Photo of Sony Ericsson Xperia acro Surfaces

Japanese-Swedish mobile phone maker Sony Ericsson was rumored not too long ago to plan the release of a new Android-based smartphone on the market, the Xperia acro, and the device has just emerged in what appears to be the first photo available into the wild with it.

For those out of the loop, we should note that the Sony Ericsson Xperia acro was spotted in Japan several days ago, in Sony Ericsson PC Companion.

The handset is expected to be put on sale both via NTT DOCOMO and KDDI, and should arrive as a new flavor of the Xperia arc, though it might be aimed only at the Japanese market.

When made available for purchase, the Sony Ericsson Xperia acro might sport the same hardware specifications as the already available mobile phone, though the leaked photo with it shows a much bulkier device.

Unlike the Xperia arc, the new mobile phone is said to be 11.8mm thin, while weighing in at 135 grams.

Moreover, the new Sony Ericsson Xperia acro is expected to arrive on shelves with TV tuner and Infrared port packed inside, two features specific for the Japanese market.

Other that these, the new device would sport the same specs and features as the Xperia arc, rumor has it.

It would be launched on shelves with a 4.2-inch touchscreen display on the front, as well as with an 8-megapixel photo snapper on the back, with LED flash and HD video recording capabilities (the Exmor R camera sensor, as other new Xperia devices).

The Sony Ericsson Xperia acro is also said to arrive on shelves with Google's Android 2.3 Gingerbread operating system on board, and with support for various Google Mobile Services, as well as for applications available for download from the Android Market.

For the time being, however, nothing was officially confirmed on the new device, so keep an eye on this space to learn more on it when updates are available.