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Posted 14 October 2011

Sony Ericsson Xperia Play (Black) £149.99 on PAYG @ O2.co.uk

£149.99
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Xperia Play available in black or white colours on O2 Pay-and-Go, available online.

These keep getting cheaper. I think delivery is free.

Locked to O2? Not sure.

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Don't forget £3.50 cashback too on O2 PAYG handsets
- martyj999
O2 More details at
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  1. deleted438889's avatar
    I purchased a white one from the O2 store in the Grand Arcade in Wigan on Friday, having been told that there was no stock at unlocked-mobiles.com. Having finally caught a member of staff's attention from the numerous folk scrabbling to get a new iPhone, he went out back and retrieved me an Xperia Play. When he scanned it at the till, his reaction to the new low,low price was fantastic!

    In the box I received:
    Xperia Play in white, 3 pin UK USB charger, two Micro USB cables (one short, one long), in car cigarette socket USB (Sony Ericsson branded), white headphones with in-line mic/answer button (with comfy in-ear rubber ear pieces, with two sizes of rubbery thing), screen protector and the usual bits of paper (but no user manual, which is found on the phone itself).

    The box itself carried no O2 branding, neither does the phone, in terms of boot screen or apps/bloatware.

    It isn't a vanilla version of Android, it has a SE skin/theme, which I think is quite snazzy, as is the Timescape widget on the main screen, which displays postcard type updates from your social media, along with texts and missed calls etc.

    The gaming controller is fantastic, and for the couple of emulators I have tried so far, this is by far the best way to experience them (John NES Lite and GENPlusDroid). Games play at full speed, and filters can be applied to smooth out the graphics.

    The speakers are fantastically loud, although I found the volume rocker a little fiddly to use, particularly when the gaming controller is open.

    I use a GiffGaff sim, and it worked without any sort of unlocking; 3G works fine. I had an old O2 PAYG sim, which I handed to the guy in the shop when purchasing. No mention was made of buying a £10 top-up.

    I haven't, as of yet, been able to update the phone to 2.3.4, which brings better screen brightness and 720p video recording amongst other things. The updater states that I have the latest software.

    The leaflet that comes with the phone about free games takes you to a website that tells you that the offer has expired, however there are still free EA games till January (Dead Space, Battlefield, Need for Speeds etc).

    The camera is waaaay better than the one on my OSF, with a decent flash, and fantastic macro mode. 720p will be the icing on the cake.

    I hope I have addressed all the points raised so far in this thread, feel free to ask me any other questions.
  2. rorrism's avatar
    Every time I see this I am more and more tempted, but my tatty OSF seems to be struggling along ok at the moment. Hot deal though, can't see the price dropping much further in the forseeable.

    Mark
  3. MrCharlie's avatar
    well i guess right that the new rrp is around the 150 mark, i expect this to drop a bit when peeps undercut the rrp.
  4. deleted138328's avatar
    [quote=martyj999]Perhaps it's because of the product, but there are more cryers on this thread than in most of the other threads put together, have you people not been here before, order something in high demand, get confirmation, stock levels and order systme not in sync, this happens on a daily basis round here, crying about retailers, call centre staff and online support - calling them retards, what are you twelve?[/quote

    The point is that the customer service is a joke, if they haven't got them in stock - no problem, but don't go taking peoples money, promising delivery by this day, and then continuing to lie about stock levels etc, they knew they had no stock on Friday, why should it take until Tuesday for the stock and order system to sync? your talking out of your ****, Cryers?? 'Is that even a word? How old are you?
  5. EcumenicalMatter's avatar
    twist

    Take it this was easy enough to do and no risk involved?



    No risk involved, and was pretty easy. It's kinda fiddly getting the connection, but once you have, and Omnius starts printing info, just put the battery back in, and that should be it, assuming you have the unlock purchased already and credited to your account. I see paper clip mentioned in the instructions, but I wouldn't bother with that, as it would be too fiddly. I used one of the 'twistys' that was wrapped around the USB cable. Just removed the plastic from either end. It can be easily bent into whatever shape you need it to be
  6. MrBrightside1987's avatar
    RedOnRed

    What do you do with the contacts, ie, what do you put on them, etc?


    Just sent a reply to your PM, but here's the instructions in case anyone else wants them too:

    Assuming that you managed to do the first bit - just reading the simlock information, and did the backup step, I'll start with the unlocking step....

    Firstly, put Omnius into Unlock mode as this will popup with instructions, including a picture of the contact you need to connect with the paperclip. Don't follow the Omnius instructions, use these ones instead:

    1) Turn off the phone
    2) Remove battery
    3) Peel back the sticker in the back of your phone to reveal the contact points (8 points in a little parallelogram) - you'll see them looking like the ones shown in the Omnius instructions
    4) Connect the USB cable to the phone
    5) Get an unfolded metal paperclip (I actually used an unfolded safety pin) and connect the contact point shown in Omnius, to the (-) connector of your phone battery. At this point your battery isn't in the phone - you have to hold it which is why it gets a bit fiddly. If you're looking at your phone in portrait mode from the back, then the contact you want is the 2nd (right) column and third one up. The (-) connector on your battery is clearly labelled on the top of your battery.
    Just hold the paperclip their for a few seconds and you'll see Omnius recognise your phone.
    6) As soon as your phone is recognised connect your battery to the phone properly - you have about 5 seconds to do this. Upon doing so you'll get an error saying your username/password are invalid - that's exactly what you want!

    Now, if you manage to get through all that then you know that you can unlock your phone using Omnius. The next step is to buy your credits, setup the account information in Omnius with your username and password that you get from the credit supplier and then repeat the process but this time your username and password will be recognised and your phone will be unlocked!

    PS: I bought my credits from here:
    store.ddtnetwork.com/pro…e=1
    Which cost about £13 and I got the username and password within 15-20 minutes
  7. superspod's avatar
    robertr

    Try 'tunein radio' from the android marketplace.



    The Pro version is free on GetJar at the moment: getjar.com/mob…ay/
  8. deleted429574's avatar
    This phone is a little chunky as just a phone but that's not what the phone's about

    As far as the games that are available for it through the marketplace go, I really wouldnt bother with them, they take up a lot of memory and really aren't that impressive.

    What makes this phone awesome are the emulators

    Nes, Snes, Megadrive, Master System, Gameboy Advance. All run pretty much flawlessly, and the controls feel great. Also these games take up hardly any memory.

    I've even managed to get Mario 64 and Mario Kart 64 working surprisingly well, but the rest of the N64 games struggle.

    I have to say though that the favourite thing I have installed on the phone is the Android version of SCUMM. It allows you to run classic PC adventure games such as Broken Sword 1+2, Discworld 1+2 and The Curse Of Monkey Island absolutely perfectly. Even better than they look on the PC these days.





  9. deleted307589's avatar
    Just bought one of these to replace my orange SF - Very impressed with the quality so far, and Sony have put a lot of polish on the standard rom (sparkly menus and nice animations).
    Runs a fair bit quicker and smoother than the OSF, although doesn't feel quite as robust, despite the extra bulk (think its due to the movement of the flip up screen).
    Not too fussed about the gaming, just wanted a decent spec phone for £150 - and this does the trick.
    Is it £60 or so quid better than the OSF if you already have one? - probably not if you have a decent custom rom (stock OSF is shocking!), but buying from scratch its a better choice than the OSF, and as you can't unlock the Orange Monte yet - I would recommend it over that.
    Be aware as well that there doesn't seem to be the custom rom and mod support like the OSF if you're in to fiddlng and changing your phone appearance regularly.
    Overall though I'm more than happy with it as a smartphone primarily
  10. Sweetchuck's avatar
    monkeyman192

    Can this be unlocked from O2 network?


    Have you tried reading the thread?
  11. markovian's avatar
    I recently received a new Xperia Play from one of the other deals and succeeded in rooting it following the following guide:

    forum.xda-developers.com/sho…074

    Might be useful ?
  12. Sweetchuck's avatar
    mj0112

    So has no one yet found out whether or not it is branded (and if so, the … So has no one yet found out whether or not it is branded (and if so, the extent, i.e. just casing or software as well)?


    Hard to say... Unbelievably, o2 haven't actually delivered any of them to us yet. Talk about poor service!
  13. deleted429878's avatar
    Just a heads up. Picked up the play for 159.99 including compulsory top up in store. Comes with 16gb sd card. No o2 branding on phone. Phone is locked to o2. Absolute bargain!!!
    (edited)
  14. kemik's avatar
    Arrgghh damn this site I've just ordered another high value item I didn't really need....

    ....as I bang my head up and down on my desk trying to bang some sense into it!!




    (edited)
  15. bluepeter11's avatar
    delusion



    lets just say this, i already have a black xperia play but have decided to buy a white one from o2 just because it looks that good (to me)
  16. deleted279956's avatar
    This + GiffGaff = Perfect

    Have some heat ya crazy phone dealin' mofo!
  17. bluepeter11's avatar
    i just wanted to add the following for people who are having trouble finding the order details on o2 website

    sign into your "my o2" account
    click on "my mobile bill"
    scroll all the way down and you should see "my orders"
  18. markovian's avatar
    If anyone is interested, the N64 Emulator (Bit64) which was removed from the Android market a couple of weeks ago is available here: 4shared.com/fil…tml

    Free emu to play N64 ROM's.

    ;o)
  19. Sweetchuck's avatar
    martyj999

    Perhaps it's because of the product, but there are more cryers on this … Perhaps it's because of the product, but there are more cryers on this thread than in most of the other threads put together, have you people not been here before, order something in high demand, get confirmation, stock levels and order systme not in sync, this happens on a daily basis round here, crying about retailers, call centre staff and online support - calling them retards, what are you twelve?


    Very few people are complaining about that. Most people are complaining about the fact that they are getting radically different stories from different o2 CS advisers in relation to stock availability, whilst other people simply haven't a clue if they are actually going to get the phone or not because they have never received a confirmation e-mail or a dispatch e-mail. I don't recall seeing huge numbers of people moaning about not getting this. Most people are moaning (rightly) about o2's appalling CS processes, which haven't been improved despite numerous farcical episodes in recent years, including the Samsung Galaxy Europa disaster back in July.

    Still, don't let the truth good in the way of a good rant, eh?
  20. Sweetchuck's avatar
    martyj999

    Cry some more ffs, they had stock, they ran out, they got more stock on … Cry some more ffs, they had stock, they ran out, they got more stock on monday. You can complain all you want about the incompetence of some of the staff and the online systems, but if it wasn't for these "retards" we wouldn't get half of the miss prices, instore glithes and freebies that are posted here every day.


    It seems like you're the only one crying.

    Do you think it's normal for a company not to know its **** from its elbow, or even to be able to send order confirmations?

    It strikes me as strange (not to mention hypocritical) that you demand such high levels of decorum from fellow forum users yet seem so satisfied with abysmal levels of CS.
  21. irradiated's avatar
    in all fairness i didnt ring over and over yet im still in the same boat
    i ordered online fri (not available in my store then for some reason) livechat this morning to see whats what only to be told no stock, so phoned c/s coz its easier than livechat and cancelled
    even with over demand they shouldnt take actual payment till they have an item to sell and computers are pretty quick at counting
    i can accept missing out on a deal, happens all the time, i cant accept having to wait 5 working days for a refund when they acquired the cash in less than 1 working day
  22. ssjinzo's avatar
    has any body used cam mod on the market for the play gives you the ability to take pictures with the "R" button and "L" for focus i suggest use that instead of the cam app the phone has. just search xperia play

    market.android.com/det…ult

    no one mentioned it so i though i would let people know
  23. deleted13853's avatar
    Scooter's

    ? I know about the one in the box (which was a mare trying to get fitted … ? I know about the one in the box (which was a mare trying to get fitted as part of the adhesive would not come off so I gave up) but I thought the one already on the phone was just a temporary cover to be taken off?



    The tempoary cover is fitted over the factory fitted screen protector.
  24. freeonline's avatar
    [image missing]

  25. deleted13853's avatar
    FINALLY!!!

    12601553-Axxqf
  26. freeonline's avatar
    Zaxxan

    Hi can you explain how this procedure works? I assume it only flashes the … Hi can you explain how this procedure works? I assume it only flashes the firmware and doesn't remove the simlock or bootlock. Will this procedure invalidate the warranty?edit: do you have to peel back the battery sticker to expose the contacts when using this method?edit 2: I've checked the wotan site and it says that the firmware upgrade for an xperia play is free, however when I click on the 'use now' button it says that I have insufficient credits to use the service. I'm confused



    Download the software from here
    Ignore the insufficient credits message just register and sign in and your account will be credited. Open the software and follow the instruction to detect the phone. This is just for flashing your phone and you don't need to peel back anything and I didn't even remove the battery, just switch off, wait a few seconds and then hold the back button while plugging in the cable. Just flashing, no unlocking sim or bootloader, for that I used Omnius. I don't think flashing will invalidate your Warranty.
    *If the update is available via Pc Companion, use it, less hassle.
    (edited)
  27. ShaunnyBwoy's avatar
    I bet there will be a huge surge in sales for this phone over any other smartphone on the market for months to come. Almost firesale price, just wondering if Sony have a strategy to flood the market with android games.... I hope so!
  28. wantthatone's avatar
    Giff Gaff is 02, really tempted
  29. The.Fatter.Cat's avatar
    MoneyEyes

    ...and what's it like?


    It's a bit like a phone...
    And a bit like a PSP
  30. MoneyEyes's avatar
    I understand that obviously. We've had someone post on here saying they have the phone so will be nice to know if its anygood? And a comparison would be nice.
  31. martyj999's avatar
    Sony have only recently offered up their support for the development of custom roms - CM7.1 is now available for the play:

    cyanogenmod.com/blo…sed
  32. valluri's avatar
    Can anyone suggest unlock and debranding options for this? does O2 unlock it before 12 months if I pay 15 quid.. will it be just unlock or debrand as well?
  33. Sweetchuck's avatar
    martyj999

    Sony have only recently offered up their support for the development of … Sony have only recently offered up their support for the development of custom roms - CM7.1 is now available for the play:http://www.cyanogenmod.com/blog/cyanogenmod-7-1-released


    CM wouldn't do anything to remove bootscreen branding, would it?

    Seems like there may be a few ROMs (including a stock one) over at XDA. Can someone who understands these things better than me take a quick look at the page to confirm that this would allow a full re-flash of the phone to an unbranded state?

    forum.xda-developers.com/sho…725

    Many thanks!
    (edited)
  34. MrCharlie's avatar
    it weights as much as my blackberry bold 9700 and not much bigger. if one can't handle the weight, one needs to work out a bit more

    seriously all this talk of bulk and weight is total misleading, i expected it to be huge and heavy, it wasn't.

    your not gonna get a 4" inch mobile for 150 anywhere. it's a billy bargain!
    (edited)
  35. ssjinzo's avatar

    O

    craigjrobertson

    Thanks OP.Is this offer available in store too?


    Yep in store stock limited tho
  36. bluepeter11's avatar
    Sweetchuck

    CM wouldn't do anything to remove bootscreen branding, would it?Seems … CM wouldn't do anything to remove bootscreen branding, would it?Seems like there may be a few ROMs (including a stock one) over at XDA. Can someone who understands these things better than me take a quick look at the page to confirm that this would allow a full re-flash of the phone to an unbranded state?http://forum.xda-developers.com/showthread.php?t=1201725 Many thanks!



    i feel like im spamming this thread but there is so much wrong information i have to correct

    anyway, the link you posted is for the USA version which i wouldn't recommend flashing (you still can if you want but i wouldn't)

    flashing the DooMLoRd kernel alone would replace the splash screen (and is easy to do) but you can also flash a custom/striped rom to get rid of any bloat o2 left

  37. deleted62773's avatar
    Has anybody who has bought this today received a confirmation email from O2 yet?

    I have ordered it at 12:00 with an order number at checkout but no confirmation email yet.
  38. COGMAN's avatar
    tdk2bu

    Is that for certain? I'm on Tesco too and if I don't have to mess around … Is that for certain? I'm on Tesco too and if I don't have to mess around unlocking it, then I'm buying



    Ive just spoke to O2 about this, the phone is locked to O2 but any O2 sim will work in it I.E Pay as you go or contract SIM.

    Also they checked my Tesco(O2) mobile number as they can either be Tesco or O2???? If its an old contract I;e more than a year ago it seems they are pure O2 so can be used.

    For anyone with a Tesco Contract call them on 08442 020202 and they will check your exaxct number and tell you.

    I'm ordering awsome hot hot hot
  39. COGMAN's avatar
    Just ordered, anyone wanna buy my San Francisco, about 6 months old, mint condition, unlocked, Android 2.2 unbranded, even still got the £10 orange voucher that came with it £75 posted.
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