Besides unveiling its new Facebook inside Xperia experience, Sony Ericsson (SE) has also revealed the latest devices in its Xperia range.

 

With the new Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro, the company is looking to build on the capabilities of the original mini series. Both smartphones are getting a massive boost in processing power thanks to the speedy 1 GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon processor now found inside, and will operate on Google’s Android 2.3 mobile OS (Gingerbread).

 

 

As is the case with the forthcoming Xperia arc, the Xperia mini and Xperia mini pro both integrate Sony’s Reality Display with Mobile BRAVIA Engine. These boast a 3" (320 x 480 pixels) capacitive touch-screen with multi-touch. This touch-enabled display also features scratch-resistant mineral glass to make it more durable.   

 

Both devices sport 320 MB storage space with a 2 GB microSD card included and support for up to 32 GB sized cards. They employ a 5 MP camera with auto-focus and LED flash, as well as a plethora of SE enhancements such as face detection, face recognition and smile detection. Like with a lot of other modern smartphones, the likes of the Nokia E7 and HTC Desire Z, the camera on these two new Xperia additions can record HD-ready (720p) video.

 

 

 

Both will record detailed HD video then, but the Xperia mini pro like its predecessor also features a slide-out QWERTY keyboard. New keyboard enhancements include Type & Send functionality, which eliminates the need to open a dedicated app for each type of message. 

 

It boasts a slightly bigger frame (92 x 53 x 18 mm) than the mini (88 x 52 x 16 mm), but weighs almost 50% more (136 g) than the mini (94 g). The Xperia mini pro also comes pre-loaded with Office Suite and McAfee antivirus software, allowing users to manage documents and e-mails instantly and securely whilst on the move.

 

  

 

SE’s Xperia mini pro and Xperia mini will be available globally in selected markets as of Q3 of this year, but unfortunately these two smartphones have not yet been confirmed for South Africa.

 

 “We wanted to provide consumers even greater choice across the Xperia range, while building on the success of the original mini series,” stated Steve Walker, head of Marketing, SE.

 

“These turbo-charged smartphones now contain even more power, enhanced functionality, a larger screen and premium features unique to Sony Ericsson. They are packed full of features, making them a perfect choice for consumers looking for all the benefits of Android and Sony in a beautiful and easy to use compact form factor.”

 

 Sony Ericsson Xperia mini pro – Key features