Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 officially debuts on AT&T: $130 on contract

If ever there were a place for using the phrase "it's about time," this would be it. If you'll recall, we heard rumors that Sony Ericsson's Xperia X10 would be headed to AT&T as far back as November of last year, possibly proving just how grueling the certification process is for getting a handset onto Ma Bell's network. Those whispers flared up again back in April, and our hunches about yesterday's tease seem to be confirmed today. The Android-powered X10 (v1.6 so far as we can tell, but the PR carefully dodges the issue) will be available for consumers starting on August 15th, with the handset boasting a 4-inch touchpanel, 1GHz Snapdragon processor, inbuilt GPS, 8.1 megapixel camera (with LED flash), 8GB of onboard memory, a 2GB flash card and a couple of SE's own apps atop the stock Android build (Mediascape and Timescape). AT&T's claiming that this bad boy will set you back $149.99 on a 2-year service plan, but Sony's saying that it can be picked up in a local Sony Style store for $20 less. Oh, and if you wait a week, it'll be $49.99 on contract over at Amazon. Decisions, decisions.

Update: Yep, it's Android 1.6. Commence weeping.

[Thanks to everyone who sent this in]

Show full PR text

AT&T and Sony Ericsson Announce the Xperia™ X10

Smart meets entertaining - Sony Ericsson's flagship Android smartphone offers an open and integrated world of communication, entertainment and social media

DALLAS and ATLANTA, Aug. 9 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- AT&T* and Sony Ericsson today announced a dynamic multimedia experience with the Android™ based Xperia™ X10, available August 15. The Xperia™ X10 introduces Sony Ericsson's unique and entertainment-driven Xperia™ platform to U.S. customers in a cutting-edge, beautiful and fun package.

The Xperia™ X10 comes fully loaded with a 4-inch crystal clear touch display, superfast 1GHz Snapdragon processor and a GPS. The smartphone also features an 8.1 megapixel camera with smile detection, face recognition, autofocus and LED flash. The device comes with 8 GB of on-board memory and a 2 GB in-box memory card, with expandable memory up to 32 GB.

Sony Ericsson's custom user experience is great for the intersection of communications and entertainment. Two signature applications, Mediascape and Timescape™, build on the Android platform to enhance the experience for users.

* Mediascape on the Xperia ™ X10 gathers music, photos, videos and content from your phone's memory card and online, letting you browse, search, listen and share your media from one unified view. For example, view photos taken on the device as well as your Facebook® and Picasa™ web albums. Or, when listening to a favorite song on your phone, press Sony Ericsson's infinite button to access related content about the artist pulled from the phone's memory as well as albums, songs and video content from YouTube™ and search results from Google.
* Timescape™ is a unique communication application that automatically organizes social interactions in chronological order, leaving users free to concentrate on keeping in touch on-the-go. From Facebook® and Twitter® updates to photos, emails and text messages, a scrolling menu offers easy viewing and organization of all communications. Additionally, tap the Timescape™ infinite button to bring up and view all communications from a single person in a single place.


"Sony Ericsson has created a unique choice for our smartphone customers looking for a fun and smart device," said Michael Woodward, vice president, Mobile Phone Portfolio, AT&T Mobility and Consumer Markets.

"Sony Ericsson is raising the bar for entertainment-rich phones with the launch of the Xperia ™ X10," said Paul Hamnett, senior vice president, Sony Ericsson North America. "With the convergence of our user experience platform and the Android OS, we are bringing consumers a smartphone experience that is not only exciting, but also very refined. Following the successful global launch of the Xperia™ X10, we are pleased to partner with AT&T to launch this phone in the U.S. market."

Pricing and Availability

The Sony Ericsson Xperia™ X10 smartphone will be available in black at AT&T stores, authorized retailers and www.wireless.att.com on August 15 for $149.99 after a two-year service agreement and minimum smartphone data plan.

For the complete lineup of AT&T offerings, visit www.att.com.

*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.

Viewable screen display area is measured diagonally.

A portion of memory is used for data management purposes.

Data charges apply for content and updates transferred through the mobile Web.

[Gusty Posted Aug 10th 2010 4:55AM]

This phone was a massive flop in UK. Slow, buggy and with a poor interface and poor battery life when launched (better now but still only average). Had the highest rate of return on any phone in Carphone Warehouse.
Probably did more to popularise the HTC Desire than anything.

SE havent a clue. Sad when I think of all the great SE phones of the past.

[solkanar Posted Aug 10th 2010 11:31AM]

1.6 ? How dare they ?

[frothe3 Posted Aug 10th 2010 5:33PM]

God what a bunch of fucking whiners! I want to know if I do get this phone,am I stuck with a shitty 2GB data plan that is overpriced? I pay $20/unlimited data plus nav. with at&t. I think if you sign up with a smartphone plan (which i believe this is),then we are STUCK with shitty limited data plans from the whiners who were NOT happy with unlimited data. Thanks,you lousy fucks!

[frothe3 Posted Aug 11th 2010 11:20AM]

@frothe3 Just called at&t yesterday,and they say I CAN KEEP MY UNLIMITED DATA PLAN!! Well,my phone bill is a lot,so I should get to keep it,but the said I'M A VALUED CUSTOMER! DAMN STRAIGHT,I AM!! Come November when I can upgrade,THE PHONE WILL BE MY EARLY X-MAS PRESENT,HA HA!!

[flyingpussyfoot Posted Aug 11th 2010 9:16PM]

When they say $49.99, that is for the upgrade as well or is it for just the new customers...?

[frothe3 Posted Aug 13th 2010 12:57PM]

@flyingpussyfoot It's actually $129.99 and you have to pre-order. They say new customer's,but if you are currently with at&t and qualify for an upgrade,it is the same price. Just go to sonystyle.com and you can order online. They acutally throw in a free 8GB sdhd memory card.

[frothe3 Posted Aug 13th 2010 1:00PM]

I don't understand WHY is everyone making a big DEAL out of the os? Yes the current version is 2.2,but it is only not that far off from the 1.6. It has been updated (or upgraded,whatever!) twice! Does it make the new software better? I don't know. But everyone was bitching about Vista when that came out. I don't understand this whole thing!