Sony shows cheap Android 4.1 smartphone Xperia E

Sony has presented a presumably cheap smartphone with Android 4.1 Jelly Bean. The phone has a 3.5″ screen with a resolution of 480×320 pixels and runs on a Qualcomm MSM7227A processor. It is unclear when it will be released.

The Xperia E is the next Sony smartphone to receive a letter: Sony previously announced the Xperia S, P, U, J, T and V. It is unclear what the logic is behind Sony’s naming: questions about this could not be answered by spokespersons for the manufacturer.

As an innovation, the new device offers a ‘power-saving mode’, where all internet connections are turned off shortly after the screen is turned off. As a result, calls and text messages can come in, but e-mails, whatsapp messages and other push notifications that require internet access only come in when the screen is switched on again. The saving mode is optional and extends the standby time according to Sony.

The Xperia E measures 113x62x11mm and weighs 115 grams. The screen is made of scratch-resistant glass and is a TFT LCD. The budget phone has a battery with an endurance of 1500mAh. Although Sony itself mentions that the device is ‘affordable’, calls the manufacturer does not offer a price or release date. Given the features and specifications, it will be a device of between 125 and 175 euros.