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The capacative buttons

J

jaseuk

Well-Known Member
Okay now I've had a chance to play with the Xperia S for a few hours, here's the lowdown on the capacative buttons.

The most responsive area is actually in between the dot and the screen, when you first get it you (well I was) automatically pushing below the button but now I have adjusted to pushing a little bit higher and it works great.

Hope this helps anyone with their own handsets/people deciding whether to get it.

I'm off to go find a case before I drop it.
 
Just a quick Note on battery life, I left mine off charge last night after playing with it heavily for a few hours before bed and battery drain seemed normal (was showing above 3/4 full - I know I should have taken a screenshot via the power button), definately not excessive and being that it may take a few days/weeks to settle down I'm happy, I guess it may even improve when the XS gets ICS too.
 
Not at all, i would be perfectly happy with the phone as is. The fact that were getting a update to the OS which is a genuine improvement rather than just a few tweaks just makes this phone just overloaded with win
 
Try going into the service menu

*#*#7378423#*#*

and you can do a range of tests, including the capacitive keys.

I've found that pressing slightly above the dots helps - a little, but you can also press to the sides. Sometimes, with successive tests it's easy to get confused as it seems at times that you can press anywhere - then at other times, it needs pinpoint accuracy.

What I am wondering is if the phone, in normal phone mode (as against test mode) is requiring a bit of a delay before accepting a press. If you tap quickly, even above the icons, it can fail to register. However, if you go to press more firmly - using more of your finger or thumb, it invariably means you press a tad longer and then it seems to work. You can also press with less accuracy, although it's perhaps a bit annoying when using one-handed to have to be so 'firm'.

The problem is I'm so familiar with Android devices that, like many on here I'd guess, I can jump around at lightning speed!

Hopefully we'll see Sony adjusting the sensitivity if it is possible, or even adding a menu option.

To anyone worrying, you will get used to the buttons, so don't let it put you off buying - but be aware of the issue.
 
There seems to be a lot of mixed feelings from users with regards to the capacitive buttons. Is it remotely possible that the capacitive buttons on one Xperia S maybe more sensitive/responsive than another?
 
I suppose it's possible, but the pre-production (Sony Ericsson branded) models seemed the same.

Even if they are all the same, I reckon a lot of people will still return their phone to get a replacement - so Sony may well find themselves with lots of issues even if the phone is perfectly fine!
 
I'm going to try and test the buttons in store next week. These buttons are the only thing holding me back. If there was a physical home button I'd buy the phone without any hesitation.
 
I have had no problems at all with the buttons. After an hour of use you subconsciously get used to it anyway.
 
It doesn't have to be a swipe up either, it can be any direction around the dots.

I think it proves that it needs to register a press for longer than merely tapping - and a swipe or longer hold satisfies that requirement.

I'm ever hopeful that there might one day be an option to adjust the sensitivity, either officially or via a custom ROM. I do find myself using the phone rather quickly, and being used to very short taps on the screen itself it can feel awkward to have to press that little bit longer (or swipe) over the capacitive keys.

That said, I'm not finding it to be too big a problem so while it's worth discussing here, people need to maintain some context. The keys aren't a dealbreaker, although I can see some people possibly being put off.
 
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