How Does Sony's 'Super Phone' Stack Up?

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By Anthony John Agnello, Consumer and Technology Writer

NEW YORK (InvestorPlace) -- Mobile technology heading into 2012 is all about the marriage of two features: the lowest price tag and the highest specifications. Look no further than Apple's (AAPL) strategy with the recently released iPhone 4S. With a two-year contract at either Verizon (VZ) or AT&T (T), you can get a fine iPhone that sports a voice-operated personal assistant and an 8-megapixel camera that can shoot HD video in 1080p -- all for just $200. Some fancy specifications and a nice price.

Verizon iPhone

Sony (SNE), true to tradition, is pushing at least the high-end aspect with its latest mobile devices. Case in point: the company's latest Sony Ericsson Xperia phone. While Sony hasn't officially debuted the phone yet -- with pricing, release date and name all missing -- a device certification fact sheet for the phone popped up at Bluetooth Special Intesest Group on Thursday. The listing for Sony's new phone claims to bring the Xperia line into "super phone territory."

Also see: Microsoft could change smartphones forever with Skype

What makes the new Xperia -- its temporary name is the decidedly un-catchy catalog ID LT28at -- a super phone? The device is built for use on LTE 4G networks like the kind Verizon and AT&T currently are expanding across the country. It has a 4.55-inch, 720p HD screen, labeled in the certification as a "Reality Display." It also boasts a 13-megapixel rear camera, and a second front-facing HD camera. LT28at sports two microphones as well, for better noise suppression and stereo recording. As with the rest of the Sony Ericsson lineup, LT28at runs on Google's (GOOG) Android operating system.

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It's an impressive array of features. How does it compare to its brethren? Right now, Sony Ericsson already is preparing another device to be what industry followers thought would be its flagship smartphone in early 2012, the Xperia Nozomi. The Nozomi, whose catalog name is LT26i, has a 4.3-inch screen, slightly smaller than the new super phone, but that screen also outputs in 720p. Nozomi also has some beefy processing power inside, at least according to November rumors at Engadget. Word is that its horsepower is comparable to Samsung's (SSNLF:PK) Galaxy Tab 10.1 tablet (this is, of course, unconfirmed). Also see: German judge snaps after Apple's latest injunction against Samsung