Why the Xperia Z4 makes perfect sense… for Japan
Take a look at the Xperia Z4: is it really such a bad phone?
It’s been less than 24 hours since Sony officially unveiled the Xperia Z4, and to say the media’s reaction has been “subdued” might be an understatement. Our own Nirave Gondhia questioned why the company would release a product that isn’t the major redesign that so many hoped for, and in truth, he’s not alone. While the dreams of many are certainly dashed, there are a few important things to understand about the Z4, which need to be elaborated on.
Please note that I am merely playing devil’s advocate here, for the sake of journalistic argument; this piece should not be viewed as a representation of my own personal feelings on Sony, its products, or its current situation.
Sony announced this product in Japan, for Japan
The Xperia Z4 was not announced as a global device, nor was it announced at some grandiose international media event like MWC. The device is, as it stands now, aimed at Japanese consumers in Japan. Before continuing further, please have a look at the following diagram:
There are two main take away points from this chart:
1. As of December 2014, Sony had a larger smartphone market share than any other company in Japan, save for Apple. Arguably, its market share was larger than that of Fujitsu, Sharp, and Samsung combined.
2. Sony’s market share picked up as last summer began, peaked in July, and then began to decline afterwords. It gradually began to recover in October.
Suffice to say, Japanese consumers like to buy Sony products, and like to buy Sony phones. The rest of the world seems to as well, though: when was the last time the tech press slammed one, let alone gave a disparaging review? Even with the Z4, the initial backlash seems to be more about the design than anything else.
Looking at Sony’s market share for 2013, it becomes more clear that whatever the company was doing here in the past year, it certainly paid off:
It’s also important to be aware that Japan has a semi-annual mobile phone release schedule: late Spring/early Summer, and late Fall/early Winter. The devices are occasionally staggered, such that a Winter model announced in November might not actually release until February. In more recent times, there have been “on-offs”, wherein a carrier releases a single product that doesn’t fit into a more systematic release schedule. Nonetheless, just because the world-at-large wants a single flagship per year doesn’t mean Japan does, and remember: the Xperia Z4 is for Japan.
Sony has Samsung to content with
Samsung is releasing a phone here in just a few days. Sony needs to do something to prevent its market share from potentially eroding.
Let’s also consider the logic behind the announcement of the Z4. Some have already mentioned that the Xperia Z4 was allegedly going to have a metal build, or that it was supposed to be much more than what was announced. As the rumor goes, due to production or design issues, the radical redesign was going to see the device slipping to the end of 2015. Consider this for a second; if it’s true, it makes perfect sense to release something rather than nothing, a decision perhaps not unlike that which HTC made when the One M9 was given the green light.
But let’s not forget one other thing: Samsung. Despite the fact that Samsung has an extremely small market share in Japan, it also is just a few days away from the launch of the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge here in Japan. Despite the removal of the Samsung branding from the devices in Japan (something which I wrote about earlier and which the media-at-large has now realized), the only new phones currently announced for release this month by either NTT docomo or au by KDDI are Samsung’s, and that is most certainly going to get a lot of attention from the media.
Even if Samsung’s name is nowhere to be seen, the Galaxy sure is.
Now consider Sony’s situation: it knows Japanese customers like the Xperia brand, but it has nothing new to offer at the moment. Unless it announces something big, there is a risk of Samsung taking part of its market share. This goes double for people whose contracts are expiring, and thus are eager to get a new phone now. Samsung has the only new phone to get, and the vast majority of the world’s consumer audience isn’t as attuned to mobile tech as some are and won’t think about what else might be coming later.
Sony announced the Xperia Z4 just days before the release of the new Galaxy phones. Not the press release mind you, but the actual release. This strategy is brilliant, as it ensures everyone is talking about Sony and the Xperia Z4 when all attention would otherwise be focused on the upcoming Samsung products. Had Sony made the announcement just after the Galaxy devices were announced for Japan, the talk would have died down by now, and people would be again focused on Samsung.
The only new products NTT docomo has to offer for months now are the Galaxy S6 and S6 Edge… at the moment.
Think about it: you don’t know much about phones, but want to get a new one. You’re going to consider the Galaxy S6 Edge, but then see a report on TV tonight that announces the Xperia Z4 Suddenly you’re eager to wait for Sony’s product to release, if only for the ability to compare it with the Galaxy. Alternatively, maybe Sony doesn’t care if you buy the Xperia Z4 in the end or not, but by making it easier to wait, it is thereby diminishing the likelihood of your running out to get a Galaxy.
What’s the problem with the Xperia Z4 anyway?
This leaked image appears to have been legit. Does the phone really look that bad? Not really.
The last major point to discuss is the actual nature of the Xperia Z4 in-and-of-itself. There’s nothing exactly wrong with it. The specs are top notch: it has a slightly thinner profile than its predecessor, it’s slightly lighter, it has a Snapdragon 810 and 3GB of RAM, and a 5.1 megapixel front camera. In terms of the other specs, they are basically a retread of the Xperia Z3 with a 5.2 inch Full HD screen, and a 20.7 megapixel rear camera. Of course it’s waterproof and dustproof. Honestly speaking, what exactly is the problem with these specs?
Considering that HTC released a similar device as the One M9 and is charging full price for it, why can’t Sony as well? Heck, the Xperia Z4 has minor aesthetic changes (such as the placement of the front speakers) and the same fantastic camera rear camera that was present on the Z3. HTC on the other hand, has received a lot of flack for the poor performance the M9’s camera is putting forth.
So this leaves the big question: what exactly is so bad about the Z4? Sure the design isn’t exactly that inspired considering what came before it, but other than that, is there really any problem?
Outlook
The menacing monolith is perhaps designed for super sales in Japan.
While the Xperia Z4 isn’t a radically redesigned phone, it is a new offering, and has top-notch specs. The device will definitely appeal to Japanese consumers who like Sony, who want a new phone, who like cameras, and who might be on the fence about the Galaxy S6. If I had to wager a guess, I’d say it will do quite well here, especially given that the Xperia Z2 and Z3 seemed to do quite well and they were also quite similar, especially with respect to the design.
As for the device that everyone things will “save Sony“, it might be just a pipe dream at best. Or perhaps it does exist, and will be announced at a later date. For all those who are under the impression that the Z4 is the “flagship”, consider that Sony is quite able to release a second flagship with a different form factor or functional element, just as how Samsung has the Galaxy Note series. When one considers how much market share Apple has, it would make even more sense for Sony to announce such a product at the same time as the iPhone 6s products, for – in Japan at least – there will be significant attention paid to it.
Leaked renders allegedly showcase the design of the Xperia Z3 Neo
Some leaked internal press renders have surfaced today, allegedly showcasing the design of the long-awaited Xperia Z3 Neo. However, we can’t actually be certain that handset in these shots is the device the leaker specified as one of the images is annotated with the text “Xperia Z The Fourth Generation” — so it could, in fact, be the upcoming Xperia Z4.
Hit the break to see the smartphone in all its glory.
Recent rumors suggest that the Xperia Z3 Neo will pack a 4.8-inch IPS display with a resolution of 1080 x 1920 pixels, a 2.5GHz quad-core Snapdragon 801 chipset, 3GB of RAM, a 20.7-megapixel rear-facing camera, a 2.2-megapixel front-facing shooter and a 3,100 mAh battery.
Source: Gizmobolt
Come comment on this article: Leaked renders allegedly showcase the design of the Xperia Z3 Neo
Head to head specs: Sony Xperia Z4 vs. Xperia Z3
Sony on Monday announced its next generation of flagship smartphone, the Android 5.0 Lollipop powered Xperia Z4. Considering it debuted barely a half year after its predecessor we shouldn’t look for too many changes in the hardware. Indeed, that seems to be the case as this year’s model is a slightly evolved release.
We’ve put together a handy chart to show the key differences between the Sony Xperia Z3 and the Sony Xperia Z4.
| Sony Xperia Z4 | Sony Xperia Z3 |
|---|---|
| Android 5.0 Lollipop | Android 4.4 KitKat (upgraded to 5.0) |
| 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080px Triluminos Display | 5.2-inch 1920 x 1080px Triluminos Display |
| 64-Bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 CPU | 32-Bit Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 CPU |
| 3GB RAM | 3GB RAM |
| 32GB internal storage | 16GB internal storage |
| 20.7-megapixel backside-illuminated Exmor RS | 20.7-megapixel backside-illuminated Exmor RS |
| 5.1-megapixel Exmor R front-facing camera | 2.2-megapixel Exmor R front-facing camera |
| 2930mAh battery | 3100mAh battery |
| Bluetooth 4.1 | Bluetooth 4.0 |
| LTE Cat. 9 | LTE Cat 4 |
There are a number of details that are identical between the two models including the color options, waterproof and dust rating, and NFC. There are, of course, very slight differences in the dimensions. The Xperia Z4 is a smidge thinner and, therefore, lighter.
The post Head to head specs: Sony Xperia Z4 vs. Xperia Z3 appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Xperia Z4 – what’s new and why Sony, why?
After many weeks of rumours and leaks, Sony have this morning announced the new Xperia Z4, but only in Japan. Remember that rumour of an all-metal build? That turned out to be false. With the Xperia Z4 appearing to be little more than an updated version of the Xperia Z3, what’s new in Sony’s latest flagship?
Let’s first look at the specs: the Xperia Z4 has a slightly tweaked OmniBalance design in a profile that’s 0.4mm thinner than the Xperia Z3 at 6.9mm. The Xperia Z4 is also slightly lighter at 144 grams (versus 152 grams), but these changes are minimal at best.
On the display front, the Xperia Z4 has the exact same 5.2-inch Full HD IPS display found on the Xperia Z3 with the same ten finger multi-touch, shatter-proof glass, Triluminos display and X-Reality Engine. The upgrades – the little ones that do exist – are under the hood as the Xperia Z4 is powered by an updated octa-core 64-bit Snapdragon 810 processor and 3GB RAM. There’s also 32GB storage and a microSD card to expand the storage by up to 128GB.
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On the back is the same 20.7MP camera found on the Xperia Z3 complete with all the bells and whistles, while the front facing camera has had a slight upgrade from 2.2MP to a 5.1MP sensor. The only other real difference is that the Xperia Z4 runs Android 5.0 Lollipop out of the box and given Sony’s difficulty to offer timely updates, this is probably a good thing. The Xperia Z4 presumably also comes with the same features that the Xperia Z3 recently got alongside the Lollipop update.
Which brings me to my original point: what’s new in the Xperia Z4? The answer? Very little. Sure there’s a better processor, more RAM, the new OS and an updated front snapper, but that’s it. Sony has a long history of launching bi-annual flagships – mainly to cater for the Japanese market – but with no announcement so far this year, it was hoped the company had learnt from their mistakes. Clearly not.
Why does the Xperia Z4 exist? Honestly, I’m not sure. It could be because Sony wanted to compete with the latest flagships, but if this was the case then the Z4 isn’t going to do that. It could be as the company felt the need to introduce a new device for Asia, but why call it the Xperia Z4? That would signal a clearly improved flagship and to be honest, on paper at least, the Xperia Z4 seems anything but this.
The fact that Sony couldn’t hold off until September and release the metal-clad device we’re looking for suggests that the company’s management is making rash decisions. The Xperia Z4 just seems like a rushed launch where the company felt the need to introduce something new but didn’t know what to announce.
Sony have long been rumoured to be pulling out of the smartphone industry but it was hoped that the company would release a handset that gave them a fighting chance of being a success in the market. The Xperia Z4 is probably NOT the handset that will do this.
More on Sony:
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Rival smartphone manufacturers don’t seem to be resting on their laurels – HTC aside that is – and even if they did, the Xperia Z4 still wouldn’t cut it. On paper it offers a functional experience but that’s the problem: it’s just functional. In a market where a single handset can make or break a company, the Xperia Z4 could be just another nail in Sony’s smartphone coffin.
Let me know your thoughts!
Sony’s Xperia Z4 is official with 5.2-Inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 810 processor and wide angle selfie camera in tow
Here we have the official launch of the Sony Xperia Z4 in Japan, as predicted would happen. Unlike the big-budget launch of the Samsung Galaxy S6 though, Sony’s announcement is decidedly low-key. Read into that what you will. We have the specifications of the Xperia Z4 after the break.
The Sony Xperia Z4 carries most of the hardware that we would expect to see in a flagship smartphone at this time. Although, like HTC did with its One M9, Sony has also decided to stay with a Full HD display instead of upping the resolution to Quad HD like LG and Samsung have. It’s a subjective topic, some will appreciate that the Full HD display will be more energy-efficient while others will long for a higher resolution.
As you can see from the pictures, the Xperia Z4 sports Sony’s Omnibalance design language, and so is very similar in appearance to its predecessor, the Z3. It’s available in the following colours: White, Black, Copper and Aqua Green.
Specifications:
- 5.2-Inch Triliminos Display with 1920 x 1080 resolution (Full HD)
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 Octa-Core processor 4 x cores @2.0GHz + 4 x cores @ 1.5GHz (64-bit)
- 3GB RAM
- 32GB Internal storage
- 20.7MP Rear-camera, Exmor RS for mobile, Flash
- 5.1MP Front-facing camera with wide angle lens
- MicroSD card support (up to 128GB)
- Bluetooth 4.1, NFC, WiFi
- Dimensions: 146 x 72 x 6.9mm
- Weight: 144 grams
- Battery: 2,930mAh
- Waterproof/Dustproof: XPX5/8, IP6X
- Cap-less MicroUSB port
What do you think of the new Xperia Z4? Is it too similar to its predecessor? The main differences are a newer processor, smaller dimensions, a cap-less MicroUSB port and a slightly smaller battery. Has Sony done enough or have they simply thrown in the towel? Let us know in the comments below.
Source: Sony (Japan)
Come comment on this article: Sony’s Xperia Z4 is official with 5.2-Inch Full HD display, Snapdragon 810 processor and wide angle selfie camera in tow
The Sony Xperia Z4 is now official, appears to be Japan-only, but a global version is coming
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The Sony Xperia Z4 is now official, and surprise, surprise: there is nothing about the actual device that is a surprise. Armed to the teeth with the weapons of choice for every other flagship out there, the Xperia Z4 packs a Snapdragon 810, 3GB RAM, 5.2-inch 1080p display and 32GB storage within that familiar looking body. The rear camera stays as the stalwart 20.7MP shooter that has served Sony so well and the front packs a 5.1MP wide angle camera for those epic selfies. A 2,930mAh battery rounds out the specifications.
As with previous Xperia Z devices, the Xperia Z4 is certified for dust and water resistance. Interestingly, despite looking very familiar, the Xperia Z is actually marginally thinner than its predecessor at 6.9mm and slightly lighter at 144 grams. The Xperia Z4 will be available in White, Black, Copper and Aqua, and has “Cover Window” cases (think Samsung S-View) available in corresponding colours. Sony also has introduced a new novelty camera function called “cooking mode”, which allows for better pictures of food.
Every bit a minor evolution over the Xperia Z3, the Xperia Z4 will only be available in Japan, with no pricing announced. However, for those of you who do want a piece of Xperia Z4 action can look forward to a variant of this device to be announced at the end of May, Russian blog Hi-Tech reports.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z4, now that it’s official? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Sony, Hi-Tech via Phone Arena (1), (2)
The post The Sony Xperia Z4 is now official, appears to be Japan-only, but a global version is coming appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Sony Xperia Z4 officially unveiled – Snapdragon 810, 3GB RAM, 5.2-inch display
If you have been holding your breath in anticipation of Sony’s latest flagship, the Xperia Z4, to officially announce, it is time to breath. Sony has taken the wraps off of the device on their Japanese website, revealing few unexpected specs in what appears to be a solid iterative update to the Xperia line.
Before we dive into the juicy details, let me just say that Sony goes on at length comparing the Xperia Z4 to its predecessor, the Xperia Z3. Similarities abound, but we think the Xperia Z4 is a worthy update, at least on paper. Being thinner and lighter with a metal frame is certainly a plus.
First up, the Sony Xperia Z4 is equipped with a 5.2-inch full HD LCD panel. As mentioned, it is thinner than the Xperia Z3, measuring 6.9mm in depth. Keeping things moving along is the Snapdragon 810 SoC, a 64-bit octo-core chipset backed by 3GB of RAM. Internal storage offers just a 32GB model, so far, with the ability to add up to 128GB via microSD.
The back side of the device offers a familiar 20.7MP Exmor RS shooter, capable of up to ISO 12800 with “camera shake correction” out of their BOINZ image processor. Video capture is up to 4K, or 1080p at 60fps. The front shooter is a modest 5.1MP with full HD video capture.
Despite the exposed micro USB port, the Sony Xperia Z4 is IP6X dust and IPX5/IPX8 water certified and comes in your choice of colors, from White, Black, Copper or Aqua Green.
Under the hood is Android 5.0 Lollipop and support for Sony’s LDAC Bluetooth protocol for high-quality audio. Finally, to keep all these bells and whistles running, Sony has opted for a 2,930mAh battery, stating up to 17 hours of talk time over a 3G connection. This battery sounds small compared to some of the other flagships out there, but after the Xperia Z3, I’ll give Sony the benefit of the doubt.
So far, we are seeing no reference to price or availability dates. My Japanese is rusty, but it looks like Sony may be announcing further details in a couple days, on April 22nd. Either that, or accessories will be available in their stores. I’ll update this when our resident writer in Japan comes online for his work day. For now, our other ‘resident Japanese expert’ says “Konnichiwa.” (Update: the Xperia Z4 will be on display at Sony’s showroom in Ginza, Tokyo, starting April 22nd. Just as the Z2 was on display ahead of launch as well. Thanks for the translation Matthew Benson!)
Worst case, Sony has a dock and a protective case with front window set to launch later this summer, so the Xperia Z4 can’t be far off itself.
What are your first impressions for the officially announced Sony Xperia Z4?
Sony’s new flagship smartphone has an image-stabilizing selfie camera
Sony’s unveiled its new smartphone in Japan, the Xperia Z4, and like you might tell from the press images, it’s mighty familiar one from a company still looking for its next big hit. Yep there’s a lot of similarities compared to the Z3 (a phone that we were pretty happy with), including a 5.2-inch screen, metal frame, support for Hi-Res audio and the same wide-angle 25mm lens on the main camera. Upgrades since last year’s model include a frame that’s both thinner (down to under 7 mm) and lighter, while camera upgrades are focused on the front, which now gets the same wide-angle lens of the primary shooter as well as digital image stabilization to keep your selfie game completely on point. Sony’s also added timer functions for improved posing and group selfies – with or without a stick. The phone launches this summer in Japan, in four shades of metal finish, but no word on where (or if) it’ll start its world tour after that. However, we’d put money on a very similar smartphone appearing at some point.
Filed under: Cellphones, Mobile, Sony
Via: Engadget Japanese
Source: Sony Mobile Japan
How would you change Sony’s PlayStation Vita TV?
It’s a PlayStation Vita that you can connect to your TV, but that doesn’t mean you should automatically go out and buy one. When we reviewed the hardware last year, we found that the low price and ability to play retro games were great, but the media streaming let the side down. That said, it was a much better crafted piece of hardware than some Android-powered consoles our reviewer could have mentioned. So, what we want to know is do you like your Vita TV and if so, why? Hop over into our forum and share the love, the hatred and everything in between.
Source: Engadget Product Forums
Sony’s super-thin 4K TV arrives this summer
A year after Sony’s 4K TV launch, the company is detailing the US launch of a revamped collection with HDR-compatible sets. You can now pre-order six models in Sony’s new Ultra HD lineup, with deliveries arriving in May. The line starts off with a 43-inch TV that costs $1,299.99, and goes up to a 75-inch behemoth at $7,999.99. Sony isn’t talking about pricing for the X900C, reportedly the thinnest LED TV in the world, but it’s poised to arrive this summer. It could be worth the wait — at 5.08mm, it’s thinner than your smartphone (unless you’re using Oppo’s 4.8mm R5). It also has a “Vanishing Edge” technology that makes the picture fill the entire screen.
In addition to their Triluminos technology, the TVs are equipped with a color correction feature that can make hues more vibrant or tone them down a notch for a more realistic visual experience. And as promised at CES earlier this year, the latest models are paired with Android TV. There’s a voice search feature so you can speak into a one-click remote or a compatible smartphone for quick access to your favorite app. Soon, gamers will also have access to Playstation Now and a DualShock 4 controller.
While the thinnest options won’t be available for a few months, you can be prepared for the onslaught of improved video with the X930C or X940C series, which will become HDR-friendly through a network update this summer.
Filed under: Home Entertainment, HD, Sony
Source: Sony (PR Newswire)
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