Sony Xperia M2 is a sleek, affordable 4.8-inch Android phone
[MUSIC]
If you've been hoping to get your hands on one of the beautifully styled Sony Xperia phones, but can't quite afford the top end Z2, cast your eyes over the much more affordable M2.
Like the Z range, the M2 has an all glass front and back, has curved edges, a dedicated camera button, and the same silvery power button on the side.
Doesn't have the aluminum edge of a Z2 but it's very similar to the older Xperia Z. This purple color won't be to everyone's taste but it definitely stands out in a crowd.
Unlike the Xperia Z phones, the M2 isn't waterproof, even though some of its ports are covered by a plastic flap.
If you introduce this guy to water, you'll just be left with a wet, expensive, functionally useless piece of glass and plastic.
The 4.8 inch display has a 960x540 resolution, which is very disappointing, as its far below the full HD of it's siblings and lower even from the considerably cheaper Motorola Moto G, Icons, text and images all lack the character you find on higher resolution panels, ?
? ? both brightness and color reproduction on task.
It's running on the now really rather old android jellybean another big disappointment from this phone.
Sony has heavily skinned the interface so it looks especially identical to the Xperia gen two, but even so there's no excuse for such old software onboard even with an affordable price tag.
Powering the phone is a 1.2 gigahertz processor.
It's the same chip you'll find in the Moto G. Didn't exactly blow me away with its performance.
But it's at least capable of handling everyday tasks like Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram without much trouble.
Gaming was playable, but the frame rates dropped in more tense moments so it won't keep dedicated mobile gamers happy.
Around the back is an 8 megapixel camera which although a big step down from the 20 megapixel [INAUDIBLE] camera in the Z1 and Z2.
It is capable of capturing some decent Facebook snaps, so long as you're in good light.
Although the Sony Xperia M2 has a more affordable price than its flagship sibling and its glass design looks pretty good, it's far from perfect.
Its low resolution display seriously lets it down, as does its outdated version of Android.
For not much more money you can pick up the older Xperia Z, which has a better camera.
It's full HD screen and it's waterproof.
Alternatively, save yourself a packet and go for the Motorola Moto G.
I'm Andrew Hoyle for CNET.
And this is a Sony Xperia M2.
[MUSIC]
Up Next
Can I Live With a Nokia Flip Phone in 2024?
Up Next
Can I Live With a Nokia Flip Phone in 2024?
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Camera Comparison: The Galaxy S24 Ultra Takes On the iPhone 15 Pro Max
Camera Comparison: The Galaxy S24 Ultra Takes On the iPhone 15 Pro Max
See How the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera Compares to the Pixel 8 Pro's
See How the Galaxy S24 Ultra's Camera Compares to the Pixel 8 Pro's
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Everything Announced at Samsung's Galaxy S24 Unpacked Event
Everything Announced at Samsung's Galaxy S24 Unpacked Event
Samsung Reveals Its New S24 Series Phones and Their AI Chops
Samsung Reveals Its New S24 Series Phones and Their AI Chops
What to Expect from Samsung Unpacked 2024
What to Expect from Samsung Unpacked 2024
TCL's New Phone Has a Paperlike Screen
TCL's New Phone Has a Paperlike Screen
Tech Shows
Latest News All latest news
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
PlayStation 5 Pro Leaked: Everything We Know
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Everything Just Revealed at Nvidia's GTC AI Conference
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Reveals Omniverse Cloud Streams to the Vision Pro
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Nvidia Shows Project GROOT and Disney Bots at GTC Conference
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
Expert vs. AI: Is Now the Time to Buy an EV?
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
The PlayStation Portal Built-In Volume Is too Loud: Here's How to Keep It Low
Most Popular All most popular
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
First Look at TSA's Self-Screening Tech (in VR!)
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
Samsung Galaxy S24 Ultra Review: More AI at a Higher Cost
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
'Circle to Search' Lets Users Google From Any Screen
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Asus Put Two 14-inch OLEDs in a Laptop, Unleashes First OLED ROG Gaming Laptop
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Samsung Galaxy Ring: First Impressions
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Best of Show: The Coolest Gadgets of CES 2024
Latest Products All latest products
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
First Look: The $349 Nothing Phone 2A Aims to Brighten Your Day
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
Best of MWC 2024: Bendable Screens, AI Wearables and More
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
This Concept Laptop from Lenovo Has a Transparent Display
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
Motorola's Rollable Concept Phone Wraps on Your Wrist
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
See Adobe Lightroom on the Apple Vision Pro
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
This $400 Cane Has a Built-In Phone
Latest How To All how to videos
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Windows 11 Tips and Hidden Features
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Vision Pro App Walkthrough -- VisionOS 1.0.3
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
Tips and Tricks for the Galaxy S24 Ultra
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
TikTok Is Now on the Apple Vision Pro
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
Get Your TV Ready for the Big Game: Super Bowl Setup Tips
How to Use a Quest 3 Like the Vision Pro