Cell phones have evolved from simply acting as a mobile telephone into smartphones that can surf the internet and download movies and music. In 2008, Sony Ericsson introduced the Xperia smartphone, a handset designed to focus on the entertainment capabilities of cellular technology. Helping to pull the company out of the sales doldrums, the Xperia phones have become Sony Ericsson’s premiere models, but which are the best?

After studying what has worked with their phones over the last couple of years, Sony Ericsson has released the Xperia X10. This smartphone is run by the Android 2.1 OS and utilizes the quick 1GHz Snapdragon processor. Visuals on the X10 are presented in startling detail on a robust 4-inch capacitive touch screen. Very few keystroke errors are committed on the sensitive yet accurate virtual keyboard. The camera on the Xperia X10 snaps photos with an impressive 8 megapixels and renders them with 3264 x 2448 pixel resolution. It also films HD movies at 720p. Sony Ericsson’s own Timescape user interface can be found on the X10 which allows for easy access to Facebook and Twitter amongst other sites. By integrating these social networking sites, updates are easier than ever.

If you are not interested in the latest, and frankly most expensive, technology, the Xperia X10 Mini provides a more than adequate smartphone experience. Not much speed is sacrificed in comparison to its big brother, as it the Mini is also equipped with Android 2.1 OS and a 600 MHz processor. Because the idea was to keep the X10 Mini affordable, some concessions had to be made with the screen, but graphics are still easily seen on its 2.55 inches. After all, if you aren’t looking for everything the X10 has to offer, this shouldn’t be a big deal. Also finding its way from the Xperia X10 to the X10 Mini is the Timescape user interface; therefore you don’t have to give up your virtual social life by going with the Mini. If the screen proves a little too small for easy texting, the X10 Mini Pro is available with a slide out keyboard. The phone is otherwise nearly identical the Mini.

For customers who are looking to keep their bank account out of harm’s way, the Xperia X8 is a nice smartphone that operates on the Android 1.6 OS with the capacity for a 2.1 upgrade. To save costs, the screen measures 3 inches and the body is slightly larger than the X10. It still presents the familiar user interface of its cousins, making it a true Xperia phone for those on limited budgets.

These three models are great choices for a Sony Ericsson Xperia phone. It really comes down to budget and interest in media. Whatever the customer’s needs, the Xperia series has enough for everyone.