Sony Ericsson's XPERIA Play Android phone has also been dubbed the 'PlayStation phone'
Sony Ericsson's XPERIA Play — dubbed the 'PlayStation phone' — will launch through Telstra and Optus next week, but Vodafone customers will have to wait a little longer.
Read our comprehensive Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play review and check out our guide to the best upcoming smartphones in 2011.
Originally touted for launch through all carriers in "May or June", the XPERIA Play will initially be available through Australia's two largest telcos on 8 June. Sony Ericsson previously stated that Vodafone would exclusively launch a special white version of the XPERIA Play, though this will now come at a later, unannounced date — Vodafone was not mentioned in a Sony Ericsson press release announcing the launch details.
The Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play features a 4in multitouch display, two touch-sensitive joysticks, a D-pad and four of the PlayStation's famous control buttons; triangle, square, circle and X. The XPERIA Play also has two shoulder buttons in a bid to recreate the full PlayStation gaming experience.
Telstra has not yet revealed its pricing details for the XPERIA Play, but Optus will sell the device for $0 on its $79 cap over 24 months. The plan includes $900 worth of calls, unlimited SMS and MMS messages and 3GB of data per month. Optus also includes unlimited access to Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, MySpace, eBay and Foursquare within Australia.
In addition to its $79 cap, Optus will also sell the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play on the $59 cap for $5 ($64 per month), the $49 cap for $9 ($58 per month), the $29 cap for $16 ($45 per month), and the $19 cap for $18 ($37 per month). All plans are over 24 months.
Any Optus purchases made before 30 July will also be eligible to choose three bonus Gameloft games from the following titles: Tom Clancy's Splinter Cell Conviction, Modern Combat 2: Black Pegasus, Assassin's Creed: Altair's Chronicles, Brother in Arms 2: Global Front, Spiderman: Total Mayhem, BackStab, Let's Golf 2, and Real Football 2011.
The Australian model of the Sony Ericsson XPERIA Play initially comes with six pre-loaded games: FIFA 10, Bruce Lee — Dragon Warrior, Sims 3, Madden NFL 11, Star Battalion, and Crash Bandicoot.
