Sony Ericsson Xperia Smartphones Receive Four iF Design Awards

Xperia active, Xperia ray, Xperia mini pro and Mix Walkman recognized for innovative design and high-end functionality
The Xperia active smartphone receives highest level gold award

Sony Ericsson announced it has received four 2012 iF product design awards in the telecommunications category.  Xperia™ active received the highest level of recognition, the gold award. The iF jury’s comprehensive judging criteria included quality of design and finish, choice of materials, environmental impact and functionality.  The ceremony took place in Munich, Germany on February 9.

“The Xperia active smartphone reflects our commitment to offer handsets for active consumers with stunning design inside and out,” said Jeanna Kimbré, Director of Creative Product Design for Sony Ericsson. “Design has always been a cornerstone of how we approach innovation and we will continue to build on this success with the new iconic design language introduced as part of our 2012 portfolio.”

Special gold recognition for Xperia active
The iF product design gold award recognizes the very best designs in the telecommunications industry. Xperia active boasts a scratch resistant touch display that can be used even when fingers are wet and boasts technology that enables the display to be seen in bright sunshine.

“We warmly congratulate Sony Ericsson for its first iF gold award.  Xperia active is a very functional smartphone with a highly elegant design. Especially for sport users,  it is the number one choice  and the water and dust-resistance make it a very special product – a symbiosis of functionality and elegance,” said  Ralph Wiegmann, Managing Director of iF International Forum Design GmbH in Hannover.

Sony Ericsson carefully chose the materials for Xperia active to ensure the best aesthetics were used and that the smartphone is durable, sustainable and functional. A sturdy aluminum frame surrounds and protects the display and embodies the essence of Xperia active – utilitarian elegance.

Xperia range – award winning designs
The iF awards recognized the wider Xperia range and awarded Xperia ray, Mix Walkman and Xperia mini pro with product design awards. The breadth of awards demonstrates Sony Ericsson’s commitment to create beautifully designed smartphones across the portfolio without sacrificing functionality.

Xperia ray offers a slim, yet dynamic shape which can perfectly fit into the palm of a consumer’s hand. The aluminum sides give the product a premium expression and a positive tactile experience.
The interchangeable band on Mix Walkman allows consumers to express themselves and their personality via their handset. The precision of the clean front surface together with the soft curvature on the back creates a product with a distinct feeling.
Xperia mini pro boasts a QWERTY keyboard to enable fast typing and the fusion of exquisite lacquers, reflective metal and colorful accents create a stylish, fresh and energetic look.
The iF product design awards are an internationally recognized label for award-winning design and a symbol for outstanding achievements in design.

Legal
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant.  2) Operational times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g.  playing games.  Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market.  The full range of accessories may not be available in every market.

© Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, 2012

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Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB, SE-221 88 Lund, Sweden.
Printed in January 2010, R1A

About Sony Ericsson
Sony Ericsson is a 50:50 joint venture between Sony Corporation (“Sony”) and Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson (“Ericsson”). In October 2011 it was announced by Sony and Ericsson that Sony will acquire Ericsson‟s stake in the company and that Sony Ericsson will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sony. The transaction is expected to close in February, subject to customary closing conditions, including regulatory approvals. Over the years Sony Ericsson has brought together the best communication technologies with superior entertainment user experiences to create its Xperia™ line of the „most entertaining smartphones‟ in the mobile handset industry. With its global corporate functions in London, Sony Ericsson has sales and marketing operations in all major regions of the world, as well as manufacturing in China, and product development sites in China, Japan, Sweden and Silicon Valley, California. For more information, please visit: www.sonyericsson.com/press.