The Sony Ericsson Kurara, otherwise known as the U5, which is set for release in February 2010, has received a predominantly negative response in an online preview.

The Kurara is a Symbian-based smartphone that borrows heavily from the Samsung i8910HD in terms of specifications. This means that it has an eight megapixel camera capable of high definition video capture.

The reviewer criticised the lack of an AMOLED screen, which will result in poorer image quality when compared to the HD i8910, as well as complaining about the lack of innovation, which suggests the Kurara could be dated before it has even hit the shelves.

The Kurara does, however, feature a faster processor and a streamlined user interface, as well as a 3.5mm headphone socket and a variety of built in social networking widgets. That said, if the Kurara is released at the intended £360 price point some believe it will fail to win market share.

The Kurara is being released alongside the Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 as part of the flagship 2010 smartphone series and the company will be keen to reverse recent market perceptions and poor performance, not least of which has been the recent debacle surrounding software glitches in the new Satio.