Sony Ericsson announced the Xperia X8 in June 2010, saying that the device “will be available in selected markets from Q3.”<\/p>\n
It seemed as if South Africa didn’t crack the nod at the time. “Unfortunately this is a result of global constraints on the product,” said Sony Ericsson’s market unit head, Sonja Shear.<\/p>\n
This may not have been a bad thing, as Shear revealed that the device would ship to South Africa with Android 2.1 “Éclair” rather than version 1.6 (or “Donut”), which shipped with the device when it first launched.<\/p>\n
Arriving in SA with a newer version of Android is at least one benefit of receiving the phone later. Unfortunately it won’t be the latest version of Google’s Android operating system (OS).<\/p>\n
Sony Ericsson couldn’t comment on whether their Xperia handsets running Android would receive further upgrades to their underlying operating system.<\/p>\n
Other than running the Android OS, the X8 also features Sony Ericsson’s “four corners” user interface and “Timescape” application, HVGA (320×480) 3” capacitive touch display and 3.2 megapixel camera.<\/p>\n
The device also supports GSM GPRS\/EDGE 850\/900\/1800\/1900, UMTS HSPA 900\/2100 and UMTS HSPA 800\/850\/1900\/2100. Sony Ericsson does indicate that support for different bands depends on country.<\/p>\n
According to Shear, the Sony Ericsson Xperia X8 will ship during the first quarter of 2011 with a recommended retail price R2,400.<\/p>\n