Share

Sony Z3 in SA before Christmas

Johannesburg - Sony on Thursday announced that the new range of Xperia Z3 devices will be launched in South Africa.

The new range which comprises a smartphone, compact version and tablet among others are intended to enhance the company’s divergent competencies on a smart device.

One key advancement in the new range is the improvement of battery life.

"Number one issue to come from consumers is that smartphones are incredibly powerful, but what's the point if you can't use them because the battery is flat," Andrew Fraser, country manager for Sony Mobile told Fin24.

The new series boast a longer battery life with Sony saying that the Z3 smartphone can go two days on one charge with normal use and no battery saving tools being employed.

Better waterproofing

The new devices can best be described as evolutionary rather than revolutionary, but Sony was quick to point out that the smartphone and tablet are fully compatible with PlayStation 4.

"This is the only smartphone capable of PS4 Remote Play," said Fraser at a media presentation of the devices.

Sony has tinkered with the display on the Z3 smartphone to improve image quality and boasts that the waterproofing is significantly better, rated at IP65/68.

The Z3 Tablet Compact is smaller in size that the previous generation and at just 20cm (8 inches), it represents the company’s shift to smaller tablets which are becoming more popular than the 25cm (10 inch) range.

The Xperia Z3 Compact is essentially a smaller version of the big brother Z3 though slightly thicker to accommodate the battery.

Sony didn't hesitate to take a shot at rival Samsung when announcing the Compact to South African Media.

"It's not a Mini, it's a Compact. It's very much the same device in smaller package for those people who don't want a big device; they want something that fits in their pocket," Fraser told Fin24.

"There shouldn't be any reason why you should throw away any functionality because you want a smaller device," he added.

A member of the media photographs the range of Sony wearable devices. (Duncan Alfreds, Fin24)

Pricing

The company also announced a new set of wearable devices designed to track biographic data. In particular, the new smart watch can be used without a phone and has built in GPS.

In a departure from rival Samsung's Gear S, the Sony device runs Android Wear operating system, which means it is compatible with other Android powered smartphones.

While exact pricing for the new range is yet to be announced, Sony representatives were confident that all devices should be on the shelves by early November, in anticipation of the Christmas shopping season.

It is expected that the Z3 smartphone will sell at roughly the levels of the current Z2 - around R469 per month on contract - and this will hopefully mean some discounts for the older model.

Watch a video of Fraser explaining the company's mobile strategy:


- Follow Duncan on Twitter

We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Rand - Dollar
18.89
+0.2%
Rand - Pound
23.83
+0.3%
Rand - Euro
20.36
+0.3%
Rand - Aus dollar
12.31
+0.3%
Rand - Yen
0.12
+0.2%
Platinum
908.05
0.0%
Palladium
1,014.94
0.0%
Gold
2,232.75
-0.0%
Silver
24.95
-0.1%
Brent Crude
87.00
+1.8%
Top 40
68,346
0.0%
All Share
74,536
0.0%
Resource 10
57,251
0.0%
Industrial 25
103,936
0.0%
Financial 15
16,502
0.0%
All JSE data delayed by at least 15 minutes Iress logo
Company Snapshot
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE
Government tenders

Find public sector tender opportunities in South Africa here.

Government tenders
This portal provides access to information on all tenders made by all public sector organisations in all spheres of government.
Browse tenders