Sony Ericsson has further expanded its handset line-up with the addition of a pair of Android handsets, the Xperia ray and Xperia active, and a third new model, a QWETRY handset called the Xperia txt, slotting in at the low end.
The Xperia ray is probably the most interesting of the three handsets, not least because it is the only one definitely coming to the UK (courtesy Three). The Xperia ray boasts a 3.3in exciting-sounding "Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine'" which in real terms should mean a high quality display - the resolution 854 x 480 pixels isn't ground-breaking, but matches most of the competition.
A 1GHz CPU support Android 2.3 'Gingerbread' so the Xperia ray is up to date with the latest version of Google's smartphone OS. The handset's camera packs an 8.1-megapixel Exmor sensor, which should produce half-decent snapshots, especially combined with the f/2.4 lens.
The Xperia active matches the Xperia ray's 1GHz CPU, Reality Display and use of Android 2.3. The differences are greater than the similarities, however, with a lesser 5-megapixel camera, and more significantly a rugged dust proof and water resistant casing - the display incorporates 'wet finger tracking' to ensure the Xperia active can be used in damp enviroments.
The Xperia active will come preloaded with a selection of apps designed to track fitness statistics. Heart rate and pulse monitoring is offered via built-in ANT+ wireless tech, and there are a number of apps to view your fitness details; tight Facebook in the OS makes sharing those details simple, if you're feeling brave enough to tell the world how unfit you are. No word on whether this handset will hit the UK, as yet.
Last on the list, and probably least, is the Xperia txt, a QWERTY feature phone designed to complement the Xperia txt pro previously announced. Nothing special here - Google Talk compatibility, a Facebook app and lack of 3G are probably the most notable features, other than the 2.6in, 240 x 320 pixel display. Realistically, the choice of vivid colours is about as likely to attract buyers its way that the Xperia txt's other features.
