The phone is Sony Ericsson's first Windows Mobile phone and will be available in the second half of the year.

"Our vision for the Xperia X1 is to deliver a seamless blend of mobile Web communication and multimedia entertainment within a distinctive design," said Rikko Sakaguchi, the company's head of portfolio and propositions. He called the Xperia line "our promise to think foremost of user experience and to deliver the premium experience -- anytime, anywhere, anything, with anyone."

A 'True iPhone Competitor'

If that sounds a lot like Apple's value proposition for the iPhone, it's not a coincidence. At first glance, the X1 looks remarkably like the iPhone, with a flashy nine-panel interface that lets users choose the programs and Web pages it displays. Past the initial screen, however, the interface is pure Windows Mobile. That makes the interface both familiar to American users and not as innovative as the iPhone's.

The X1 dazzled the technology-chattering classes in Barcelona, Spain. They extolled its "luscious aluminum shell" and "amazingly sharp display" that would "put Apple's [iPhone] to shame."

It's a serious product -- more than an iPhone knockoff, said Tim Bajarin, principal analyst with Creative Strategies, in an email. "The new X1 is one of the most innovative products in the Windows Mobile space and it is a true iPhone competitor," he wrote.

"Apple still has the edge in this space given its Web browser and better integration with Mac OS 10," he added.

'Convergence' wave of future

Sony Ericsson's commitment to the convergence category suggests that premium phones are rapidly moving to blend entertainment and productivity, as pioneered by the iPhone. "Plain old cell phones will not go away, but more and more cell phones will become smart. Our estimate is that of the 1.3 billion cell phones sold worldwide in 2010, 25 percent will be smartphones," Bajarin said.

Hideki Komiyama, who took over as CEO of Sony Ericsson in November, told The Wall Street Journal that the company is focusing on the U.S. market with this phone and others. The use of the popular Windows Mobile is part of that strategy. "We are introducing ourselves much more aggressively," he told the Journal.

Komiyama also said Sony Ericsson is not interested in picking up Motorola's cell-phone business, which may be put up for sale. "The idea is not attractive," Komiyama said. "Motorola itself is a strong brand. Changing Motorola to something else would be killing this brand."