[Sony Xperia P, U, Sola, Go] jonmorris:
Forget variants and network branded models. I am talking about all the other Android devices they released.

They did not just release one handset last year and a table or two. In previous years, Samsung has released in excess of 50 devices in a year (not all Android) and while we hear about how they've updated some they have not done all of them at all. If you don't know what they were, and I don't blame you (many won't be hugely advertised) take a look around various electrical retailers, supermarkets or online. Samsung didn't get where it is today by selling just one flagship model.

Sony was doing ALL of the 2011 models. Now it's all but one.

With regards to the Xperia S, Sony was already having trouble with finding out if its buyout of the JV would be approved. So, it had to be ready to keep the SE logo and packaging or switch to Sony. You can imagine that being quite a logistical nightmare.

On top of that, there was the OS with ICS still not featuring in many devices. I happen to agree with you that perhaps Sony should have waited, but if that had been the case then we'd have now seen the Xperia S going on sale in June or July. After devices like the HTC One X and Galaxy S III. Given Joe Public will be saying 'OMG - QUAD CORE!' I think Sony did the right thing, especially considering most people only know it is Android - not what version of the OS it runs. A lot of them don't care one bit and wouldn't even know the difference.

As for HTC, they might be doing some older handsets (like those with more memory) but a lot of the models from last year won't and are considered end of line. People may still be well within their contract, and that also goes against the general agreement made with Google to support new devices for 18 months.

From where I'm standing, it seems like Sony is one of the only manufacturers that is keeping to that (non-binding) agreement. That's based on reality, not what some tech sites are writing. In fact, when they update their articles after Sony has - in the space of 1 or 2 months - upgraded nearly all 2011 models and all the 2012 models, they'll be ahead.

Let's come back in a year and see what we can say about updates to Android 4.1, 4.2.. 5...

(BTW, I'll have my G S3 next week and will be keen to do some proper comparisons of my own)

My Xperia arc is still plenty fast enough. You know what slows it down? The lack of RAM. Because apps close in the background and then have to be re-loaded, it impacts on performance and battery.

Had the 2011 models had more RAM (and more space to install apps without using the SD card) then I'd actually be here arguing that even the Xperia S is overkill!

I've had the One X and will have the S3 next week. Like everyone else, I'll do a load of benchmark tests and we'll see how fast they are (and the S3 is killing everything on the benchmarks) and then I'll go on using the phone alongside other, slower, models and look to see where that extra power is being used.

Even the HTC One V and Xperia U I have on my desk right now, waiting to be reviewed, are quick. So too was the Huawei Ascend G300 - a phone that will cost you less than £100/$150 and packs in 1GHz processor, 4-inch display and 5MP camera with HD video.

I can't wait to see some apps that really push the hardware to the limit and make it so anyone wanting to run it would have to buy a quad/multi-core device, but I've not seen any yet.

---------- Post added at 09:43 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:33 AM ----------

Great advice there.

What a good review should have is facts, that can make you rule out buying something if it has specific flaws or wouldn't do what you wanted.

A lot of the actual content in a review is subjective, and may not match your own opinions at all.

If you read a review and the device seems to tick all of the boxes on your own personal requirements list, and you can narrow down a shortlist you can then make your own decision and not just go for whatever has the highest rating today. After all, Samsung and others will have something out that beats the S3 soon enough - and Samsung might even release the phone in other guises (smaller screen, different shell, keyboard or whatever).

Now, if you buy what you actually want then you won't be disappointed when that happens. If you just buy to get the coolest bit of kit, you've got a very small window before it's over. Only Apple users can buy a device on the day of launch and enjoy a fairly long period of 'exclusivity'.

---------- Post added at 09:47 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:43 AM ----------

I think it shows that Samsung's attempt to mimic Apple has paid off, but brought with it a few problems - the fanboys!!

---------- Post added at 09:52 AM ---------- Previous post was at 09:47 AM ----------

The 2011 models did have limitations, like not enough RAM, but the reason the PLAY isn't getting ICS is down to the way the gamepad works with the OS and the optimised games.

ICS changes the way the gamepad works (and all keyboards and other accessories) and after Sony released ICS to developers, it was quickly found that almost all games would need to be modified and re-released.

As a result, the decision was made to halt the roll-out of ICS. The PLAY can (and to the beta testers IS) run ICS but at least there's a good reason for not releasing the OS update on it. Blame Google, or perhaps say that Sony Ericsson should have waited to release the PLAY until ICS was out (thus delaying the device by a year or so!).