O2 delays Xperia Play UK launch

UPDATE: Sony Ericsson has responded to O2's delay of the Xperia Play launch, issuing Eurogamer the following statement:

"Sony Ericsson Xperia Play will be launching on 1st April across all UK mobile operator partners except for O2, who have decided to prolong the testing period in order to ensure that the software meets the requirements of its procedures.

"Sony Ericsson will be working with O2 over the next couple of weeks to expedite the process and ensure that O2 customers can soon join consumers across the UK in being able to enjoy the world's first PlayStation certified smartphone."

ORIGINAL STORY: O2 has delayed the launch of gaming phone the Xperia Play after it discovered a number of bugs on the device.

Sony Ericsson's PlayStation Phone was due out in the UK Friday 1st April.

"We've been testing the phone non-stop for weeks and have found some bugs in the software that, if they're not fixed, means customers won't have a great experience," explained O2's head of testing Stuart Hibberd.

"We've been working with Sony Ericsson to get these bugs ironed out, but haven't been able to get them fixed in time for us to be able to launch the phone on 1st April as we originally planned."

Hibberd said O2 will work with Sony Ericsson over the next couple of weeks to "make sure that any issues with the software are resolved before it goes on sale".

When O2 decides to sell the device, it will offer customers the white version exclusively.

What does O2's decision mean for its rival carriers? So far O2 is the only UK network provider to announce a delay, or reveal the discovery of bugs.

Eurogamer has contacted Sony Ericsson for comment.