Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini
If you are looking at upgrading to an Android phone but want something that still looks like a phone and not a small computer, then Sony Ericsson might have just the model for you.
The new Xperia X10 Mini gives you a full Android phone, but instead of the big, 3-inch displays of most smartphones on the market today, you get a smaller, 2.5-inch QVGA display in a package that is about the size of your Octopus card.
Obviously, the Xperia X10 Mini is a little thicker than the MTR card; in fact, it is pretty thick at 16mm. However, the extra space does mean that the X10 Mini does pack a whole lot of power inside. You get a 600MHz processor from Qualcomm, 7.2Mbps HSDPA mobile data support, a 5 mega-pixel camera with flash and video recording, as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.
Beyond the hardware, you get Google's Android platform, which gives you access to a whole lot of applications, including Google Maps, search, Facebook and YouTube. On top of those, Sony Ericsson has put in a number of its own, including a Twitter integration called Timescape, a music and media player, and the usual messaging and personal information manager applications.
You can exchange the back cover of the X10 Mini to change colours, including pink, red, yellow, black, silver and white.
The Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini is available for HK$2,600.
Pros: Android OS in a package the size of an Octopus card, exchangeable back covers
Cons: smaller screen, thicker than most phones
