We’ve spent quite a few posts on Sony’s Playstation Phone in the last few months, and today the Asahi Shimbun (one of Japan’s biggest newspapers) is reporting [JP] that the device will be released in spring next year. Not a big surprise, but what’s interesting is that it will hit Europe and the US first, if the report is to be believed.

The Asahi says that Japan will probably get the device, too. Technically, the phone will be based on the PSPgo but will have a smaller form factor. The PSPgo is sized at 69 mm (2.7 in) x 128 mm (5.0 in) x 16.5 mm (0.65 in).

Much like with Sony’s unpopular portable game system, owners will be able to download games through built-in Wi-Fi. Sony also plans to offer music, movies and manga for download.

According to the report, the Playstation Phone will be manufactured by Sony Ericsson, and there is a “strong possibility” that the handset/game system hybrid will use Android as the OS.