Sony really wasn’t kidding when they said that they wanted to get in on the Android smartphone action and become one of the top Android handset makers. Though that dream might not happen this year, especially due to the delays from Sony Ericsson, because of the tragic events that unfolded in Japan nearly two months ago, the company has a bright future ahead with the slew of phones that they are releasing this year. In addition to the Xperia Play, Arc, Neo, Walkman W8 and rumored Acro, the company today unveiled two new Android 2.3 Gingerbread based smartphones.
The Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro which are slated for a global Q3, 2011 launch are meant to fill in Sony Ericssons gap of lowered end Android phones. Still, don’t automatically think to yourself that lower end means lower quality. Instead, both phones offer some unique features which might just be perfect for a lot of users out there, especially those who might not need a large phone or if media consumption isn’t there thing. You see, both the Xperia Mini and Xperia Mini Pro come with a 3-inch, multitouch, scratch-resistant display which powered by Sony’s exclusive Bravia Engine for smartphones. Both units will also give you a 1GHz processor, 720p HD video recording camera and 5 megapixel photo camera and of course, have access to the Android Market, seeing as they run Android 2.3 Gingerbread, the latest from Google.
If you want to know the difference between these two models, there isn’t a whole lot is the simple answer. The obvious one is that the Xperia Mini Pro (pictured above) also features a slide out keyboard while the Xperia Mini relies on touchscreen input. The second and only other difference is that the Xperia Mini Pro also has a front facing camera for taking photos and videos of yourself and for the of course, video chatting usage. So what do you guys think about these two new phones? They are still a few months away but they should fit nicely into Sony Ericsson’s portfolio. Would you get one or know somebody who would?
As always, hit the jump for an official press release and for a shot of the Xperia Mini.
Sony Ericsson unveils next-generation Xperia minis
Introducing two powerful, versatile and compact smartphones
Xperia™ mini – the world’s smallest HD video recording smartphone
Xperia™ mini pro –intuitive fast messaging in a compact smartphoneMay 5th, 2011, London – Sony Ericsson unveils the new Xperia™ mini and Xperia™ mini pro, the latest additions to its Xperia™ family. Building on the success of the original mini series, these innovative smartphones come packed full of features, powered by a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, and run the latest platform of Google’s Android™ – Gingerbread 2.3. Beautifully designed, Xperia™ mini and Xperia™mini pro both integrate best-in-class imaging and display technology from Sony, including Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine and HD video recording (720p).
The products offer a full multimedia entertainment experience. Xperia™ mini and Xperia™ mini pro enable access to over 150,000 apps on the Android Market™ and has a 3″ scratch-resistant, multi-touch glass screen. The improved user interface allows up to 16 apps displayed on the home screen. Facebook inside Xperia™, a feature just announced for the Xperia™ family, provides a unique social media integration.
Xperia™ mini pro brings the optimised slide-out keyboard with smart functionality first seen on the Xperia™ pro to a compact smartphone. A subtle but fast Type & Send functionality eliminates the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message, and Smart Keyboard triggers predictive messaging actions automatically when the user slides out the keyboard. Xperia™ mini pro also comes pre-loaded with Office Suite and McAfee antivirus software, letting consumers manage documents and e-mails instantly and securely while on the move.
Steve Walker, Head of Marketing, Sony Ericsson said, “We wanted to provide consumers even greater choice across the Xperia™ range, while building on the success of the original mini series. These turbo-charged smartphones now contain even more power, enhanced functionality, a larger screen and premium features unique to Sony Ericsson. They are packed full of features, making them a perfect choice for consumers looking for all the benefits of Android and Sony in a beautiful and easy to use compact form factor.”
Sony Ericsson also unveils today a new integration, Facebook inside Xperia™, which will be included in the new Xperia™ mini and mini pro and soon to be available across the wider Xperia™ range. Facebook inside Xperia™ integrates social connections throughout the phone, by making Facebook immediately accessible from the most used areas of the phone such as the picture gallery, music player, phonebook and calendar. As people are becoming increasingly reliant on their smartphones for instant communication, Sony Ericsson is enabling people to ‘like’, share and comment more easily than ever before with Facebook inside Xperia™.
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ mini – Key features
World’s smallest Android™ smartphone with HD video recording
Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen
Over 150,000 apps on Android Market™
Facebook inside. Keeping your friends closerSony Ericsson Xperia™ mini pro – Key features
Ergonomic keyboard and smart functions for fast messaging
HD video and Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine
Synch your email and view office documents safely on the go
Place up to 16 apps in the corners of your home screen
Over 150,000 apps on Android Market™Sony Ericsson Xperia™ mini pro and Xperia™ mini with HD will be available globally in selected markets from Q3.
Check out the Sony Ericsson Product Blog for more information: http://blogs.sonyericsson.com/products
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