Xperia Z5 press renders leaked, 23-megapixel camera on-board

Sony fans eager for some new news with on the upcoming Xperia Z5 will be pleased to know that a new set of leaks has dripped from the faucet. This time, the offerings are literally of an official nature, despite the fact the phone itself is still on the DL. According to Xperia Blog, Sony Mobile made a bit of a snafu earlier today when it posted a series of images seemingly set for press purposes.

The highlight for all those camera aficionados out there, is that it now seems all but officially confirmed by Sony that the Z5 will feature an impressive 23-megapixel rear shooter. Take a look:

The prospect of an improved camera will no doubt be a major boon to all those who were disappointed with the Xperia Z4/Z3+, which actually made use of the same one found in last year’s Xperia Z3. Given the stunning images that photographers -both amateur and professional alike- have been able to take with the existing unit, the potential for an even better one will no doubt make the wait for next week’s IFA 2015, where the device is allegedly going to launch, all the more difficult.

At the same time however, those hoping for some semblance of a new design might be left out in the cold:

The device, as pictured above, looks remarkably similar to those that came before it. The phone still retains the same rectangular shape Sony has used since its origin, though again with the newer rounded edges. Ports can also be seen along the bottom end of the device, sans flap, which looks like the smartphone will once again achieve its waterproofing primarily through sealing them rather than covering.

Indeed it looks to match up perfectly with the leaked images that had been circulating the internet:

As can be found in the above image, though not visible from today’s cache, the Xperia Z5 is expected to have a fingerprint sensor built into the power button. The button, in turn, will now be flat as opposed to the circular protrusion that had graced the previous models in the series.

It’s that time again

Given that Xperia Z4/Z3+ is only a few months old, and Verizon’s variant hasn’t even released yet, the idea of another Xperia flagship hitting the pavement might be a bit much to take in, though presumably many opted to skip the latest iteration in favor of whatever this one might bring. Clearly the wait for a new design appears to require some additional patience.

In terms of specs, the rumors are all over the place. Some have actually suggested the Z5 will feature a 4K display, a claim that seems without any merit whatsoever. The General Manager of Sony Mobile Taiwan was literally quoted, stating there were no plans to release even a QHD smartphone panel. Even the Verizon-altered Z4v is just the first smartphone in the OEM’s entire history to make use of QHD. To imagine a bump up to 4K would seemingly be defiant of the very product that would allegedly have it.

Given that the Snapdragon 820 is not yet ready, it’s possible the Z5 could once again go with the 810, or else step down to the 808 like LG did with the G4. Other rumors also indicate it will have 3GB or 4GB of RAM and an 8-megapixel front camera, along with 4K upscaling software and a seemingly impossible 4500mAh battery.

Ultimately we need to wait until next week to see if the phone will be officially unveiled or not, but things are definitely looking like a photo finish to be sure! The real question though: is this the phone Made for Bond?

Sony Xperia Z5 press images leak out ahead of IFA announcement

Sony‘s never been particularly good at keeping secrets, and the latest leak consisting of Sony Xperia Z5 press images just reiterates that. While there’s very little to show in the images themselves, we can see from the content that Sony is trying to show off two key features – waterproofing, which the Xperia line has had as long as anyone cares to remember, and the new camera sensor that will give the Xperia Z5 hybrid autofocus. How well this autofocus actually works is another question entirely, but it’s clear that Sony wants to make it a selling point. Check out all the leaked images below:

In terms of design, we’re probably looking at a device that hasn’t deviated from that of the Xperia Z4 very much, if at all – that seems to be Sony’s style nowadays – so we’ll have to see if they have something up their sleeve that we haven’t heard about yet. We won’t have long to wait as Sony will be holding a press conference at IFA 2015 in Berlin and we’re 99% certain that the Xperia Z5 will be headlining the event.

What do you think about these Sony Xperia Z5 press images?

Source: XperiaBlog

The post Sony Xperia Z5 press images leak out ahead of IFA announcement appeared first on AndroidSPIN.

Could an Xperia “Made for Bond” signal a major Z5 redesign?

There is a new James Bond film coming out this year, and unless you want things spoiled it’s best to exercise caution when uncovering the super spy’s spoiler-filled trailers. Sony however, is quite eager to start the hype train running on a mysterious new product that will apparently appear in the film:

digi-wo

Given that this pair of images do not come directly from Sony, there is ultimately no way to guarantee their authenticity; given the relative simplicity it would be quite easy to fake them. Assuming they are real however, it asks the question of just what is being teased.

The Number 5

The presence of the number “5” would immediately suggest the device will be the Xperia Z5, a product that would make sense given Japan’s semi-annual product refresh cycle. It is all but assured the Z5 will release, though how Sony might rebrand it for the outside world is another story given the existence of the Z3+.

The Z5 would also be the most likely product for the simple reason that James Bond is a big franchise and Sony has always made it a point to have key product placement in the movies with branding prominently visible. It could be used for its intended purpose as a communications device, or perhaps even as a futuristic prototype developed by Q.

“Built for Bond”

In considering what it actually means to be “Built for Bond”, one might think of the most advanced R&D imaginable: the Mach 5 of mobiles. Perhaps most relevant of all however, is a leaked email from last year that openly stated neither Spectre’s Director, Sam Mendes, or Bond himself, Daniel Craig, actually see the Xperia brand as fitting for 007 to use:

BEYOND the $$ factor, there is, as you may know, a CREATIVE factor whereby…[Mendes] and [Craig] don’t like the Sony phone for the film (the thinking, subjectively/objectively is that James Bond only uses the “best,” and in their minds, the Sony phone is not the “best”).”

This admission, along with the alleged $5,000,000 Sony had to pay Daniel Craig to use the phone would certainly suggest they want to get their money’s worth, and in doing that it definitely needs to make a big impact device. Given that the Z4 proved to be little more than what Sony truly branded it as globally, a Z3+, there were certainly a fare share of disappointed fans. Many were expecting it to be a radically redesigned flagship that would truly allow Sony to play with the “big boys” on the mass market radar. 

Perhaps lending more credibility to this theory, there are two additional issues to consider:

Earlier this year, pictures of a phone that was believed to be the (then) upcoming Z4 were leaked that showed a slightly modified design. The images, said to have originated from a pitch Sony made for the Bond movie, show a phone, “The Elemental” which looked to have had a metal frame. The power button however, still looked true to the Xperia Z design language.

Additionally, a second leaked picture was revealed along with the aforementioned emails that contained Mendes’ rather unfavorable opinion of the “Sony phone”. This product’s intentions were even less clear; it could have been a prototype mockup, it could have been a working model, it could have been nothing more than just a design render. Still, the look is even more drastically different than “The Elemental” has.

Ultimately the question is just what Sony plans to do with this pair of products, if anything at all. It’s possible they were nothing more than ideas for what became the Z4/Z3+. It’s also possible they were deliberately held off for consideration with Spectre tie-in promotion and release this creating the less inspired Z4 that actually released.

Ironically there is another question asked as well, namely just how receptive the public would be of these phones should they ever materialize. “The Elemental” actually looks rather similar to the current Z-series, and in some ways, the second phone looks almost like a step back in terms of design language; almost too Samsung Galaxy Tab 4-esque with the sliver of chrome (plastic?) that rings around the frame’s perimeter. Do either of them look cool enough for the mainstream customer to use, let alone James Bond himself?

Sony Style

In light of Sony Mobile’s optimistic views of the future and assurance it’s not going anywhere, there could potentially be some big success for the Z5 if it can come packing heat. The Xperia Z4v (pictured below) is actually a good place to start thanks to the souped up internals it has, namely a QHD display – the first ever to be used on a Sony smartphone. The design is another element that many want to see altered, given that the previous four models are relatively unchanged compared to say, the differences between the Samsung Galaxy S5 and S6.

The Xperia Z4v has some extra points of interest going for it, but is ultimately still similar to the past 3 models.

Still, we caution readers not to get too optimistic. Even if Sony were to have made the pictures, there could technically be any letter proceeding the number 5. It could be the E5 for example, or even the M5 to reference the famous motorway from where James Bond calls home. It could also be an all-together product, perhaps an Xperia “X5″, though if said device was going to launch a new series of products it would be best to eliminate a numeral entirely less it be seen as in the same vein as the current existing lines.

Please also keep in mind that this entire piece is ultimately just speculation based on likely or potential possibilities. Considering that Sony actually used an Xperia T-series in Skyfall, there really is no telling just what it might actually be planning.

At the very least we can hope that this potential product will usher in a new era for Sony Mobile, one that finally gives it the very oomph and appeal needed to stabilize its situation and start earning market share in countries other than its own, where it comes in second only to the iPhone.

Verizon will release the Sony Xperia Z4v on August 13th

If you’re going to be late to the party, it’s best to make a grand entrance. Such is true in life, and indeed for smartphones as well. Sony’s latest flagship, the Xperia Z4/Z3+ has already seen release across the globe, with the solid exception being North America. Now granted the device can be had from some established marketplaces, but those looking for an on-contract deal have nowhere to turn. Thankfully, Sony itself has confirmed that Verizon Wireless is set to release the Sony Xperia Z4v in a little over a month. August 13th to be precise.

While the Xperia Z4/Z3+ has received more than its fair share of publicity (most of it not good), the Verizon-variant is quite possibly the feature flagship that Sony could have and should have released around the world. Included is the first – and so-far only – QHD (2560X1440) display on an Xperia smartphone at 5.2 inches, a slightly larger battery than the standard Z4/Z3+ at 3,000mAh, and dual-mode Qi and PMA wireless charging, also absent from the standard model. Aside from those three unique points, the Z4v also includes a Snapdragon 810 SoC, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of on-board memory, a 20.7 megapixel rear/5 megapixel front camera, IP65 and IP68 ratings for water and dust protection, and microSD card support.

Don’t hate me because I’m beautiful: the Verizon Xperia Z4v has a gorgeous QHD display to offer its potential purchasers. Sony fans around the world may look on it with immense envy.

Pricing on the device is still up-in-the-air, but Verizon will likely supply the cash-factor details as we get closer to the launch, as well as the possibility of any tie-in promotions or such that could theoretically be offered.

Given that Sony Mobile’s CEO has recently informed the world that his company has no plans to disappear, the Xperia Z4v looks like an even stronger offering. The question is, however, just how many takers it will get being carrier exclusive. At the very least Sony should have offered a device with similar specs for the global market, though perhaps that’s the plan for the Z5. Any Verizon customers planning to pick this up? Leave us a comment below and let us know!

Sony partners with Twitch to broadcast from Xperia devices

Gaming is a key part of Sony’s broader strategy and the company has been gradually integrating gaming features with its Xperia line-up of smartphones and tablets. The latest development sees Sony partner up with Twitch, a popular video streaming platform focused on gaming.

Sony has developed an app that brings in-device broadcasting to your Android device, allowing you to stream your Android games directly to your Twitch audience. With over 35 million Twitch mobile app installs alone, there are plenty of people watching out there.

However, the app will only be available for Sony’s latest handsets, the Xperia Z3+, Xperia Z4, Xperia Z4v and the Xperia Z4 Tablet. Unfortunately, we don’t know if Sony will be brining the service to other handsets in the future.

“By partnering with an innovator like Sony Mobile … we are able to ensure our community has more avenues to embrace their passion.” – Brooke Van Dusen, Director of Business Development, Twitch

This isn’t actually the first time that Sony has teamed up with a big video partner for live streaming. The same application already works with a Youtube account. Essentially, the app uploads your Xperia screen in real time to either Youtube or Twitch.

In a previous effort to win over gamers, Sony introduced WiFi network streaming to its Xperia flagship line-up, which it calls Remote Play. This allows Playstation 4 owners to stream and play their console games on their Sony Android device over their home WiFi network.

The Live Screen Streaming app is available to download from the Google Play Store for free. If you’re keen to see what Twitch is all about, be sure to check out the official Android Authority channel, hosted by our very own Joe Hindy.

Sony Mobile CEO: “We will never ever sell or exit from the current mobile business.”

For the better part of the current millennium, Sony has been in a perpetual state of financial turmoil. While some core businesses like gaming are safe and secure, fans need only to look at the VAIO brand to feel a twinge of pain. As far as the mobile market goes, the situation has been far less stable, with reports usually indicating a bleak future. Still, there are many around the world who cherish and respect the Sony brand name, and who covet the flagship Xperia Z series for its solid construction and state-of-the-art camera technology. We have weighed in on the situation before, as well as offered various commentaries on the outlook. In a recent interview with Arabian Business, Sony Mobile’s current CEO, Hiroki Totoki, had a chance to sit down and set the story straight.

What was said…

Sony Mobile’s CEO gave a very candid interview recently.

Arabian Business

The report is spans quite a number of topics, including details about the background and initial struggles that Totoki faced upon his promotion by Sony CEO Kazuo Hirai. Most importantly however, it contains a very clear answer to the question that endlessly resurfaces in rumors and reports: “Will Sony bow out of the mobile industry?” The answer is essentially, no. More specifically, Totoki explained that, “Smartphones are completely connected to other devices, also connected to people’s lives — deeply. And the opportunity for diversification is huge. We’re heading to the IoT (Internet of Things) era and have to produce a number of new categories of products in this world, otherwise we could lose out on a very important business domain. In that sense we will never ever sell or exit from the current mobile business.”

We’re heading to the IoT (Internet of Things) era and have to produce a number of new categories of products in this world, otherwise we could lose out on a very important business domain. In that sense we will never ever sell or exit from the current mobile business.”

In reading through the interview, the CEO gives a very candid, honest look at just why the world has essentially written off the future of his division. The issue is largely related to the 2014 “write-off of the goodwill of our impairment asset [from] when we bought back [100% of] Ericsson’s share [in 2012].” He notes that “we had to write it down and it made a substantial loss for the company. [but] this was an accounting loss and did not impact our cash flow. Our cash flow is very healthy. But the accounting loss was so huge — that’s why people have speculated like this.” He also cites the sale of the VAIO brand as another cause for concern, adding that it “led people to think that Sony would exit the smartphone business, as well. But the smartphone business is very different from PCs.”

Does the Sony Smartwarch series still have the capacity to compete with the likes of the LG Watch Urbane or Moto 360?

Also mentioned is the smartwatch segment, where Mr. Totoki explains that “those types of devices, and that side of the industry have become huge…Now we try to develop smart devices that are connected to the smartphone. In the future there will be categories of products that will connect to the network, connect machine to machine, connect machine to human, and connect human to human. That sort of connectivity will expand and we will try to develop even more categories in the future. That’s one major focus for this company. It’s a big future strategy.”

Acknowledging the growing ‘insurrection’ among rival OEMs, the CEO explained that “the smartphone device consists of a battery and a screen and chips. These are the main parts of a smartphone, and people can easily make them now. But it is the user experience that is not the same. Even if the device is the same, the user experience is different. And this is a very important point. People are not buying a smartphone because of the device and the way it looks — they are buying it because of the experience.”

…and what wasn’t.

While the cool, collected confidence that Mr. Totoki seems to exude is certainly a welcome sign of optimism, the challenges that the company faces are quite large, to say the least. While Sony has continued to produce quality hardware that provides excellent value-for-money, the sad reality is that most consumers aren’t using its products. Depending on the region, this may be a result of poor availability (i.e. North America) or else aggressive competition (i.e. China and India). With respect to the U.S. market, take for example the following data:

comScore mobiLens

Not only is Sony absent from the Top 5 OEM listing, but in examining HTC’s marketshare at just 3.8% in February 2015, even were Sony to be #6, the percentage would be arguably a trivial one at best. Still, Sony’s main market is not the USA as evident by the lack of availability of the new Xperia Z3+ (and seemingly all other handsets). The company has decided to release it only on Verizon, and a modified, enhanced version of it no less. Other devices, such as the Xperia M, Xperia T, Xperia E (and so on) are nowhere to be seen leaving more price-conscious customers to gobble up offerings by Huawei, Motorola, or LG. Sony is arguably missing some very big potential here, as its brand name recognition would do wonders against mid-to-low end devices of similar offerings by “lesser” manufacturers.

So what about its home, then? As a Japanese company, Sony should seemingly be doing well in its home territory, yet sales data from December of 2014 indicated that wasn’t the case either:

Counterpoint

The caveat again, however, is market penetration: Sony sells a relatively few number of devices in its home country, and they are essentially all top-tier products. As Japan has the third largest economy in the world, consumers aren’t so actively motivated to seek out entry-level smartphones and thus carriers in the Land of the Rising Sun don’t offer them. While it is quite common to see the Sony logo on smartphones while walking around Tokyo or riding a commuter train, by-and-large the lion’s share of sales go to Apple.

This of course leaves the markets of Europe, Asia, the Middle East, and Africa, where Sony actively releases many lower-end products that don’t see release in the previous two. India, now considered to be the “new China” as far as market potential goes, has an absolutely stunning number of OEMs competing for a piece of the pie, and as can be seen below, Sony is clearly not one of the major ones:

IDC Asia

This is not to say Sony’s future is bleak or insurmountable mind you, rather these charts are simply demonstrating the uphill battle the Japanese OEM faces if it seeks to become a major player in the mobile world. It’s worth pointing out, however, that technically speaking Sony doesn’t need to be in the Top 3 listing to be profitable; there is enough money to be made from selling lower-end hardware to millions upon millions of consumers in China, India, Brazil, Indonesia, and others that it can still do well enough as “just another” OEM. The problem thus, is largely relegated to the pride and prejudice with which consumers view and judge the Sony brand from past experiences.

The ‘taboos’

Another issue not mentioned, but which many Sony fans no doubt feel strongly about, is the seemingly disorganized, disconnected manner in which Sony Mobile operates on a global scale. Since the release of Android Lollipop alone, there has been at least one major PR mishap that spurred outrage among Xperia lovers. When a Tweet appeared (see above) on Sony’s official Xperia stream and informed readers that only the Z series devices would be updated to Android 5.0, commentators were furious to say the least. While this proved to be absolutely false, at the end of the day such a damaging Tweet should never have been posted in the first place.

Then of course, there was the removal of the Xperia Z3 from T-Mobile’s line-up only for it to resurface again without warning, but with a price-cut. The Z3+ however, remains totally absent. It’s difficult to say just what was going on here in truth, as T-Mobile might have mistakenly pulled it (though given the time frame it was unavailable this seems unlikely), Sony might have wanted it removed and had a change of heart, etc. The incident did unfortunately, inadvertently imply that the Uncarrier might have been replacing it with the Z3+ and hence some customers were no doubt disappointed when it was relisted.

Color me bad: the Verizon Xperia Z4v has a gorgeous QHD display to offer its potential purchasers. Those stuck with the “standard” Z3+/Z4 may not be so delighted.

Another questionable PR snafu was this past May when Jonathan Lin, General Manager of Sony Mobile Taiwan, publicly stated the company had no intention of making a QHD smartphone: “At the moment, making the move to 2K technology on 5- to 5.5-inch screens does not seem able to achieve market segmentation, so we have no plans to launch 2K phones [and that it would require] “significant improvements in display quality and digital image processing technology.” While the user benefits of a QHD display may be a topic up for debate, the adamant decision hardly won over any Xperia fans hoping their OEM would make devices on-par with leading competitors. Then, once again, reality proved the admission false as Verizon proceeded to announce the Xperia Z4v which, among several enhancements over the standard Z3+/Z4, includes a QHD display. (We can only guess as to what will pan out with the decision to forgo USB Type-C for the near future.)

Indeed the Z3+/Z4 itself is somewhat of a taboo for Sony, as the company has been on a major PR offensive to explain everything from why it exists period to dealing with the pervasive criticism that the Snapdragon 810 CPU contained inside it causes overheating issues. And then there is the naming issue. The device itself has faced rather sharp criticism from fans and pundits alike due to the perceived shortcomings and questionable nature of its ability to positively affect the company’s bottom line. These stem almost exclusively from its remarkable similarities to the Z3 which came before it. Many fans were expecting something more profound, more unique, and more original, especially amid talk of shifting to a longer release cycle for the Z flagships and the rumors of a truly new flagship device.

On a final note, with respect to the smartwatch market segment, Mr. Totoki was quite eager to mention Sony’s early adoption of the wearable platform, however nothing was said with respect to sales figures. Given that Sony’s offerings are of a decidedly different nature than say, the LG Watch Urbane or even the Moto 360, it remains to be seen just what the next iteration will bring to the table. A lot of developments have happened with Android Wear devices since the launch of the Smartwatch 3, and Sony will need to step up its game if it wants to stand out.

Much to do about something

It’s quite interesting to see what a difference time can make: It seems like only yesterday that Kaz Hirai was waxing poetic about potential alliances in the “highly volatile” mobile business sector and his thoughts on the next three years of business. Said interview prompted more than a few people to start counting down a proverbial “doomsday clock” of sorts until Sony would possibly make such a bold announcement as partnering with another OEM or outright offloading the business unit entirely. And who could forget the talk that started when word spread of the VAIO Corporation’s plans to release a phone and what that might have entailed.

While many of us at Android Authority have shared our thoughts on the decline of Sony Mobile, no one here, or perhaps anywhere for that matter, wants to see Sony fail or falter. The company has produced some of the most iconic, innovative digital devices of the modern age and the world needs it to continue to pave the way forward with new technology and techniques. The recent interview with Sony Mobile’s CEO couldn’t have came at a better time and, while we won’t know for sure what the future holds for the Japanese maker, it’s clear that it has no intention of stepping aside no matter how loud the skeptics are. Here’s to the future.

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