Before we get started in earnest, a quick note. There are two versions of this device: The standard X2, generally known as the X2i, and the North American version, called the X2a. I received the X2i, since the X2a isn’t widely available yet. The difference is the 850 MHz band, a common distinction between North American and European/Asian market devices. However, there’s an extra little difference here. Unlike the other model where the European version lacks the 850 band altogether, the standard X2 does feature support for 850 MHz, but not 850 MHz 3G. It’s a subtle, but critical distinction. In my area, almost all coverage is 850, including 3G. This means the X2 doesn’t get 3G coverage in areas I’m used to having it.

The X2a will feature 850 MHz 3G, fully suited for AT&T, Rogers, and most other North American carriers. However, you’ll also pay a few hundred bucks more for the privilege. Since this is the only difference between the X2i? and the X2a, I’ll be addressing them collectively as the X2 for the duration.

On to the meat of the review.

DESIGN & BUILD

The basic design and even most of the internal hardware specs are the same between the X2 and the older X1. Both are sliders, with horizontally-oriented sliding keyboards.

Side-sliders are never ideal for dialing, and that’s definitely this model’s biggest weakness. Touchscreens aren’t ideal for hurried dialing. Still, it’s no more uncomfortable than the iPhone, which doesn’t seem to be lacking fans. And for those of us who use our devices more for Web browsing, e-mail, and data use than for voice, the X2′s design provides a lot of screen space and a fine keyboard.

Generally speaking, the X2 is very well-designed. The slider mechanism feels robust and the keyboard’s keys have a good click. The sort of double-beveling on them provides a good feel under the fingertips, even though the keys themselves are all pressed together.

The stylus is basic and kind of small, but it doesn’t slide or collapse, which is good. For most things I simply preferred to use my fingertips, but with such a high resolution screen that’s not always possible to do
accurately, so you’ll definitely need to pull out the stylus from time to time.

Despite packing in a nice 800 x 480 pixel screen, the X2 is still small enough, and ergonomic enough, that you don’t feel awkward putting it to your head.

Buttons and Trackpad
Although the X2 and X1 have much in common, there are some minor differences. For instance, the six angled buttons and standard directional pad on the front of X1 are gone, replaced by four membrane-type buttons and an optical-scanner trackpad.

Admittedly, I never got a chance to use the X1, but this strikes me as a downgrade. As with other optical pads I’ve used, the X2′s directional control suffers from a complete lack of tactile feedback, making it really easy to move multiple times, and making precision difficult. It gets better once you’re more accustomed to how the trackpad operates, so that you can move your finger more carefully, but it’s never completely reliable. Furthermore the membrane buttons don’t provide the same level of sensation that regular click type buttons do. Obviously these changes were made to try to more effectively mimic the iPhone, but frankly I would rather companies go with their own designs instead of attempting to look like something else.

Another reason to dislike the optical pad is that anything sliding over it will be read as movement, not just a finger. If the device is still on when you drop it in a pocket, you might be inadvertently inputting commands, like skipping around on your playlist, or who knows what else.

Etcetera
Sony Ericsson managed to find room on the otherwise compact design for a 3.5 mm headphone plug — and I didn’t realize until I used it again how much I missed not having to fuss with adapters, proprietary plugs, and all that. Just plugging in and going is such a relief.

However, the design is very practical, because that’s also where the X2 keeps its TV output connector. Yes, by plugging in the special cable that comes with the device, you can hook it up to any standard TV that takes RCA plugs for both audio and video.

This smartphone comes with a wired hands-free set, of course, but this is mostly a courtesy, since it’s a little awkward to set up. Bluetooth is still the way to go for most people who need a hands-free system.

PERFORMANCE

When it was unveiled, the Xperia X1 was ridiculously advanced. In late 2008, no other devices could touch it. It’s a testament to how ahead of its time the X1 was that it’s successor has specs with few changes almost 18 months later.

However, while nothing could touch the X1, the Xperia X2 is not high end like its parent. While there are other comparable devices from HTC and others, the X2 still manages to impress. Its 528 MHz processor is probably the lowest end component in it. And for reasons unknown, Sony Ericsson lowered the memory from 512 MB of flash to 256 MB.

Wireless and More
What else is inside that compact little case? Bluetooth, WiFi, GPS, GSM/HSPA, of course. Can’t have a high end gadget without those.

The GPS system supports geo-tagging, so that you can embed GPS coordinates into photos you take with the 8 MP camera. I already mentioned the TV output capability via the included adapter cable.

We’ve also got the little things, like the built-in accelerometer and a microSD/SDHC slot — the latter of which comes already filled with a 4 GB card out of the box. Not the largest thing in the world, but enough to get you started if you don’t already have one.

And there’s an FM radio receiver with RDS, which we’ll hear about a little more under software.

Overall, my opinion of the X2′s hardware and design is positive. Despite a less-than-ideal directional controller, the device itself is compact, feels great in the hand, has a solid keyboard, and is well-balanced. I’d go so far as to say that it’s one of the best examples I’ve seen of an ergonomically sound side-sliding device.

Software
…And here’s the onion. Although the Xperia X2 has awe-inspiring hardware, its software fails to match up.

Let’s start from the most basic impression one gets after using the device. Despite having a 528 MHz processor, it lacks in overall speed. It’s got the same processor speed as the HTC Touch Pro, but the Touch Pro has a smooth and easy-to-use interface, while the X2 consistently lags, is slow to change screens, and generally feels frustrating.

But the even bigger problem is this: Sony Ericsson’s integrated software bundle is simply not good. The “panels” interface that is provided with the phone is needlessly complicated, featuring an unintuitive means of switching between views that lets the user get lost trying to navigate around his device.

The developers also added some unnecessary layers in between the user and simple functions like playing music. I’m not exactly endorsing the old “tap counter” approach to developing a user interface, but you do at least have to ask yourself, is adding more software helping or hurting the complexity of performing simple tasks?

It doesn’t help that Windows Mobile 6.5 Pro has several bad design decisions in it, like the hex grid for the application launcher, which isn’t attuned to how a normal person looks at a list of items and which gets really messy when you switch to landscape mode, since icons can be juggled around in a completely counterintuitive way. It would have been nice if Microsoft had provided an option to switch back to the “classic” icon view. As it stands, they’re forcing bad UI decisions on the rest of us because they feel like being avant-garde.

The bottom line is that the software, in clear contrast to the hardware, feels unfinished. This sense, like they rushed the X2 out the door before the debugging was really done, is heightened by the fact that the internal FM radio doesn’t work. It won’t be available to the user until the first official system software update hits the streets.

That’s the bad news. Here’s the good news: Sony Ericsson has already released the schedule for two upcoming software updates to this Xperia model. One will be released in March, which will include the FM radio and a number of other things like faster GPS fixes that should have been done before the device left the factory. The second, slated for May, is simply marked as including Windows Mobile 6.5.3.

Whether these updates will fix the problem, no one can say. I certainly hope so.

Camera
On the bright side, Sony Ericsson increased the camera resolution from 3 megapixels to a whopping 8 MPx.

Like many high-end phone cameras now, this one has auto-focus, making it practically a “real” digital camera. Of course, the quality is a little less than what you’d get from of a dedicated camera, and the “flash” (a small LED) is so weak that it’s a non-issue when it comes to lighting. Still, the X2 can take some awe-inspiring pictures compared to your average camera phone.

CONCLUSION

I want to give the Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 a glowing recommendation. It has features and qualities that make it easily one of the best slider-type devices available. Unfortunately, I can’t recommend anything with such a haphazard software package.

If you’re willing to be patient and get an improved ROM from Sony Ericsson, or fiddle around with the highly unofficial customized ROMs that are sure to come along given a little time, then the X2 has the potential to be a top flight device. If you want something that runs right this second, out of the box, you’re likely to end up a bit frustrated.

The Xperia X2 can be found at several online retailers, including eXpansys USA, who is charging $630.

Pros:

• Razor’s edge hardware
• Great ergonomics