We’ve previously seen the Xperia X8 up for order at an online retailer in the UK, although there was a waiting time for delivery. The rest of the world however had to wait for information on when it would be released. Sony Ericsson have now made an announcement on their Product Launch Blog that the Xperia X8 is now shipping worldwide.
Most people consider the phone to be a “watered down” version of the X10 and X10 Mini as the handset features lower specs than the Mini. The handset features a 3.2 megapixel camera, which doesn’t have flash or auto focus but, the price does reflect this. So for anyone not looking for a great camera phone and something relatively cheap yet powerful, the Xperia X8 could be a good choice. Unfortunately though, it isn’t as powerful as it could be, as like the Xperia X10 range, it also comes with the outdated Android 1.6. An upgrade to 2.1 has been promised though but, it will come at a later stage than the X10 Android updates.
A promo video has also been uploaded made by Albin and Amalia about the Xperia X8 which you can view after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
The Xperia X8 has been spotted on one UK retailer’s website. Woolworths are showing the Xperia X8 for order. Initially there was a 3 week wait for delivery, the current message however states delivery is due within 7 days. Woolworths is part of the Home Shopping Limited group, so the handset appears on sister sites such as Additions, Very, First etc. All websites state the same delivery time and price. The handset is listed for £129 and comes on the O2 network. It doesn’t say what color backs it comes with but, does show the pink back plate.
The pricing should be inline with other retailers, if not cheaper as has been the case for the Shop Direct group with the X10 Mini and Mini Pro. If you’re not already a customer of Woolworths, or one of the other sites, there is often a 10% off discount code, which would reduce the handset cost even more.
Following on from the unboxing video of the Xperia X8 we saw recently, SE-First, the same guys behind the unboxing have provided some sample photos and video samples taken with the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8. By no means do they live up to the shots taken with an X10 Mini, they do look pretty decent. The Xperia X8 features only a 3.2 megapixel camera, which is a disappointment, as the size is right for many but, the specs don’t deliver. The handset does however take decent photos and would be perfect for quick snap shots but, by no means could replace your regular camera. You can see the photos and video taken with the Xperia X8 after the jump. Read the rest of this entry »
While the X10, X10 Mini and Mini Pro all come in black as standard, one Xperia handset we haven’t seen in black is the Xperia X8. Until now that is. Sony Ericsson’s Xperia X8 has been seen many times in white and while some users feel a white handset is classier, the black model is still a classic to many, myself included. It seems Sony Ericsson have actually listened to their user base with regards to this.
The Xperia X8 should be released within the next couple of weeks. Unfortunately, it’s unknown what regions the black model will be released in and when. Pricing is also unknown as yet but, it’s very likely it will be the same price as the white model.
Sony Ericsson have apparently announced that the upcoming Xperia X8 handset is due to be released into the Russian market in October of this year.
The Xperia X8 will hopefully be running Android version 2.1 by the time it is available in Russian stores, although the Xperia X8 does come with Android 1.6 installed as standard and will come packaged with the usual accessories – 2GB memory card, headset, USB cable and charger along with either one changeable back plate or a number of back plates within the retail box.
The handset, which has a 3″ touchscreen, a 3.2MP camera, WiFi and uses the 600MHz Qualcomm MSM7227 CPU, should cost around 9940 Rubles ($320) to purchase on release.
XperiaX10.net have recieved what could be an official Sony Ericsson Xperia ‘roadmap’ which has apparently been leaked from the IFA 2010 tradeshow in Berlin that took place in early September. The document seems to be a guide or ‘map’ of the future for updates on the Xperia X10 range of handsets and on the upcoming Xperia X8 handset.
Disappointingly, there is no mention at all of any future update to Android 2.2 OS (or Froyo as it is also known) for any of the X10 line up or the X8 although, we can’t be 100% sure that the document is genuine or that it is complete and of course, just because a 2.2 update isn’t mentioned in this document it doesn’t necessarily mean that Sony Ericsson have absolutely no intention of bringing Froyo to the newer handsets in the Xperia range at some point in the future. Look at how long it has taken the company to just discuss bringing Android 2.1 to the Xperia X10 and that should give some indication that Sony Ericsson aren’t exactly forthcoming with information on an update that may take months to come about.
There are numerous features listed on the roadmap, which specifically mentions updates ‘named’ Android 1.6x, Android 2.1 and Android 2.1x, that the Xperia X10, X10 Mini, X10 Mini Pro and Xperia X8 are due to receive with updates including 720P video recording capabilities, 5 homescreens for the X10, HTML5 compability and Bluetooth 2.1 plus a change of how the corner buttons are used on the Mini series and Xperia X8. The document also claims that Sony Ericsson will update their Mediascape and Timescape applications and add a social phonebook feature to the X10.
All the positivity of the prospect of new updates and features could be slightly soured for Xperia X10 owners though, with the possibility, however true it may be, that the Xperia X10 range and the Xperia X8 may never see Froyo at all.
Se-First have managed to acquire a fully boxed Xperia X8 handset and have posted up an unboxing video and show the X8 working in it’s ‘retail’ state.
The Xperia X8 is rumored to be due for a US release in the coming weeks and it is noted that the X8 in the video is running Android 1.6 as expected. This is slightly disappointing as it was hoped that the handset would be running Android 2.1, which itself is due for release on the X10 handsets in the next few weeks. The video also shows the final applications set up on the X8 which does include the Sony Ericsson Timescape and Mediascape applications. The handset in the video comes packaged with 4 different colored covers – white, black,blue and pink and a 2gb memory card (SD).
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.
The next handset to be released in the Xperia range has hit the FCC, which hopefully means we should see a US release soon. On the FCC website, users can view photos of the upcoming Sony Ericsson handset of both the outside and inside. As well as the photos of the Xperia X8, you will also find the user manual for the X8 posted which can be downloaded for viewing.
There’s no new surprises with the handset itself however. The specs remain the same as what we had previously heard. The Sony Ericsson X8 features a 3 inch display, making it in essence a middle sized X10. However the camera is downgraded from both the X10 and X10 Mini and will feature a 3.2 megapixel camera but, this is Sony Ericsson so the camera should still be pretty decent. Unfortunately, it seems that the handset will also ship with Android 1.6 instead of 2.1 which Sony Ericsson have promised will be available for the X10 in late Q3.
Sony Ericsson have released the first Xperia X8 promotional video and as expected, is available on YouTube. The video shows off the different aspects of the phone, such as the four corner shortcuts as found on the X10 Mini, as well as how to change them. The video also shows off the ability to share photos on the handset, as well as watch videos on YouTube and how you can search for the band, or songs from the album using the Infinity button inside of the music player. The video also gives you a look into how Timescape will look on the Xperia X8.
Overall, the Android interface appears very much like it does on the Xperia X10 Mini and Mini Pro, rather than the full size X10. The X8 will use the four corner interface as found on the Minis, as well as use the same menu layout. Timescape also appears to be displayed the same way as it is on the Mini, rather than how it is on the X10. The camera app also appears to have the same features, or lack thereof, as the X10 Mini which, is a slight disappointment but, as the camera has been downgraded in the X8 to 3.2 megapixels, it isn’t a surprise.
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