14 DAY TRIAL // Japanese handset maker Sony Mobile has just announced that some of its products earned red dot awards for design and functionality.
According to Sony, both Xperia active and Xperia ion smartphones got “plaudits for high quality and stylish minimalism,” while the Smart Wireless Headset pro and SmartDock for Xperia ion have been recognized for “discreet design and impressive functionality.”
In addition, the Xperia ray also received an honorable mention for appearance and usability. With four red dot awards and an honorable mention, Sony Mobile is one of the most awarded handset maker of the world’s largest and most important design competitions.
All four red dot awards have been received in the Product Design category during a presentation ceremony that took place in Essen, Germany on July 2.
Sony also mentioned that the jury of experts evaluated entries against various criteria, such as the degree of innovation, ergonomics, durability and ecological soundness.
Although Xperia active was originally launched with Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system onboard, Sony managed to deliver the long-awaited Ice Cream Sandwich upgrade several weeks ago.
The phone features a dust- and water-proof body, as well as a 3.0-inch scratch-resistant screen that can be used even with wet fingers and in bright sunshine.
There’s also a solid aluminum frame that surrounds and protects the display. The jury claimed that “all details point to its ruggedness and super-friendliness while also conveying high quality.”
On the other hand, this is what the jury had to say about Xperia ion: “contrast between the black display and aluminum backside creating a high-quality appearance enhanced by precision workmanship.”
“Design is at the heart of Sony Mobile’s product development philosophy and these awards are testament to the design quality of our Xperia smartphones and Smart Accessories, demonstrating our commitment to offering consumers a rich smartphone experience without sacrificing on functionality or design,” said Jeanna Kimbre, director of Creative Product Design for Sony Mobile Communications.