According to what appears to be leaked Sony Ericsson product release information, the XPERIA X1 which was unveiled at the Mobile World Congress will only start shipping in February 2009, a full year after its unveiling. No reasons are provided that might explain the delay but some suggest that the release of Windows Mobile 6.1 might be the culprit.
Microsoft has not announced a release date for Windows Mobile 6.1. Widely expected at the Mobile World Congress, rumour suggests that it will now be announced at CTIA in April. If so, it might not be the cause of the delay.
If the delay is genuine, it is unfortunate as the buzz generated by the announcement at Mobile World Congress will have vanished by the time the X1 hits the street as people will probably have focused their attention on other devices.
Update: It appears that 2009 is well and truly the date as the XPERIA X1 release date posted on the Sony Ericsson web site itself is February 10, 2009.