Sony Xperia Play Teardown
UBM TechInsights looks inside the Android-based Xperia Play from Sony Ericsson, the first "PlayStation Certified" smartphone.
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UBM TechInsights had the opportunity to look inside the latest handset from the Xperia line of Sony Ericsson phones--the Xperia Play (aka, the PlayStation phone). So what exactly is a "PlayStation Certified" phone? In this case, it's a slider handset with a gaming controller that's optimized for video games with a focus on graphics and sound that emphasizes performance over competing on price.
The Xperia Play features a single-core ARM v7-based 1-GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 1 GB of internal storage memory with a memory card slot that can expand the storage up to 32 GB with the use of a microSD card. The Xperia Play operates on GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA networks (no CDMA version is planned near term).
"What we found interesting was the continued trend of using low-power DRAM in combination with the processor to optimize the performance of the Xperia Play. Qualcomm was the big winner with three design wins on the primary components, but we were surprised with Sony's decision to use Micron's SLC NAND Flash. It provides better performance but costs more. Sony went for performance with this phone over reducing costs," said UBM TechInsights' technical marketing manager, Allan Yogasingam. Visit UBM TechInsights for more about the teardown.
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Opening the Xperia Play reveals the PlayStation-based controller.
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Removing the backside of the Play reveals the battery.
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The main board removed from the casing of the Xperia Play.
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The front of the main board has the main components under shielding.
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The front of the main board with the shielding removed.
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This is the backside of the controller portion of the Xperia Play case.
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This is the backside of the screen portion of the Xperia Play.
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Here you can see the Synaptics T1320A capacitive touchscreen controller that operates the screen of the Xperia Play.
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This is the touchscreen and casing of the Xperia Play.
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Here the touchscreen display is separated from the casing.
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This is a look at the back of the touchscreen display.
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This is the front view of the touchscreen display.
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Here, the remainder of the front case is shown minus the display.
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This is a closer look at the 5MP camera of the Xperia Play.
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Here's a die photo of the 45-nm processor of the Xperia Play, the Qualcomm MSM8255.
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This is a closer look at the die markings of the Qualcomm MSM8255.
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Here are all the major components identified on the main board of the Xperia Play.
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Here are all the major components identified on the main board of the Xperia Play.
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UBM TechInsights had the opportunity to look inside the latest handset from the Xperia line of Sony Ericsson phones--the Xperia Play (aka, the PlayStation phone). So what exactly is a "PlayStation Certified" phone? In this case, it's a slider handset with a gaming controller that's optimized for video games with a focus on graphics and sound that emphasizes performance over competing on price.
The Xperia Play features a single-core ARM v7-based 1-GHz Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon processor, 512 MB of RAM, and 1 GB of internal storage memory with a memory card slot that can expand the storage up to 32 GB with the use of a microSD card. The Xperia Play operates on GSM/GPRS/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA networks (no CDMA version is planned near term).
"What we found interesting was the continued trend of using low-power DRAM in combination with the processor to optimize the performance of the Xperia Play. Qualcomm was the big winner with three design wins on the primary components, but we were surprised with Sony's decision to use Micron's SLC NAND Flash. It provides better performance but costs more. Sony went for performance with this phone over reducing costs," said UBM TechInsights' technical marketing manager, Allan Yogasingam. Visit UBM TechInsights for more about the teardown.
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