The Sony Xperia sola was a compact 2012 Android phone best known for Floating Touch, a limited hover-detection feature, and NFC support. Sony’s historical software table lists Android 2.3 or 4.0 as its supported versions; in 2026, it makes more sense as a collector’s item or offline gadget than as an everyday phone.
What is the Sony Xperia sola?
The Xperia sola is a Sony Mobile Xperia smartphone introduced in 2012. Sony’s official white paper identifies the model as MT27i. It arrived during Sony’s transition from Sony Ericsson-branded products to Sony Mobile, and occupied the compact mid-range Android segment. Sony’s MT27i white paper is the primary reference for its specifications.
Do not confuse it with the Xperia U: Sony’s archived ST25i/ST25a guide is for that separate model, not the sola. That distinction matters when shopping for a handset, manual, case or replacement part.
Sony Xperia sola specifications
| Specification | Xperia sola (MT27i) |
|---|---|
| Launch software | Android 2.3 Gingerbread |
| Processor | 1 GHz dual-core ST-Ericsson U8500 |
| RAM | 512 MB |
| Internal storage | 8 GB total; up to 5 GB user-accessible |
| Memory card | microSD, up to 32 GB |
| Display | 3.7-inch TFT, 854 × 480 |
| Touch input | Capacitive multitouch, up to four fingers; Floating Touch support |
| Rear camera | 5 megapixels, LED flash; 720p video recording |
| Wireless and ports | GSM, WCDMA, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, NFC and USB |
| Dimensions and weight | 116 × 59 × 9.9 mm; 107 g |
| Colors listed by Sony | Black, white and red |
These are Sony’s published specifications for MT27i. Regional versions may differ in cellular bands, so the radio list alone does not establish compatibility with a particular carrier. Sony also specifies up to 5 GB of user-accessible space, not 8 GB free for apps and files. Sony Xperia sola white paper.
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- Width: 3. inches; Length: 6.5 inches; Height: 0.4 inches; Operating System: Android 13.0; Cpu Model Family: others; Connector Type: USB Type C
What did Floating Touch do?
Floating Touch let the screen detect a finger hovering above it, rather than resting on the glass. Its best-known use was in the browser: hovering could help highlight or navigate to links, while a normal touch performed the selection. Contemporary coverage described the feature as limited in practical scope and dependent on supported interactions, rather than a way to operate the whole phone hands-free. PhoneArena’s contemporary review and IBTimes’ review discuss those limits.
The idea was unusual for a phone of its time, but it did not turn the sola into a touchless-control device. Most ordinary phone use still required conventional taps, and the feature’s usefulness depended on the browser or content supporting it.
Rank #2
- Display: Features a 6.5-inch 4K HDR OLED display with 120Hz refresh rate for smooth scrolling and vivid colors.
- Camera: Equipped with a triple camera setup with 12MP main, 12MP ultra-wide and 12MP telephoto lenses for versatile photography.
- Audio: Supports 360 Reality Audio for immersive listening experiences and has evolved stereo speakers that are 40% louder.
- Connectivity: Supports 5G connectivity for fast speeds and Qualcomm Snapdragon 888 5G platform for smooth performance.
- Design: Has a sleek slate design with a 21:9 aspect ratio and is IP65/68 water resistant for durability.
How did NFC and SmartTags work?
The sola included NFC and was promoted alongside Sony Xperia SmartTags. Touching a tag could trigger a preset action or settings change, such as switching a profile or opening a function. Contemporary launch coverage discussed SmartTags as part of the product concept, but reported bundles varied by market, so do not assume every boxed phone included tags. See Phone Scoop’s launch coverage and SoyaCincau’s report.
Having NFC does not imply compatibility with current tap-to-pay services or every modern NFC accessory. Treat it as a period feature to explore with compatible tags, not as a promise of present-day payment support.
Rank #3
- 23MP Camera with the world’s fastest Autofocus*, highest low-light sensitivity, and highest dxo Score for video stabilization
- PS4 Remote Play lets you extend your PlayStation games on your Phone via your local Wi-Fi
- Hi-Res audio delivers a fully immersive and spectacularly detailed audio experience
- Water and dust resistant design keeps you going even in a downpour
- SIM Unlocked means no contracts or commitment to a Specific carrier. A Nano SIM card is required.
What was its official Android update limit?
The sola shipped with Android 2.3 Gingerbread and was officially updated to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich. Sony’s historical Android-version table lists the Xperia sola as supporting Android 2.3 or 4.0; it does not establish an official Android 4.1 Jelly Bean upgrade. Regional firmware releases may vary. Sony’s historical Android-version table.
Custom ROMs are a separate hobbyist path, not Sony support. An unofficial installation depends on the exact model and compatibility of its bootloader, recovery, drivers and ROM. A newer Android version label cannot change the phone’s processor, memory, modem or supported bands.
Rank #4
- Sony Xperia 5 Unlocked smartphone OLED cinema wide display, 128GB - Black - (us )
- Three camera/lens array with 16mm, 26mm and 52mm (35mm EQ) Focal lengths
- Eye-af continuously tracks the subject’s eyes calculating focus up to 30 times/sec.Pixel Density:449 ppi
- Cinema Pro by cineaste - with professional settings, 21: 9 ratio, clip editing
- Up to 10fps shooting with continuous AF/AE tracking
How capable was the Xperia sola in 2012?
What it did well
- Its 107 g body and 3.7-inch screen made it small and light by the standards of the time.
- A dual-core processor, 854 × 480 display, expandable storage, NFC and 720p video gave it a credible set of mid-range features.
- Floating Touch made it distinctive, even if its everyday applications were narrow.
Where it compromised
- 512 MB of RAM and limited user-accessible storage constrained multitasking and available space.
- Floating Touch was an experiment, not a broadly useful replacement for touch input.
- Contemporary reviews noted that camera results, particularly in low light, were not class-leading. PhoneArena’s review provides period context.
- Its small original battery is now more than a decade old in any surviving original unit, making present battery condition more important than the factory specification.
What can you use one for in 2026?
Think of the sola as a legacy device. Its GSM/WCDMA radio and Android 4.0-era software do not establish reliable service on a current network, and compatibility depends on the exact regional variant, cellular bands, SIM-lock status, country and carrier. Check those specifics before buying; do not assume it will work as a dependable U.S. phone. Sony’s MT27i specifications document the older radio technologies.
Reasonable uses
- Collection, nostalgia or a demonstration of early Sony mobile design.
- Offline music, local media, an alarm clock or a simple Wi-Fi-connected experiment.
- Legacy Android tinkering, provided you treat unofficial software as a project rather than normal support.
- An NFC or SmartTag demonstration if you have compatible accessories.
Uses to avoid relying on
- Banking, secure messaging, authentication or other sensitive account access on an old, unsupported software platform.
- Modern web browsing or current apps: compatibility with present-day services and app versions is not assured.
- Primary-phone duty, dependable emergency calling or long-term connected use without verified carrier support.
A handset may connect to Wi-Fi yet fail to register on a cellular network, and may power on while still having a battery that shuts down under load. A custom ROM cannot resolve worn hardware, obsolete radio compatibility or missing modern app support.
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Best Value
- Network Technology 2G bands GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 3G bands HSDPA 800 / 850 / 900 / 1700(AWS) / 1900 / 2100 4G bands 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 25, 26, 28, 34, 38, 39, 40, 41, 66 5G bands 1, 3, 5, 7, 8, 28, 38, 40, 41, 77, 78, 79 SA/NSA/Sub6 Speed HSPA, LTE, 5G
- Dimensions 162 x 74 x 8.2 mm (6.38 x 2.91 x 0.32 in) Weight 197 g (6.95 oz) Build Glass front (Gorilla Glass Victus 2), glass back (Gorilla Glass Victus), aluminum frame SIM Nano-SIM + Nano-SIM IP65/IP68 dust tight and water resistant (low pressure water jets; immersible up to 1.5m for 30 min)
- Display Type LTPO OLED, 1B colors, 120Hz, HDR BT.2020 Size 6.5 inches, 103.7 cm2 (~86.5% screen-to-body ratio) Resolution 1080 x 2340 pixels, 19.5:9 ratio (~396 ppi density) Protection Corning Gorilla Glass Victus 2, Mohs level 5
- Platform OS Android 15, up to 4 major Android upgrades Chipset Qualcomm SM8750-AB Snapdragon 8 Elite (3 nm) CPU Octa-core (2x4.32 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix L + 6x3.53 GHz Oryon V2 Phoenix M) GPU Adreno 830
- Main Camera Triple 48 MP, f/1.9, 24mm (wide), 1/1.35", 1.12µm, dual pixel PDAF, OIS 12 MP, f/2.3, 85mm (telephoto), f/3.5, 170mm (telephoto), 1/3.5", 1.0µm, dual pixel PDAF, 3.5x-7.1x continuous optical zoom, OIS, 4cm macro @ 120mm, no AF 48 MP, f/2.0, 16mm (ultrawide), 1/1.56", 1.0µm, PDAF Features Zeiss optics, Zeiss T* lens coating, color spectrum sensor, LED flash, panorama, HDR, eye tracking Video 4K@24/30/60/120fps HDR, 1080p@30/60/120fps; 5-axis gyro-EIS, OIS Selfie camera Single 12 MP, f/2.0, 24mm (wide), 1/2.9", 1.22µm Features HDR Video 4K@30/60fps, 1080p@30/60fps, 5-axis gyro-EIS
What to check before buying a used Xperia sola
- Verify the model. Check the rear label and phone settings for MT27i or the relevant regional sola variant. Sony explains general Xperia identification in its model-identification guidance and additional identification article. Avoid listings that mix it up with the Xperia U’s ST25 models.
- Confirm power and charging. Test the phone with its charging port and cable; a device that only boots while plugged in may have a failed or badly degraded battery.
- Inspect the battery. Look for swelling, unusual heat, rapid percentage changes and shutdowns under load. Do not use a visibly swollen battery.
- Test the screen and controls. Check touch response across the panel, physical buttons, camera, speaker, microphone, headphone jack, USB port, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
- Check storage and SIM functions. Test microSD detection and the SIM slot; confirm the phone is not carrier-locked if you intend to use a SIM.
- Verify network fit. Match the exact variant’s bands and network support to the target carrier and country before paying. A seller’s claim that it is “unlocked” does not prove network compatibility.
- Set expectations for apps. Ask whether Google services and the specific legacy apps you want actually work; do not assume current Play Store access or modern app compatibility.
- Question newer Android claims. If a listing advertises Android 4.1 or later, ask for evidence and treat it as an unofficial modification unless Sony documentation says otherwise.
- Value accessories and condition accurately. Ask about SmartTags only if they matter to you, since retail bundles varied. Avoid paying a collector premium for a worn common handset unless its condition or packaging justifies it.
Is it the same as the Xperia U or Xperia S?
| Model | How to distinguish it |
|---|---|
| Xperia sola | MT27i; 3.7-inch display; Floating Touch; NFC; 8 GB storage and 512 MB RAM. |
| Xperia U | A separate 2012 model commonly identified by ST25 model numbers; Sony’s ST25 guide is for this phone. |
| Xperia S | A larger, higher-positioned Xperia with different hardware and software history. |
Because these phones date from the same broad period, second-hand listings and accessory catalogs can mislabel manuals, cases, batteries or firmware. Match the exact model number rather than relying on a family name alone.
Should you buy one, or choose another compact Xperia?
Buy the sola if the appeal is its history, unusual hover feature, small form or offline use, and you are comfortable checking condition carefully. It is a poor fit for anyone who needs current apps, security updates, strong battery life or dependable cellular service.
A later compact Xperia such as the Xperia X Compact, Z1 Compact or XZ1 Compact may offer more capable hardware and newer-era connectivity, but these are also discontinued phones. Their battery condition, regional variants, carrier bands and software status still need checking. A current compact Android phone is the more sensible route for secure everyday use, even if it is larger than the sola.
For general background, Sony’s mobile manuals and support page remains useful for historical documentation; it is not evidence that the Xperia sola is sold new or receives current support.
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