Sony has launched a new smartphone called the Xperia SP, one that is likely to position itself between the Sony Xperia T, launched at IFA last year, and the Xperia Z, launched at CES earlier this year.

The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon MSM8960 Pro, a dual-core SoC clocked at 1.7GHz with an integrated LTE modem. There’s also 1GB of RAM, a rather small 8GB onboard storage, a microSD card slot and a 4.6in 1,280 x 720 pixels display with a scratch resistant layer and Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2.

Other features include an 8-megapixel camera with a front facing VGA one, ful HD video recording, Sony’s Exmor RS for mobile image sensor, Android 4.1 Jelly Bean, 3D Surround Sound, a 2,300mAh battery that allows users to talk for up to 10 hours on the phone and comes with the STAMINA mode.

Designwise, the chassis of the phone is made of a “precision-crafted co-moulded aluminium frame” that comes with a “colour-changing transparent element” that reminds us of the first generation Xperia models launched at MWC 2012.

The Sony Xperia SP will be available worldwide from Q2 2013, which starts in April. No pricing has been disclosed yet but we expect it to go on sale for less than £20 per month.