Sony Ericsson Xperia X8

Jokesetal

I'm looking for a mid-range smart gadget and I see that Meteor have released the Xperia X8 on PAYG. Apart from the colour, it looks decent for €120. Have had 5 SE so far and like the software, but was unsure about android switch (1.6 Donut). Any opinions?:D

RichyX

From the reviews of the X8 I've read it sounds like the LG Optimus might be a better bet for the money.

evolving_doors

RichyX wrote: »

From the reviews of the X8 I've read it sounds like the LG Optimus might be a better bet for the money.

Why so? the specs seem roughly similar? did you mean android 1.6 v's donut!!

parsi

I got the x8.

The screen is nice and responsive. Battery life is ok as well.

It's running 1.6 but that hasn't affected the apps that I like.

It feels nicer than the Optimus.

#Daniel

Of the 3 android PAYG phones on meteor @ €119.99 each, which one of them would be the best buy? And is it possible to update them to the latest android rather than 1.6?

Jackobyte

Is rooting the x8 easy?

rickyjb

#Daniel wrote: »

Of the 3 android PAYG phones on meteor @ €119.99 each, which one of them would be the best buy? And is it possible to update them to the latest android rather than 1.6?

I'd also be very interested interested to hear opinions on this from people who may have bought one of these phones recently (LG Optimus, SE X8 and Samsung Europa).
Also in the running at a similar price range are the SE X10 mini, nokia c5 and nokia 6700 slide.

Any ideas?? The X10 mini in particular looks like a good deal at 169, has anyone used this?

Mars Bar

I currently have a SE w595 but I have noticed the battery going a bit funny and it had a good wobble the last day (charged it, 2 mins later it was 14%. Plugged it back in, 5 mins later, 100% and then it went back down to 14%. Turned it off and on again and it appears to be holding out for the moment).

Basically, I love this phone. I want something similar but the w995 is way out of my budget. (Why did they not make this phone with a 4 megapixel camera option or something for cheaper?).

I had an LG Cookie last year for 6 months and hated it. I swapped it for the SE with my friend (silly move by him!). I have had 3 SE phones now and don't want to move away from them so I'm thinking the X8 might be my only option. I'm not hugely into touch phones but I can't really see much of an option unless SE come out with a decent and cheapish slide phone.

So, what are the reviews for someone who doesn't want something overly fancy and on a budget? How does the battery hold? I've been reading reviews but I like to hear from the good people of boards.

Mac 79

mars bar wrote: »

I currently have a SE w595 but I have noticed the battery going a bit funny and it had a good wobble the last day (charged it, 2 mins later it was 14%. Plugged it back in, 5 mins later, 100% and then it went back down to 14%. Turned it off and on again and it appears to be holding out for the moment).

Basically, I love this phone. I want something similar but the w995 is way out of my budget. (Why did they not make this phone with a 4 megapixel camera option or something for cheaper?).

I had an LG Cookie last year for 6 months and hated it. I swapped it for the SE with my friend (silly move by him!). I have had 3 SE phones now and don't want to move away from them so I'm thinking the X8 might be my only option. I'm not hugely into touch phones but I can't really see much of an option unless SE come out with a decent and cheapish slide phone.

So, what are the reviews for someone who doesn't want something overly fancy and on a budget? How does the battery hold? I've been reading reviews but I like to hear from the good people of boards.

sounds pretty much like me except for the battery and the lg bit. the battery is ok so far (its only one week old) being used for a couple hours of wifi, gps mapping, games and a test of the navigation app (uses phone network to download maps as you go)tochscreen is responsive i'll get 99%of the letters i want from the qwerty pad and it will change to portrait view if you need more room, camera is good enough. the menus are not the same as the button phones, theres no media player like the 595 and no stereo speakers (i miss them)and the alarm does not go off when the phone is off, dont know if its thisphone or smart phones in general i'm sure someone will correct me on that. overall i like the phone. theres also a 3.5 headphone jack and no dodgy charger/headset connection. as for the android 1.6 i dont know enough about android phones yet to tell the difference

the w595 is a nice phone, it might be worth changing the battery (you might find a cheap one on the net) if nothing else is wrong with it and you want to hold on to it for annother bit

Mars Bar

Mac 79 wrote: »

sounds pretty much like me except for the battery and the lg bit. the battery is ok so far (its only one week old) being used for a couple hours of wifi, gps mapping, games and a test of the navigation app (uses phone network to download maps as you go)tochscreen is responsive i'll get 99%of the letters i want from the qwerty pad and it will change to portrait view if you need more room, camera is good enough. the menus are not the same as the button phones, theres no media player like the 595 and no stereo speakers (i miss them)and the alarm does not go off when the phone is off, dont know if its thisphone or smart phones in general i'm sure someone will correct me on that. overall i like the phone. theres also a 3.5 headphone jack and no dodgy charger/headset connection. as for the android 1.6 i dont know enough about android phones yet to tell the difference

the w595 is a nice phone, it might be worth changing the battery (you might find a cheap one on the net) if nothing else is wrong with it and you want to hold on to it for annother bit

I'm glad to hear the touchscreen is responsive, that's another thing I hated about the LG. The resistive screen is a balls. I like to text quick so I'm a bit iffy on the qwerty keyboard on the phone. I can touch type so it shouldn't take that much to get used to it I would hope.

I never listen to music on my phone, always have my iPod so that should be no problem anyway.
Shame about the alarm. What were they thinking there?

Getting a new battery? Dunno. Every time I have had an inkling that my phone was on the way out I was right, except when one of my phones was stolen (the k700i, loved that phone, got it second hand for €20 and was savage:().

I've been keeping an eye on my battery and it's 2 days without charging now and only at 57%. Suspiciously good at the moment.

Although the x8 is looking quite yummy at the moment either way. :cool: Thanks for the reply BTW.

ciano1

Hows the battery life and Music player on the X8??

whirlpool

Mac 79 wrote: »

sounds pretty much like me except for the battery and the lg bit. the battery is ok so far (its only one week old) being used for a couple hours of wifi, gps mapping, games and a test of the navigation app (uses phone network to download maps as you go)tochscreen is responsive i'll get 99%of the letters i want from the qwerty pad and it will change to portrait view if you need more room, camera is good enough. the menus are not the same as the button phones, theres no media player like the 595 and no stereo speakers (i miss them)and the alarm does not go off when the phone is off, dont know if its thisphone or smart phones in general i'm sure someone will correct me on that. overall i like the phone. theres also a 3.5 headphone jack and no dodgy charger/headset connection. as for the android 1.6 i dont know enough about android phones yet to tell the difference

the w595 is a nice phone, it might be worth changing the battery (you might find a cheap one on the net) if nothing else is wrong with it and you want to hold on to it for annother bit

Eh, what phone are you talking about?

mumof2

whirlpool wrote: »

Eh, what phone are you talking about?

I was wondering the same thing myself..........

Im interested in the X8 myself.

Mac 79

whirlpool wrote: »

Eh, what phone are you talking about?

i thought that made sense when i wrote it, scrap that first line the rest of the paragraph is on the x8. i think i'll edit that bit.
then again maybe not

ciano1 wrote: »

Hows the battery life and Music player on the X8??

music seems pretty good but it needs a better media player (real player isnt great either)and uses about 7% battery life per hour of music. 4 hours of music, a phone call and a few little bits today in the last 13.5hours has used 50%, it's about the same if you use apps.
android market isnt downloading at the moment but that seems to be on other brands and networks, i'm still looking for a cure

mumof2

Mac 79 wrote: »

i thought that made sense when i wrote it, scrap that first line the rest of the paragraph is on the x8. i think i'll edit that bit.
then again maybe not


music seems pretty good but it needs a better media player (real player isnt great either)and uses about 7% battery life per hour of music. 4 hours of music, a phone call and a few little bits today in the last 13.5hours has used 50%, it's about the same if you use apps.
android market isnt downloading at the moment but that seems to be on other brands and networks, i'm still looking for a cure

Any connection problems with the WIFI?

Mac 79

mumof2 wrote: »

Any connection problems with the WIFI?

i've had no problems with the WIFI on the phone, It takes 20 seconds to connect automaticlaly if you havent been using it in the last 5 minutes or so.

As for the android market i cleared some data from google in the application settings (not sure which one worked) and i was able to log back in to the market. If someone knows how to log out it might be easier.

whirlpool

I've just bought this phone. Anybody know how to turn off predictive text? It's driving me crazy, and I can't find the option to turn it off.

adr

I've got a SE Xperia 8 on Vodafone and having problems dowloading Android apps. WiFi works fine as I'm able to watch YouTube, facebook, browse the internet etc but I tried to download a few apps and keep getting "downloading unsuccessful" message. Any ideas?

Mac 79

adr wrote: »

I've got a SE Xperia 8 on Vodafone and having problems dowloading Android apps. WiFi works fine as I'm able to watch YouTube, facebook, browse the internet etc but I tried to download a few apps and keep getting "downloading unsuccessful" message. Any ideas?

Try this in the menu go into
applications
manage applications
google apps
clear data

this will reset android market and you will have to log in again. worked for me

dont know what this will do
menu
applications
manage applications
market
clear cache

Cormac2791

Think this phone is great!!

A few downsides I've noticed so far though;
-vibration not loud/powerful enough
-ringtone/message tone not loud enough
-would prefer if you could turn off the qwerty keyboard and instead use the traditional texting method
-back cover not secure!

Jayd0g

adr wrote: »

I've got a SE Xperia 8 on Vodafone and having problems dowloading Android apps. WiFi works fine as I'm able to watch YouTube, facebook, browse the internet etc but I tried to download a few apps and keep getting "downloading unsuccessful" message. Any ideas?

Just got the X8 on Vodafone myself, have downloaded a few small apps with no problems. I was using the home wi-fi though, is your problem associated with using 3G?

Has anybody tried using all the Vodafone 360 stuff that comes pre installed?

DarkBlonde

Any more reviews on this phone? I'm thinking of getting it but I want to be sure first. Whats the story with the 1.6 version of Android? Will I be able to upgrade to 2.1?

RichyX

DarkBlonde wrote: »

Any more reviews on this phone? I'm thinking of getting it but I want to be sure first. Whats the story with the 1.6 version of Android? Will I be able to upgrade to 2.1?

http://www.techradar.com/reviews/phones/mobile-phones/sony-ericsson-xperia-x8-908570/review

Fairly poor recent review on TechRadar.

DarkBlonde

Thanks Richyx for that link. Good review, think i'l leave that one off so. I might go for the wildfire instead. I'm on a budget.

maximoose

DarkBlonde, did you go for any handset yet?

Currently sizing up the x8, the x10 mini and the wildfire trying to decide what to get the mrs as a new phone. And i'm terribly undecided

ciano1

AFAIK... The 2.1 update has just started rolling out!

maximoose

After much mulling I went down to the meteor store yesterday to get a look at the x8.. my only main concern was the QWERTY keyboard might be a bit crap on the smallish screen but I had a little go on it and tbh it seemed grand, and I dont have the daintiest fingers.

So i've taken the leap and ordered it today, 2.1 update is good news

DarkBlonde

I went for the Wildfire in the end. No complaints yet.

maximoose

X8 arrived this morning, two covers and a 2gb memory card thrown in..not bad for 119!

From first play it seems like a good little phone

whirlpool wrote: »

I've just bought this phone. Anybody know how to turn off predictive text? It's driving me crazy, and I can't find the option to turn it off.

When you're in typing a message theres a little spanner icon in the bottom right, go into there and you can turn it off.

Telchak

Strangely, I've found the narrower keyboard on this easier to use than turning it sidewards

billbond4

BTW the Android 2.1 update for the X8 has started to be rolled out, for more info check here:-
http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/2010/11/27/update-roll-out-started-also-for-xperia-x8/

mumof2

Telchak wrote: »

Strangely, I've found the narrower keyboard on this easier to use than turning it sidewards

Im going to get this phone too for my daughter, for Christmas. Before its gone:D

Scartbeg

Vodafone are giving me the Xperia X8 FREE on PAYG, if I transfer from my current provider. May be worth giving them a call if you are not already with them.

mumof2

Scartbeg wrote: »

Vodafone are giving me the Xperia X8 FREE on PAYG, if I transfer from my current provider. May be worth giving them a call if you are not already with them.

Interesting, she actually would be a new customer!! So maybe worth checking indeed!! thanks:D
Pity for me, Im out of luck so, was hoping to get one for myself...........:rolleyes:

maximoose

After a night of dicking around with the x8 and installing apps and widgets, i'd definitely recommend the phone for anyone who isn't a tech geek or looking a lot out of their phone. Very easy to use little handset, surprisingly quick to navigate and load apps.. Camera is a bit pants but that's no biggie

Jayd0g

Happy out with my X8, have had it a month now. Have a few niggles like roadsync running even though I don't use it, using data and battery. So I use Advanced Task Killer to force close it from time to time.

Twitter is a godsend in this weather, registered just so I could get the irishrail updates and it's working a dream through the Sony Timescape app.

Angrybirds freezes from time to time though Overall I'm happy with it, wondering if I should root it and remove some of the apps that I never use to free up resources.

él statutorio

http://www.maxroam.com/Shop/Product/Detail.aspx?ProductId=1028&cur=EUR

€160 for a sim free X8

inalityf

Few things about the x8, i have my 2.1 update and it makes quite a difference- better apps available and such.
The stock keyboard is a nightmare, and there isn't much better out there for 1.6, with 2.1 make sure to download smart keyboard trial (full featured but with very occasional nag screen), it has a numeric keypad with t9 as well as full keyboard, it's really excellent. Voice to Text input is excellent too, though again only with 2.1. The facebook integration in the contacts list is really cool too.
It's currently impossible to root 2.1, though 1.6 is rootable. Display, sound, connectivity etc are all great. Wouldn't buy with vodafone, mine came loaded with useless software I couldn't remove, Sony Ericsson sync had been removed and the email app didn't work at all. Also a 360 process was constantly running in the background, though the phone didn't even have 360 installed. Managed to get rid of all that though

It is quite a good phone, if you're not looking to modify the operating system or for a decent camera, the camera is definitely below average. I have been able to run every app I downloaded, so compatibility is excellent. Angry birds tends to freeze if memory is low, but a task killer solves that, and it's otherwise great for multitasking.
Uh, is anyone still having the android market problem or has it been fixed? I can probably help with most x8 issues :L

Mac 79

billbond4 wrote: »

BTW the Android 2.1 update for the X8 has started to be rolled out, for more info check here:-
http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products/2010/11/27/update-roll-out-started-also-for-xperia-x8/

the blogs dont work for me. when is the update available and how do i get it.

Jayd0g

inalityf wrote: »

Few things about the x8, i have my 2.1 update and it makes quite a difference- better apps available and such.
The stock keyboard is a nightmare, and there isn't much better out there for 1.6, with 2.1 make sure to download smart keyboard trial (full featured but with very occasional nag screen), it has a numeric keypad with t9 as well as full keyboard, it's really excellent. Voice to Text input is excellent too, though again only with 2.1. The facebook integration in the contacts list is really cool too.
It's currently impossible to root 2.1, though 1.6 is rootable. Display, sound, connectivity etc are all great. Wouldn't buy with vodafone, mine came loaded with useless software I couldn't remove, Sony Ericsson sync had been removed and the email app didn't work at all. Also a 360 process was constantly running in the background, though the phone didn't even have 360 installed. Managed to get rid of all that though

It is quite a good phone, if you're not looking to modify the operating system or for a decent camera, the camera is definitely below average. I have been able to run every app I downloaded, so compatibility is excellent. Angry birds tends to freeze if memory is low, but a task killer solves that, and it's otherwise great for multitasking.
Uh, is anyone still having the android market problem or has it been fixed? I can probably help with most x8 issues :L

The stock keyboard is annoying at times, if I forget that the word I'm entering hasn't been used before. A good example of this was "Roscommon". If I've used it once or twice, the dictionary no longer auto corrects it to something else.

SE Sync being removed is a pain, agreed. The vodafone 360 app supposedly does the exact same as SE's Timescape, but Timescape works just fine. Logging into the 360 app from time to time allows you to avail of their 360 data plan rate, something like 100MB a day for 32 or 39 cent up to a maximum of €12.80 approx euro a month.

Angry Birds also works better when data traffic or wireless are turned off, means there's no ad pop ups to eat up memory.

Do you know if 2.1 will be rootable eventually?

Mars Bar

So, my phone has held out after a wobble but my parents are going to get me a new one for christmas just to be on the safe side. I want the SE X8.

Can you buy it with 2.1 in the shop? I'll be buying with Meteor.

galway23

Just wondering has anyone else with this phone had problems downloading apps? I haven't been able to do it for a few weeks. With Meteor bill pay. Not getting anywhere with them in resolving the problem.

Mac 79

galway23 wrote: »

Just wondering has anyone else with this phone had problems downloading apps? I haven't been able to do it for a few weeks. With Meteor bill pay. Not getting anywhere with them in resolving the problem.

Try post #19 in this thread, it worked for me and is working fine since

mumof2

Anyone used the GPS on this whilst driving? Does it work?

How good is the MP3 player side of things?

maximoose

Hmmm I rooted the X8 and changed the customization number of the phone to one that is on the update roll out list, I have tried about 4 or 5 numbers, and it still tells me the phone is up to date and no update available.... any ideas?

Its locked to meteor, could it just be they havent approved the software yet?

inalityf

Jayd0g wrote:

Do you know if 2.1 will be rootable eventually?

I hope so, but I don't know how likely it is. No current rooting tool seems to work on it, and there aren't really any great developers working on it. Even if it is rooted we can't have custom roms...it would seem at least.

maximoose wrote: »

Hmmm I rooted the X8 and changed the customization number of the phone to one that is on the update roll out list, I have tried about 4 or 5 numbers, and it still tells me the phone is up to date and no update available.... any ideas?
Its locked to meteor, could it just be they havent approved the software yet?

are you sure you changed it in all 3 places in the build.prop file? 1241-4091 worked perfectly for me, it's Russian but has English as a language option.

galway23 wrote: »

Just wondering has anyone else with this phone had problems downloading apps? I haven't been able to do it for a few weeks. With Meteor bill pay. Not getting anywhere with them in resolving the problem.

Go to settings> applications> manage applications. Then click the left hardware key, and click filter> all. Then scroll down to market and click uninstall updates. That should solve the problem and let you download apps again.

mars bar wrote: »

I want the SE X8. Can you buy it with 2.1 in the shop? I'll be buying with Meteor.

Pretty sure you can't buy with 2.1, not at the moment anyway. It'd seem the update isn't out for Meteor Ireland phones yet anyway. It shouldn't be long before the update is available though, and updating isn't difficult. The only main differences in the update are the "social phonebook", voice to text, live wallpapers and better app support, it's not a huge difference.

maximoose

inalityf wrote: »

are you sure you changed it in all 3 places in the build.prop file? 1241-4091 worked perfectly for me, it's Russian but has English as a language option.

Yeah I changed all three, i'll try that number later on and see if it works!

Edit: No joy

inalityf

maximoose wrote: »

Yeah I changed all three, i'll try that number later on and see if it works!
Edit: No joy

What are you using to edit the file? Did you check the service menu (home, back back, home back, home home, back from the lock screen) to make sure the customization code had changed? What software are you using to get the update?

maximoose

inalityf wrote: »

What are you using to edit the file? Did you check the service menu (home, back back, home back, home home, back from the lock screen) to make sure the customization code had changed? What software are you using to get the update?

I'm using Root Explorer to change the file... going in to system, changing to read/write, opening build prop in text editor and have changed all 3 file numbers. Yup i have checked the service menu and it's definitely changing the customization number.

I'm using the Sony Ericsson Companion software to try and get it.. latest one

Edit: got home tonight and connected phone to comp, bingo bango update available

Chocaholic90

Have been reading loads of reviews on sony ericsson x8 and there seem to be lots of pros and only a few cons. Overall, on a scale of one to ten how would people rate it??

Shanegggg

Just got the phone today, early xmas pressie.

So far so good. Moved to android from Ios but seems to be much the same.

Seems to be too many ways to connect to communities.Like theres the facebook app, timescape and then vodafone 360 aswell. Bit of overkill I think!

Anyway to get rid of all the vodafone stuff?
Having a problem with the android market. Keeps crashing when I open it have to uninstall updates in the applications menu for the marker ap, everytime I wanna open it! V. Annoying :mad: