Marketing manager Bahij Haloumi says the handset is the first of a new range of mobile devices from Sony Ericsson branded Xperia.

"The device combines  entertainment features and business applications. It even has Windows Mobile 6.1 installed," says Haloumi.

Haloumi suggests the X1, set to be launched in the region in November, will be popular because of its impressive design. "Compared to other smartphones it is lighter, the screen is bigger and the resolution is stronger," he says.