The Advertising Standards Authority has upheld a complaint against Sony Ericsson for the phone specifications shown on its website.
The web page for the Xperia X8 smartphone claimed ‘Standby time (up to) 446 hours’ with a note below reading ‘Battery performance may vary depending on network conditions and configuration, and phone usage’. An ASA investigation was launched after receiving a complaint that suggested the standby time for the smartphone was substantially less than the advertised figure.
Sony Ericsson explained that the standby power consumption was affected by a wide range of factors, which was why standby time specifications could only be compared in a laboratory environment. It provided test data that showed the phone could achieve a standby time of 446 hours in laboratory conditions.
The ASA acknowledged that battery life was affected by a number of factors. However, because the maximum standby time wasn’t described as being theoretical, the ASA felt that consumers would believe the battery was capable of lasting this long during normal consumer use (subject to the other factors stated in the ad). As a result, Sony Ericsson has been told not to repeat the claim that the Xperia X8 has a standby time of up to 446 hours without suitable qualification.
Sony Ericsson has now updated its website.
[ASA adjudication]