3GSM: XPERIA X1 - The Ultimate Sony Ericsson Smartphone on Windows Mobile

Rumors had been spreading for a while and it’s now confirmed. Sony Ericsson will sell a Windows Mobile Smartphone. The XPERIA X1 will be the leading high end model.

Touchscreen and a real keyboard

The X1 does give in to the all touchscreen trend and integrates a 3” screen displaying a VGA resolution. Yet, Sony Ericsson still kept a real keyboard. The latter appears after sliding the screen in a rainbow like motion. The manufacturer presents it as more comfortable and practical to input text.

Technologically complete

Being the high end model of the Japanese-Swedish brand, this first XPERIA its features could only have been thorough. Sony Ericsson doesn’t disappoint with a Wi-Fi and HSUPA (the evolution of 3G+) and a A-GPS for navigation. It is thus a direct competitor to Nokia’s N95.

The Windows Mobile Turn

The most astonishing is still the installation of Windows Mobile operating system, which was set aside until now by Sony Ericsson, in favor of Symbian UIQ, which it recently acquired. The motivations behind this switch reflect, according to Steve Walker that led the conference, a desire to offer the best experience possible to consumers.

Is it an admission of failure in regards to the outrageous lags of the Symbian system? In part only because Steve Walker also assured that the P series destined to Professionals, will still be using it and that future XPERIA models could be displaying Symbian.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA X1 will be out in the second half of 2008. Its price is unknown, but one can expect it to be heavy.