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The Sony Xperia Arc S is a lightweight, unlocked Android phone that still manages to pack an expansive screen and powerful multimedia features.

Overall, we like the Arc S a great deal. As Android matures, this phone should improve further if it gets the Ice Cream Sandwich update which will start rolling out to phones in the new year.

The Sony Ericsson XPERIA Arc S is basically the XPERIA Arc with a faster processor, slightly upgraded software and an 'S' tagged onto the end of its name. It remains a good phone but its plagued by the same issues as its predecessor: that being disappointing build quality.

In following the "S" trend, the Xperia Arc S may be little more than a speedier version of the six-month-old Arc, but that makes it no less desirable. The Arc S retains ... stunning slim lines ... and supercharges it with a 1.4GHz processor that gets the very best out of Android 2.x.

The Sony Ericsson Xperia Arc S isn't a phone that blows us away. ... There's no dual-core processor and the build is underwhelming. However, just as with the original Arc, the Arc S packs in the essential features, has a nice screen and a great camera.

It's not the fastest high-end Android smartphone out there, but the Xperia Arc S has a lot to offer, and at a lower price point than most dual-core handsets. If you want a premium Android device without an excessive price tag, the Xperia Arc S is a solid bet.