Sony Ericsson today denied claims that its XPERIA X1 smartphone has been pushed back as far as early 2009, contradicting claims from its own employees at IFA as well as brief status updates on its own website. The firm now maintains that it has always kept its first Windows Mobile device to a fall 2008 launch and refutes claims that the software was too unreliable.

"We have said it will roll out in [the fourth quarter] and we are on target to do that," Sony Ericsson spokeswoman Merran Wrigley claims.

The assertion comes despite those on the show floor at IFA reporting multiple failing demo units, including some that would refuse to start up or would crash before they could be usable. Flaws at the time were primarily blamed on Windows Mobile.

The XPERIA X1 is currently one of the longest-delayed phones from a major manufacturer and was originally announced in February for a general second-half 2008 release, giving it a minimum five-month window for actual shipping. Sony Ericsson has largely remained quiet and since lost some of the advantages over the iPhone and other touchscreen opponents, including 3G access and GPS.

Most anticipate the XPERIA launching through AT&T in the US.