Leak points to Xperia P successor with high-end specs and a 4,240 mAh battery

Remember the Xperia P? We don’t blame you if you don’t. The device launched in February 2012 along the Xperia U and it was supposed to be the “middle child” in Sony’s NXT trio of devices. The mid-ranger received a tepid welcoming and it soon faded off the radar, especially after Sony adopted a brand new design concept with the Xperia Z.

Now if a report out of China is accurate, Sony could be resurrecting the Xperia P line in the form of the P2: a device sporting a similar design, top specs, and a massive 4,240 mAh battery.

The leak consists of an alleged render of the device, along with specifications and precise dimensions.

The Xperia P2 will reportedly feature a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 3GB of RAM, 32GB of storage space, a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a 12.1MP rear camera, a 5.1MP front camera, and a positively huge 4,240 mAh battery.

If these specs are true and there really is a P2 coming, the device would be a dream machine for many users. That battery alone would put the Xperia P2 in very select company.

According to the leaked schematics, the device will be between 8.9 mm and 10.9 mm thick, suggesting there will be a curved back. It’s been years since any Android flagship went over 10 mm in thickness, but with a battery like that, the compromise may be worth it.

Now let’s talk design – the leak claims the P2 will feature a design that closely resembles the 2012 Xperia P (and S, and U), with a “chin” at the bottom separated from the screen by what appears to be a metallic strip. The big difference is the almost edge-to-edge screen, resembling the Sharp Aquos Crystal, with a slightly higher bezel at the top, hosting the front camera and a speaker.

Now, there’s nothing that screams “fake” about this leak, but we’re a bit skeptical that it’s real and accurate. Why would Sony reuse a three-year old design that has failed to really impress users the fast time around? And why would Sony complicate its life by releasing another high-end smartphone besides the Xperia Z4?

You could argue that Sony is just trying to shake things up, and that it hopes that a thick device with a massive battery will stand on its own and not cannibalize the Xperia Z line.

Or, this leak is just another wild goose chase.

Tell us what you think about this Xperia P2 leak? Credible or not? Would you buy it if Sony made it?

Sony wants a piece of the entry-level Indian market

Sony announced it will focus on the high-end segment in order to bring its smartphone business to profit, but it seems the company is willing to make exceptions for markets such as India, where low prices are essential.

Speaking to ET Tech, Sony India managing director Kenichiro Hibi said Sony is planning to compete in the cutthroat Indian entry-level market against opponents like Xiaomi, Asus, Motorola, and Google’s Android One, and dozens of local players. Because India is growing at a fast pace, Sony sees the country as “completely different” from the global market, so it’s going to release phones costing Rs 8,000-10,000 ($125 to $160), a range Sony doesn’t target in other countries.

In order to target the low-price segment, Sony considers releasing devices that are exclusive to India and manufacturing phones locally.

Sony’s latest launch in India is the Xperia E4g, an LTE variant of the mid-range Xperia E4 listed in India Rs 13,290 ($213). While relatively inexpensive, the E4g (and other devices Sony may launch here) faces stiff competition. Just last week, for instance, Xiaomi introduced the arguably superior Xiaomi Mi 4i at a starting price of Rs. 12,999.

As for the global market, Sony raised some eyebrows with the Japan-only Xperia Z4, while the company is doubling down on marketing the Xperia Z3 in the rest of the world.

Do you think Sony stands a chance in India?