Sony Xperia U

“Few would've believed last year that a solid dual-core experience and a display of very good quality would be available at this price point. Screen size aside, the Xperia U is better than the Xperia Arc S in almost every way and that one passed for a flagship device mere 9 months ago.And as if that's not enough, the Xperia U is perhaps the most affordable dual-core droid. It's the cheapest way to get a FWVGA display too, and the build and finish are worthy of a flagship. You wouldn't normally expect to get anything else on this kind of budget, but you are in for another surprise. The changeable color of the transparent strip is a nice little twist giving personality and character, which are hard to come by in the crowded smartphone midrange.”

“Sony has cut a few corners to achieve the very affordable price of the Xperia U, like the lack of oleophobic coating and microSD slot, but these are still overshadowed by the cool design and the contemporary specs like a dual-core processor and screen with good pixel density.Where it really dropped the ball, however, is the camera module - we’ve seen better 5MP shooters in Sony handsets dating back to 2010, especially in the video capture department. Yet something had to give, otherwise we’d have the perfect phone for the price, considering the very good call quality, strong and clear loudspeaker, and the removable battery with decent endurance.”

“The Sony Xperia U surpasses the similarly-priced competition in many ways. A 3.5-inch screen definitely isn't for everyone — at least at this aspect ratio — but apart from its size it's a premium display. In fact, virtually every area of the phone is endowed with features and finish that belong on a far more expensive device. It's not all perfect though — for one, its slightly-awkward, gimmicky design holds it back, Sony's NXT series ID doesn't quite translate to the U's tiny footprint, and its LED band is likely to annoy far more people than it will amuse. There's also the matter of Android 2.3. We're told that an update to Android 4.0 is imminent, but owners of recent HTC and Samsung devices are already looking forward to Android 4.1.If you're searching for an Android device that offers solid performance and doesn't break the bank, take a long hard look at the Xperia U. If you can get past its design quirks and don't mind the wait for Android 4.0 — or the even longer wait for 4.1 Jelly Bean — you’ll have trouble finding a better device at this price point.”

“The Sony Xperia U isn’t perfect but then what phone is for little over £150? It’s compact yet has a screen large enough for core smartphone duties, it’s fast thanks to a dual-core processor and it’s just plain easy to use. An easy recommendation for anyone looking for a phone on a budget.”