Cut to the chase: The Xperia ray represents an alternative to a mobile market that is becoming saturated with 4.3 inch + size screens. A 3.3 inch screen with 480 x 854 pixels(297 ppi pixel density) running 2.3.4 android. This feature packed product does offer a 'Value' alternative without sacrificing too much on the inside.

Under the Hood:

*OS Android OS, v2.3
*Qualcomm MSM8255 Snapdragon
*CPU-1 GHz Scorpion
*8.1 megapixel camera with digital zoom, touch autofocus, face recognition, smile detection, red-eye reduction, image stabiliser and LED flash
*HD video camera with video stabilisation and video light / Front-facing VGA camera
*Display: 480 x 854 pixels (3.3 inches), 16 million colours
*Memory: 300MB plus 512MB RAM plus 4GB microSD memory card (up to 32GB supported)
*Connectivity: WiFi, Bluetooth, USB, 3.5mm audio jack, DLNA
*Quadband GSM (850/900/1800/1900) plus 3G UMTS/HSPA
*Size: 111 x 53 x 9.4 mm
*Weight: 100g
*Battery: 1500mAh
*Talktime: 7 hours
*Battery standby: 440 hours

Review:

When you first put the Xperia ray into your hand, you can not help but think how slight and plastic this phone is. Only upon closer inspection and research do you see that this has some respectable stats. It doesn't have a dual core processor and it only has a VGA front facing camera with no HDMI output. However, if you look at the phones stats you will see their is one other phone that is comparable with similar specs. The iPhone!

The Xperia Ray runs 2.3.4 android, and with one of the more popular Android skins to be used, The phone is quick to respond and shows no sign of lag when quickly popping through the menus. However, would you still want stock android?

For whilst HTC and Samsung are out trying to follow the 'bigger is better' philosophy with 4.3 and 4.7 inch screens. Apple have maintained the 3.5 inch screen factor with the retina display. Yet all these 4.3 and 4.7 inch phones are still compared to its somewhat smaller competition.

Sony, have generated a great alternative to current trend of phones being manufactured. With ICS also scheduled for an April release, this phone has a lot to offer, in a great form factor.