Sony Ericsson Xperia X1 now available on Vodafone

We've been able to get our hands on the shiny new Xperia X1 since the end of last month - for a price. But if sim-free isn't your style, you'll be pleased to learn that it's now available on Vodafone.

The touchscreen Sony Ericsson is free on the red network's 18-month contracts above £45 (which'll get you 900 minutes, unlimited texts and iPhone-matching unlimited data). If you only want to be tied for a year then you'll have to stump up an eye-watering £80 a month to get it for nowt, with none of the unlimited data and text privileges but a frankly rude 3000 minutes of talk.

The X1 will also be putting in an appearance in O2 colours - setting up a nice Sony Ericcson / Apple battle in O2 stores this Christmas. Although it's still not up on the O2 website, Carphone Warehouse is taking pre-orders, offering the phone for free on £75+ 18-month deals (ouch), up to a whopping £310 on a two-year, £25 per month tariff. The website has an arival date of 20th October so things look to be lagging there.

There's also been plenty of talk of an Orange Xperia X1 but so far no word on when it'll be available. Carphone Warehouse is pegged to sell that too, but as yet there's no mention of it. We'll keep our eyes peeled for more.

[ Vodafone]