O2 recently dropped the price of the Sony Ericsson Xperia Play in the UK down to a rather ridiculously low price of just £149.99 with no top up needed, free delivery and a choice of either the black Xperia Play or the white model, which was exclusive to O2 in the UK.

For those who didn’t take advantage of this offer, it initially looked like you may have missed your chance with O2, as the handset was removed from the O2 website. An O2 rep couldn’t divulge more information, other than it was no longer available. An unknown source however, indicated that O2 were discontinuing the handset, along with the Xperia Arc and Neo. Earlier today, this certainly looked like the case. Neither of the three handsets were available through O2, on pay as you go or pay monthly.

There’s been quite a few price drops on Sony Ericsson handsets lately and here’s another one that’s just come through. While this handset isn’t new, it is refurbished and sold by a trustable UK online retailer. Mobiles.co.uk state that the refurbished handsets are units that have been returned under their 7 day returns policy and have been fully tested and inspected and also come with a full 12 month warranty.

Mobiles are selling refurbished Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini’s for £49.90 on O2, Vodafone and Orange. A £10 top up is required however, taking the overall price for £59.90 with free delivery. Which ever network you choose though, the phone will be unlocked.

While Sony Ericsson’s budget Xperia smartphone may not be to everyone’s liking, for those new to the world of Android and/or those on a budget, the Xperia X8 steps up to the mark.

Previously the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 was on sale for around £100 but, now O2 have dropped the price of the handset down to £79.99 for either the black model or white model. A minimum top up is not required and delivery is free. O2 are also offering customers a £20 gift voucher with the Xperia X8, as they are with the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro.

The £20 voucher effectively makes the handset only £60. You can choose a £20 gift voucher for Amazon, Argos, Boots, Next or Pizza Hut.

It’s been a while since Sony Ericsson released Android 2.3.3 for the Xperia X10 and for a while there, we thought we’d never see it. In the UK the Android update has been rolled out to generic unbranded handsets and network branded handsets, except for O2 branded ones. O2 were always quite slow with the uptake of the Xperia X10 updates but, none the less they have confirmed that their Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 owners will be getting Android 2.3.3, aka Gingerbread on their devices.

O2 UK have now launched the Sony Ericsson Xperia Mini Pro and we’ve previously seen the handset on sale for £200+. O2 however have the Xperia Mini Pro listed at an outstanding price of £129.99. That includes free delivery and a top up isn’t required. O2 are also offering a free £20 gift voucher with the phone for either Argos, Amazon, Boots, Pizza Hut or Next.

Other retailers, such as the Carphone Warehouse still have the Xperia Mini Pro listed at £200 onwards. Their O2 model is priced at £249.95 and a £10 top up is required. It is possible that O2 may have mispriced the handset considering the prices other retailers are charging for this years Xperia Mini Pro handset.