Ever since Sony Ericsson announced their drool-worthy XPERIA X1 smartphone, there's been persistent rumours that it might be delayed until next year. Fortunately, this appears not to be the case, as online phone store Dial-a-Phone reckon they'll have the first batch of XPERIA's in stock "...in less than a month from now". Phones4U are also preparing for it, and have a short XPERIA X1 Review complete with pics and vids.

All this bodes well for Sony Ericsson, who could do with some good news as they've been struggling recently with poor sales and a lukewarm reception to many of their latest handsets.

The XPERIA X1 looks set to change all that as it's a gloriously-designed Windows Mobile smartphone with a bold new user interface that Sony Ericsson designed especially for the phone. They've even released a developer's kit for the XPERIA X1 to enable anyone to develop new applications (or "panels") for it.

That said, they had no choice but to build their own UI. The standard Windows Mobile interface is so pants, there's no way it could be plastered onto a Sony Ericsson. Besides, it would have made the XPERIA X1 look like every other Windows Mobile smartphone out there, which is exactly what Sony Ericsson don't want to do.

Sony Ericsson do need to get this thing shipping before the Christmas period, though, especially with some tough competition in the smartphone market, with the Nokia E90, iPhone, HTCs, MWgs and even Googele Android phones all about to get in on the action.

Let's hope the rumours are right and the XPERIA X1 is released next month.

[Source: Dial-a-Phone, Phones4U]