The last time we saw anything of the Xperia X8, previously known as Shakira, it was on the FCC website, which showed several photos of both the inside and outside of the phone, as well as having the manual on hand to download. We now know, thanks to Engadget, that the handset is due to be released in the US soon. Despite the Xperia X10 being updated to Android 2.1 this month, the Xperia X8 will still come with Android 1.6, which is currently the Android OS version for the X10, X10 Mini and Mini Pro. A Sony Ericsson rep has however said that they will be updating the X8 to Android 2.1 as well and this should happen some time in Q4.
Engadget managed to get a hands on with the handset. While it’s smaller than the X10, Engadget found the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 to be rather chunky. The X8 on display came in white but, will be available in other colors, with interchangeable covers when it’s released. While there isn’t a specific time line, we do know it will be soon and that it will cost less than $300 on launch for an unlocked model.
When Sony and AT&T released the information that the Xperia X10 would be available from August 15th, one thing that was omitted among the specs and features of the phone, was the Android version the X10 would be running. In light of this, XperiaX10.net sent a Twitter message to Sony Ericsson North America. They have confirmed that, when the X10 is released in America, it will also be running Android 1.6.
Will this put you off getting the X10? As many handsets are already receiving the Android 2.2 update. Sony Ericsson have confirmed they are working for a late Q3 release but, will this be too late to save the handset in the US? With the Xperia X10 already being out 4 months in the UK, many would have thought Sony Ericsson could have finalized the Android 2.1 OS for the US launch.
Despite much press coverage and consumer uproar regarding Sony Ericsson releasing the Xperia X10 with 1.6, LG are also to release a handset with the outdated Android 1.6 OS. Like Sony Ericsson they also promise an update to 2.1 in the coming months.
LG are to release the Optimus Q in Korea. The handset will feature a 3.5 inch touch screen display, 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a 5 megapixel camera. There is 3GB of internal memory and a MicroSD card slot, with support for up to 32GB. The handset will also be able to handle DivX files.
When the Xperia X10 launches, it will come loaded with Android 1.6 but, with 2.1 in the works many prospective buyers are worried that the X10 will be stuck at 1.6. Fortunately, Sony Ericsson have confirmed this won’t be the case. At some point after it’s launch, the update will be available, allowing users to upgrade giving users the “complete Sony Ericsson User Experience Platform based on newer version of the Android OS.” Unfortunately, there’s no time line as for when the update will roll out.
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