The first “Sony” Branded Android handset, the Xperia S debuted today at MWC Barcelona. Featuring a unique, and typical Sony original design, with near perfect right-angled sides, the Xperia S features a brilliant 4.3″ Reality HD Display packing a 1280 x 720 resolution, a 1.5 GHz dual-core processor, an Adreno 220 GPU, NFC support, and a 12 MP camera based on Sony’s Exmor R camera sensor.

What does seem a bit underwhelming though, is that the device will run Android 2.3.5 out-of-the-box, although an upgrade to Android 4.0 Ice Cream Sandwich is in the pipeline. The device will also feature the proprietary Sony Mobile Bravia engine and Timescape UI.

Sony Xperia S Features

  • Android 2.3.5  Gingerbread with Timescape
  • 4.3 ″ LED backlit Reality HD display – 720 x 1280
  • Qualcomm Snapdragon dual-core 1.5 GHz
  • Adreno 220 GPU
  • 32 GB internal storage
  • 1 GB RAM
  • 12 MP Camera with Exmor R sensor | 1080p video capture @ 30fps
  • Playstation certification
  • Sony Mobile  Bravia Engine
  • WiFi, HSDPA, DLNA, Bluetooth

While the device does look very sleek and elegant, and embodies the styling that Sony is known for, it remains to be seen, how the first Android handset under the “Sony” brand will fare in the days and months to come, and Sony may need to hit the gas on the Android 4.0 update to it’s flagship device.