Sony Xperia U

New pictures of the purported Sony Xperia U handset have emerged ahead of a potential launch at Mobile World Congress next week. The diminutive device is shown next to the recently-unveiled Xperia S and will reportedly arrive toting a 3.5-inch WVGA display and a scaled-back 1GHz processor. According to the snaps, the Android handset, known in some circles as the Kumquat or the ST25i, brings the same aesthetic qualities to the table, although the Sony Ericsson branding is still present. The attractive, squarer design, curved back, protruding chin and the transparent strip of capacitive buttons near the foot of the device are all in place. More Minis Sony has previous form for releasing mini versions of its popular handsets, with 2010's Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini and last year's Xperia Mini. It seems the strategy will continue despite Sony buying out Ericsson's half of the partnership. Unveiled at CES, the Sony Xperia S was the first device to showcase Sony-only branding and comes loaded with a 4.3-inch Reality Display, a 1.5GHz dual-core processor and a 12-megapixel camera. The device will launch in the UK on March 5th and will be available for the SIM-free price of £429.