[citation needed][6] The Sony Ericsson Xperia arc measures 8.7 mm at its thinnest point and has a curved surface, of which the phone is named after.

The Xperia arc features a capacitive touchscreen supporting multi-touch input and a scratch-resistant glass display.

It also includes a micro-HDMI output for connecting the device to external displays.

Carrier-locked devices received updates depending on the carrier's rollout schedule.

It was praised for its design and the quality of its camera, particularly the inclusion of Sony's Exmor R sensor, which improved low-light performance.