This might be our first look at the cancelled Xperia Play 2

TL;DR

• Images of an apparent Sony Ericsson Xperia Play 2 have surfaced online.
• The images show a phone with a similar slide-out gamepad as the original model.

Sony Ericsson launched the Xperia Play back in 2011, making for one of the coolest smartphone ideas yet. The phone packed a slide-out gamepad, shoulder buttons, and access to PlayStation titles. Unfortunately, that was the first and only time Sony and Sony Ericsson released a gaming phone in this regard.

Now, images have surfaced online showing what could be an Xperia Play 2 prototype. Redditor shabab2992 said that the phone listing was found in a Chinese used goods app, and XDA-Developers has since reported that the device belongs to an XDA member based in Shenzhen, China. Check out the images below.

The purported Xperia Play 2 shows Sony Ericsson branding, suggesting that work may have reached the prototype stage prior to Sony fully acquiring Sony Ericsson back in late 2011. The original Xperia Play launched in early 2011, so it stands to reason that a sequel could’ve launched in early 2012.

Other noteworthy details seen in these pictures include L and R shoulder buttons, a single rear camera as you’d expect, the return of the slide-out gamepad with “analog” touchpads, and a curious “3D” button on the gamepad itself.

Would you buy a rebooted Xperia Play in 2020?

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Yes, of course

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No, I wouldn't

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The 3D feature suggests that the company may have been thinking about bringing 3D functionality to the phone, as stereoscopic 3D games and movies were still being offered on the PS3 at the time. If true, this would’ve presumably been glasses-free 3D as we saw with the likes of the Nintendo 3DS and HTC Evo 3D at the time.

It’s entirely possible that this alleged Xperia Play 2 is just a mockup or hoax, with the screen not turned on, for one. Nevertheless, we’ve contacted Sony to find out whether this was indeed the real deal. Still, it’s not too late for the company to take advantage of the current gaming phone trend and release a new Xperia Play model.

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