Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview: The complete Xperia package

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium sits at the top of the huge portfolio of Sony phones, not just of the four debuting at Mobile World Congress 2017, but the rest of the Xperia gang too.

It has it all in Sony’s world of smartphones, pulling in technology from other aspects of the company’s business including camera and display technology, both of which are coupled with Qualcomm’s latest SD835 chip. We got our hands on a non-working model before MWC kicked off. Here are our first thoughts.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Design

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is the best you’ll get from the Xperia range of smartphones. As the name suggests, it has premium finish that surpasses the likes of the Xperia XZ and Xperia XZs with its mirrored body. The XZ Premium is available in Luminous Chrome or Deepsea Black and although both pick up fingerprints like they are going out of fashion, the glossy look is fabulous.

Pocket-lint

The Deepsea Black is the subtler of the two finishes and the nicer, featuring elements of blue like the Xperia XZ did, but both are striking. Sticking true to the Sony smartphone legacy, the Xperia XZ Premium has that OmniBalance flat-slab design we’ve come to expect from Xperia devices, though its finish is more seamless than its less premium sibling and slimmer, with a 7.9mm build.

Rather than several different materials joined together, resulting in a somewhat messy design, the Xperia XZ Premium has one sheet of 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass on the rear and one on the front, creating a great finish that is significantly less fussy. The edges remain flat with a slight curve, a feature that was introduced on the Xperia Z5, but the 2.5D curved glass makes everything look more considered as does the reduction in thickness.

Pocket-lint

Letting down the otherwise great design a little however, are the large bezels above and below the display. It’s a trait all the Xperia devices feature and although it distinguishes them, we would have liked to see Sony reduce them slightly. LG has made its latest flagship all about the screen and Samsung is rumoured to be doing the same so it would have been great to see Sony do similar, especially as the display is such a big aspect of this device and deserves to be more prominent. 

In other news, as Sony fans will expect, the signature side-mounted fingerprint sensor is present within the power button on the right of the Xperia XZ Premium, with the camera launcher button positioned a little further down on the same side. A 3.5mm headphone jack sits to the right at the top of the device, while USB Type-C is centralised at the bottom. There is a microSD and SIM slot on the left of the Xperia XZ Premium beneath a flap, ensuring IP65 and IP68 waterproofing.

• Sony Xperia XZs preview: Same design, new hardware

Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Display

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium features a 5.5-inch display with a 4K resolution for a pixel density of 801ppi, following in the footsteps of the Xperia Z5 Premium. Sony has taken the trend for HDR, a technology found on the latest televisions, and introduced it to the new device in a bid to deliver richer and more vibrant colours with better contrast and more detail.

Pocket-lint

It’s not the first time we have seen HDR on a mobile device as Samsung introduced it on the Galaxy Note 7’s 2K display, but it is the first time it has been used with a 4K resolution. Sony has said it would be collaborating with Amazon Prime Video, like Samsung did, in order to offer access to content that will take full advantage of the display.

The Xperia XZ Premium was displayed alongside the Xperia Z5 Premium and the difference was noticeable in terms of colour vibrancy but as it was a controlled environment with only certain images displayed, we will be waiting for our review unit to decide the true impact of the HDR, as well as aspects like viewing angles. We suspect this new device will be a dream for VR though as the Xperia Z5 Premium was.

• Sony Xperia Z5 Premium review

Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Camera

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium introduces a new camera to the Xperia party. Sony usually places a big emphasis on the camera within its smartphones so it will come as no surprise that this is one of the three features the company has chosen to focus on for this flagship. The new camera is being called Motion Eye and Sony claims it is the first memory-stacked sensor, which should mean faster scanning.

Pocket-lint

There is a 19-megapixel resolution on board the rear, which although is a slightly lower resolution than the Xperia XZ and previous flagship Xperia devices, it offers 19 per cent larger pixels at 1.22µm, according to the company. There is also a new G lens on the rear that is claimed to deliver more clarity and a 13-megapixel camera on the front, but perhaps the most exciting new feature is the super slow motion functionality of the main camera.

Most smartphones offer 240fps slow motion, but the camera on the Xperia XZ Premium and Xperia XZs offers 960fps. We tried it out on the Xperia XZs filming a skateboarder doing tricks with glitter and a cocktail maker messing around with fire and dry ice and the results were very cool. We weren’t able to use it on the Xperia XZ Premium but the feature itself is definitely one that we will be looking forward to testing on both devices when we get them in for review.

• Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra preview: Edgy mid-rangers

Sony Xperia XZ Premium: Hardware and software

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium runs on Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 835 chip, coupled with 4GB of RAM and a base storage of 64GB. As we mentioned, there is microSD on board for storage expansion and Sony has claimed the XZ Premium will offer all-day battery life from the 3230mAh capacity with accurate estimation, Stamina Mode and Quick Charge 3.0 all on board.

Pocket-lint

We weren’t able to test the performance of the XZ Premium during our time with it as this is a little hard when there are none switched on, but we will give you an update on this area, along with software when we have the chance to test it. We do know the Xperia XZ Premium will launch on Android Nougat but Sony hasn’t detailed what new software features or refinements will be available as yet.

First Impressions

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium doesn’t break new ground when it comes to design, sticking with what Sony knows best, but it does offer refinement and a much more seamless finish to previous Xperia devices.

It’s Sony’s most exciting device so far, and although we would liked to have seen a slight change up in design, especially in terms of the front, the glossy, slimmer build is fabulous and the 4K HDR display has the potential to be great.

We are also big fans of the super slow motion video feature and although it’s also available on the Xperia XZs, the Xperia XZ Premium is the whole Xperia package. It’s the one we can’t wait to put through its paces in the real world.

Sony Xperia Touch: The €1499 protector that puts Android on your kitchen table

Sony Mobile has announced four new Xperia smartphones at Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, along with the Xperia Touch projectors price and availability.

The Xperia Touch first debuted as a projector concept without a proper name at MWC 2016, alongside the Xperia Ear and Xperia Agent. One year later and Sony has renamed it the Xperia Touch and said it is now ready to be a commercial product. Well, so long as you have a spare €1499.

For those that don’t know, the projector is an interactive Android projector that will turn any flat surface, horizontal or vertical, into a 23-inch 720p touchscreen using ultrashort-throw projection.

• Sony Xperia Touch preview

It uses Sony’s SXRD projection display technology, combined with a built-in camera and Infrared light to detect touch in real-time at 60fps. The Xperia Touch allows users to play games, such as Angry Birds on the table or wall, as well as watch online video streaming services and communicate with social platforms, such as Skype.

In addition to this, the Xperia Touch will offer real-time weather information, a memo board, calendar access and it is also compatible with PlayStation 4 Remote Play. You’ll also be able to run any app downloaded from Google Play.

The Sony Xperia Touch will be available through select retailers and the Xperia Online Store in certain countries, starting in France, from Spring 2017 with a price tag of €1499.

Sony also announced a new Xperia Ear “Open-Style Concept at the show, allowing users to listen to music and receive notifications simultaneously. The Xperia Ear that was presented alongside the Xperia Touch projector last year is already on sale for $199. No word yet on the Xperia Agent.

Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra preview: Edgy mid-rangers

Sony announced the X series of smartphones at Mobile World Congress 2016, marking the death of the Z line and a new path for the Japanese manufacturer. There were several X devices announced, including the lovely Xperia XA with its edge-to-edge display.

One year on and Sony has followed up this device with two more edge-to-edge mid-rangers: the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra. Ignoring the odd naming convention, the XA1 is the successor to the XA, while the XA1 Ultra is a larger version of the new model. Here are our first impressions.

Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra: Design

The Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra offer almost identical designs, aside from their physical size and a silver ring around the front-facing camera on the XA1 Ultra. The smaller model measures 145 x 67 x 7.9mm and weighs 145g, while the larger model measures 165 x 79 x 8.1mm and weighs 210g so there is quite a big difference in size and weight, with the XA1 definitely the more manageable in the hand.

Pocket-lint

Both feature the signature Xperia design features, including large bezels at the top and bottom of the display, a side power button and a rear camera lens in the top left corner. The two devices also offer the OmniBalance flat-slab design which is associated with all Xperia smartphones, from the lower-end to the flagship models.

The rear is a lot less fussy than the Xperia XZ and XZs however, with one sheet of metal rather than the combination of textures offered on the flagship devices for a much more fluid finish. The speakers and microphone are also tucked out of the way at the very top and bottom of the devices, keeping things fuss-free.

Pocket-lint

Where the XA range really sets itself apart from the rest of the Xperia handsets is its edge-to-edge screen though. This feature results in a more seamless and interesting design than the likes of the Xperia XZ and its Xperia XZs successor, allowing the edges to curve into the display as you’ll find on more premium smartphones at the higher end of the market.

The edges of the XA1 and XA1 Ultra are flatter than the original Xperia XA, tying them into the XZ models better and resulting in both devices delivering a slim and consistent design. The edge-to-edge display means there is no fingerprint sensor on either model though, as there wasn’t with last year’s model. The oblong power button with the built-in fingerprint sensor found on the higher-specced Xperia models has to be traded in for the circular power button found on the older Z devices in order to accommodate the screen, meaning you lose what is now considered a pretty key feature on all smartphones.

Pocket-lint

There is no mention of waterproofing either, but the rest of the overall designs are familiar and up-to-date with USB Type-C over Micro-USB at the bottom, a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top, camera launcher button on the right-hand side and a microSD and SIM slot covered by a flap on the left. Both the XA1 and the XA1 Ultra are available in four metallic finishes, like the original XA.

• Sony Xperia XZs preview: Same design, new hardware

Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra: Display

The Sony Xperia XA1 comes with a 5-inch HD edge-to-edge display for a pixel density of 294ppi, like the original model, and it looks great. We loved the design last year and we love it again this year. We just wish Sony would consider doing something like it with its flagship devices. The XA1 Ultra also has an edge-to-edge display, as we mentioned, but it adds an inch and a few more pixels, resulting in a 6-inch Full HD display that delivers a pixel density of 367ppi.

As with the original Xperia XA, the XA1’s display seems to do well enough, despite it being a lower resolution than the likes of the Xperia XZs. The Xperia XA1 Ultra also seems to do well, although we will reserve judgement on both until we have had the opportunity to test them properly in the real world.

Pocket-lint

There is no HDR on board either the XA1 or XA1 Ultra, like the flagship Xperia XZ Premium, and there is no mention of Triluminos or X-Reality technologies, both of which can be found on the XZ and XZs, but Sony does offer Super Vivid mode on the XA range. As we said with the XZ Premium and XZs, we would have loved to have seen Sony reduce those top and bottom bezels on these two devices too for an even more striking display, but we suppose you can’t have it all right?

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview: The whole Xperia package

Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra: Cameras

The Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra are mid-range handsets so unfortunately they don’t get the latest and greatest when it comes to Sony’s camera features, though they do improve on last year’s model and they certainly don’t settle for mid-range specs.

That means that while you won’t get the new Motion Eye camera with its super slow motion video feature that has been introduced on the Xperia XZs and XZ Premium, you will get a 23-megapixel rear camera on both models. The XA1 also has an 8-megapixel front facing snapper, while the XA1 Ultra has a 16-megapixel front snapper, with an f/2.0 aperture, optical image stabilisation and a flash so theoretically this larger model should really help you up your selfie game.

Pocket-lint

There are a couple of features that transfer over from the higher end Xperia devices too, such as Hybrid autofocus and SteadyShot, plus they both have five times Clear Image Zoom too. Ultimately though, if you’re after for Sony’s latest camera technology, you’ll need to be looking a little higher up the Xperia food chain.

We didn’t get a chance to test the XA1 and XA1 Ultra cameras during our brief amount of time with them but we will be sure to put them both through their paces when we get our hands on them in the real world.

• Sony Xperia XZ review

Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra: Hardware and software

The Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra both have the same octa-core MediaTek processor under their hoods, along with 32GB of internal memory that can be expanded via microSD. The XA1 Ultra has 4GB of RAM compared to the XA1’s 3GB, but considering these two devices are mid-range as we mentioned, these are pretty good hardware specs.

The XA1 has a 2300mAh battery capacity, while the XA1 Ultra has a 2700mAh battery, both of which are charged via USB Type-C and both of which feature Sony’s Stamina Mode software. We of course didn’t get a chance to test either the performance or the battery life of either model during our time with them but we will do as soon as they come in for review.

Pocket-lint

The XA1 Ultra’s battery seems small for a 6-inch device, but Sony smartphone’s battery life has been very good in the past, bar perhaps the Xperia XZ which wasn’t as great as previous models, so we aren’t too concerned.

Both the Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra will launch on Android Nougat with Sony’s software over the top, meaning Sony fans will get a familiar experience. It looks as though the software has been refined slightly again compared to the Xperia XZ but we will be taking a closer look when we are able to spend more time with the two devices. 

First Impressions

Sony’s Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra might not be flagship devices, but their edge-to-edge displays are great. So much so that we’d love to have seen them on both the Xperia XZs and the Xperia XZ Premium. Just imagine how fabulous a 4K HDR edge-to-edge display could be.

We’re not entirely sure what Sony was thinking when it chose the names for these two devices, but we are big fans of their designs, as we were when the Xperia XA launched last year.

Considering they are mid-range devices, the Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra show a lot of promise on paper. They are definitely be up there with the most exciting Xperia devices in Sony’s portfolio, mainly thanks to offering something a bit different. If only Sony had given them the Motion Eye camera with its super slow motion video too. Huff.

Sony Xperia 2017 smartphone differences: XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra

There are few companies, if any, that launch as many smartphones in one year as Sony Mobile. We saw the death of the Z range and the rise of the X series at Mobile World Congress 2016, while at MWC 2017, we have the continuation of the X range with four new smartphones. Yes four.

Wondering what the differences are between them all? We were too. Here is how the Sony Xperia XZ Premium compares to the Xperia XZs, Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Design

• Xperia XA1 Ultra is the largest and heaviest
• XZ Premium and XZs have waterproofing and fingerprint sensor
• XZ Premium has most seamless design

All four of the 2017 Xperia smartphones look like Xperia smartphones. They all have the signature OmniBalance flat-slab design, large bezels above and below the display and they all have a side-mounted power button.

The Xperia XZ Premium and the Xperia XZs have the oblong power button with built-in fingerprint sensor and they are waterproof, while the XA1 and XA1 Ultra have the circular power button found on older Xperia devices and they don’t appear to be waterproof.

The largest and heaviest of the bunch is the Xperia XA1 Ultra measuring 165 x 79 x 8.1mm and weighing 210g, which is followed by the glossy and most seamless in design, Xperia XZ Premium, that measures 156 x 77 x 7.9mm and weighs 195g. The XA1 is the smallest and lightest at 145 x 67 x 7.9mm and 145g, while the XZs sits in the middle at 146 x 72 x 8.1mm and 161g.

The XZ Premium comes in Luminous Chrome and Deepsea Black colour options, both of which are mirrored, while the XA1 and XA1 Ultra come in four metallic finishes comprising black, white, pink and gold. The Xperia XZs is available in three colours: Ice Blue, Warm Silver and Black. 

• Sony Xperia XZs preview

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Display

• Xperia XZ Premium has 4K resolution and HDR
• Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra have edge-to-edge displays

The Sony Xperia XA1 has the largest display at 6-inches, while the Xperia XA1 has the smallest at 5-inches but both of these have edge-to-edge screens making them a little more exciting than the other two. The Xperia XZ Premium has a 5.5-inch screen, while the Xperia XZs has a 5.2-inch screen, like the Xperia XZ.

In terms of resolution, the XZ Premium is the clear winner, offering a 4K display like the Z5 Premium, which delivers a pixel density of 806ppi but it also adds HDR to the mix. The Xperia XZs and XA1 Ultra both have Full HD displays, offering pixel densities of 424ppi and 367ppi, respectively. The lowest resolution appears on the XA1 with its 720p screen, offering a pixel density of 245ppi.

The Triluminos and X-Reality Sony technologies are present on the XZ Premium and XZs devices, as well as something called Dynamic Contrast Enhancer. The XA1 and XA1 Ultra both have something called Super Vivid Mode, but they miss out on the other technologies.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Camera

• Xperia XZ Premium and XZs have new Motion Eye camera
• 960fps super slo-mo video on XZ Premium and XZs
• 16MP front camera on XA1 Ultra with OIS

The camera element is where the four new Xperia devices differ the most in terms of hardware. The Xperia XZ Premium and the Xperia XZs both have Sony’s new Motion Eye rear camera, which features a 19-megapixel triple sensor with 1.22µm pixels. They also both have a 13-megapixel front-facing camera.

The Motion Eye camera also comes with a new lens which is said to help deliver more clarity but the most exciting feature on board is its ability to capture super slow motion video at 960fps.

The Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra both have 23-megapixel single sensor rear snappers, with an 88-degree wide-angle lens and 0.7-second quick launch. The XA1 has an 8-megapixel front camera, but the XA1 Ultra pulls its selfie game out of the bag with a 16-megapixel snapper featuring OIS and a flash.

• Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra preview

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Hardware

• Xperia XZ Premium has fastest processor and largest battery capacity
• All have microSD
• High-res audio support on XZ Premium and XZs

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium comes with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chip, 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage. There is a 3230mAh battery capacity on board, along with all Sony’s latest battery technology including Smart Stamina, Battery Care and support for Quick Charge 3.0.

The Xperia XZs has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chip, 4GB of RAM and it comes in 32GB or 64GB storage options. It’s battery capacity is 2900mAh and it too has Stamina and Battery Care, as well as support for Quick Charge.

The Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra both run on an octa-core MediaTek processor with 32GB of RAM. The XA1 has 3GB of RAM support and a 2300mAh battery, while the XA1 Ultra has 4GB of RAM and a 2700mAh battery.

All four devices have microSD support for storage expansion, as well as USB Type-C. The XZ Premium and XZs both support high-res audio and offer digital noise cancelling.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Software

• All devices will have Android Nougat

All four of Sony’s new devices will launch on Android Nougat with Sony’s bloatware over the top, meaning the user experience will be similar across them. 

There will be a few extra features on the Xperia XZ Premium and Xperia XZs compared to the XA1 and XA1 Ultra, such as the camera functions and battery software, but overall, they will all look very familiar and almost identical.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs vs XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: Conclusion

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is the flagship device, with the flagship specs and probably the one to go for if your budget allows. It has the nicest design, most advanced display and it comes with the most powerful hardware and the newest camera. It will be expensive though.

The Xperia XZs gives you the camera and the RAM, but not the latest processor and it has a lower resolution display that lacks the latest tech, like HDR.

The Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra are going to be the cheaper options out of these four devices but they still get some pretty decent specs, including the edge-to-edge display and good camera resolutions, especially in the case of the XA1 Ultra.

Sony Xperia XZs preview: Same design, new hardware

The Xperia XZs is one of four smartphones debuting at Mobile World Congress 2017 from Sony Mobile, succeeding the Xperia XZ that was announced six months ago at IFA in September.

The new smartphone offers an upgrade in terms of camera functionality and hardware over its predecessor, as “s” devices generally do, but it takes it back a notch in terms of finish and display compared to the Xperia XZ Premium flagship, which sits above it in the Xperia portfolio. We got our hands on it before MWC kicked off to see what it brings to Sony’s ever-expanding smartphone portfolio.

Sony Xperia XZs: Design

The Sony Xperia XZs features the same design as the Xperia XZ. It has the company’s OmniBalance flat-slabbed finish, along with large bezels at the top and bottom of the display, both of which are typical design distinctions of Xperia smartphones. The XZs also brings with it the same loop design that launched on the XZ though, delivering a slightly curvier finish at the sides and moving away from the squarer look of previous Z devices.

Pocket-lint

Like the XZ and new XZ Premium, the XZs has USB Type-C at the bottom of the device, a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top and the side-mounted power button with its built-in fingerprint sensor on the right of the device, along with the volume rocker and the camera launcher button. To the left of the XZs is the microSD and SIM slot, covered by a flap for IP65 and IP68 water and dust resistance.

The rear of the XZs is where this device differs from the Premium model launching alongside it. Like its predecessor, the XZs has a separate bottom panel that is a different colour and texture from the rest of the rear, resulting in a finish that isn’t as seamless as the XZ Premium model. It also doesn’t have the 2.5D curved Corning Gorilla Glass like the Premium model so the finish on the sides of the XZs isn’t as smooth as the glossier upgrade, nor as slim, though only by 0.2mm.

Pocket-lint

The XZs is a little more comfortable in the hand in terms of size compared to the Premium model though, measuring 146 x 72mm and it’s also a little lighter at 161g over 195g. It comes in Ice Blue, Warm Silver and Black but we’d choose a colour over black, as we would have done with the Xperia XZ, as they offer much more depth and make the OmniBalance design pop that little bit more.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview

Sony Xperia XZs: Display 

Like Sony Xperia XZ, the XZs has a 5.2-inch Full HD display, adopting the same size and resolution as the now-extinct Z models. Sony has always maintained that Quad HD displays aren’t worth the trade off in battery life so when you get to the flagship models, the options are either Full HD or a jump to 4K, like the XZ Premium and Z5 Premium both offer.

Pocket-lint

The company added HDR to the new XZ Premium model, but there is none of that on the XZs sadly. Instead, Sony has focused on the camera for the XZ upgrade, meaning the display experience will probably be similar to that of the Xperia XZ, unless the Dynamic Contrast Enhancer technology that has been added helps. We felt the XZ display wasn’t as impactful as it could have been, delivering when it came to colour and vibrancy but lacking in punch compared to some AMOLED alternatives.

Occasionally software can be responsible for displays not being as great as they should be so we will still reserve judgment on the XZs until we have reviewed it in the real world, but compared to the XZ Premium model, we are expecting it will be a little less exciting.

• Sony Xperia XZ review

Sony Xperia XZs: Camera

The Sony Xperia XZs does offer excitement elsewhere however – its camera. Like the Sony Xperia XZ Premium, the XZs features the new memory-stacked camera called Motion Eye on the rear, which has a 19-megapixel resolution and 1.22µm pixels, while the front has a 13-megapixel sensor. The new rear camera is not only said to be five times faster at scanning, but Sony claims it will also offer more clarity thanks to the new G Lens.

Pocket-lint

The new camera is designed to combine technologies from Sony’s Alpha and Cyber-shot cameras in order to try and meet professional camera enthusiasts, as well as those who want to just point and shoot. Like the Xperia XZ, there are manual settings available for those that are happy to play around, but there are automatic settings too. 

One of the best things about the new camera is the super slow motion video feature though. It’s great fun to use and the results were great too from what we experienced. The new feature allows you to capture video at 960fps, which means that a water balloon bursting or sparking a lighter up has a much more dramatic result than the standard 240fps capture most smartphones offer.

During our demo of the new Xperia XZs, we tested the super slow motion by filming a skateboarder doing tricks with glitter, as well as a cocktail maker playing around with fire and ice. It takes a couple of attempts to figure out what you need to press and when to ensure you capture the best elements of the action but once you’ve nailed it, the result is very cool. It’s definitely a feature we can’t wait to test out properly when we come to review this device and the Xperia XZ Premium.

• Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra preview

Sony Xperia XZs: Hardware and software

The Sony Xperia XZs features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 chipset, along with 4GB of RAM, which is a slight ramp up in RAM from the Xperia XZ but the same processor. There is 32GB or 64GB of internal storage and as we mentioned previously, the XZs features a microSD slot for further storage expansion up to 256GB.

Like its predecessor, there is a 2900mAh battery on board, along with Sony’s Stamina Mode and USB Type-C. We weren’t as impressed with Stamina Mode and the battery life on the Xperia XZ as we have been on previous Xperia devices, but hopefully the XZs will have fixed this once again. There wasn’t time to test the performance of the Xperia XZs during our briefing but we will of course put it through its paces when we come to review it.

Pocket-lint

The Xperia XZs will launch on Android Nougat with Sony’s software over the top. The company has slowly stripped back the bloatware it offers on top of Android, delivering a cleaner result, though it isn’t quite as stripped back as the likes of HTC or even Samsung nowadays. The launcher is pretty nice though, offering sensible options and the apps tray has a nice feature on board too, not only offering search but suggested apps too. 

For Sony fans, the software experience will be familiar and although we’d love to see closer to stock Android, things were smooth enough when moving around, as they were with the Xperia XZ.

First Impressions

The Sony Xperia XZs isn’t as exciting as the XZ Premium in terms of design or features, but it does bring last year’s Xperia XZ up to scratch in terms of Sony’s camera offering.

It would have been nice to see a faster processor coupled with the increase in RAM to warrant the “s” in its name a little more, but the new camera makes the Xperia XZs a more appealing alternative to the Xperia XZ and to those after a Sony flagship smartphone without the price tag that will undoubtedly be attached to the XZ Premium.

We think Sony could have done more with the design of the Xperia XZs to make it more seamless like the Xperia Z5, or give it an edge like the XA range, but as an “s” device, it makes improvements over the Xperia XZ and we can’t argue with that.

Sony’s 2017 smartphone portfolio: Hello Xperia XZ Premium, XZs, XA1 and XA1 Ultra

Sony Mobile has announced another four smartphones at Mobile World Congress 2017, adding to its already-plentiful Xperia portfolio. The Xperia XZ Premium, Xperia XZs, Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra join the existing line up of Xperia X, Z, M and E smartphones. It’s basically an alphabet soup.

The Xperia XZ Premium is the most exciting of the line-up with its 7.9mm glossy mirrored body, 5.5-inch 4K HDR display, new 19-megapixel rear “Motion Eye” camera and the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 processor, marking it as the new Xperia flagship. It offers 4GB of RAM, 64GB of storage and a 3230mAh battery, along with a 13-megapixel front camera and IP65 and IP68 waterproofing.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs XZs v XA1 vs XA1 Ultra: What’s the difference?

The Xperia XZs brings a camera and RAM upgrade to the six-month old Xperia XZ, also offering 4GB of RAM and the new Motion Eye rear camera with its 960fps super slow motion video feature, like the XZ Premium. Everything else remains the same as the Xperia XZ however, including design, display, processor and battery, meaning a 5.2-inch Full HD screen, Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 and a 2900mAh battery capacity.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview
• Sony Xperia XZs preview

The Xperia XA1 and Xperia XA1 Ultra are what Sony is calling “super” mid-rangers, featuring 5-inch and 6-inch edge-to-edge displays, respectively, and succeeding the Xperia XA that launched at MWC 2016. The Xperia XA1 has a 720p display, while the Xperia XA1 Ultra ups the resolution to Full HD.

Sony Mobile

Both the XA1 and XA1 Ultra have an octa-core MediaTek processor and 23-megapixel rear camera. The XA1 couples this with an 8-megapixel front camera, 3GB of RAM and a 2300mAh battery, while the XA1 Ultra has a 16-megapixel front snapper with OIS and a flash, along with 4GB of RAM and a 2700mAh battery.

• Sony Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra preview

All four of Sony’s new Xperia smartphones will launch on Android Nougat from the box, with the Sony bloatware over the top. Specific pricing and availability has yet to be detailed, but the Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra will launch sometime in Spring 2017, the Xperia XZs in April 2017 and the Xperia XZ Premium in late Spring 2017.

The XZ Premium will come in Luminous Chrome or Deepsea Black, the Xperia XZs in Ice Blue, Warm Silver and Black, and the Xperia XA1 and XA1 Ultra in White, Black, Pink and Gold.

Sony Mobile

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: What’s the difference?

Sony announced four smartphones at Mobile World Congress 2017 in Barcelona, one of which is the Xperia XZ Premium, which is the company latest and greatest device with an all new camera and 4K HDR display.

It succeeds the Xperia Z5 Premium, which launched at IFA in September 2015, but how does it compare? Here is the Xperia XZ Premium against the Xperia Z5 Premium.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Design

• XZ Premium is larger and heavier
• More seamless design on XZ Premium thanks to 2.5D glass
• Both IP68 and IP65 water and dust resistant

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium and Xperia Z5 Premium feature the same OmniBalance, flat-slab design that Xperia smartphones are known for. There’s a side-mounted power button with a built-in fingerprint sensor on both, large bezels at the top and bottom of the displays and the rear camera lens in the top left-hand corner on the back. They are also both IP68 and IP65.

The Xperia XZ Premium does introduce 2.5D Corning Gorilla Glass to the Premium party however, on both the front and rear of the device, offering a slightly more seamless design to its predecessor. The new model also opts for USB Type-C over Micro-USB.

The Xperia XZ Premium comes in Luminous Chrome or Deepsea Black and measures 156 x 77 x 7.9mm, with a weight of 195g. The Xperia Z5 Premium comes in Chrome, Black, Gold and Pink and is a little smaller and slimmer at 154.4 x 75.8 x 7.8mm. It is also quite a bit lighter, weighing 180g.

• Sony Xperia XZ Premium preview

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Display

• Both have 5.5-inch 4K display
• XZ Premium adds HDR

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium and the Xperia Z5 Premium both have 5.5-inch displays with 3840 x 2160 resolutions, resulting in a pixel densities of 806ppi for super sharp displays.

Both include various Sony display technologies including Triluminos and X-Reality but the new model also adds something called Dynamic Contrast Enhancer and more importantly, HDR.

The inclusion of HDR should mean the XZ Premium will offer better colour vibrancy and contrast compared to the Z5 Premium, though as the resolution is the same, the crispness and sharpness of the two displays should be on par.

• What is Mobile HDR?

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Camera

• XZ Premium has new Motion Eye camera
• Higher resolution front camera on XZ Premium
• Super slow motion video recording on XZ Premium

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium features Sony’s new Motion Eye rear camera, offering a 19-megapixel sensor with 1.22µm pixels, along with a 13-megapixel front-facing camera with an aperture of f/2.0.

The rear camera is capable of 4K video recording, along with super slow motion video capture at 960fps. It also offers various technologies including Predictive Capture, Predictive Hybrid Autofocus and five-axis stabilisation.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium on the other hand, has a 23-megapixel rear camera with an aperture of f/2.0 and phase detection autofocus, coupled with a 5.1-megapixel front facing camera with an aperture of f/2.4.

The Z5 Premium is also capable of 4K video recording and it has a number of Sony features on board again, though it misses out on the new 960fps super slow-motion video feature.

• Sony Xperia Z5 Premium review

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Hardware

• Newer, faster processor on XZ Premium
• More RAM and storage on XZ Premium
• Larger battery capacity on Z5 Premium

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium features the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835 chipset, supported by 4GB of RAM and 64GB of storage.

There is microSD on board for further storage expansion and a 3230mAh battery runs the show, coupled with Sony’s Stamina Mode and Battery Care software working in the background.

The Sony Xperia Z5 Premium has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor under its hood, along with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. Again, microSD is on board, along with a slightly larger battery than the XZ Premium at 3430mAh.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Software

• Both will have Android Nougat

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium launches on Android Nougat with Sony’s software on top. The Xperia Z5 Premium launched on Android Marshmallow but it is upgradable to Android Nougat so the software should be very similar once the Z5 Premium is updated.

There will be a couple of extra features on the XZ Premium over the Z5 Premium, such as the slow motion video function, but the overall user experience between these two handsets will be familiar for Sony fans.

Sony Xperia XZ Premium vs Xperia Z5 Premium: Conclusion

The Sony Xperia XZ Premium features a more seamless design, along with camera enhancements, and display improvements. It also brings with it a more powerful processor, a little extra RAM and more storage.

The Xperia Z5 Premium might be smaller and lighter, while also offering a larger battery capacity, but it doesn’t have everything Sony has to offer. It is likely to drop in price when the XZ Premium hits shelves though so if you’re just interested in the 4K display rather than the latest camera and hardware, it could still be a good option for you.

Lenovo’s new Android tablets are ready for kids and workers

If it wasn’t already clear that Lenovo is trying to cover every conceivable tablet niche, it is now. The tech giant has just introduced Tab 4 and Tab 4 Plus models that theoretically please everyone on a budget, ranging from parents to the productivity-minded. The 8- and 10-inch editions in each range can use an optional Kids Pack (a shock-resistant case, screen protectors and a blue light filter) to ready themselves for your little one’s playtime. Suddenly, Amazon’s Fire HD Kids tablets have fresh competition. And if you spring for one of the 10-inch tablets, there’s a Productivity Pack whose Bluetooth keyboard and matching case automatically switch you to a work-oriented mode. No one will mistake the combo for a Surface, but it should be enough to get some quick office work done.

The two lines share little in common besides screen sizes and add-ons. The standard Tab 4 models have basic 1,280 x 800 displays, entry-level Snapdragon 425 processors, 2GB of RAM, 16GB or 32GB of storage, 5-megapixel rear cameras and 2-megapixel front shooters. You’ll probably want to spring for the Tab 4 Plus instead — both Plus variants have 1,920 x 1,200 screens, speedier Snapdragon 625 chips, 3GB or GB of RAM, up to 64GB of storage and fingerprint readers. The Plus models both felt sturdier and more premium during a recent demo at Mobile World Congress, thanks to the glass covering on their backs. There’s also an option for LTE data on all four slates.

You’ll have to wait until May to get any of these devices, but they’re definitely affordable. The entry Tab 4 series tablets cost $109 and $149 in their 8- and 10-inch forms, while even the Plus versions are still frugal at $199 and $249. The add-ons aren’t that pricey, either. The Kids Pack costs $20 or $25 depending on your tablet size, and the Productivity Pack, which offered decent key travel at the recent demo, is still reasonable at $50.

If you prefer Windows 10, there’s a low-cost tablet waiting in the wings. The 10-inch, keyboard-equipped Miix 320 won’t blow anyone away with its 1,920 x 1,200 display, Atom X5 processor, 4GB of max RAM, 128GB of peak storage, 5-megapixel rear camera and 2-megapixel front cam. However, it starts at an entirely reasonable $200. And did we mention that there’s the option of LTE here as well? If you’re just looking for the essentials in a detachable Windows PC and think you might need cellular access, this may be worth putting on the short list.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

Source: Lenovo

Lenovo’s latest Yoga 2-in-1 packs uncommonly fast graphics

With most 2-in-1 laptops, you’re giving up any hope of running games or other graphics-intensive apps — if there are dedicated graphics at all, they’re usually too slow for more than the basics. Lenovo thinks it can do better. It’s unveiling the Yoga 720, and its 15-inch variant is supposedly the most powerful convertible in its class. Max it out and you can get a 4K display, a 7th-generation Core i7 processor and (most importantly) GeForce GTX 1050 graphics. It’s still not a powerhouse, but it’s uncommonly gaming-friendly for a PC that can double as a tablet.

The system also touts Thunderbolt 3, up to 16GB of RAM, a 1TB hard drive (or 512GB SSD), a 9-hour peak battery life (8 hours with 4K) and the option of an active stylus. And if that’s overkill, there’s a smaller 13-inch version with integrated graphics, SSD-only storage and an 8-hour battery. Both models are due in April, starting at $860 for the 13-inch system (with a 1080p screen) and $1,100 for the brawnier 15-inch rig.

Lenovo is also introducing a middle child of sorts. The Flex 5 (Yoga 520 outside the US) splits the size difference at 14 inches, and can ship with GeForce 940MX graphics if you need a little more visual prowess than Intel’s built-in solution. You’re stuck with a 1080p screen, but this is the longevity champ of the three with a 10-hour battery pack. It’s the more affordable of the bunch, too, starting at $800 when it ships in May.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.

Source: Lenovo

Alcatel made an affordable modular phone studded with LEDs

We learned at CES this year that it simply isn’t enough for affordable phones to just offer low prices anymore. And Alcatel, which is perhaps one of the most well-known budget phone makers, has chosen a compelling means to differentiate itself in this space. The new Alcatel A5 is a sub-$300 Android device that has modular components in a style that’s similar to Moto’s Mods. Although we don’t know the official price and availability of the A5 yet, Alcatel did say the new handset falls into its pre-existing midrange Pop family of devices, which typically cost between $150 and $200.

The most fun module of the three that will be available at launch is an LED case that lets you show colorful light animations on the back of the phone. You can use the onboard Light Show app to pick one of the preset options, customize your own design or set the case to light up when notifications arrive on your phone. If you choose that last setting, the LED shell will, for example, display a blue background with the letter F on it when you get a Facebook alert and a yellow background with the letter S for incoming Snapchats. We couldn’t fully test this during our demo, since those apps weren’t installed on our preview unit, but the custom and preset animations were certainly eye-catching (not to mention ridiculously fun). But as they’re just for decoration, they’re not exactly useful.

Each module is basically a case for the phone with an embedded POGO connector that you snap on to the device. On their own, the shells felt light and almost flimsy, but once I attached them onto the phone, they felt sturdy. The backs were relatively easy to swap out, too, using a groove and the bottom right corner of the phone. The other two modules that we saw at our demo are an impressively slim 3,000-mAh battery add-on and a speaker case with a kickstand that boosts the volume and quality of music playback. It’s not yet clear if these will be available at launch, but it’s obvious Alcatel has some ideas in mind for expanding the accessory ecosystem.

Another fun tool that the A5 offers is what the company calls a “color capture” camera. It’s basically an updated app that will identify two main colors of whatever you point the phone at — whether it’s a vibrant painting that you like or your outfit for the day — and generate themes for your interface based on that input. The software struggled in our demo to find colors that were relatively muted, but that’s more likely because of the poor lighting at the location than a problem with the app. Once it identified the bright red of a lanyard I selected, the app created a swirly black-and-red wallpaper and changed the colors of icons for apps such as Messages, Phone and even Facebook and Instagram. Again, like the LED light case, this isn’t a particularly helpful feature, but it’s nice for those who frequently get bored of the way their phone looks.

Other than the color capture feature and modularity, the rest of the A5’s specs are pretty underwhelming, although expected for the anticipated price. It sports a MediaTek 6753 processor, a 5.2-inch 1280 x 720 display and runs Android 6.0 Marshmallow. Its 2,800-mAh battery is decent for the price range, but we don’t have a runtime estimate for that yet.

Alcatel says it will continue to work on modular add-ons, so hopefully we’ll get to see more options in the near future. All accessories should be available for purchase online, but the packages you can buy with the phones will vary across different countries. For now, though, the device and its potential applications for those on a budget is promising.

Click here to catch up on the latest news from MWC 2017.