Sony Xperia U Official

Sony has officially announced the Xperia U, the company's latest Android smartphone and the first to debut at Mobile World Congress under the newly-created Sony Mobile Communications brand. A smaller version of the Xperia S and ion launched at CES last month, the Xperia U has a 3.5-inch Reality Display along with interchangeable chin sections to customize it to your liking.

Sony's Mobile BRAVIA engine makes another appearance, boosting graphics during video playback and gaming, and there's a 5-megapixel camera on the back. That shoots 720p HD video, rather than Full HD; if you want the latter, you'll need to step up to the larger, more expensive Xperia S.

Sony will be offering multiple color options of chin section, including a shocking pink and a more sedate black to match the rest of the handset. Meanwhile the translucent button strip can change color to match the on-screen theme, as well as to match the predominant color in your photos.

UK carrier Three has already confirmed that the Xperia U is headed to its network soon - Sony says mid-Q2 - and offered up the following hands-on video. We'll have our own hands-on, together with more detailed specs, shortly.