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Sony Ericsson’s super-slim Xperia Arc floated our boats at CES this year, and now it’s available
to pre-order in the UK from online retailer Play.com. The news isn’t so good though on its SIM-free price and release date.
According to Play’s listing (spotted by Xperia Blog), the Android phone is due for release
on 1 April — we assume it’s not pulling our leg — with a SIM-free price tag of £460. Naturally,
it’ll be cheaper when operators start selling it on contract.
The curvaceous device includes a 4.2-inch screen using Sony’s Bravia Engine image-processing technology, which promises to make the most of the screen in terms of colour,
contrast and sharpness.
Other boffo selling points are its 8.1-megapixel camera with a back-illuminated sensor, its ability
to shoot 720p video, and its inclusion of the latest Gingerbread flavour of Google’s Android
software, version 2.3. Previously, Sony Ericsson’s Android smart phones have been accused of
lagging behind when it comes to Android updates, so Gingerbread’s inclusion here is most welcome.
Earlier this month, we dribbled over video footage of the Xperia Arc, so its pre-orderable status
on Play.com at least indicates a release date is looming on the horizon. Could the handset
make its debut before April? Perhaps Sony Ericsson will shed more light on its plans during the
Mobile World Congress show next month.
