Note: For the purpose of this trial, Singtel has kindly provided with the devices used here in this tests.
4G LTE: The Basics
The 4G protocol is basically a fourth-generation standard for mobile phone communications. It's also the successor to the third-generation standard as mentioned which is widely prevalent today. Both Mobile WiMax and LTE are subsets of the 4G mobile network. However, the most recent 4G roll-out in Singapore involves only the LTE system, which stands for Long Term Evolution, or 3GPP Long Term Evolution for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS in short). Similar to 3G, a 4G mobile network provides users with broadband Internet access via smartphones, tablets, and USB wireless modems, albeit at faster data rates.
SingTel's LTE services operate on both 1,800MHz and 2,600MHz freqencies, In essence, lower frequencies, such as the 1,800MHz band, generally provide superior indoor signal strength with a longer range. However, higher frequencies like the 2,600MHz band are better suited for covering populated zones and managing data volumes due to their larger bandwidth. Besides 4G, the lower 1,800MHz band is also used by existing 2G networks.
-4G Trial-
Overview
The Sony Xperia SP is a mid-range handset that comes in a slim box. The accompanying accessories are; one A/C adapter, USB cable and a pair of generic headphones. Upon closer inspection of the phone, the design resembles that of the Xperia Z closely with regards to the design of the front display and large power button.
Measuring 130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98mm, the Xperia SP is not exactly the slimmest phone around. The device's slightly rounded back panel, smooth corners/edges and general dimensions fit well in my hand. Weighing at 155g makes the Xperia SP heavier than the Xperia Z, which has an even larger dimension.
Located on the left side of the phone is the power button, as well as the volume controls and the dedicated camera button. The Xperia SP also has a transparent band at the bottom of the phone. This band can be configured to light up with different colors when getting incoming notifications or from specific friends in your address book. When using the music app, the LED lights will also pulse rhythmically to the track being played.
Overall, my experience of using the Sony Xperia SP was good. The LED notification on the bottom transparent band was very useful as I can see what’s incoming at a glance, even when the phone was on silent mode.
The experience of the SingTel 4G network on the Xperia SP was a pleasant one. Having been on 3G networks previously, the switch to 4G was quite a good experience. Coverage was generally available except in the MRT tunnels. Surfing experience was great! Even places like NEX which has notorious 3G network surfing experience has a rather smooth 4G connection.
From my discussions within the forums, the general experience of forum members on 4G network are generally good as well; just that most would prefer to have a much higher free bundled data capacity.
Conclusion
The Xperia SP being a mid-range smartphone is by no means perfect but it has loads to offer for a modest price tag. Its 720p screen is sharp, its dual-core processor is enjoyably smooth, the build quality is solid and transparent LED strip at the bottom is quite handy and useful to be able to differentiate the type of notification at a glance without having to turn on the screen. It could have been a great smartphone with its solid build and great design. However, the poor camera performance lets the phone down.
The small flaws lurking around are the terrible Wi-Fi reception and occasional non-responsive screen. The battery is non-user-replaceable but the memory card slot is welcomed due to the small internal memory.
With that, let me show you the screenshots of the various speedtests which I have done around the island in recent weeks.
04/05/2013 5:21PM @ East Coast Park
07/05/2013 9:13AM @ Pasir Ris
11/05/2013 3:19PM @ Orchard Road
15/05/2013 7:33PM @ Tampines Mall
20/05/2013 7:31PM @ Jurong East MRT Platform
4G LTE: The Basics
The 4G protocol is basically a fourth-generation standard for mobile phone communications. It's also the successor to the third-generation standard as mentioned which is widely prevalent today. Both Mobile WiMax and LTE are subsets of the 4G mobile network. However, the most recent 4G roll-out in Singapore involves only the LTE system, which stands for Long Term Evolution, or 3GPP Long Term Evolution for the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System (UMTS in short). Similar to 3G, a 4G mobile network provides users with broadband Internet access via smartphones, tablets, and USB wireless modems, albeit at faster data rates.
SingTel's LTE services operate on both 1,800MHz and 2,600MHz freqencies, In essence, lower frequencies, such as the 1,800MHz band, generally provide superior indoor signal strength with a longer range. However, higher frequencies like the 2,600MHz band are better suited for covering populated zones and managing data volumes due to their larger bandwidth. Besides 4G, the lower 1,800MHz band is also used by existing 2G networks.
-4G Trial-
Overview
The Sony Xperia SP is a mid-range handset that comes in a slim box. The accompanying accessories are; one A/C adapter, USB cable and a pair of generic headphones. Upon closer inspection of the phone, the design resembles that of the Xperia Z closely with regards to the design of the front display and large power button.
Measuring 130.6 x 67.1 x 9.98mm, the Xperia SP is not exactly the slimmest phone around. The device's slightly rounded back panel, smooth corners/edges and general dimensions fit well in my hand. Weighing at 155g makes the Xperia SP heavier than the Xperia Z, which has an even larger dimension.
Located on the left side of the phone is the power button, as well as the volume controls and the dedicated camera button. The Xperia SP also has a transparent band at the bottom of the phone. This band can be configured to light up with different colors when getting incoming notifications or from specific friends in your address book. When using the music app, the LED lights will also pulse rhythmically to the track being played.
Overall, my experience of using the Sony Xperia SP was good. The LED notification on the bottom transparent band was very useful as I can see what’s incoming at a glance, even when the phone was on silent mode.
The experience of the SingTel 4G network on the Xperia SP was a pleasant one. Having been on 3G networks previously, the switch to 4G was quite a good experience. Coverage was generally available except in the MRT tunnels. Surfing experience was great! Even places like NEX which has notorious 3G network surfing experience has a rather smooth 4G connection.
From my discussions within the forums, the general experience of forum members on 4G network are generally good as well; just that most would prefer to have a much higher free bundled data capacity.
Conclusion
The Xperia SP being a mid-range smartphone is by no means perfect but it has loads to offer for a modest price tag. Its 720p screen is sharp, its dual-core processor is enjoyably smooth, the build quality is solid and transparent LED strip at the bottom is quite handy and useful to be able to differentiate the type of notification at a glance without having to turn on the screen. It could have been a great smartphone with its solid build and great design. However, the poor camera performance lets the phone down.
The small flaws lurking around are the terrible Wi-Fi reception and occasional non-responsive screen. The battery is non-user-replaceable but the memory card slot is welcomed due to the small internal memory.
With that, let me show you the screenshots of the various speedtests which I have done around the island in recent weeks.
04/05/2013 5:21PM @ East Coast Park
07/05/2013 9:13AM @ Pasir Ris
11/05/2013 3:19PM @ Orchard Road
15/05/2013 7:33PM @ Tampines Mall
20/05/2013 7:31PM @ Jurong East MRT Platform
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