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2
Sep

Hulu ads a commercial-free plan for $11.99 a month


Hulu logo Shutterstock

Up until now, there was only one way to watch Hulu: with ads. Even if you paid for their subscription service, you still had to deal with ads, your library of content was just larger. Thankfully, Hulu is now launching a commercial free subscription for $11.99 a month.

At Hulu, we pride ourselves on listening to our customers and giving them the best possible experience. Many of our customers have asked us for a commercial free option, and so today we are excited to introduce just that. Providing more choice for consumers is fundamental to the Hulu experience, in addition to an array of choices in content and devices, our customers can now choose to watch with or without commercials.

Hulu will continue to offer its commercial-based subscription plan for $7.99, or the limited content free option as well. For those with the ad-free option, it is worth mentioning that not all content with be without ads. Hulu says it is still working to obtain rights to stream commercial free from some of its programming, though you can access these episodes by watching a small commercial at the beginning and end with no interruptions in the middle.

Hulu says that any show with commericals in a ad-free subscription will be clearly marked for its subscribers. Some of the shows in this commercial-equipped list include: Scandal, Grimm, New Girl, and Once Upon a Time. What do you think of the new plan, worth paying extra for?

2
Sep

Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 review


Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-top-down-ta

We earlier reviewed the Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3, one of the more premium off-contract smartphones you can get your hands on. Now, Alcatel OneTouch has released a smaller, 4.7-inch variant of the device aiming to reach a wider and more populated part of the market.

With the major screen reduction, there’s also been a drastic hit to the device’s specifications, which could potentially cause some worry as far as performance goes. Fortunately, the 4.7-inch Idol 3 still runs and looks like a champ!

Design

Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-side-ta

The 4.7-inch Idol 3 takes on an identical design to its bigger brother, only with a smaller form factor. It sizes in at 134.6 x 65.9 x 7.6mm and weights a meager 110 grams. Similar to the original model, speakers are placed directly below and above the display.

Unlike the larger 5.5-inch Idol 3, this 4.7-inch model fits firmly in the hand, making it easy to manage the 4.7-inches of screen real estate.

It has the same dark color with a brushed texture on the phone’s plastic back. It doesn’t suffer from being easily bendable, as you might expect in a much smaller and less heftier device.

Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-usb-port-ta

An audio jack is placed at the top of the device, a micro-USB port on the bottom. The power button is placed on the left side of the device right above the SIM-card tray, and the volume rocker sits comfortably on the right side.

Right above the display is a 5MP camera capable of recording video in 1080p. Around the back, on the top left of the device, is a 13MP camera with autofocus and an LED flash is placed right below the sensor.

Hardware

This model of the Idol 3 features a 4.7-inch 1280×720 IPS LCD display, a Snapdragon 410 chipset, a quad-core 1.2GHz Cortex-A53 processor, 1.5GB of RAM, an Adreno 306 GPU, and storage options of 8 or 16GB. There’s microSD card support, and the device is sporting a 2,000mAh battery.

The device supports the same bands as its bigger brother:

  • GSM Quad (850, 900, 1800, 1900) CHANGE BANDS
  • UMTS/HSPA+ (850, 900, 1900, 2100)
  • 4G LTE (1, 3, 7, 8, 20)

Performance

Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-device-branding-ta

I was very surprised how well the 4.7-inch Idol 3 ran, to be frank. Featuring a Snapdragon 410 processor clocked at 1.2GHz and 1.5GB of RAM, there was quite a drop in sheer processing power. However, it’s still a snappy processor and the RAM seems to be more than sufficient.

Everything ran smoothly and apps opened almost immediately. There were small delays in opening the camera and browsing through the gallery, but nothing too bad. I did notice that more demanding games like Modern Combat 5 and Asphalt 8 run a bit sluggish and the phone got quite hot when playing those titles.

The 4.7-inch Idol 3 plays your average games like Clash of Clans, Angry Birds, and others like a champ, though.

Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-screen-on-ta

As for the display, you get a 4.7-inch 1280×720 IPS LCD panel, which is a significant change from its bigger brother’s 5.5-inch Full HD 1920 x 1080 display. Everything about the display still looks great, despite that.

Colors aren’t washed out, text looks crisp, icons are well defined, and so on. Obviously when you compare the two side-by-side, you’re going to notice a difference, largely because the drop in pixels-per-inch. The 4.7-inch Idol 3 has 312ppi compared to the Idol 3’s 400ppi. The LCD panel still performed well outdoors in direct sunlight, despite not having the vivid and vibrant colors that AMOLED display sport.

Finally, the device features dual front-facing speakers, making for an excellent audio experience thanks to Alcatel OneTouch’s partnership with JBL. A pair of JBL headphones are included in the package when you buy the Idol 3, and while they’re more ideal for listening to music, they didn’t sound as great as the speakers on the smartphone.

Battery

The 4.7-inch Idol 3 is by no means a power hungry smartphone, featuring a humble 4.7-inch IPS LCD display. It’s a relatively efficient smartphone, and the biggest battery drain you’re going to see will come from 4G LTE connectivity.

It has a 2,000mAh non-removable battery, and it will easily give users enough power to get through the work day and well into the evening hours.

Software

This is yet another area where Alcatel OneTouch excelled with the Idol 3. The company changed very little as far as software changes go. You basically get the pure Android experience, excluding a few features Alcatel OneTouch added, such as an option to make the phone fully reversible. The only real downside is that some of Alcatel OneTouch’s app icons look clunky.

The device is loaded with a lot of the company’s own applications; however, Alcatel OneTouch took the initiative to build them with Google’s Material Design guidelines. The software doesn’t feel cluttered. In fact, everything is relatively fast and responsive.

Idol-3-4.7-app-multitaskig
Idol-3-4.7-app-tray-ta
Idol-3-4.7-camera-settings
Idol-3-4.7-camera-ui
Idol-3-4.7-home-screen
Idol-3-4.7-reversible-settings

The Idol 3 4.7-inch is running Android 5.0, and being an unlocked device, updates will come straight from Alcatel OneTouch, skipping the middlemen that are the carriers. This generally means faster updates, although Android 5.1 has yet to be seen, though we imagine it’s in the works.

Camera

Alcatel OneTouch’s 4-7-inch Idol 3 features the same 13-megapixel sensor as the larger handset, allowing the user to take quick, beautiful, and snappy photos. As expected, the same camera problems plague this lower-end model, producing subpar photos in low light situations.

Photos look decent in optimal lighting settings, but unfortunately, stills still seem to look washed out, grainy, and lack definition and detail. The device’s 5-megapixel front-facing sensor is a step down from the 8-megapixel camera on the previous model, albeit camera quality seems to remain the same that we see from even the front-facing cameras of flagship devices.

Idol-3-4.7-barn-photo-light Idol-3-4.7-bushes-photo Idol-3-4.7-garden-photo-light

It has all of your usual features–Auto, HDR, Panorama, Time lapse, Manual, Scanner and, Face Beauty. Scanner is for scanning QR codes and is actually pretty unique to the Idol 3 devices, considering it’s not a normal feature even in most flagship devices.

Closing

Alcatel-OneTouch-Idol-3-4.7-packaging-ta

Overall, the Idol 3 even its 4.7-inch form factor is a great device in comparison to many other off-contract solutions. Alcatel OneTouch twice now have been able to put together a premium package at a low price point for those that would prefer sticking to the off-contract payment model.

The device sells for $179 on Alcatel OneTouch’s own online store and through Amazon. This is a significant drop from the 5.5-inch models $249 price point, making this lower spec’d model even more attractive for those looking for a premium smartphone at a low price point.

Come comment on this article: Alcatel OneTouch Idol 3 4.7 review

2
Sep

[TA Deals] Pay what you want for this awesome Web Hacker Bundle


TA-Deals-Web-Hacker-Bundle

Almost everyone likes the idea of programming. After all, there’s so many things you can do with it on the web, whether that be creating rich, multimedia websites or picking browsers apart searching for bugs and exploits. Have you ever tried actually programming yourself, though?

It can be somewhat expensive, and thus a risk, but now through Talk Android Deals at a pay what you want price model, you can learn everything from basic HTML and CSS to something more complex like Python, PHP, and even Ruby on Rails.

Here’s just a sneak peak of what you’ll be learning with this bundle:

  • Study Python & Django with over 28 lectures & 6.5 hours of content
  • Ease into programming by studying one of easier languages, Python
  • Study programming technologies such as PHP, MYSQL, JavaScript & JQuery
  • Create a complete blog management system like WordPress while mastering Ruby technique
  • Make a WordPress plug-in & much more!

There’s plenty of video content and projects to get you well on your way to creating your own web applications here, and it’s well worth the money!

Pay what you want and you get the Learn Docker and Apache Cassandra from Scratch bundles, and if you beat the average, you get the whole package.

This particular bundle is valued at over $900, so getting this entire package for just a few bucks is a huge deal and investment for your future in the industry of computing!

Anyone picking up this bundle?

[Talk Android Deals]

Come comment on this article: [TA Deals] Pay what you want for this awesome Web Hacker Bundle

2
Sep

Hulu Introduces Ad-Free Subscription Plan for $12 a Month


Hulu today revealed a new plan option that will grant subscribers immunity from the service’s embedded advertisements by paying $11.99 each month instead of the traditional $7.99 (via Re/code). Available for new and existing users, Hulu’s CEO Mike Hopkins notes that it took months for the various companies and providers available on the service to support the new subscription tier, but he still expects a “solid majority” of people to stick with the $7.99 option.

hulu new plan

Hopkins says getting the various rights owners for the Hulu catalog — which includes TV shows from NBC, ABC and Fox, as well as stuff from other networks, plus movies (note the Epix deal it just signed), plus stuff Hulu is creating on its own — to agree to the ad-free option took months.

Hulu is jointly owned by Disney, 21st Century Fox and Comcast’s NBCUniversal, and those companies are heavily invested in the business of selling TV ads. Hulu won’t come out and say this out loud, but the 50 percent price jump between the two versions is meant to give most of Hulu’s 9 million subscribers a reason to keep the version they have, and not hasten the erosion of the ad model.

A slight negative for some will come in the new tier’s “exception shows,” which will present users with bookended ads even when a subscriber is paying $12 per month. From ABC, NBC, and FOX, the seven exception shows are: New Girl, Scandal, How to Get Away with Murder, Grey’s Anatomy, Once Upon a Time, Marvel’s Agents of Shield, and Grimm. Perhaps a minor silver lining: the exception shows won’t include the timed ads in the middle of a video and will only include a 15-second pre-show and 30-second post-show commercial.

Users interested in signing up for Hulu Plus, or changing their current subscription to the new option, can do so over on Hulu’s official website. The Hulu app is also available to download free from the App Store [Direct Link].


2
Sep

Acer launches new Android smartphones, tablets, and Chromebook at IFA


Acer is off to a huge start for its 2015 showing at the annual IFA trade show. Today sees the company introducing a whole slew of new consumer products, a handful of which happen to fall into the AndroidGuys wheelhouse. Among the fresh crop are four Android smartphones, an Android tablet, and a convertible Chromebook.

Liquid Smartphones

Whereas each of the smartphones has its own unique specs or selling point, they all share several features. Acer BluelightShield, for instance, limits the exposure of blue light from the display, making it less likely to keep you wide awake in bed as you browse Reddit.

The DTS Studio Sound offers up high-quality audio for movies, music, and games while Acer QuickMode provides three distinct layout designs for specific user types: Standard, Easy, and Basic.

  • Standard Mode for those familiar with a smartphones;
  • Easy Mode for those who are just learning
  • Basic Mode that offers a range of protective options for kids offers Kids Center, a protected environment with parental control

The Acer Liquid UI has been refreshed and is touted as more consumer friendly than in past iterations. Key applications are designated “Float Apps” and take up a small portion of the screen, providing quick access to browser, calendar, maps, and more.

Select models also include camera software enhancements for selfies and other shots. Gourmet mode, Favorite Shot and Bright Magic Selfie are designed to help produce better images in various situations.

Standout features of the various models:

Liquid Z630 “Big on Power and Size”

  • 5.5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • quad-core 1.3GHz processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB storage
  • 4000mAh

Liquid Z630S

  • 5.5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • octa-core processor
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB storage
  • 4000mAh

Liquid Z530 “Perfect Selfie Smartphone”

  • 5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel 84 degree wide-angle front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • 1.3GHz quad-core processor
  • 1GB/2GB RAM
  • 8GB/16GB storage
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z530S

  • 5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel 84 degree wide-angle front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • ocata-core processor
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB storage
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z330 – “Android for Everyone”

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor
  • 4.5-inch WVGA wide view angle display
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB storage
  • Android 5.1
  • 5-megapixel front facing camera
  • 5-megapixel rear camera
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z320 – “Pocket Friendly Android”

  • Qualcomm MSM 8209 processor
  • 4.5-inch WVGA wide view angle display
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB storage
  • Android 5.1
  • 2-megapixel front facing camera
  • 5-megapixel rear camera
  • 3G connectivity
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

For now, the aforementioned smartphones will be sold in Europe, Middle East, and African markets. Pricing ranges between €129 and €199, depending on model and country.

Predator 8

Considered a dedicated gaming tablet, the Acer Predator 8 is an 8-inch FHD (1920 x 1200 pixel) experience that runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Powered by an Intel Atom x7 processor, the tablet is a mere 8.7mm thick and weighs only 350 grams.

To ensure you hear every little music note or game sound effect, the slate boasts a four array front-facing speaker setup with virtual surround. For an added aesthetic touch, Acer has included a red stainless steel mesh which delivers a distinct, if not aggressive look.

acer_predator_8

Key hardware includes up to 64GB internal storage with microSD support for up to 128GB external space and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless  with 2×2 MIMO support.

The Acer Predator 8 will be available starting on November 6; Newegg gets a two week exclusive followed by other retailers. The tablet will sell for $299 and will be pre-loaded with Asphalt 8 and 320,000 game credits ($50 value).

Chromebook R11

As Acer’s first convertible Chromebook, the R11 is the perfect type of device for users who like to write, edit, and create documents and media. Powered by an Intel Celeron processor, this one can be transitioned into four different modes:  laptop, pad, display and tent.

acer_chromebook_r11

The 11.6-inch display allows for ten-point touch and features a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. Other specifications include a USB 3.0 port, 2×2 MIMO 802.11ac wireless support, and 360-degree hinge.

The Chromebook R11 will be offered in North America as early as October with prices that start at $299. We might assume this to mean multiple storage capacities and memory options are on the horizon.

Acer | Acer | Acer

 

The post Acer launches new Android smartphones, tablets, and Chromebook at IFA appeared first on AndroidGuys.

2
Sep

Acer launches new Android smartphones, tablets, and Chromebook at IFA


Acer is off to a huge start for its 2015 showing at the annual IFA trade show. Today sees the company introducing a whole slew of new consumer products, a handful of which happen to fall into the AndroidGuys wheelhouse. Among the fresh crop are four Android smartphones, an Android tablet, and a convertible Chromebook.

Liquid Smartphones

Whereas each of the smartphones has its own unique specs or selling point, they all share several features. Acer BluelightShield, for instance, limits the exposure of blue light from the display, making it less likely to keep you wide awake in bed as you browse Reddit.

The DTS Studio Sound offers up high-quality audio for movies, music, and games while Acer QuickMode provides three distinct layout designs for specific user types: Standard, Easy, and Basic.

  • Standard Mode for those familiar with a smartphones;
  • Easy Mode for those who are just learning
  • Basic Mode that offers a range of protective options for kids offers Kids Center, a protected environment with parental control

The Acer Liquid UI has been refreshed and is touted as more consumer friendly than in past iterations. Key applications are designated “Float Apps” and take up a small portion of the screen, providing quick access to browser, calendar, maps, and more.

Select models also include camera software enhancements for selfies and other shots. Gourmet mode, Favorite Shot and Bright Magic Selfie are designed to help produce better images in various situations.

Standout features of the various models:

Liquid Z630 “Big on Power and Size”

  • 5.5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • quad-core 1.3GHz processor
  • 2GB RAM
  • 16GB storage
  • 4000mAh

Liquid Z630S

  • 5.5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • octa-core processor
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB storage
  • 4000mAh

Liquid Z530 “Perfect Selfie Smartphone”

  • 5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel 84 degree wide-angle front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • 1.3GHz quad-core processor
  • 1GB/2GB RAM
  • 8GB/16GB storage
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z530S

  • 5-inch HD IPS display
  • 8-megapixel rear camera
  • 8-megapixel 84 degree wide-angle front-facing camera
  • Android 5.1
  • ocata-core processor
  • 3GB RAM
  • 32GB storage
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z330 – “Android for Everyone”

  • Qualcomm Snapdragon 210 processor
  • 4.5-inch WVGA wide view angle display
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB storage
  • Android 5.1
  • 5-megapixel front facing camera
  • 5-megapixel rear camera
  • Cat4 LTE
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

Liquid Z320 – “Pocket Friendly Android”

  • Qualcomm MSM 8209 processor
  • 4.5-inch WVGA wide view angle display
  • 1GB RAM
  • 8GB storage
  • Android 5.1
  • 2-megapixel front facing camera
  • 5-megapixel rear camera
  • 3G connectivity
  • WiFi 802.11 b/g/n
  • Bluetooth 4.0 EDR connectivity

For now, the aforementioned smartphones will be sold in Europe, Middle East, and African markets. Pricing ranges between €129 and €199, depending on model and country.

Predator 8

Considered a dedicated gaming tablet, the Acer Predator 8 is an 8-inch FHD (1920 x 1200 pixel) experience that runs Android 5.1 Lollipop. Powered by an Intel Atom x7 processor, the tablet is a mere 8.7mm thick and weighs only 350 grams.

To ensure you hear every little music note or game sound effect, the slate boasts a four array front-facing speaker setup with virtual surround. For an added aesthetic touch, Acer has included a red stainless steel mesh which delivers a distinct, if not aggressive look.

acer_predator_8

Key hardware includes up to 64GB internal storage with microSD support for up to 128GB external space and 802.11a/b/g/n wireless  with 2×2 MIMO support.

The Acer Predator 8 will be available starting on November 6; Newegg gets a two week exclusive followed by other retailers. The tablet will sell for $299 and will be pre-loaded with Asphalt 8 and 320,000 game credits ($50 value).

Chromebook R11

As Acer’s first convertible Chromebook, the R11 is the perfect type of device for users who like to write, edit, and create documents and media. Powered by an Intel Celeron processor, this one can be transitioned into four different modes:  laptop, pad, display and tent.

acer_chromebook_r11

The 11.6-inch display allows for ten-point touch and features a 1366 x 768 pixel resolution. Other specifications include a USB 3.0 port, 2×2 MIMO 802.11ac wireless support, and 360-degree hinge.

The Chromebook R11 will be offered in North America as early as October with prices that start at $299. We might assume this to mean multiple storage capacities and memory options are on the horizon.

Acer | Acer | Acer

 

The post Acer launches new Android smartphones, tablets, and Chromebook at IFA appeared first on AndroidGuys.

2
Sep

Sony Xperia Z5 officially announced: what you need to know


sony-xperia-z5

Sony has never really been a crowd favorite in the U.S., at least when it comes to smartphones. Recently however, Sony has struggled internationally as well, with the latest iteration of their flagship particularly coming under fire for being too similar to the Sony Xperia Z3, leading Sony to dub the phone the as the Xperia Z3+ in international markets, referring to it as the Xperia Z4 only in Japan. Thankfully, Sony is finally upping its game with the Xperia Z5, which is being offered in three unique flavors: the Xperia Z5, Z5 Premium, and Z5 Compact.

At their IFA 2015 press event Sony formally announced the Sony Xperia Z5, and on the outside it doesn’t seem a whole lot different from its predecessors, offering the iconic glass-and-metal stylings that we’ve come to expect from Sony. The power button on the side of the Z5 is a bit bigger this time around though, in order to make room for the integrated fingerprint scanner. If you’re a fan of Sony’s style, you’re certainly going to like the looks of Xperia Z5, even if they are still a bit too familiar for those that were hoping Sony would finally make a bigger and bolder change in design language.

Sony Xperia Z5 specs and features

emium
Display 5.2-inch 1080p display
Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
RAM 3 GB
Storage 32GB with microSD
Network 4G / LTE / HSPA+ 21/42 Mbps
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0
Camera Main cam: 23MP cam with Exmor RS sensor, fast autofocus, 4K video capture and output, 23mm wide-angle G Lens, 5x clear image, HDR, ISO 12800 photo / 4000 vide, Steadyshot tech

Front: 5MP

Software Android 5.1 Lollipop with Sony UI
Battery 2900 mAh
Dimensions 146mm x 72mm x 7.3mm, 154 grams

In many ways the specs here are quite similar to the Sony Xperia Z4 (aka Z3+), with the Sony Xperia Z5 featuring a Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB RAM, and 32GB storage. It is a bit disappointing to note that we are just seeing a Full HD display here, and not a more impressive QHD one, though fans of high-res can always turn their attention to the 4K-touting Z5 Premium instead. Where things differ from the Xperia Z3+ is in the extras like the new fingerprint scanner, and more importantly, in the redesigned camera.

The fingerprint scanner is of the “touch” variety, meaning it should work similarly to the iPhone, the newer Samsung Galaxy line, and Huawei’s Mate 7 and Honor 7. Aside from unlocking the phone, there doesn’t seem to be too many other fingerprint-yeilding features but it is still a nice extra.

The Xperia Z5 comes with a 23MP sensor with autofocus of just .03 seconds and F2.0 G Lens tech. There’s also a few other extras including 5x clear image zoom and advanced processing software. Sony also claims that advancements in low-light photography mean you can now capture clearer images even in less than ideal lighting. As you’d expect, Sony says this is one of the best on the market, though we’ll reserve judgment until we have some time to put the camera through its paces.

In addition to providing a better camera experience, Sony promises better battery life with the Xperia Z5. Sony claims its flagship will offer “up to two days usage from a single charge” thanks to its 2900 mAh non-removable battery.

On the software front, don’t expect much different here. Though Sony had previously tested out redesigned “concept” software builds, ultimately the UI that made its way to the Xperia Z5 series is the same as ever. That means you get a lightly skinned experience with extras like Playstation Remote Play, which lets you play your PS4 games utilizing your Xperia phone. THere’s also the Xperia Gold Lounge, offering up “exclusive competitions and offers” for Sony fans.

 

Sony Xperia price and availability

The Sony Xperia Z5 will arrive globally starting in October, though Sony has yet to clarify pricing just yet. For international markets, the Xperia Z5 will be offered in both single and dual-SIM variants.

Press release

Show Press Release

Berlin, IFA, 2nd September 2015 – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today unveiled its next-generation Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium – each engineered to make everyday experiences better.

“Smartphones are part of people’s lives” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO at Sony Mobile Communications. “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.”

A mobile camera experience unlike any other

Xperia Z5 features Sony’s brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RSTM for mobile 23MP sensor and F2.0 G Lens – it’s Sony’s first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1, designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera αTM technology for clear, vivid imagery every time.

The camera is capable of the fastest autofocus in a smartphone, a powerful blend of speed and accuracy to capture split-second moments with ease. It delivers a ground-breaking speed of just 0.037 seconds – faster than the blink of a human eye (average 0.1 – 0.4 s), so whether you’re jumping for the frisbee in the park, diving into the pool or catching air on the vert ramp, you’ll have the power to preserve spontaneous action in real-time.

A combination of the large 23MP Exmor RSTM for mobile sensor and advanced processing software lets you get close to subjects; whether it be a landmark, architecture or other objects of interest, with 5x clear image zoom with minimum loss of quality. And, advancements in low-light photography mean you can capture clearer photos at night or in darker surroundings with less noise and blur – perfect for capturing a sunrise or night skyline.

With the continued popularity of content capture for social media, Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShotTM with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur.

Designed for life, with the same flagship experiences in a choice of form factor

Designed by leading creatives at Sony’s Creative Center studios in Sweden and Japan, Xperia Z5 presents a svelte continuous plate form, with a metal frame and frosted glass back. It’s striking, comfortable to hold and waterproof for everyday convenience. With a 5.2″ display, sleek looks and Fall 2015 fashion and interior design cues, colours range from elegant to expressive for any personal style or taste; White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6″ display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Z5 Compact let’s you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black.

Both devices represent iconic Sony craftsmanship with premium materials throughout, including frosted glass finishing to the rear and a subtly etched Xperia logo side engraving, as well as capless USB for quick efficient connection and charging.

To the side, a new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable with a simple pick up and press in one natural movement. It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services – with news on first partners shared closer to launch.

Powerful performance that meets demands

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering. Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day8 battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge™ 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10 (dependant on market variants)9.

Sony’s 4K leadership now in a mobile device – Xperia Z5 Premium, the world’s first 4K smartphone

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5″ 4K TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

And, why not port the memory card from Sony’s 4K Action Cam FDR-X1000V to Xperia Z5 Premium to enjoy your footage immediately – or simply connect to the big screen either wirelessly via DLNA or with MHL 3.0 to enjoy your content on a 4K TV.

Xperia Z5 Premium is designed from the ground up as a high-performance mobile device, also powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor. A high capacity 3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge capability eliminates the need for regular charging.

Xperia Z5 Premium features a large 32GB internal memory, with the capability to take a 200GB external microSD card, which offers extra room for 4K videos and movies, and images too. Xperia Z5 Premium also features Sony’s innovative memory on display feature – the data transfer between processor and device is optimized so Xperia Z5’s display memory technology remembers the display of images seen on your smartphone and caches the image or video so that you don’t need to reload the full image each time you view it – preserving battery power in the process.

A flagship series powered by an entertainment and content ecosystem

Across the Xperia Z5 series, Sony’s rich expertise in audio technologies lets you enjoy sound in incredible detail and clarity. High-Res Audio reproduces high frequency sound for a studio quality experience. DSEE HXTM upscales the audio fidelity of your existing MP3, AAC or Spotify tracks to near High-Res Audio quality. And for high quality wireless music listening, Sony’s LDAC™ codec transmits data three times more efficiently than legacy codec over Bluetooth.

And now for the first time, Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio Headset MDR-NC750 allows you to enjoy combined Hi-Res Audio music with Digital Noise Cancelling – your tunes as they were intended to be heard, with ambient background noise reduced by up to 98%.

Keep playing your favourite PlayStation®4 (PS4™) games wherever you are in the home with PS4 Remote Play10. Simply connect your Xperia Z5 series device to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller to ensure you never miss a minute of the action – whatever room you are in.

And to ensure you continue to enjoy the best experiences that Sony has to offer, all Xperia Z5 series users will benefit from access to Xperia Lounge Gold – delivering the world of Sony entertainment at your fingertips. Get access to exclusive competitions and offers; be among the first to try out new apps; and enjoy the latest movies, TV episodes and music included with your device.

Smart style, with new accessories

A range of stylish and protective Style Cover Window cases will be available for each Xperia Z5 series model at launch, in respective corresponding device colours – each will let you access your favourite smartphone widgets through a smart window.

Stereo Bluetooth® Headset SBH54 is versatile headset with a doubling handset function, designed for users who want a convenient companion device to a large screen smartphone, allowing you to take and make calls, see messages, play music and enjoy FM radio.

Availability and specifications

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally from October 2015, and Xperia Z5 Premium from November 2015 – Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium will be available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM variants11.

 

What’s your take?

So, are you impressed with the Xperia Z5 series or are you disappointed? What do you love about the new phones, and what do you hate? Which is your favorite? Let us know in the comments.

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2
Sep

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact officially announced: everything you need to know


Screen Shot 2015-09-02 at 10.17.39 AM

Alongside the brand new Xperia Z5  and Z5 Premium flagships, Sony has just taken the wraps off its newest compact offering, the Xperia Z5 Compact. When it comes to specifications, pricing and availability information, we’ve got you covered.

As is the case with many of the other handsets Sony has launched in the past few years, the Z5 Compact doesn’t stray too far from the path. You’ll quickly notice that it features a similar overall design to that of recent Xperia devices, so the big question here is, can it stand out enough from the crowd? Let’s find out just what this phone can offer.

(Note: this story is still developing, be sure to check back shortly for even more details)

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact specifications

   
Display 4.6-inch IPS LCD display, 720p resolution, 323ppi
Processor 64-bit octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
GPU Adreno 430
RAM 2GB
Storage 32GB of on-board storage, microSD expansion up to 200GB
Software Android 5.1 Lollipop, Sony’s customized UI
SIM card Nano SIM
Dual SIM No
Wireless charging Yes
Water resistance IP65 / IP68 certification, capless USB
Quick Charge 2.0 Yes
Cameras Sony Exmor RS 23MP rear-facing camera,
Sony Exmor R 5MP front-facing camera
Battery Non-removable 2,700mAh battery
Dimensions 127 x 65 x 8.9mm, 138g

The Xperia Z5 Compact’s specs should satisfy many folks out there, especially when it comes to the added benefits of water resistance and the compact display. Overall, this device isn’t much different from other small Sony phones we’ve seen in the past. It has a 4.6-inch 720p display that comes with an anti-fingerprint coating to keep it looking smooth and clean. It also features a metallic trim around the edges.

The big news here is that the Z5 Compact sports Sony’s new Exmor RS sensor, which comes in at 23 megapixels. Sony devices have always been great in the camera department, so we wouldn’t be surprised if the Z5 Compact could take some pretty awesome photos. It’s capable of 4K video capture and output and comes with a new 24mm wide-angle G Lens. Sony says it can take photos in just .03 seconds, as well. Additionally, the front-facing camera comes in at 5MP and sports Sony’s Exmor R image sensor.

Sony has also built in a touch-based fingerprint sensor to the side-mounted home button, which should make it easy to gain access to your phone much more quickly. We’ll need to test out the  new fingerprint reader for ourselves before we make any assumptions, though.

The Z5 Compact also comes with 32GB of base storage with microSD expansion up to a massive 200GB. Expandable storage was notably missing on some recent flagships out there, so many folks will be happy to see Sony is keeping up with the trend of offering users more storage if they need it.

Seeing as how this device only has a 720p display, the 2,700mAh battery should be enough to get you through a full day of usage. If it’s not though, the Z5 Compact comes with Qualcomm’s Quick Charge 2.0 capabilities, which will be able to get you 5.5 hours of usage in just 10 minutes.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact design and build

02. Xperia_Z5_Compact_Colour_Range

At no surprise to almost anyone, the Z5 Compact doesn’t stray too far away from past devices from the company in the design department. It has a dual glass design with “frosted glass finishing”, and also includes a subtly etched Xperia logo on the side of the device. Even though it doesn’t look too different, the Z5 Compact still looks like a pretty sleek device.

The Xperia Z5 Compact will be available in Yellow, Coral, White and Graphite Black color options.

Sony Xperia Z5 Compact pricing and availability

The Z5 Compact will launch globally in October 2015. Unfortunately no pricing information has been released yet, but we’ll be sure to let you know once more information surfaces.

Press release

Show Press Release
Berlin, IFA, 2nd September 2015 – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today unveiled its next-generation Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium – each engineered to make everyday experiences better.

“Smartphones are part of people’s lives” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO at Sony Mobile Communications. “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.”

A mobile camera experience unlike any other

Xperia Z5 features Sony’s brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RSTM for mobile 23MP sensor and F2.0 G Lens – it’s Sony’s first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1, designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera αTM technology for clear, vivid imagery every time.

The camera is capable of the fastest autofocus in a smartphone, a powerful blend of speed and accuracy to capture split-second moments with ease. It delivers a ground-breaking speed of just 0.037 seconds – faster than the blink of a human eye (average 0.1 – 0.4 s), so whether you’re jumping for the frisbee in the park, diving into the pool or catching air on the vert ramp, you’ll have the power to preserve spontaneous action in real-time.

A combination of the large 23MP Exmor RSTM for mobile sensor and advanced processing software lets you get close to subjects; whether it be a landmark, architecture or other objects of interest, with 5x clear image zoom with minimum loss of quality. And, advancements in low-light photography mean you can capture clearer photos at night or in darker surroundings with less noise and blur – perfect for capturing a sunrise or night skyline.

With the continued popularity of content capture for social media, Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShotTM with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur.

Designed for life, with the same flagship experiences in a choice of form factor

Designed by leading creatives at Sony’s Creative Center studios in Sweden and Japan, Xperia Z5 presents a svelte continuous plate form, with a metal frame and frosted glass back. It’s striking, comfortable to hold and waterproof for everyday convenience. With a 5.2″ display, sleek looks and Fall 2015 fashion and interior design cues, colours range from elegant to expressive for any personal style or taste; White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6″ display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Z5 Compact let’s you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black.

Both devices represent iconic Sony craftsmanship with premium materials throughout, including frosted glass finishing to the rear and a subtly etched Xperia logo side engraving, as well as capless USB for quick efficient connection and charging.

To the side, a new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable with a simple pick up and press in one natural movement. It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services – with news on first partners shared closer to launch.

Powerful performance that meets demands

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering. Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day8 battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge™ 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10 (dependant on market variants)9.

Sony’s 4K leadership now in a mobile device – Xperia Z5 Premium, the world’s first 4K smartphone

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5″ 4K TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

And, why not port the memory card from Sony’s 4K Action Cam FDR-X1000V to Xperia Z5 Premium to enjoy your footage immediately – or simply connect to the big screen either wirelessly via DLNA or with MHL 3.0 to enjoy your content on a 4K TV.

Xperia Z5 Premium is designed from the ground up as a high-performance mobile device, also powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor. A high capacity 3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge capability eliminates the need for regular charging.

Xperia Z5 Premium features a large 32GB internal memory, with the capability to take a 200GB external microSD card, which offers extra room for 4K videos and movies, and images too. Xperia Z5 Premium also features Sony’s innovative memory on display feature – the data transfer between processor and device is optimized so Xperia Z5’s display memory technology remembers the display of images seen on your smartphone and caches the image or video so that you don’t need to reload the full image each time you view it – preserving battery power in the process.

A flagship series powered by an entertainment and content ecosystem

Across the Xperia Z5 series, Sony’s rich expertise in audio technologies lets you enjoy sound in incredible detail and clarity. High-Res Audio reproduces high frequency sound for a studio quality experience. DSEE HXTM upscales the audio fidelity of your existing MP3, AAC or Spotify tracks to near High-Res Audio quality. And for high quality wireless music listening, Sony’s LDAC™ codec transmits data three times more efficiently than legacy codec over Bluetooth.

And now for the first time, Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio Headset MDR-NC750 allows you to enjoy combined Hi-Res Audio music with Digital Noise Cancelling – your tunes as they were intended to be heard, with ambient background noise reduced by up to 98%.

Keep playing your favourite PlayStation®4 (PS4™) games wherever you are in the home with PS4 Remote Play10. Simply connect your Xperia Z5 series device to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller to ensure you never miss a minute of the action – whatever room you are in.

And to ensure you continue to enjoy the best experiences that Sony has to offer, all Xperia Z5 series users will benefit from access to Xperia Lounge Gold – delivering the world of Sony entertainment at your fingertips. Get access to exclusive competitions and offers; be among the first to try out new apps; and enjoy the latest movies, TV episodes and music included with your device.

Smart style, with new accessories

A range of stylish and protective Style Cover Window cases will be available for each Xperia Z5 series model at launch, in respective corresponding device colours – each will let you access your favourite smartphone widgets through a smart window.

Stereo Bluetooth® Headset SBH54 is versatile headset with a doubling handset function, designed for users who want a convenient companion device to a large screen smartphone, allowing you to take and make calls, see messages, play music and enjoy FM radio.

Availability and specifications

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally from October 2015, and Xperia Z5 Premium from November 2015 – Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium will be available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM variants11.

What are your thoughts?

Now that it’s official, is this the Sony handset you’ve been waiting for? If not, tell us what you’d change about it in the comment section below!

2
Sep

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium officially announced: what you need to know


sony-xperia-z5-premium

(Note: this story is still developing, be sure to check back shortly for even more details)

At IFA 2015 Sony officially took the veil off of the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium, the largest and highest-end variant of the new Z5 family. While not nearly as large as the now well-aged Xperia Z Ultra, the new Z5 Premium could be perfect for Sony fans looking for something a bit more on the phablet side.

On the outside the Sony Xperia Z5 Premium doesn’t seem a whole lot different from past Xperia Z offerings, offering the iconic glass-and-metal stylings that we’ve come to expect from Sony. Just like with the other members of the Z5 family, the power button on the side of the Z5 Premium is a bit bigger this time around though, making room for an integrated fingerprint scanner.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium specs and features

emium
Display 5.5-inch 4K display with 808 PPI
Processor 1.9GHz Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
RAM 3 GB
Storage 32GB with microSD
Network LTE, LTE Cat6, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+ (3G)
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, A-GPS / Glonass, USB 2.0
Camera Main cam: 23MP cam with Exmor RS sensor, fast autofocus, 4K video capture and output, 23mm wide-angle G Lens, 5x clear image, HDR, ISO 12800 photo / 4000 vide, Steadyshot tech

Front: 5MP

Software Android 5.1 with Sony UI
Battery 3430 mAh
Dimensions 154.4mm x 75.8mm x 7.8mm, 180 grams

Where the Xperia Z5 Premium really shines is the display, as the handset is the very first to offer a 4K screen. Considering the 5.5-inch size and the impressive PPI of 806, the resolution here is going to be nothing short of amazing. As for the other specs? The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium offers a Snapdragon 810 processor with 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, microSD, and a 3430 mAh battery that Sony says should provide around 2 days of battery life.

Just like with the Sony Xperia Z5, the Z5 Premium also features a revamped camera. The Xperia Z5 Premium has a 23MP sensor with autofocus of just .03 seconds and F2.0 G Lens tech. The camera also offers 5x clear image zoom, advanced processing software, and improved low-lighting capabilities. The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium’s camera certainly looks and sounds great on paper, but until we have more time to put the camera though its paces, we’ll reserve judgment.

Sony Xperia Z5 Premium price and availability

While the Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will be available starting in October, fans of the Z5 Premium will have to wait a little longer. The Z5 Premium is expected to launch in November. It’s unclear if the phone will be made available in the US, though we wouldn’t be surprised to see it launch under T-Mobile, Verizon, or perhaps both.

We can’t comment on pricing just yet, but we’d expect the 4K display to come at a premium.

Press release

Show Press Release

Berlin, IFA, 2nd September 2015 – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today unveiled its next-generation Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact, and the world’s first 4K smartphone Xperia Z5 Premium – each engineered to make everyday experiences better.

“Smartphones are part of people’s lives” said Hiroki Totoki, President and CEO at Sony Mobile Communications. “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.”

A mobile camera experience unlike any other

Xperia Z5 features Sony’s brand new large 1/2.3 Exmor RSTM for mobile 23MP sensor and F2.0 G Lens – it’s Sony’s first completely re-imagined smartphone camera module since Xperia Z1, designed with Sony’s interchangeable lens camera αTM technology for clear, vivid imagery every time.

The camera is capable of the fastest autofocus in a smartphone, a powerful blend of speed and accuracy to capture split-second moments with ease. It delivers a ground-breaking speed of just 0.037 seconds – faster than the blink of a human eye (average 0.1 – 0.4 s), so whether you’re jumping for the frisbee in the park, diving into the pool or catching air on the vert ramp, you’ll have the power to preserve spontaneous action in real-time.

A combination of the large 23MP Exmor RSTM for mobile sensor and advanced processing software lets you get close to subjects; whether it be a landmark, architecture or other objects of interest, with 5x clear image zoom with minimum loss of quality. And, advancements in low-light photography mean you can capture clearer photos at night or in darker surroundings with less noise and blur – perfect for capturing a sunrise or night skyline.

With the continued popularity of content capture for social media, Xperia Z5 series brings significant advancements in the evolution of Sony’s SteadyShotTM with Intelligent Active Mode for video. Further improvements mean you’ll be able to continuously capture action smoothly, such as riding a bike or skateboard, free from jolts or shudders. It also features better low-light performance without blur.

Designed for life, with the same flagship experiences in a choice of form factor

Designed by leading creatives at Sony’s Creative Center studios in Sweden and Japan, Xperia Z5 presents a svelte continuous plate form, with a metal frame and frosted glass back. It’s striking, comfortable to hold and waterproof for everyday convenience. With a 5.2″ display, sleek looks and Fall 2015 fashion and interior design cues, colours range from elegant to expressive for any personal style or taste; White, Graphite Black, Gold and Green.

For those who prefer a compact smartphone, Xperia Z5 Compact brings the same great camera technology and features in a pocket-friendly compact device. It delivers uncompromised performance in a beautifully compact design with a 4.6″ display, perfect for one-handed use. And, Z5 Compact let’s you express personal style with fresh, vibrant colours including Yellow and Coral, in addition to White and Graphite Black.

Both devices represent iconic Sony craftsmanship with premium materials throughout, including frosted glass finishing to the rear and a subtly etched Xperia logo side engraving, as well as capless USB for quick efficient connection and charging.

To the side, a new integrated fingerprint sensor power button means each device is personal, protected and easily unlockable with a simple pick up and press in one natural movement. It will also support the FIDO standard; authentication via fingerprint for online payment services – with news on first partners shared closer to launch.

Powerful performance that meets demands

Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are powered by the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, featuring octa-core CPUs, 64 bit capabilities and ultra-fast 4G LTE speeds, letting you reach new levels of performance for video, photography and gaming. Whether you’re multi-tasking over Wi-Fi or the latest 4G network, both devices deliver the speed you need. Download email with attachments in seconds and enjoy video streaming with no delays or unwanted buffering. Powerful smartphone features demand smart power management, Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are equipped with Sony’s incredible up to two-day8 battery stamina and innovative power-saving technology, which gives you superior long-lasting battery performance. With Qualcomm® Quick Charge™ 2.0 enabled on the new devices, you can get 5.5 hours usage with just 10 minutes of charging with a certified Quick Charge™ 2.0 charger, such as the Quick Charger UCH10 (dependant on market variants)9.

Sony’s 4K leadership now in a mobile device – Xperia Z5 Premium, the world’s first 4K smartphone

Xperia Z5 Premium is the world’s first 4K smartphone with a sharp, vivid 5.5″ 4K TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile and IPS, where breathtaking detail is depicted with pinpoint accuracy for the most natural images, at four times the resolution of Full HD.

Xperia Z5 Premium will upscale your favourite content to 4K, enhancing any native or third party videos or photos so you can view Netflix, YouTube or your holiday shots in rich, vibrant 4K detail. And, Xperia Z5 Premium is built to allow you to get creative by capturing in 4K and immediately enjoying the content on Z5 Premium, with the option of preserving any moment as an 8MP quality image.

And, why not port the memory card from Sony’s 4K Action Cam FDR-X1000V to Xperia Z5 Premium to enjoy your footage immediately – or simply connect to the big screen either wirelessly via DLNA or with MHL 3.0 to enjoy your content on a 4K TV.

Xperia Z5 Premium is designed from the ground up as a high-performance mobile device, also powered by the Snapdragon 810 processor. A high capacity 3430 mAh battery lasting for up to two days, with quick charge capability eliminates the need for regular charging.

Xperia Z5 Premium features a large 32GB internal memory, with the capability to take a 200GB external microSD card, which offers extra room for 4K videos and movies, and images too. Xperia Z5 Premium also features Sony’s innovative memory on display feature – the data transfer between processor and device is optimized so Xperia Z5’s display memory technology remembers the display of images seen on your smartphone and caches the image or video so that you don’t need to reload the full image each time you view it – preserving battery power in the process.

A flagship series powered by an entertainment and content ecosystem

Across the Xperia Z5 series, Sony’s rich expertise in audio technologies lets you enjoy sound in incredible detail and clarity. High-Res Audio reproduces high frequency sound for a studio quality experience. DSEE HXTM upscales the audio fidelity of your existing MP3, AAC or Spotify tracks to near High-Res Audio quality. And for high quality wireless music listening, Sony’s LDAC™ codec transmits data three times more efficiently than legacy codec over Bluetooth.

And now for the first time, Sony’s new High-Resolution Audio Headset MDR-NC750 allows you to enjoy combined Hi-Res Audio music with Digital Noise Cancelling – your tunes as they were intended to be heard, with ambient background noise reduced by up to 98%.

Keep playing your favourite PlayStation®4 (PS4™) games wherever you are in the home with PS4 Remote Play10. Simply connect your Xperia Z5 series device to your PS4 via home Wi-Fi and use the DUALSHOCK®4 Wireless Controller to ensure you never miss a minute of the action – whatever room you are in.

And to ensure you continue to enjoy the best experiences that Sony has to offer, all Xperia Z5 series users will benefit from access to Xperia Lounge Gold – delivering the world of Sony entertainment at your fingertips. Get access to exclusive competitions and offers; be among the first to try out new apps; and enjoy the latest movies, TV episodes and music included with your device.

Smart style, with new accessories

A range of stylish and protective Style Cover Window cases will be available for each Xperia Z5 series model at launch, in respective corresponding device colours – each will let you access your favourite smartphone widgets through a smart window.

Stereo Bluetooth® Headset SBH54 is versatile headset with a doubling handset function, designed for users who want a convenient companion device to a large screen smartphone, allowing you to take and make calls, see messages, play music and enjoy FM radio.

Availability and specifications

Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will launch globally from October 2015, and Xperia Z5 Premium from November 2015 – Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Premium will be available in both Single SIM and Dual SIM variants11.

What’s your take?

So, are you impressed with the Xperia Z5 Premium or are you disappointed? Let us know in the comments.

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2
Sep

Sony makes a pun out of some pretty Hi-Res Audio headphones


h.ear on headphones

It seems like with every new phone, Sony has a new accessory to plug. Presenting the pun-ful “H.ear On” headphones. They’re over-ear cans that are supposedly at their best when playing back Sony’s Hi-Res Audio. Of course, they’ll need to be paired with a compatible device — like one of its new Xperia Z5 family. For the audiophiles: The H.ear On are closed-back headphones with fairly low impedance (24 Ohm) 40mm drivers, 5Hz – 60,000Hz frequency response and 103dB/mW sensitivity. For the rest of you: pretty colors! They’ll cost $200 this November and come in an “exciting array of colors” including Bordeaux pink, cinnabar red and (our favorite) lime yellow.

Check out all the news from Berlin at our IFA 2015 hub.

Filed under:
Sony

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Tags: audio, headphones, hearon, hires, ifa, ifa2015, sony