Before anybody gets overly excited about this, we have to point that this phone is intended for Japan only and you can probably blame that on the lack of infrastructure offered in your country. The Xperia Acro, not to be confused with the Xperia Arc which will have a global launch, is Sony Ericssons new flagship phone for the Land of the Rising Sun. This Android 2.3 (Gingerbread) smartphone will carry a 4.2-inch touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine to offer some of the most crisp and vidid viewing experience to be found on a handheld device. This is partially due to the entertainment value that the Acro will carry, seeing how the phone has built in Mobile TV functionality, enabling live TV viewing on the device, which is different from video streaming off of a 3G network. The Acro will also come equipped with a 8.1-megapixel camera with Exmor R sensor which also allows for 720p video recording. Both recording modes are optimized to offer low-noise and function under low light quality which is a welcome feature for most cellphone owners. For those of you who are looking to share you content, no need to worry as this 1GHz CPU, Adreno 205 GPU will also come with HDMI out. Besides the TV tuner functionality, another reason why we won’t see the Acro make it to the West is due to the built in mobile wallet (NFC) which allows your Xperia Acro to function as a credit card. With no standard and support system in the United States and Europe, these two features would mean a higher priced phone with a locked out functionality which of course does not make sense. Seeing how easy it is to purchase Starbucks with my iPhone app, this is a feature that I cannot wait for to make its way to the West. This would make running into the store and being out, that much more convenient while requiring me to have one less thing on me. No price point has been announced for the Acro at this point but look for the unit in Black and White by the end of Summer.
Hit the jump for the official press release from Sony Ericsson. While you are there, what do you think about the Acro? How about NFC technology? Is that something you would like to see implemented in your country?
05 May 2011
- Combines best-in-class imaging and display technology with features familiar to users in Japan, such as an infrared port for data exchange, mobile wallet, and mobile TV functionality.
May 5, 2011, London, UK – Sony Ericsson today unveiled the Xperia™ acro, a new addition to the Xperia™ range, designed specifically for the needs of users in Japan. The Xperia™ acro builds on the success of the product family with a 1GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon™ processor, and runs on the latest Android platform – Gingerbread 2.3. Best-in-class imaging and display technology features from Sony – the perfect enabler for its mobile TV functionality.
Bert Nordberg, President, Sony Ericsson said, “We are delighted to be introducing this flagship model to Japan. In this sophisticated market, we are listening to consumers and are happy to adapt our products to fit in with requirements which they believe to be an essential part of the mobile experience. We expect that they will be pleased to have such a uniquely adept premium smartphone and look forward to a new wave of consumers experiencing the world of Xperia™.”
The Xperia™ acro provides an excellent multimedia experience, powered by a Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine and presented on an extra wide 4.2” screen. The 8.1 megapixel camera with ‘Exmor R™ for mobile’ enables the capture of low-noise, high quality images and HD video (720p), even in low light. Pictures and videos can then be shared in HD on a HDTV through a built in HDMI-connector.
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ acro – Key features
- Human Curvature™ design and form factor
- Mobile TV functionality enabling live TV viewing
- Infrared port enables data sharing with other infrared enabled devices
- Mobile wallet: Instead of paying with cash, cheque or credit cards, a user can use the Xperia™ acro to pay for a wide range of services and digital or hard goods.
- Extra wide 4.2” multi-touch Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA® Engine to ensure ultimate multimedia and viewing experiences
- Sony Exmor R™ for mobile delivers best-in-class low-light photography and video capture
- 8.1 megapixel camera and HD video recording capability
- 1GHz CPU, Adreno 205 GPU
Sony Ericsson Xperia™ acro will be available in Japan from this summer in Black and White.
Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network
preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2011
The Liquid Identity logo and Xperia are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB. Sony is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Corporation. Ericsson is the trademark or registered trademark of Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at: www.sonyericsson.com/cws/common/legal/disclaimer.
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Sony Ericsson celebrates its 10th year as a joint venture between Sony Corporation and Ericsson in October, 2011. Over the years the company has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the ‘most entertaining smartphones’ in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press.
[Via Sony Ericsson]