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Sony Xperia E3 is affordable, adorable (pictures)

We take a look at the Xperia E3, a cheap Android KitKat phone with Sony's colourful stylings.

Andrew Lanxon
Andrew is CNET's go-to guy for product coverage and lead photographer for Europe. When not testing the latest phones, he can normally be found with his camera in hand, behind his drums or eating his stash of home-cooked food. Sometimes all at once.
Andrew Lanxon
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1 of 11 Andrew Hoyle/CNET

If your pockets aren't deep enough for Sony's new flagship Xperia Z3 -- or you just don't want to pay that much -- check out the Xperia E3.

This 4.6-inch Android KitKat phone has stylings reminiscent of Sony's other Xperia phones, but will apparently be its most affordable to date.

Sony hasn't confirmed exactly how much it will cost, nor has it said where it will be available, but we'll find out more before it goes on sale later this year.

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Its colourful body and minimalist Xperia branding makes it look very similar to last year's excellent Z1 Compact.

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The 4.6-inch screen has an 854x480-pixel resolution, which isn't very good, but it seemed adequate for the basics in my hands-on time.

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It runs Android 4.4 KitKat and Sony has slathered its own interface over the top.

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Yep, that's definitely Android.

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It's better looking than most budget phones.

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It's not the skinniest phone around, but you won't struggle to fit it in your pocket.

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There's a 5-megapixel camera on the back.

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As well as this vivid lime green, you can pick it up in black and white.

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It has the same sticking-out power button on the side that you'll find on all of Sony's Xperia phones.

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The white model looks pretty cool too.

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