Se-first have managed to get a hold of one of the newest additions to the Sony Ericsson Xperia range – the newly announced Xperia X8 and have posted up images and a hands-on video, which is shown below, for us all to enjoy.They have also compared the X8 to the Vivaz, Xperia X10 and X10 Mini Pro which gives us a more accurate idea of the sizing of the X8 in comparison to the other Sony Ericsson handsets.
It is noted that the low camera resolution at just 3.2MP with no autofocus option is disappointing for what se-first describe as an ‘entry level’ Xperia handset and this is an understandable disappointment as it seems like a step backwards for the range, especially when even the X10 Mini has a 5MP camera to it’s name.
Here are more images from the comparison and hands-on:
Orange are once again, serving up an X10 model on the Orange network in an exclusive color. This time round, the X10 Mini will be available in Lime Green from Orange only. The handset is also free on the majority of the tariffs. All contracts last 24 months and the handset is available for free on the Dolphin 15 contract, which is only £15 a month. For that you only get 50 minutes but, you get Orange internet and unlimited texts. Or the £20 a month contract doubles your minutes. The handset is also free on Racoon 20 and Canary 20. Where as the £15 a month equivalents of these tariffs, the X10 Mini will set you back £49.99.
Coming soon to the T-Mobile network in the UK is the Sony Ericsson Android powered Xperia X10 Mini.
The T-Mobile website is now showing the X10 Mini as a ‘pre-order’ and there is a register your interest form posted up on the site for potential customers which can be found on this page.
The Xperia X10 Mini joins it’s big sister, the full sized Xperia X10, in the smartphone range that T-Mobile offer and although pricing isn’t confirmed it is expected that the X10 Mini will be in a lesser price bracket than the X10 which runs out at £35 a month with 900 minutes and unlimited texts and internet usage (with a fair usage limit).
The Xperia X10 is a popular handset and the first Android powered handset from Sony Ericsson but, one thing which has let the handset down is the old firmware. The Xperia X10 comes pre-installed with Android 1.6, with 2.1 promised for the end of year. However a lot of apps require 2.1, which means the X10 hasn’t got as vast a supply of apps as other handsets.
With the announcement of Android 2.2 and the update already rolled out onto some handsets, a petition has been started online, asking Sony Ericsson to include an upgrade to Android 2.2 instead of 2.1 when they release the update to the handset.
The Xperia X10′s system firmware has been updated from R1FA016 to R1FB001, and has also had update for the baseband to 1.0.21. There have been reports of dramatically improved system performance, especially with both TimeScape and MediaScape. Run the Sony Ericsson Update Service to update your X10′s firmware, and you’re done. However, currently the updates seem to only be available on the American and Nordic models, but will inevitably become available for all models within the coming days. Additionally, expect to see another update toward the end of the month specifically designed to solve the X10 battery issues.
It’s been confirmed that, unfortunate as it may be, the Android powered handset from Sony Ericsson, the Xperia X10 will not support multi touch. The same is also true for the X10 Mini and X10 Mini Pro.
The X10 however, doesn’t support multi touch due to the hardware, while the X10 Mini has the supporting hardware. Unfortunately, Sony Ericsson have confirmed that a software update to enable it will not be coming. It wasn’t known what the situation was with the X10 Mini Pro whether hardware could of allowed multi touch. We do know however that Sony Ericsson used a different supplier (Synaptics) for the screen of the x10 mini.
We already had word that the Xperia X10 would be launching in Australia with Telstra. At the time we didn’t have any release info but, the handset has been released this week. The Xperia X10 is available on pay as you go for $1099 AUD or, if you take the phone on a $100 a month tariff, the handset will be free. As expected the contract length is 24 months.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 is also available through Vodafone and Optus. With Vodafone, the upfront cost of the phone is unclear but, the monthly cost is capped at $79. While on Optus, the monthly cost is $99 to get the handset free. Again, both networks are offering the tariff as a 24 month contract.
Sony Ericsson’s Android powered handset has already been released in the UK, Canada, Japan, India and more recently Australia, the Xperia X10 now has a US release date. The handset is due to be released in week 30 of AT&T’s fiscal year. Week 30 takes us to the end of July/beginning of August. While we have the release date and the carrier (AT&T), we don’t have any specifics on the tariff plans.
If you’re already a Rogers customer and are upgrading to the Xperia X10, you could get a free Bluetooth headset. The offer is available to customers upgrading to the X10 in Rogers Plus stores, or authorized Rogers dealers. To qualify, you’ll need to purchase the X10 via the Rogers Hardware Upgrade Program before April 30th and commit to a 3 year voice and data contract.
You’ll then need to send the completed Xperia X10 Hardware Upgrade Coupon in and send it, with the receipt to the following address, within 30 days;
Sony X10 Blink Promotion, 7th Floor
Rogers Communications
333 Bloor St East
Toronto, Ontario, M4W 1G9
It’ll then take 4-6 weeks to receive the headset. The Bluetooth headset in question, is the Sony Ericsson MW600, which retails for around $100. You can view the features of the headset below;
Hi-Fi Wireless Headset with FM Radio MW600 has a 3.5 mm plug built in so that you can swap the headphones to match how you listen to music in your phone.
With A2DP you can stream high-quality stereo music from your phone to your wireless headset or other BluetoothTM devices.
Clear sound, deep bass and better performance as standard.
Built in microphone, call answer key and 3.5 mm jack to swap headphones.
Multipoint: Connect to two wireless devices simultaneously, allowing access to the music files in your computer, PDA or other BluetoothTM-equipped devices.
Best quality audio performance
Microphone and call answer key
Multipoint Bluetooth and A2DP for wireless music streaming
Compatible with Sony Ericsson handsets and other Bluetooth-enabled handsets
The Xperia X10 has now been released in various countries across the world.
The X10 is available in the UK on all networks; Orange, Vodafone, O2, T-Mobile, Three and Virgin Mobile. All networks will sell the black model, while the white model is an exclusive to Orange. Depending on whether you get the handset from a high street retailer, the best offer could be quite different. From the network operators themselves, the X10 is available for free on £30 or £35 tariffs subject to a 24 month contract. While online retailers, are also offering the handset on the same tariffs but, will offer half price line rental by redemption, or cash back. The Xperia X10 can also be picked up on pay as you go, or sim free and unlocked.
While over in India, the handset has gone on sale for 30,000 INR ($660) unlocked. It’s also available in Japan but, pricing is currently unconfirmed.
Australia will also be getting the X10. There isn’t an exact release date yet but, pricing is listed as $1099 AUS. If you’re in Canada, Rogers will be picking up the contract for the X10 and are preparing for the launch.
The Xperia X10 is a popular handset and the first Android powered handset from Sony Ericsson but, one thing which has let the handset down is the old firmware. The Xperia X10 comes pre-installed with Android 1.6, with 2.1 promised for the end of year. However a lot of apps require 2.1, which means the X10 hasn’t got as vast a supply of apps as other handsets.
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