UPDATE: We've now published our test of the X10 Mini Pro's successor - so check out the more efficiently-monikered Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro review.
The Xperia X10 Mini Pro has recently been updated to Android 2.1, with Sony Ericsson finally getting around to modernising the antiquated Android 1.6 OS that powered the little Android QWERTY phone when it launched last year.
The changes are slight, but with an improved web browser, more Bluetooth connectivity and enhanced social network integration, the X10 Mini Pro is certainly a better phone with the update than it was when it first launched.
But is an upgrade to the already-outdated Android 2.1 enough to stay competitive in the cut-throat Android scene of 2011? Read on to see what difference Android 2.1 has made to this sweet little phone.
You might get a slight sense of déja vu while reading this review of the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro – because it's virtually the same phone as the extremely nice little Xperia X10 Mini we reviewed previously.
Only there's one rather obvious and glaring change – the addition of a slide-out QWERTY keyboard that's been bolted onto the underside of the X10 Mini Pro, for the benefit of those yet to take the brave leap into entirely touch-based mobile phone operation.
Amazingly, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini Pro manages to remain the same physical size as the non-QWERTY X10 Mini – which leads us to presume the X10 Mini was filled with plenty of foam padding to make it bigger than actually necessary.
The Xperia X10 Mini Pro's QWERTY keyboard adds extra weight to the phone, giving us a handset that feels much heavier than the slightly lightweight X10 Mini, which somehow tricks the brain into thinking it's a more solid, high quality device. It's lovely in the hand. People will pass it around in admiration.
The keyboard flips out with a heavy clunk and is backlit, with light twinkling out through its keys to guide your thumbs when the automatic sensor thinks it's dark enough for you to need a bit of help finding the right buttons.
The keyboard is solid, doesn't bend or flex, and while it's obviously a little cramped given the minuscule nature of the phone itself, there's enough of a gap between the slightly raised buttons to ensure typing is possible to a good degree of accuracy.
There's actually a pretty big internal difference between this and the X10 Mini – the Mini Pro features a removable battery, while the regular X10 Mini's came sealed into its case. The Mini Pro's battery offers a rather tiny 930mAh capacity – but you wouldn't know it. It lasts for ages.
The USB connector has been placed along the side of the phone so it pokes out between your hands when you've got it connected, meaning it's easy to hold the phone easily when it's plugged in – nice thinking there, Sony Ericsson boffins. The 3.5mm headphone jack and power/lock button sit on the top edge.
There's a custom button for the camera along the right-hand edge, beneath the rocker button for volume. As with the X10 Mini, there's no optical button or trackpad. The QWERTY keyboard has a left and right cursor button placed either side of its keyboard's space bar, enabling users to page quickly through typed messages to repair typos and save embarrassment.
Inside the box came the phone, battery, charger, USB cable, 2GB micro SD card and charger. And you're ready to go.
Your comments (17) Click to add a new comment
leecollins
July 2nd 2011
17. I have just bought one of these phones (my first ever smart phone) I just have to say that it is a fantastic device. The hardware is incredible, the keyboard perhaps the 'biggest' physcail keyboard on the market and the interface very intuative to figure out. Anyone reading this site will no doubt be confident with the many apps that are available to aid the battery life mentioned on these postings. I have a couple of apps now that help to cut down drain and am getting a good 2-3 days out of the phone per charge. Had it 'cracked' (rooted) after 2 days of purchase (a 15 minute operation that allows me to see the inner folder structure and remove some of the bloat) - all in all I am very impressed with my first smartphone.
Alert a moderator
miraz
May 14th 2011
16. I have one. Build quality is very poor. Speaker stopped working in one month. Keyboard bulged in 3 months. very poor build quality.
Alert a moderator
andromeda_ascend
March 22nd 2011
15. My sister just received this phone, i have try it for a few minutes my experience based on that few minutes that it's a good phone, i try the youtube on it play it nicely. i had no problem with the phone but i just used it for few minutes.
Alert a moderator
nhenshall
March 5th 2011
14. I traded the HTC Desire for this. This in my opinion is better. Onscreen keyboards are difficult to use. I have large fingers and I have no problem. It is now Android 2.1, although as 1.6 it was more like a Sony Ericsson (I used to have the W995). I think people go on too much about latest version of Android, each update seems to slow the phone down, I'm starting to notice screen lag. I download freebie stuff from the Android marketplace, like the torch and filemanager. The music player lacks a graphic EQ, but it's still pretty good.
Alert a moderator
cleag18
February 3rd 2011
13. I bought this phone about September time and I have sent it away two times and this will be the third time this phone is not this good sorry to say
Alert a moderator
miraz
January 9th 2011
12. I bought a Sony Ericsson Xpria X10 mini pro trusting your review. The speaker stopped working after 1 month of use. So much for your expertise
Alert a moderator
gashlick
December 24th 2010
11. Decided to get the girlfriend one of these. Brilliant, its running 2.1. Runs rings around my Legend, web loads way quicker and whole thing is pretty good for a tiny budget phone. see how we get on but good so far.
Alert a moderator
gashlick
December 5th 2010
10. the techradar review sold it to me! then read the comments! run for you life!
Alert a moderator
bmwdriver
November 18th 2010
9. This phone I know too well! It hangs and hangs on you tubes. Keypad is annoyingly too small and mistakes bound to occur. Too bad- looks cute but realistically a dud!
Alert a moderator
azita.ebr
November 10th 2010
8. Hi, I have an xperi x10 mini pro.but I have problem with it.I can not use the bluetooth.when I turn it on,it shows that it it turned on,but I can not send or recieve files via bluetooth.other devices can not find me.and I can't send files too.I don't know what' the problem.
Alert a moderator
singaporegirl
November 1st 2010
7. My friend is selling hers! 3 weeks old Sony X10 minipro. It freeze so often on cnbc and other video websites. She had to restart hers often to get out the crash. The keypad is too tiny even for a person with nimble fingers like myself. Too tiny for practical situations.
Alert a moderator
emmyk89
October 30th 2010
6. I got this phone aswell but i took it back a few later because i thought it was terrible,i usually love sony ericsson phones! I didnt like it for a few reasons - one u cant change the themes i.e cant take off that blue menu colour thats used for everything.. I couldnt save pictures i was sent via mms, i couldnt send things via bluetooth (u can download an app for it but thats not the point as the apps confusing anyway) i had to charge it up twice a day, i couldnt get timescape to update properly (confusing to use imo) couldnt cancel any outgoing messages, sent half fisnihed messages a few times because of the messaging layout. its like sonys forgot to add things to this wat would be really cool phone
Alert a moderator
hofoods
October 18th 2010
5. I am a security personnel and need to have gadgets like these to fit in my pocket and so I bought it. What a nightmare this minipro turned out! Internet surfing is frustrating with buttons hanging sometimes after pressing. Bluetooth is unreliable. Games will eventually freeze. Touchscreen is unreliable sometimes. Don't buy this!
Alert a moderator
leeane
October 18th 2010
4. I purchased the SONY X10 minipro last month. I can tell you this: it hangs everyday and really slows down unexpectedly at youtubes and other visual websites. Games can also freeze the screen. The only good thing is I find it works rather well as a phone. The sound quality is good and listening to callers is nice and clear. I brought it back to Sony center and was told to wait for the anticipated android operating system for the time being.
This is the worst phone I ever had.
Alert a moderator
jamjar
August 26th 2010
3. So, after a few days use I'm warming to it. It's replaced a Nokia N95-8Gb so had a lot to live up to.
Only major downside is battery life, and the size of my clumsy mitts!
However, for what they've packed into such a small package it's wicked.
No to toot out the apps I want.
JJ
Alert a moderator
matzexxx
July 26th 2010
2. On my X10 Mini Pro I can't find the battery widget. It's not listed in the widget list :(
Alert a moderator
bradavon
July 16th 2010
1. For those who love small phones, this mini smartphone looks ace and I particularly like the addition of a Qwerty keyboard.
How annoying there is no Exchange support (without having to use the third party RoadSync) and only being able to have one e-mail account is just plain dumb. It's clear Sony aren't selling this as a business phone.
Alert a moderator
Tell us what you think
You need to Log in or register to post comments