Sony Ericsson unveils Xperia neo V smartphone, prepares Android update

The rapid growth in the smartphone market shows no sign of abating, with Sony and Samsung continuing to unleash new models. (More on Samsung's plans here.)

New from Sony is the Xperia neo V (right), due on sale in the final quarter of this year. It runs Android Gingerbread v2.3.4, is powered by a 1Ghz Snapdragon MSM8255 processor, has a 5MP camera for 720p HD video recording and a front-facing camera for video chat.

There's also HDMI support, a 3.7in 'Reality Display' with Mobile Bravia Engine, and 3D sweep panorama mode (so images can be captured and viewed in 3D on a 3D TV using the HDMI connection).

A raft of other features include stereo A2DP Bluetooth, Sony Ericsson music player, web browser, Facebook and Twitter apps, Google Talk, 3D games, FM radio with RDS and DLNA/micro USB support.

From October, Sony will issue a software upgrade to add Android Gingerbread v2.3.4 to its entire 2011 Xperia smartphone range.

This will bring improvements to Sony Ericsson's Facebook inside Xperia function, as well as adding 3D camera functionality and Google Talk video chat.

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Andy Clough

Andy is Global Brand Director of What Hi-Fi? and has been a technology journalist for 30 years. During that time he has covered everything from VHS and Betamax, MiniDisc and DCC to CDi, Laserdisc and 3D TV, and any number of other formats that have come and gone. He loves nothing better than a good old format war. Andy edited several hi-fi and home cinema magazines before relaunching whathifi.com in 2008 and helping turn it into the global success it is today. When not listening to music or watching TV, he spends far too much of his time reading about cars he can't afford to buy.