The long-rumored Sony Xperia SL smartphone has just been officially launched by the Japanese handset maker. However, details on the handset’s availability and pricing options have yet to be unveiled. Since it got leaked online, the Xperia SL was considered a refresh of the Sony Xperia S, but with better hardware and software configuration. According to Sony, the Xperia SL is equipped with a dual-core Qualcomm MSM8260 Snapdragon S3 processor clocked at 1.7 GHz, which is slightly more powerful in comparison with Xperia S’ 1.5 GHz dual-core CPU. Aside from the processor inside, the smartphones feature similar specs sheets, so expect the SL to boast an impressive 12-megapixel rear photo snapper with autofocus, LED flash and full HD (1080p) video recording, as well as secondary 1.3-megapixel front facing camera for video calls. Sony Xperia SL will be shipped with Android 4.0.4 Ice Cream Sandwich operating system out of the box, while Xperia S runs the same version of the platform due to a recent update. Both Xperia phones feature similar 4.3-inch LED-backlit LCD capacitive touchscreen displays that support HD (720 x 1280 pixels) resolution and 16 million colors. Moreover, they feature scratch-resistant glass for extra protection. On the inside, the Xperia SL packs 1GB of RAM and 32GB storage. Although the phone does not come with microSD card slot for memory expansion, Xperia SL owners will receive 50GB of cloud storage for a limited time. When it comes to connectivity, the device offers HSDPA and HSUPA, along with Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, HDMI and GPS support. Sony Xperia SL drains energy from a 1750 mAh Li-Ion battery, which is rated by the Japanese handset manufacturer for up to 420 hours of standby time or up to 8 hours and 30 minutes of talk time. Stay tuned for more updates on the matter.