IntoMobile » Sony Ericsson

Nokia, plus almost every major international operator, agree on a standard for voice + SMS over LTE

Stefan Constantinescu — Wed, 04 Nov 2009 13:47:44 +0000

LTE, Long Term Evolution, 4G, whatever you want to call it, was designed to be a complete IP based system. Many of you may be surprised to hear this, but when LTE became a standard, it only supported data. That’s right, 4th generation networks didn’t have an interoperable standard for voice and SMS. Several solutions have been proposed, and I’ve extended my support to VoLGA, but it looks like Nokia (NYSE: NOK) has decided IMS (IP Multimedia Subsystem) will be the way going forward.

Who supports the decision? AT&T, Orange, Telefonica (many of you know them as O2), TeliaSonera, Verizon (NYSE: VZ), Vodafone (NYSE: VOD), Alcatel-Lucent (NYSE: ALU), Ericsson, Nokia Siemens Networks, Nokia, Samsung and Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE). That’s a lot of companies. Their posse is called “One Voice Initiative” and now that the big boys have all decided on a standard, progress towards getting LTE networks up and running will start to pick up. Verizon and TeliaSonera are competing to see who will launch the world’s first commercial LTE network in 2010, but it’s going to quite a ways off until 4G coverage is equal to the current 3G footprint.

If anyone can point me (and IntoMobile readers) to a blog post or a book that explains how IMS works, that would be greatly appreciated. I’ve always avoided the standard since I thought it would never fly. Oh how wrong I am now.

Update: The One Voice spec has been published, check it out [PDF] if you’re a network engineer.

[Via: Press Release]

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Fido Launches the Sony Ericsson T715A

James Falconer — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 14:35:23 +0000

A quick bit of Canadian mobile news here, on Fido. It seems as though the discount Canadian carrier (run by the behemoth, Rogers (NYSE: RCI) (NYSE: RCI)) has released the Sony Ericsson T715A. The T715A is a slider with a 2.2″ 240×320 QVGA display, 3.2MP camera with video, Bluetooth, speakerphone, MP3 player and more. Pretty standard fare… Not ideal for the power user, but a nice solid device for those that need a steady performer for everyday calling and basic tasks.

The price? Try $50 on a 2-year term, or $200 month-to-month, prepaid, or for the device only. For all the details head on over to Fido.

[Via: MobileSyrup]

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Sony Ericsson XPERIA X10 officially unveiled along with UX platform; Coming in the first quarter of 2010

Dusan Belic — Tue, 03 Nov 2009 08:10:33 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) XPERIA X10 has been officially announced! Alongside the super-cool device, the company also unveiled its UX open platform.

Here’s the X10 specs rundown:

Quad-band GSM/EDGE connectivity – 850/900/1800/1900 MHz, plus tri/quad-band HSPA 900/1700/2100 (T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA?) or 800/850/1900/2100 MHz
4-inch WVGA (480×854 pixels) capacitive touchscreen
8.1-megapixel auto-focus camera with an array of camera technologies including touch focus, face recognition, smile detection, image and video stabilizer, geo-tagging. Where’s flash???
1GHz Qualcomm (NSDQ: QCOM) Snapdragon QSD8250 CPU!
GPS, WiFi, Bluetooth, 3.5mm audio jack
1GB of internal memory, plus a microSD memory card slot (8GB card should come in box)
Google (NSDQ: GOOG) apps pre-loaded
Android 1.6 Donut – I’m guessing it will be upgradable to 2.0 Eclair
Size: 119×63x13 mm, weight: 135 grams
Colors: Sensuous Black and Luster White

In a nutshell, pretty impressive first Android phone from Sony Ericsson.

As for the mentioned UX platform, it is developed not for the X10, only, but for the whole series which will be launched in the first half of 2010. Included with UX are two signature apps Timescape and Mediascape, which allow users to manage their social networking activities (Timescape), and browse all the media, both on the phone and on the Internet (Mediascape).

And that’s almost it. Plus we have a video to share which Sony Ericsson kindly uploaded to YouTube. It follows after the jump. Enjoy!

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Video: Sony Ericsson Rachael UI looks impressive!

Dusan Belic — Sun, 01 Nov 2009 19:13:29 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) may have a winner with the Rachael, which is set to be announced within two days. We’ve seen the teaser clip and now it’s time to see how this baby actually works. Yap, we have the UI video and I can tell you one thing – it rocks! The first Sony Ericsson Android-powered device will come with a WVGA (480×854 pixels) touchscreen and an optimized user interface that really takes advantage of the whole screen estate… Enough said, here’s the video. Enjoy!

[Via: Engadget Mobile]

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Rumour: Sony Ericsson Rachael Android due in UK on 3rd Nov?

Ben Robinson — Sat, 31 Oct 2009 01:29:20 +0000

Well, that’s what TechDigest reckons – and they are following up on evidence that the SE-Blog found on the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) site!

For those of you that had forgotten the specs:

4?, 800 x 400 touchscreen

2G: 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)

3G: 900/2100 (Dual-Band); HSDPA (10Mbps), HSUPA (2Mbps)

8 megapixel camera with autofocus and 8 x digital zoom

LED Flash

Image Stabilization

Smile Shutter

Face Detection

VGA Video Recording

POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange e-mail

miniUSB, 3.5mm AV connector

Bluetooth (2.1), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g), AGPS

4?, 800 x 400 touchscreen
2G: 850/900/1800/1900 (Quad-Band)
3G: 900/2100 (Dual-Band); HSDPA (10Mbps), HSUPA (2Mbps)
8 megapixel camera with autofocus and 8 x digital zoom
LED Flash / Image Stabilization / Smile Shutter / Face Detection / VGA Video Recording
POP3, SMTP, IMAP4, MS Exchange e-mail
miniUSB, 3.5mm AV connector
Bluetooth (2.1), Wi-Fi (IEEE 802.11g), AGPS

So I guess within a couple of days we’ll see how the rumours are – but if it’s true then we have got a real smartphone shootout on our hands over the Christmas period!!

[Story via: TechDigest/SE-Blog, Image via: eXpansys]

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Video: Sony Ericsson X10 (Rachel) Appears in Teaser

Simon Sage — Fri, 30 Oct 2009 20:06:44 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) has been getting the gears turning for the launch of their first Android handset code-named Rachel with their What’s Next? website earlier this week, which has since been updated with this teaser video. This is the first official nod to the X10 device, though we’ve seen lots of hands-on pictures (mostly from when it was called the X3), and even a video of SE’s impressive custom user interface. Rumoured specs include a beefy 8 megapixel camera, 4″ WVGA touchscreen, 1 Ghz processor, GPS, Wi-Fi, 3G, 3.5mm headphone jack and the recently-released Android 2.0. January is our best guess for launch so far, but an official announcement will be happening November 3 (next Monday).

[via GSMArena]

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Sony Ericsson Satio: Consumers get a 1000 mAh battery while employees get 1350 mAh

Stefan Constantinescu — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 23:01:37 +0000

Steve O’Hear is in London this week for the 2009 Symbian Exchange and Exposition and had a brief sit down with Anders Westin, Head of Software Relations, Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE). Several questions were asked, mainly concerning Sony Ericsson’s current portfolio which spans every single smartphone operating system under the sun, including, hopefully, Android 2.0 on the XPERIA X3, but the kicker was Steve asking Anders why the Sony Ericsson Satio had such a piss poor battery. The Satio, for those unfamiliar with the device, has a 3.5 inch touch screen, runs Symbian S60 5th Edition and has a 12 megapixel camera. It eats batteries for breakfast. Sony Ericsson has been shipping the Satio with a 1000 mAh battery, and when Steve brought this up to up with Anders, he seemed a bit shocked. “Don’t you mean 1350mAh?” he said, lifting the battery cover off his device to reveal a 35% larger 1350 mAh battery, to which Steve, and many customers around the world, replied “ummm no. what the fuck?”

What gives Sony Ericsson?

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Sony Ericsson to announce new phone(s) on November 3rd

Dusan Belic — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:34:28 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) is preparing to unveil new phones on November 3rd. The special “What’s next?” mini-site has been prepared for the occasion, hinting us we could finally see the Swedish-Japanese handset maker releasing something official on their Android plans. Yap, we hope to see the Xperia X3 announced, now that we’ve seen it in in-the-wild photos.

I’ll only remind of you of the X3’s specs – this baby should pack a 4-inch WVGA screen, 8-megapixel camera, and a 1 GHz Snapdragon CPU. In that sense “I want it” is an understatement.

[Via: Unwired View]

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Sony Ericsson Equinox hitting T-Mobile on October 28th; Two cool contests organized as part of the marketing campaign

Dusan Belic — Tue, 27 Oct 2009 10:11:05 +0000

T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) is Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s main partner in the U.S. and now we have the two companies launching the mid-range clamshell, Equinox, on October 28th. Specs wise, there’s GPS on board, quad-band (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) GSM and dual-band (2100/1700 MHz) HSDPA radio, 3.2-megapixel camera, 2.2-inch QVGA screen, Bluetooth, FM radio, YouTube client, and so on. The key differentiating point of the Equinox is its “eye-catching night effects” feature that allow users to set different “pulsating light effects” for their favorite contacts. Kinda nerdy, don’t you think?

Anyway, to celebrate the launch, Sony Ericsson engaged its sexy ambassador, Maria Sharapova, who will make an appearance at the grand opening of a new T-Mobile store in Los Angeles on October 31st. At the event, the Swedish-Japanese company will hold a Maria Sharapova look-a-like contest, with prizes including Maria-style VIP treatment for a day, Sony Ericsson Equinox phones and Sony’s VAIO computers.

In addition, Sony Ericsson is organizing “Get Your Glam On” sweepstakes beginning November 9th. The winner of the contest will get a trip to Los Angeles to meet Kim Kardashian and receive the makeover from her personal glam squad…

[Image from UnwiredView]

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More Sony Ericsson XPERIA X3 (Rachel) pics surface

Will Park — Mon, 26 Oct 2009 21:35:09 +0000

The Android revolution has begun, and you know what that means – loads of Android smartphone spy pics! We’ve already seen the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) XPERIA X3 (Rachel) doing its thing in the wild, and we even have video demonstrating the Rachel’s customized Android UI concept. But, we still can’t get us enough of the Rachel. So, we’re happy to see another round of Rachel spy pics coming to light. This go ’round, Mobile Crunch is calling it the Sony Ericsson “X10.” What happened to all those other “X’s” is beyond us.

The X10 you see in these pictures is reportedly running the vanilla Android UI, and not the “Rachel” UI that we’ve seen before. The lighting here is way better than we’ve previously seen in X3/X10 spy photos, but it’s as blur-tastic as most other spy pics. Maybe whoever took these pics thought it would be funny to use a Motorola (NYSE: MOT) RAZR as a camera.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X3/X10 (Rachel) is still expected to launch in the first quarter of 2010 with its 4-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen, 8.1-megapixel camera, 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, GPS, WiFi, 3G data and a 3.5mm headphone jack. Android 2.0 OS (Eclair) will likely be on tap to battle the well-endowed HTC Dragon.

Enjoy the pics, it’s going to be a long winter!

[Via: MobileCrunch and PhoneDog]

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Video: Sony Ericsson Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana commercial

Dusan Belic — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 10:03:03 +0000

Remember the arguably stylish Sony Ericsson Jalou? One of the device versions was co-signed by Dolce&Gabbana and that specific device got a new commercial. Here’s what’s it all about right from the horse’s mouth (that’s Domenico Dolce and Stefano Gabbana):

The campaign theme plays with the concept of jealousy and desire for a must have object, the protagonists are willing to do whatever is necessary to get it before everyone else, the link with the Dolce&Gabbana brand is the strong femininity, the exclusivity and luxury of the women that wear the Dolce&Gabbana clothing, use the Jalou by Dolce&Gabbana phone and embrace our world in general.

The two companies are also running print campaign, which is reportedly totally created by Dolce&Gabbana. And now the mentioned clip. Enjoy!

[Via: SEMC blog]

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Scanbuy’s barcode app to come pre-loaded on Sony Ericsson handsets

Dusan Belic — Fri, 23 Oct 2009 09:37:28 +0000

Mobile barcode solutions provider Scanbuy announced a deal with Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE), which will pre-load the ScanLife mobile barcode application on its handsets. Such phones [with pre-installed software] are already being sold in Spain, Italy, and Mexico; with more countries to follow in the coming months.

For those unfamiliar with ScanLife’s offering, here’s an excerpt from the press release:

The ScanLife mobile application uses the camera phone to read all major 1D and 2D barcode formats including Datamatrix, EZcode, QR, UPC, and EAN. The application scans a code to immediately launch a specific action like displaying a website, loading a video, dialing a phone number and more. This makes all physical objects interactive and removes the need for a user to type long URL’s or search for information using keywords.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that Sony Ericsson is just a tip of the iceberg. ScanLife app works across multiple platforms — including Android, BlackBerry (NSDQ: RIMM), BREW, iPhone OS, Java, Symbian and Windows Mobile. It is available as a free download from this page.

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X2 clears the FCC

Dusan Belic — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:06:35 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE)’s Xperia X2 has been cleared by the FCC. Unfortunately for those in the U.S. who look forward to grab one, this is not the U.S.-centric device. It lacks a 3G radio that sings on either AT&T (NYSE: T)’s or T-Mobile (NYSE: DT) USA’s 3G network. So we’re wondering why the Swedish-Japanese handset maker went through the hassle of approving the device which no one will buy. Maybe they’re counting on Europeans/Asians visiting America. Though there are quite a few people doing so, it’s not the market to count on.

Anyway, I assume the “ready for U.S. soil” version will also find its way to the FCC in no time, when hopefully, a carrier partner will also be announced…

[Via: Unwired View]

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Bundle of New Phones Coming to Japan from KDDI

Simon Sage — Tue, 20 Oct 2009 17:48:55 +0000

Thirteen impressive new phones are coming down the pipe for Japanese service provider KDDI. Here’s the breakdown:

Casio Exilim Keitei CA003: 12 megapixel camera with 3x optical zoom, autofocus, image stablizer, and 20 images/second rapid shot
Sharp Aquos Shot SH003: 12 megapixel camera, FM transmitter, transfer and view Blu-Ray movies
Sharp Aquos Shot SH006: 12 megapixel camera, Wi-Fi, GPS, transfer and view Blu-Ray movies
Casio Exilim Keitei CA004: 8 megapixel camera with face detection, autofocus, and VGA video recording
Sharp SH004: 8 megapixel camera with noise reduction and low-light filter; low-power mode and call noise-cancellation
Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) Bravia U1: 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and image stabilization; transfer and view Blu-Ray movies; waterproof
Kyocera (NYSE: KYO) SA001: 3.2 megapixel camera with image stabilization; 14.7mm thin closed
Toshiba (OTCPK: TOSBF) T003: 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus, face detection, and image stabilization; waterproof
Sharp SH005: 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and image stabilization; transfer and view Blu-Ray movies; waterproof
Sony Ericsson S002: 3.2 megapixel camera with autofocus; GSM support
Sony Ericsson Urbano Barone: 5 megapixel camera with autofocus and image stabilization; large keys for the elderly; transfer and view Blu-Ray movies
Kyocera Mobile Easy K004: 2 megapixel camera with autofocus; easy-to-use UI
Kyocera Mamorino: Security-centric, helps parents keep tabs on kids; waterproof

Oh yeah, and the vast majority have WVGA displays and infrared support. Man, it’s a whole other universe over in Japan. The Bravia-branded phone is pretty slick, and the only other time we’ve seen optical zoom on a 12 megapixel cameraphone was on the Samsung W880. Overall, a solid winter lineup from KDDI – I just wish we had something comparable over here.

[KDDI via MobileCrunch]

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Sony Ericsson XPERIA X3 (Rachel) caught playing with Snapdragon

Will Park — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 22:30:24 +0000

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 isn’t yet officially official in the US and we’re already hearing of the first Android-powered XPERIA coming to market. SEMCblog is saying that the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) (NYSE: SNE) XPERIA X3 (codename: Rachel) is due to be announced in early November, bearing the kind of spec-sheet befitting an XPERIA smartphone – 4-inch WVGA capacitive touchscreen, 8.1-megapixel camera, 1Ghz Snapdragon processor, GPS, WiFi, 3G data and a 3.5mm headphone jack. It’ll likely run the Android 2.0 OS (Eclair) that is expected to be released by Google (NSDQ: GOOG) (NSDQ: GOOG) any day now.

What you see here is the first live shot of the XPERIA X3 hanging out in the wild. It’s something of a milestones for uber-geeks like us.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X3 will launch as the company’s first Android phone in Sensuous Black and Luster White, otherwise known as “Black” and “White.” We’re expecting to see the “Rachel UI” giving the traditional Android homescreen a bit of a makeover when it goes live on the XPERIA X3.

As far as we know, the speculated January launch window is still on track. The XPERIA X3’s Snapdragon proccesor, Android OS and 8.1-megapixel camera should make for one truly amazing smartphone when it launches. We can’t wait.

[Via: SEMCblog, 4pda.info]

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Sony Ericsson’s Q3 Results: Sales Dropped 42% Year over Year

Simon Sage — Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:25:49 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) continues a downward spiral in the third financial quarter of 2009, although this go-around is not quite as bad as Q2. President Dick Komiyama is leaving the company at the end of the year, and he’s feeling optimistic about the SE’s future, even though it had to take in a Euro 455 million loan from its parent companies to keep running. Here’s a quick breakdown of the numbers.

14.1 million units shipped (up 2% from 13.8 last quarter, down 45% from 25.7 last year)
Euro 198 million in lost income (up from 283 lost last quarter)
Euro 1,619 million in sales (down 4% from 1,684 last quarter, down 42% from 2,808 last year)
Forecast: 10% retraction in global handset market

We’re still waiting on the Aino and X3, so we’ll have to see if they affect SE’s Q4, but the X2 and Satio should at least be making a moderate splash in the next results. How do the analysts feel about Sony Ericsson’s Q3?

“Expectations that they will make big losses next year have to be revised to show that they maybe won’t make any money, but that at least they will break even.” – Martin Nilsson, Handelsbanken Capital Markets

“On the funding side I think that was more or less expected that the parents will have to commit something with a guarantee or capital.” – Thomas Langer, WestLB

“This [loan] will give them some working peace for the next year.” – Greger Johansson, Redeye

It’s been a long, bumpy ride for Sony Ericsson, but hopefully this loan will, in fact, carry them through the rough patch. Take a closer look at Sony Ericssons Q3 numbers here, or peruse our Finance section to keep tabs on all of the big players in mobility.

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Sony Ericsson handsets to feature visual voicemail, compliments of Comverse

Dusan Belic — Tue, 13 Oct 2009 07:39:39 +0000

Comverse has announced that it is working with Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) to provide visual voicemail on an array of SE handsets. Details were not provided — which models will ship with Comverse’s software — but we’re betting on higher end devices such as the Satio or Xperia X2.

You know how it works, right? All voicemail messages are displayed in an in-box, and prior to listening to the message, you can see such key information as date, time, length of message, caller number and identity (when available). You can scan the messages, click to hear new and previously heard messages in any order, and then reply, forward, or save messages.

As soon as Sony Ericsson releases some handset with visual voicemail out of box, we’ve no doubts they’ll let us know. Stay tuned in the meantime…

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Sony Ericsson Satio goes live with 12.1-megapixel camera in UK!

Will Park — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 19:49:27 +0000

Following on recently available pre-orders, the fabled Sony Ericsson Idou has just landed on British shores as the Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) Satio! The touchscreen Sony Ericsson Satio is the Swedish-Japanese phone maker’s first Symbian S60 5th Edition smartphone and it oozes high-end sex appeal. We had a chance to put hands-on the Satio back when it was known as the Sony Ericsson Idou, and it’s one helluva device – especially since it runs the so-old-it-hurts Sybmain platform.

Vodafone (NYSE: VOD) UK is the only carrier to offer the Sony Ericsson Satio at the moment, but Orange has the Satio tagged as “coming soon.” Underneath that high-resolution 3.5-inch touchscreen lies all the high-end smartphone bits that we’d expect to see from a 12.1-megapixel cameraphone monster – DNLA-compatible WiFi, GPS, and 3G data. The glossy-black finish highlights the 12.1-megapixel camera (with Xenon flash) while the 3.5-inch touchscreen plays video with aplomb. Did we mention it sports a 12.1-megapixel camera? Yeah, it’s awesome.

Vodafone is offering the Satio for free when purchased with qualifying 2-year contract. Have at it!

If you’re not lucky enough to live on the British side of the pond, keep yourself busy with our Satio hands-on gallery.

[Via: TechRadar]

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Sony Ericsson Susan and Sunny leaked

Dusan Belic — Mon, 12 Oct 2009 08:17:10 +0000

Two of the upcoming Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) mid-range phones have been leaked. Codenamed Susan and Sunny, these two seems to boast pretty much the same features that include a 5-megapixel camera and LED flash. The only difference we see is in the form factor – Susan is a candybar, whereas the Sunny comes in a slider form. Additional details are unknown at the moment, but we do have the promo videos for the two devices, which come after the jump. Enjoy!

Sony Ericsson Susan

Sony Ericsson Sunny

[Via: SEMC blog]

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Hands-on the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 @ CTIA Fall 2009

Will Park — Sat, 10 Oct 2009 02:04:39 +0000

Sony Ericsson (NYSE: SNE) didn’t have a CTIA booth this go around, so they sent their Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 with the “Windows Phone” booth to keep things interesting. There was no way I wasn’t going to get my hands all over the X2’s improved arc-slider and 3.5-inch OLED touchscreen. The X1 launched Sony Ericsson’s high-end XPERIA brand with high-end style last year, leaving some big shoes for the X2 to fill. We just had to find out if it did.

Changed from the X1 days is the touchscreen. The XPERIA X2 boasts a 3.5-inch capacitive touchscreen that’s flush mounted. No more recessed resistive nonsense here. The arc-sliding keyboard is more comfortable and feels less cramped than the X1’s. And, of course, there’s the 8.1-megapixel camera tucked into the curvy shell.

The Panel UI still allows you to change your homescreen to fit your changing needs and moods. There are new Panels available too: a kind of cheesy Sim City-esque Sony Ericsson panel, new Windows Mobile 6.5 panels and more. The new Slide View feature takes center stage in the X2’s interface, serving up an inspired shortcut menu design that makes it easy to hop around oft-used phone features like missed calls, messages and panels.

We’ll let the video and photo gallery do the rest of the talking.

Quick look at the Sony Ericsson XPERIA X2 from IntoMobile.

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