The Fishbowl Test: Can your phone still work even while submerged underwater? Sony's new Xperia acro S and Xperia go Android smartphones do. InterAksyon.com
In a disaster-prone country like the Philippines, we’re surprised gadget makers are not so keen about offering devices that can withstand the harshest elements.
Thankfully, this is something that Japanese consumer electronics firm Sony understands given that Japan is as much vulnerable to calamities as the Philippines. Which is why two water-resistant Sony Xperia phones have reached our shores today: the Xperia acro S and the Xperia go.
Patrick Larraga, Sony Philippines mobile division head, says Sony is out to expand the functionality of phones, not cut out niches in the densely saturated Android market. InterAksyon.com
“There are not many phones available in the Philippines today with the water-resistant feature,” Patrick Larraga, Sony Philippines mobile division head, told InterAksyon.com.
“I think it’s very suited for the weather here. People will eventually realize the need for a feature like [water-resistance],” Larraga added.
Sony Xperia Acro S. InterAksyon.com
Sony Xperia Acro S. InterAksyon.com
The higher-end model in the lineup, the Xperia acro S, features a 4.3-inch scratch-resistant high-definition display, a 12-megapixel “fast-capture” camera, and 1080p high-definition video recording capabilities.
The acro S is being positioned by Sony as a device for people who like the outdoors, since aside from water-resistant capabilities it can also withstand minor shocks and repel dust from the road.
Fashion blogger Laureen Uy, one of the brand ambassadors for the new Xperia phones, testing a yellow Xperia go inside an aquarium. InterAksyon.com
The Xperia go, on the other hand, is ideal for fitness buffs as it comes pre-loaded with running and training apps and tips the scale at just 110 grams, making it a lightweight companion for physical activities.
It comes in a small package that sports a 3.5-inch display, a 5-megapixel camera, and runs on a 1.0 GHz dual-core chip.
Sony Xperia go. InterAksyon.com
Sony Xperia go. InterAksyon.com
Both devices, according to Sony, come with a technology called “Wet Finger Tracking,” which allows users to operate the phones even with wet fingers, making it a perfect camera phone for underwater photography.
The Xperia go is already available in retail stores around the Philippines and is actually selling quite well, Larraga noted. It sells for P14,990 locally.
The Xperia acro S, meanwhile, will become available in September in the Philippines, and can be bought for P26,990.
