Possible Sony Ericsson Android interface?

Sony Ericsson's new Android phone

(Credit: mobil)

News broke over the weekend that Sony Ericsson is planning on releasing its latest Android-powered phone, code-named Rachel, before the end of the year. The Xperia-branded phone is reportedly built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon QSD8250 platform, with a processor speed of up to 1Ghz, a large 4-inch touch-screen display, possibly an 8-megapixel camera with autofocus, and a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack.

Now there's also a leaked video of the Android interface of Sony Ericsson's Rachel. It doesn't quite look like the Android OS we're familiar with; in fact, it looks better. We really like how the contacts are displayed as cards, the threaded messaging, and the Twitter and Facebook integration.

We're certainly excited to see this come to fruition, though we're unsure whether this will ever make its way stateside. Here's hoping.

[thelazzyone]

I am just loving all these new Android handsets that are coming out with different UIs...

[Slick1of2]

Cool. I hope it comes in 16GB with an SD slot to boost it to 32GB. I really like how 8-megapixel cameras and music players are being wired into these new phones. That's how I think it should be. A multipurpose device. Now we just have to hope for battery life to keep progressing.

[Henzapper]

Anyone like me not so excited about this new UI? I mean, in my opinion the icons are kinda ugly, reminiscent of featurephones from 2006. Also, I don't like this card interface. I was kinda confused on who was a contact and who was an artist from the phone's music. I don't really think it looks that great either. I'm way more excited for HTC's Sense UI.

On the other hand, these are the best specs I've ever seen on an Android or just about any phone! Snapdragon, 4-inch screen, 8mp camera. It seriously makes me consider buying it even if I don't like the UI.

[TyDiz]

I actually felt a little unimpressed with the Sense UI on the Hero, to be completely honest. Rachael seems a lot more like an actual upgrade to androids system...almost, more adult maybe?? Anyway, I do agree that this loses every ounce of intuitiveness that comes along with Android. I couldn't figure out what anything was...I mean, the only thing I do with a contact is text or call them...why was there 10 pages of things to do with David? I'll think I might wait to see it before I get really excited about it, but the video did make me drool a little bit :)

[BrownieD]

This phone couldn't come sooner enough, and because I'm in a period where I'm about to upgrade It's unfortunate that I wouldn't be able to have a phone like this. Compared with the iPhone in which I'm considering to upgrade to, If they could get an application store (maybe integrate PSN with extendable branches to allow for applications 3rd party) this could really take off.

The UI i'm not too sure on, It doesn't seem to feel as slick as it could be with such a sexy looking phone. I'm hoping to see more on this in the near future.

[gaasedal]

If this phone comes with Android, I will bay it and just sell my iPhone :)

[Dan7637]

this phone is the best looking apart from the iphone and it makes android look a lot better than the stock look