Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S

• 

  8 out of 10

Short extract: Sony Ericsson isn't a name that springs to mind when it comes to smartphones. We've liked what we've seen, with Sony using its Walkman pedigree to bill its mobiles as music specialists, but they've not set the world alight.

• Solid but svelte, excellent provision for video and music content, superb screen
• Fiddly buttons, limited internal storage means splashing out on an SD card

• somobile.uk.com

Summary: The upgraded Xperia Arc S takes things up a notch with its 1.4GHz processor and 3D Panorama technology

Short extract: Much like the newly-announced Xperia Neo V , Sony Ericsson's Xperia Arc S is a slightly bumped-up version of its original 2011 flagship . The first change is the handset's processor, which has been bumped from 1GHz to 1.4GHz.

Conclusion: Pricing and release date details for the Xperia Arc S are still to be confirmed.

• 

  8 out of 10

Short extract: Earlier on this year, we were all surprised when the Xperia Arc did so well – we’d all been expecting the Xperia Play (with its Playstation overtones) to be the big success, but it was the Xperia Arc that ruled the roost.

• 

  10 out of 10

Short extract: The original Sony Ericsson Xperia arc impressed us with its slim design and latest version of Android, but we were worried that its single-core processor might be underpowered compared to the slew of dual-core smartphones appearing on the market.

Conclusion: The Arc S has a faster processor and better battery life than the original Arc, and even costs slightly less SIM-free, but the 3D and USB features aren't compelling reasons to upgrade

• 

  8 out of 10

Summary: Leaner, meaner, stronger, smarter? Er, no. But it is faster.

• Slim design, Good camera with shutter button, Good connectivity
• Slim design is difficult to hold, Only single-core processor, Feels plasticky