apart from the display, pretty standard fare. But bar the display, what else is there to set the Xperia Pureness apart from other more feature rich devices? Well, first of all there is the Xperia Services feature, a tailor made service for all Pureness owners. Direct from the support panel on the phone, you can choose to contact the dedicated Xperia services support staff, or alternatively go direct to the web support page. One of the services offered is if the Pureness stops functioning, the service support team will arrange to have a replacement device sent out to you, and even if you are abroad Sony Ericsson claim a replacement device can be delivered within 48 hours to most destinations. The Pureness also has a concierge service, just contact the team and let them know what you need, and they will sort it for you. A table at the best restaurant in town? Check in at the local Health club? Tickets to concerts, plays, events, entry to nightclubs, and more, the concierge service is there to offer you the very best personal service.

Clearly, the Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness is not for the tech-head mobile phone geek, although owning the world’s first phone with a transparent display may appeal to a few. Whether the device has enough to appeal to its target market is questionable, though, because despite service back up, and concierge support, and acceptable feature set, the Pureness is just a little bit ugly. And to make it as a premium device, if you haven’t got the features, then you only have your looks to get by on.

Related Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness Links

• Compare the latest Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness deals
• Compare Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness pay as you go prices
• Read user Sony Ericsson Xperia Pureness reviews