Sony kicked things off for MWC2018 proper this morning with the release of the new Xperia line up. Welcome then, the Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact.
The two devices have new design elements thanks to move of the fingerprint reader. This is now on the back, much like their lower tier models that were announced at CES earlier this year. They have also adopted the 18:9 aspect ratio with full HD+ screens and are now HDR10 capable. The Xperia XZ2 will have a 5.7″ screen and the smaller XZ2 Compact now as a 5″ screen.
Both the devices now run the very latest processors in the form of the Snapdragon 845. This will provide the ability to get Gigabit LTE where it is available. This will allow for faster downloads so will fit into the modern day lifestyle perfectly.
Battery-wise, the XZ2 has a 3180mAH unit onboard and the now staple Qnovo Adaptive charging. We also see a return of wireless charging for Sony and, unlike its previous efforts which relied on pogo pins connecting to the charging dock, it is true wireless charging this time around. It also has the stalwarts of Stamina mode and Smart Stamina mode to help eek out that extra battery life and keep you going.
Something that Sony have always pushed on their devices is that they have the best cameras. They are doing the same this year around. The Motion Eye camera is pushed to the extreme and gets a ground-breaking upgrade to a worlds first. It’ll do 4K HDR Movie recording using the HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) format. This means you’ll be able to grab great detail, contrast and colours. This can then be shared or uploaded to a compatible HDR TV or YouTube.
Now, these phones don’t have the ability to create iPhone like Animojis, but they do have something that I think may be more useful for the real world. It is not a new feature, as it was on the previous model in the form of 3D Creator. However, this time around you can now use the front-facing camera to capture these 3D scans giving you the ultimate selfie!
As before the phones are all set up for you take them out into the wilds with IP 65/68 ratings to keep them protected from the occasional splashes and rain. The phones themselves are now made of a sandwich of Gorilla Glass 5 with a metal frame in the middle giving a lovely shiny finish that needs to be seen in person to appreciate fully. The phones just shimmer under the light. It also feels really nice in the hand, although being glass it is quite slippy!
The XZ2 Compact does forgo the glass back, which is a shame, but it still utilizes Polycarbonate to ensure ruggedness and longevity. It also does not have the wireless charging capability of its bigger brother.
Software-wise the phones run Android 8.0 with the Sony UX skin over the top, which is one of the less intrusive skins and complements the OS nicely.
A feature that we had a demo of whilst we were looking at the phones was for the audio. This now comes with a stable (and controllable) haptic feedback that syncs up with either the music or video that is being played through the speakers. It is a really nice touch and one that adds to the audio/viewing experience greatly. It is a difficult one to describe as you really need to have it in your hand to understand it fully, however you could feel a rumble when there was a sharp noise in the video or music you’re enjoying. It will also work with mobile gaming to give that extra level of immersion when you are playing games.
Both the phones will be available from most retailers in March with the pricing still to be announced. The XZ2 will come in Liquid Silver, Liquid Black, Deep Green and Ash Pink. With the XZ2 Compact coming in a smooth frosted finish; White Silver, Black, Moss Green and Coral Pink due to the use of the polycarbonate back section.
Captivating your senses with immersive entertainment, the new flagship Xperia range
takes smartphone entertainment to the extreme
in a revamped design
- Xperia XZ2 is the most immersive entertainment device to captivate your senses with extended 5.7” HDR Full HD+ display, powerful stereo speakers, plus a brand new Dynamic Vibration System that brings your content to life. Motion Eye™ camera now has world’s 1st 4K HDR Movie recording in a smartphone[i] and Full HD 960FPS Super slow motion
- The world’s most compact 5” smartphone[ii], XZ2 Compact offers premium performance with extended 5” HDR Full HD+ display, the latest Motion Eye™ camera experience and Sony’s advanced AV technologies to maximise your entertainment in the palm of your hand
- Both smartphones feature Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform designed to deliver superior experiences and performance with Gigabit LTE download speeds to satisfy the most demanding technology enthusiasts
- Brand new dual camera technology innovation with ultra-high sensitivity displayed at MWC
MWC, 26th February 2018 – Marking a unique evolution in Xperia’s engineering and design, Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today announced two new smartphones to headline its flagship range, Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact. Built around the concept of bringing you the most immersive entertainment experiences yet – both models provide huge advancements in camera, display and audio technology as well as a beautiful new design to fit perfectly in your hand.
“If entertainment is your priority, then our new Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are your smartphones”, said Hideyuki Furumi, Executive Vice President, Global Sales and Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications, “From what’s inside — world-class technology, to a new sleek, sophisticated design, these smartphones are everything you need and probably a lot more. We have pushed Sony’s boundaries even further with our new products for movie recording, viewing, and music listening – offering entertainment to the extreme.”
Xperia XZ2
Entertainment to the Extreme
Pushing your viewing experience to the extreme, our flagship Xperia XZ2 has an extended 5.7” HDR Full HD+ 18:9[iii] display so you can immerse yourself in your favourite movies and content in exceptional colour and contrast. Plus not only can you watch existing HDR content, using Sony’s BRAVIA® TV technology, X-reality™ for mobile, it will up-convert content to near High Dynamic Range (HDR) so even when you’re streaming videos you get better quality playback that feels like a movie experience.
Tuned for the ultimate and unique entertainment experience, XZ2 incorporates a new haptic experience, adding the perceptual sense of touch so you can feel your viewing experience. It uses Sony’s brand new Dynamic Vibration System which analyses audio data and lets you feel the action in your hands, bringing your movies, games and videos to life. Share your favourite videos with your friends thanks to the XZ2’s powerful front facing stereo speakers. Featuring S-Force Front Surround, they’re our loudest Xperia speakers ever.
High quality audio is also provided using Sony’s audio expertise with the truly authentic sound of Hi-Resolution Audio[iv] together with DSEE HX technology for upscaling. Quality is guaranteed when connecting to wireless speakers or headphones thanks to the enhanced Bluetooth technology LDAC which offers near High-Resolution Audio[v].
Extreme Video and Photo Capabilities
Motion Eye™ camera is pushed to the extreme and gets a ground-breaking upgrade with the world’s 1st 4K HDR Movie recording in a smartphoneI using HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) format. You can now capture reality with incredible contrast, detail and true to life colour and share or upload to a compatible HDR TV or YouTube to view your content back in lifelike realism. Super slow motion video recording is also upgraded with 960fps now possible in Full HD to make your wow moments even more fascinating. Motion Eye™ camera brings you all the great still photography features you expect from Xperia with its intelligent control features such as Predictive Capture with motion and smile detection, Autofocus burst and Predictive Autofocus. Thanks to these superior features, plus our Quick Launch and Capture, you’ll never miss the moment.
For a truly unique and exciting way to capture memories 3D Creator application is now available with even greater flexibility for 3D scanning. Not only can you create 3D scans of objects or friend’s faces in less than a minute using the main camera, you can also now create 3D scans of yourself using the front camera – bringing to life your selfie in 3D and giving you endless opportunities in the 3D avatar world. Post-processing is now available to achieve even greater quality of 3D scans. Plus once you’ve finished your 3D scan or selfie, you can now post directly to your Facebook timeline within 3D Creator.
Stunning New Design
All of these great experiences are encased in a new design expression with a fluid 3D glass surface that creates a seamless form that’s effortlessly comfortable in your hand. The elegant design is contrasted by its tough exterior, built with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and metal frame to add extra durability and a beautiful premium feel. Its four different finishes offer a beautiful reflection and shine from every angle thanks to the beautiful glass and flow of light, available in Liquid Silver, Liquid Black, Deep Green and Ash Pink. Certified IP65/IP68[vi], XZ2 is designed to withstand splashes and spills so you don’t have to think twice about answering your phone in the rain.
Ultimate Performance to the Extreme
Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform with X20 LTE, XZ2 will provide immersive user experiences at lightning-fast connection speeds (up to 1.2Gbps) with the second generation Gigabit LTE solution so users can enjoy a modern lifestyle whilst working or having fun. For example you can get an episode of a TV series in just 20 seconds[vii] with super-fast downloading.
With all the ability for speed and performance you’ll want assurance that your battery won’t let you down, and XZ2 definitely delivers. With a large 3180mAh battery and the most power efficient control ever thanks to its 845 Mobile Platform, XZ2 offers worry free all day usage. Xperia’s useful battery features are also included such as Smart Stamina, STAMINA mode, plus Battery Care[viii] and Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology which help the battery stay healthy to give you a longer battery lifespan. For effortless charging you can also use the wireless charging dock (WCH20[ix]), and other compatible Qi chargers, by simply placing your XZ2 on the dock to power up without the need to plug in.
Xperia XZ2 Compact
The Best of Sony Technology in a Compact Design
A firm favourite in the Xperia flagship line-up, the premium compact smartphone takes on even greater things with XZ2 Compact. It delivers big screen entertainment in the palm of your hand with its 5” HDR Full HD+ extended display, making it the world’s most compact 5” smartphone[x]. With its large screen and powerful stereo speakers it’s designed to be the ultimate compact entertainment device.
It also has a multitude of premium updates found in its big brother XZ2, such as all of the Motion Eye™ 2018 upgrades including 3D Creator for selfie and Full HD Super slow motion as well as its premium still image capture. It’s also packed with Sony’s audio enhancing technologies such as Hi-Res Audio and front facing stereo speakers for your ultimate entertainment. This small but mighty smartphone is all powered by the latest, fastest ever, Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform.
Crafted to perfection, XZ2 Compact has the same design philosophy as XZ2 with its beautiful curved body that gives you the best comfort in your hand. Durability is ensured with a tough exterior including Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, anti-scratch hard-grade polycarbonate, IP65/IP68 and metal frame. It is finished in four beautiful colours with a smooth frosted finish; White Silver, Black, Moss Green and Coral Pink.
Accessories
A range of supporting accessories will be available including covers Style Cover Touch and Style Cover Stand in corresponding colours for both models. Also available are charging accessories Wireless Charging Dock (WCH20)[xi] for fast effortless charging and Quick Charger UCH12W providing hours of battery time by plugging in for just a few minutes. The new 2-way Style USB Audio & Bluetooth® Headset (SBH90C) allows you to enjoy music and talk wirelessly in high quality as well as via a wired USB Type-C™ Cable option that offers Hi-Res Audio with direct USB digital output. It will also charge from Xperia whilst you’re listening so you can switch easily between wireless if your battery is running low. Open-ear Stereo Headset (STH40D) offers lightweight and comfortable dual listening, and Xperia Ear Duo utilises Sony’s acoustics leadership to deliver wireless ‘open-ear’ stereo headphones, so you can listen to music, access information and communicate whilst simultaneously hearing sounds from the world around you. A USB Type-C™ 2-in-1 Cable (EC270) is also available for enjoying audio with non-Bluetooth headphones and simultaneously charge your phone. Please check with local operators and retailers for availability.
Availability
Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are available globally from March 2018 both will ship with Android™ 8.0 Oreo.
Camera technology innovation preview
At Sony, we know how important a sophisticated camera is in a smartphone, so we have continued to push the boundaries of what is possible. At MWC our new ultra-high sensitivity camera technology which has the power to see the unseen — including images in extreme low light – will be showcased. With a newly developed dual camera and Sony’s newly developed fusion image signal processor which makes real-time processing possible, it allows image capture in extremely dark conditions thanks to its unprecedented ISO sensitivity 51200 for photos and ISO 12800 for video which is currently only possible with inter-changeable lens cameras. Ultra-high sensitivity will allow users to take brighter images with less noise and less blur. It’s a technology innovation to spark the desire appetite of camera enthusiasts.
