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Berlin – Sony Mobile on Thursday announced the launch of its widely anticipated Xperia Z update.
The company announced an Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact set of flagship smartphones a day ahead of the IFA international gadget show in Berlin.
The company talked up the improved camera from the previous version device.
“Since users already create, share and enjoy most of their content on the go - we’ve set out to bring Sony’s latest innovations in camera, design and display to ensure the Xperia Z5 series is the best possible lifestyle and entertainment platform,” said CEO Hiroki Totoki.
The camera is a new Exmor sensor 23 megapixel unit with interchangeable lenses and Sony says there is no discernible lack of quality when using the 5x device.
Fingerprint reader
The Xperia Z5 also has a 13.97cm (5.5 inch) display while the Compact comes in at 11.68cm (4.6inches).
Sony skipped its sequencing as the company moved to an annual cycle as it struggles with revenue growth.
Both devices also come with fingerprint reader technology that has gained increasing popularity on Android platforms.
Biometric technology in smartphones has emerged as standard to boost mobile payments. The FIDO (Fast Identity Online) Alliance platform is designed as an “interoperable set of mechanisms that reduce the reliance on passwords to authenticate users”.
“It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services - with news on first partners shared closer to launch,” Sony said of the biometric-enable smartphone.
Both smartphones are powered by a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 octa core processor and are waterproof, similar to the previous generation Z3.
Sony also launched an Xperia Z5 Premium smartphone that differentiates as the first mobile device with a 4K – or four times higher than HD – display.
The Premium has similar specs to the regular Z5 but is aimed at first adopters who desire the updated display technology.
While Sony did not say when the devices will launch in South Africa, a fourth quarter deadline means that they will likely be on the shelves before the holiday shopping season.
The Xperia Z5 is a big bet for the company which continues to suffer revenue losses.
Sony Mobile recently said that its operating loss for 2015 would be smaller at ¥39bn ($328m) compared to ¥217.6bn ($1.8bn) in 2014.
*Fin24 is hosted by Huawei at IFA 2015.
