The internet browser is apparently very good... we weren't able to put our 3G settings on the phone, and the Wi-Fi in the area wasn't working, so we'll just have to take the word of those that have played with it that the phone and the internet sync together like Kits and Kats.

The messaging function was a really odd sensation, not because it did anything vastly different, but because it was decked out in 80's orange and black, with sharp-edged buttons making it feel like pressing the wrong combination would call forth the A-Team or something. However, it was nice to see something different, and texting was OK, if not spectacularly easy.

The phone wouldn't flip between alphanumeric and QWERTY modes though, which may have been a problem with the settings, but we had to manually move between the two modes and we can only hope this was a teething trouble.

There was no autocorrect key on the QWERTY modes either, like those seen on the iPhone or the HTC recent range. It wasn't a real problem, as the accuracy was fairly good, but it just felt a little 'and us' on the touchscreen stakes.

Media on the phone, with a near HD resolution (640 x 360) which isn't as good as the likes of the HTC Touch Diamond 2 (VGA, 640 x 480) but is still dazzlingly clear and colour rich.

Video was simple, with the normal set up keys being plopped in the right places, and the music system was similar, giving you a picture of the song being played in the centre with easy to use keys letting you navigate through.

The music player, which can run in the background, will also tack itself onto the front screen as a kind of widget as well, meaning you can alter the tracks without needing to pore through menus.

But, and this is a big But, there's a big omission on the Satio. There's no 3.5mm jack, which on a flagship handset that puts so much stock into entertainment is hard to believe. Yes, it managed to get a 12.1MP camera in a 13.3mm frame, but come on, most people would rather have added a bit more width and had the option to use their own headphones.

In fact, in order to sidestep this issue, you'll probably want to invest in some Bluetooth cans to hide the frustration every time you snap or lose another headphone adaptor for your phone.

Overall impressions of the phone are it's a resounding step in the right direction for the ailing Sony Ericsson, and this is the phone that many felt the Xperia X1 should have been modelled on.

While it doesn't quite scale the dizzying heights of the iPhone or the Palm Pre, it shouldn't be looked at as a competitor. Instead, marvel at the fact SE has managed to stuff so many features into a comparatively thin frame, put an excellent touchscreen on the front and firmly laid a challenge down to the likes of Samsung, LG and Nokia, all of whom have been knocking out the media / camera phones for years as well.

There are a whole host of features and nuances in the phone, such as interactive commenting on uploaded photos, that we haven't managed to cover here, so check back to see our full, in-depth review coming soon where we'll lift the lid on Sony Ericsson's new darling.