For the longest time, we are not impressed with Sony Mobile’s handset design. I mean, they are sleek, but only at the beginning. When the design change much over the years, it become kind of stale. However tweaks they did under the hood did not quite change our mind. That’s until now. At this year’s Mobile World Congress, the Japanese handset maker announced two new smartphones that will headline its flagship range. Called Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact, the duo aims to, according to Sony Mobile, bring “the most immersive entertainment experiences yet.” And the duo will achieve the mission through advanced camera, display and audio technology.
Sony Xperia XZ2
Featuring a 5.7-inch HDR FHD+ display with a 18:9 aspect ratio, the Xperia XZ2 brings to the table Sony’s BRAVIA TV technology, X-reality for mobile, and even go to length to up-scale content to “near” High Dynamic Range (HDR) so whatever you are watching will be eye-watering, movie experience. Additionally, a new haptic engine aims to add the perceptual sensor of touch so you’d feel your viewing experience, Sony said. A brand new Dynamic Vibration System analyses audio data and translate it to haptic feedback so action can be felt by your hands. Well, that’s assuming you are holding onto the phone when doing so. Not sure how that will affect the battery consumption though.
Consummating the movie experience is the front-facing stereo speakers that offers S-Force Front Surround, Hi-Resolution Audio with DSEE HX technology for upscaling, and enhanced Bluetooth technology LDAC that ensure quality wireless audio streaming with “near” High-resolution Audio. Imaging duties are undertaken by Motion Eye camera which offers the world’s first 4K HDR movie recording in a smartphone. Plus, the same camera is capable of super slow motion at 960fps (!) in Full HD, no less. Imaging is further boosted by Predictive Capture with motion and smile detection, AF burst, Predictive AF, and Quick Launch and Capture.
Interestingly, the XZ2 also touts a 3D Creator application which allows you to create 3D scans of objects or friend’s faces using both the rear and front camera. In the design department, XZ2 touts a glass and metal design, in an IP65/IP68 rated construction, that is NOT squarish. Thank god, it isn’t! Under the Corning Gorilla Glass 5 and metal frame is the latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 745 Mobile Platform with X20 LTE with the second-generation Gigabit LTE solution that is capable of speeds up to 1.2 Gbps. Other notables include TRILUMINOS Display for mobile, Dynamic Contrast Enhancer, 4 GB RAM, 64 GB UFS storage, microSDXC support up to 400 GB, and a 3,180 mAh battery with Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0, Qunovo Adaptive Charging, Smart Stamina and wireless charging. You can review the full specifications in the table.below this post.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact is, as the product name implies, a smaller version of the XZ2. Featuring a 5-inch HDR FHD+ extended display and powerful front-facing stereo speakers, rigged for entertainment purposes, the XZ2 Compact shares much of its larger sibling’s features include Motion Eye 2018 with 3D Creator for selfie, FHD Super slow motion, Hi-Res Audio and it is also driven by the same powerful chipset, the Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform. It even has the same amount of RAM and storage with the same microSDXC support (up to 400 GB). The both devices are essentially identical, right down to the cameras, with the exception for the display and physical size, and the battery capacity which the smaller of the two has a 2,870 mAh variety.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are expected to be available globally starting March 2018 with undisclosed stickers. In case you are wondering about the Android version, both devices will get Android 8.0 Oreo out-of-the-box.
Sony Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact Specifications
OS |
Android 8.0 (Oreo) |
Network |
GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G) UMTS HSPA+ (3G) Xperia XZ2 LTE (4G) Cat18 with up to 1,2Gbps Xperia XZ2 Compact LTE (4G) Cat15 with up to 800Mbps |
Dimension |
Xperia XZ2 153mm x 72mm x 11.1mm, 198g Xperia XZ2 Compact 135mm x 65mm x 12.1mm, 168g |
AP |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Mobile Platform |
Memory |
4GB RAM 64GB UFS Storage microSDXC support up to 400GB |
SIM Card |
Single SIM Dual SIM Nano SIM |
Display |
Xperia XZ2 5.7-inch, 18:9 Full HD+ (1080 x 2160) HDR display TRILUMINOS Display for mobile X-Reality for mobile Dynamic Contrast Enhancer Xperia XZ2 Compact 5.0-inch, 18:9 Full HD+ (1080 x 2160) HDR display TRILUMINOS Display for mobile X-Reality for mobile Dynamic Contrast Enhancer |
Camera |
Rear 19MP Motion Eye camera 1/2.3” Exmor RS for mobile memory-stacked sensor Pixel Pitch 1.22μm 25mm wide Sony’s award-winning G Lens f2.0 BIONZ for mobile image-processing engine 960fps Super slow motion video (FHD/HD) Predictive Capture (motion/smile) Autofocus burst 8x Digital Zoom HDR Photo 4K HDR Movie recording Quick Launch & Capture Low-light photo: ISO 12800 Low-light video: ISO 4000 Predictive Hybrid Autofocus Anti-distortion shutter Triple image sensing technology SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilization) Front 5MP 1/5” Exmor RS for mobile 23mm wide angle lens f2.2 Low-light photo: ISO 1600 Low-light video: ISO 1000 SteadyShot with Intelligent Active Mode (5-axis stabilization) |
Battery |
Xperia XZ2 3,180 mAh Smart Stamina Qnovo Adaptive Charging Battery Care STAMINA Mode Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.03 USB power delivery Wireless charging (Qi) Xperia XZ2 Compact 2,870 mAh Smart Stamina Qnovo Adaptive Charging Battery Care STAMINA Mode Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.03 USB power delivery |
Connectivity |
A-GNSS (GPS + GLONASS) WiFi Miracast Bluetooth 5.0 wireless technology DLNA Certified Google Cast NFC USB 3.1 Gen1 (5Gbps) |
IP Code |
IP65/IP68 |
Authentication |
Biometric lock type: fingerprint sensor |
Audio |
High-Resolution Audio (LPCM, FLAC, ALAC, DSD)10 DSEE HX LDAC Clear Audio+ Stereo speaker with S-Force Front Surround Stereo Recording Qualcomm aptX HD audio Automatic Headphone Optimization Virtual Phones Technology USB Type-C to 3.5mm Audio Jack Adapter |
Others |
PS4 Remote Play |
All images courtesy of Sony Mobile.