New screenshots show off Sony’s Concept for Android OS
Last week, Sony released a few details about its new Concept for Android OS and began the search for 500 Swedish beta testers. Now, a few leaked screenshots have shown up, giving us a little look at Sony’s experimental vision for Android.
Overall, Sony’s Concept for Android is rather stock looking piece of software, with minimal clutter and the grey and white menus that you would usually find on a Nexus handset, which is sure to be a contentious point of preference.
All we know about Sony’s latest concept OS so far is that it is based on Android 5.1.1 Lollipop and is designed to be close to a stock Android experience. The company is keeping its own input to a minimum, with only a small selection of its own most popular apps included with the OS. Sony’s Album, Camera, Music and Xperia Lounge apps are still present in the screenshots.
Sony is using the beta program to figure out what features customers like, as well as to tweak and bug test. Future updates may add or remove features based on feedback. The company is also said to be deciding whether or not this type of slimmed down OS would be suitable for some of its future products.
Do you like the thought of more stock-like Xperia devices, or is Sony doing itself a disservice by rolling back its software tweaks?
Screenshots of Sony’s stock Android “Concept for Android” leak out
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Last week, Sony unveiled its “Concept for Android” initiative which they say would involved trialling a stock Android-like UI on the smartphones of 500 Swedish Xperia Z3 users. It appears the trial is now well underway, and thanks to Swedroid, we have a whole heap of screenshots of the stripped down Sony UI – check out all the images below:
While the UI itself is stripped down, we still see the presence of Sony bundled apps. Overall, the “Concept for Android” UI looks like a pretty faithful recreation of a stock Android UI, however we’re interested in a more indepth look at the tricks that Sony has left in to make life easier. We’d hope that “Concept for Android” becomes a fully fledged theme for Xperia devices new and old, but we’ll have to see how long this trial drags on first.
What do you think about “Concept for Android”? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: Swedroid via XperiaBlog
The post Screenshots of Sony’s stock Android “Concept for Android” leak out appeared first on AndroidSPIN.
Mid-range smackdown: Oppo R7, Samsung A7, Asus ZenFone 2, and Sony Xperia M4 Aqua
OPPO R7, the company’s mid-range champion.
Not too long ago, it was surprisingly difficult to find an unlocked, capable smartphone for an affordable price point. To get a mobile device that worked properly, it wasn’t uncommon that users would need to spend anywhere around $500-$800. Luckily for everyone, a number of device manufacturers have been releasing smartphones that are capable of handling everyday tasks, but still won’t break the bank.
Specifically, lesser known but rapidly growing smartphone companies such as OPPO and Asus have been releasing some great devices, and so have well-known manufacturers like Samsung and Sony. But how do the most prominent mid-tier smartphones from these companies compare? While this is not a complete list by any means, we decided to pit just a few mid-range handsets against one another to see how they fare.
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Specifications
Today we’ll be comparing the OPPO R7, Samsung Galaxy A7, ASUS ZenFone 2, and the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua. It should be noted early on that we haven’t reviewed the Galaxy A7, though given its comparable specifications to the competition, we thought it to be a good device to add to the comparison. Although these smartphones bring somewhat similar specifications and price points to the table, many of them still differ from one another when it comes to overall user experience. Before we get too far into the details, let’s take a look at the specification list below:
| OPPO R7 | Samsung Galaxy A7 (A700FD) | Sony Xperia M4 Aqua | ASUS ZenFone 2 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Display | 5.0-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution | 5.5-inch Super AMOLED display with 1080 x 1920 resolution | 5.0-inch IPS LCD display with 720 x 1280 resolution | 5.5-inch IPS LCD display with 1080 x 1920 resolution |
| Processor | 1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 | Quad-core 1.5 GHz Cortex-A53 & quad-core 1.0 GHz Cortex-A53 Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 | 1.5 GHz octa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 615 | 2.3GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3580 (4GB RAM), 1.8GHz quad-core Intel Atom Z3560 (2GB RAM) |
| RAM | 3GB | 2GB | 2GB | 2/4GB |
| Storage | 16GB, expandable up to 128GB | 16GB, expandable up to 64GB | 8/16GB, expandable up to 128GB | 16/32/64GB, expandable up to 64GB |
| GPU | Adreno 305 | Adreno 405 | Adreno 405 | PowerVR G6430 |
| Camera | 13MP rear f/2.2 8MP front-facing f/2.4 |
13MP rear camera 5MP front camera |
13 MP rear camera 5MP front camera |
13MP rear camera 5MP front camera |
| Software | Color OS 2.1, Android 4.4.2 KitKat | Samsung TouchWiz, Android 5.0.2 Lollipop | Android 5.0 Lollipop | Zen UI, Android 5.0 Lollipop |
| Battery | 2,320mAh, non-removable | 2,600mAh, non-removable | 2,400mAh, non-removable | 3,000mAh, non-removable |
| Dimensions | 143 x 71 x 6.3mm, 147g | 151 x 76.2 x 6.3mm, 141g | 145.5 x 72.6 x 7.3mm, 136g | 152.5 x 77.2 x 10.9mm, 170g |
| Fast charging | Yes | No | No | Yes |
Display
Bringing a great price tag and solid specs, the Asus ZenFone 2 is one of the best mid-range options on the market.
To begin, let’s talk about the display. Mid-tier smartphones have come a long way on the display front, with many options now hitting the market with Full HD panels – and that’s true for the ZenFone 2, the Oppo R7 and the Samsung Galaxy A7. The big difference between these displays, however, is that the R7 and A7 both feature Super AMOLED displays instead of an LCD. AMOLED vs. LCD is still an ongoing debate, but much of the time you’ll find more vivid colors with AMOLED technology and there are certainly a number of folks that prefer AMOLED over LCD.
Unfortunately, Sony chose to go with a 5.0-inch 720p panel on their device, which might upset a few users hoping to get the clear 1080p resolution out of their mid-tier smartphone. Even though having a device with a lower resolution display might result in a tad better battery life, we’re sure most users would choose Full HD over this option if given the chance.
Performance
With a Snapdragon 615, the OPPO R7 stands towards the top when it comes to performance.
When it comes to performance, none of these smartphones are particularly poor at handling everyday tasks, though a few still manage to stand out from the rest. The OPPO R7 and ZenFone 2 both performed really well in our full reviews, largely due to their impressive internals.
Featuring 3GB of RAM and a Snapdragon 615 CPU, the R7 is quite the competitor to the ZenFone 2 with 4GB of RAM and Atom Z3580 CPU. Both devices handle gaming quite well, and they do a great job at performing everyday tasks. The Snapdragon 615 found in both the R7 and A7 has proven itself to be quite a capable processor overtime, making both OPPO’s and Samsung’s offerings a great option for those looking for a device with a reliable processor. It should be noted, however, that we have not posted a full review of the A7, so we aren’t as informed on this device as we are with the others. As for the Atom Z3580, while it might perform similarly, Qualcomm processors tend to have better app compatibility and simply have a better rep (810 overheating drama aside).
Last on the list is the Xperia M4 Aqua. While this device features the same 615 processor found in the R7 and A7, our reviews have found that Sony’s offering tends to overheat relatively easily when playing games, which is one of our biggest points of contention with the device.
Camera
The M4 Aqua stands out when it comes to camera performance.
Oddly enough, all four of the devices we’re comparing today feature 13MP rear-facing cameras, though there’s still a big difference when it comes to image quality.
No matter which device you pick out of the lot, you won’t be disappointed in the camera department. But if you want a mid-range smartphone with a camera that stands above the rest, we’d suggest going with the Xperia M4 Aqua. In our full review, Sony’s offering consistently produced shots with great detail and with vivid colors. Sony’s camera app is quite simplistic and doesn’t come with too many features, though more can be downloaded separately.
Next up we have the OPPO R7 and ASUS ZenFone 2, which both produced average shots in our full reviews. Although we haven’t tested the A7’s camera for ourself, Samsung devices in the past have consistently produced well-balanced, accurate photos. Like most other smartphone cameras, these devices perform best in well-lit areas, with a noticeable decline in quality when moved into low-light situations. Ultimately, the R7 struggles in the post-processing department, while the ZenFone 2 fails to provide an acceptable amount of dynamic range.
All of the extras
One of Sony’s signature features is waterproofing, and so it is great to see this present in the Xperia M4 Aqua.
Design and build quality are two big areas where manufacturers are shifting focus in the mid-range market, and all four of these smartphones surely don’t disappoint on that front. Whether you choose to go with the familiar design language of Sony’s Xperia M4 Aqua or the premium-feeling OPPO R7, we’re sure most of you won’t have to sacrifice too much when it comes to overall design.
OEMs are also noticeably focusing on their software experiences, too. All of these devices feature software that’s been toned down significantly throughout the past few months, which has been a big pain point for mid-rangers in the past. OPPO’s simplified ColorOS provides a much smoother overall experience, while the ZenFone 2, Xperia M4 Aqua and Galaxy A7 are much more feature-rich than the others. When it comes to software, it ultimately comes down to which OEM skin you prefer, but you really can’t go wrong with any of these options.
Quick charging? Yes please!
All four of these devices come with non-removable batteries, but that actually may not be a deal breaker. These mid-range offerings can all last around a full day on a single charge, though not much more than that. What’s more, you don’t have to worry about running out of space on your device, because all of them also come with microSD card slots.
The differences begin to really stand out when we take into account other attractive features such as IP68 water and dust resistance or quick charging technology. For instance, I’d much rather recommend the Sony option to anyone who spends the majority of their summer days sitting next to the pool, but I’d rather recommend the OPPO R7 or ZenFone 2 to someone who needs to charge their battery in half the time thanks to integrated quick charging.
Pricing and final thoughts
OPPO R7’s design and performance put it towards the top of the list, though ZenFone 2 and the others follow close behind.
Choosing the right smartphone isn’t always an easy decision, and it can take some time to figure out what best suits your needs. Out of the pack, the OPPO R7 seemingly stands out above the rest if you’re looking for a powerful handset with an ultra-premium build and high-end features like quick charging. The ZenFone 2 certainly follows close behind, though many may be turned off by its choice of an Intel processor and its somewhat less attractive design (though that last point is completely subjective).
The Samsung Galaxy A7 also seems like a capable enough device, though we think it’s price tag may be too high for most users looking for a solid mid-range offering. As for the Sony Xperia M4 Aqua? Special features like waterproofing are great, though we certainly are a bit alarmed by the device’s apparent overheating issues.
Related: Best Android phones (June 2015)
All in all, this post is meant to condense our full reviews down to make it easier for you to decide on which phone is right for you. However, that’s not always the easiest way to get information across, so we’ve also linked our full reviews down below. Feel free to let us know which device you think is worth your hard-earned cash, and why the other smartphones won’t find their way into your pocket anytime soon.
More on these great devices
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Check out our full reviews:
A PS4 mouse and keyboard, just in time for ‘Black Ops 3’
If you’re an FPS fan, this might be the perfect controller for you. Hori’s Tactical Assault Commander 4 is a keyboard and mouse setup for PS4 that attempts to mimic a PC control system. The means the DualShock 4’s left analog is mapped to a WASD-style configuration, while the right analog is controlled by a mouse. The rest of the DualShock’s buttons and triggers are mapped to the appropriate spots, and there are a couple of additional functions like programmable buttons, a “snipe mode” that changes mouse sensitivity and a walk button for, we assume, walking rather than running.
The Tactical Assault Commander 4 is, as the name suggests, the sequel to the equally rad Tactical Assault Commander 3. Any accessory lives and dies on its quality, and although reviewers praised the basic idea, the consensus was that mapping an analog to a mouse just didn’t work particularly well last time around. Hopefully the manufacturer has used the four years since the release of the last model to perfect its idea. It’ll launch this October, just before FPS season starts in earnest. British and Japanese retailers are listing it for pre-order at around $120-$130 converted, so we’d expect it to cost something similar when it’s released in the US.
Via: Kotaku
Source: Amazon Japan, Amazon UK
Xperia C5 Ultra will have bezel-free display
The Sony Xperia C5 Ultra has previously made the rounds under the codename Sony Lavender and the unannounced handset’s manual has made the rounds, revealing a number of details about the handset. First, the handset will be the first Sony device to sport a bezel-free display and secondly, it will launch with the model number E5553.
The bezel-free display confirms what we’ve already expected – thanks to previously leaked photos – and means we’ll see a handset where Sony has pushed the boundaries of its design to new highs. One particular thing that has been quite disappointing about past Sony flagships – which the Xperia C5 Ultra isn’t likely to be given its mid-range billing – is the big bezels around the display and the Xperia C5 Ultra could be a sign of things to come in future flagships.
The manual has also revealed the controls and external hardware on the handset, including a camera with LED flash and loudspeaker on the front of the handset along with a dedicated camera button, microSD card slot and nano SIM card slot on its side. Like other handsets, the volume buttons can also be used as a camera zoom button.
What of the rest of the handset specs? Well very little is actually known but what we can expect from Sony’s next mid-range device is a 5.5-inch Full HD handset and given the bezel-free display, we can expect the handset to be smaller than other similarly sized handsets. Also on board is expected to be a MediaTek MT6752 SoC, 2GB RAM, 13MP rear camera and a 5MP front facing snapper, which is accompanied by the aforementioned LED flash.
You might like: Sony Mobile in Video:
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The handset is expected to be announced next month so there’s not long to go until Sony unveils the handset and of course, we’ll bring you all the info once it happens.
Leaked Sony Xperia C5 Ultra user manual confirms bezel-free display
We’ve heard a ton of scuttlebutt with Sony’s upcoming bezel-free smartphone, the Xperia C5 Ultra, being the main topic of conversion over the course of the past few weeks, but we haven’t seen any tangible evidence revealing what the device may look like.
Up until now, that is.
Earlier today, a leaked user manual for the handset surfaced online, disclosing not only the design of the device, but what functionality it’s set to have on board too.
The C5 Ultra is posing with a 5-megapixel front-facing camera equipped with an LED flash and dual loudspeakers on its front. A dedicated camera button, microSD card and nano SIM slot can be found on its side and as for the back, all that can be seen is a 13-megapixel rear-facing camera.
Check it out in the images below:
Source: XperiaBlog
Come comment on this article: Leaked Sony Xperia C5 Ultra user manual confirms bezel-free display
Sony Xperia Z5 to be launched in September to compete with rivals
Sony is prepping yet another flagship phone. In early July we heard a rumor that the company was preparing a new flagship, the Xperia Z5. Now it appears that these rumors are true.
According to tipster Leaksfly, Sony is getting ready to release its new flagship, the Xperia Z5, for the second half of 2015. Allegedly, the specifications will include a Full-HD 5.5-inch display, 3GB of RAM, and 32GB of internal storage in a slim profile. The phone will most likely be powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 chipset.
Being that Sony has so much experience in imaging, it should be no surprise that both rear and front-facing cameras on the Xperia Z5 will be impressive. On the rear is a 20.7MP camera, a common component for Sony’s high-end devices, while the front camera is 8MP.
The device is expected to launch as a direct response to compete with what is coming from Samsung, HTC, and Apple this fall. The Xperia Z5 should launch in September, perhaps with the company’s new concept software.
Via: MobiPicker
Come comment on this article: Sony Xperia Z5 to be launched in September to compete with rivals
Sony Xperia Z5 may have 5.5″ display and fingerprint scanner, September launch
We haven’t seen much in the news regarding Sony’s next Xperia smartphone, especially with Samsung and Motorola stealing the spotlight lately. But we can’t forget that Sony is due for a refresh soon, which typically occurs at the IFA trade show in September.
As it naturally goes when an announcement closes in, leaks become more revealing. Today we have alleged details on the Xperia Z5, courtesy of Mobipicker.
It looks like Sony may be finally giving the Xperia screen size a bump, up to 5.5″. The Xperia line has had a 5.2″ display since the Z2. However, the resolution is said to be staying at 1080P. This would not be too far-fetched, Sony did express that they thought QHD was frivolous. But because the recent Xperia Z4v sported a QHD screen, I can see how many would be disappointed that this would not be the flagship standard from now on.
We may be looking at the Snapdragon 810 chipset being utilized again, which may not be a smart move. The 810 SoC has accumulated a bunch of negativity through its overheating controversy, and the 820 was supposed to be Qualcomm’s redemption. But to give Sony the benefit of the doubt, the extra time with the chip could have allowed them to figure out how to run it more efficiently. They did the same thing last year when they reused the Snapdragon 801 on the Z3.
Other suggeseted details include 3GB of RAM, 32 GB of internal storage (no word if it’s still expandable or not), 20.7 MP rear camera (no word if the same Exmor RS sensor is back for yet another round) and 8 MP front camera. Also, Sony may be adding a fingerprint reader this time. I’m really interested to see how they implement it. We’ve been seeing OEM’s unattractively add in a button to accommodate the scanner.
Are you excited to see what the Xperia Z5 will bring, or do you tune Sony smartphones out due to minuscule changes and limited US availability?
The post Sony Xperia Z5 may have 5.5″ display and fingerprint scanner, September launch appeared first on AndroidGuys.
Sony Xperia Z5 tipped for September announcement with 5.5-inch 1080p display
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The Sony Xperia Z5 has gotten its fair share of rumours over the last few months, but everything has seemed a little tentative. However, with September and IFA bearing down on us, a time when Sony traditionally makes an announcement, the rumours are starting to seem a little more concrete. The latest rumour suggests that the Xperia Z5 is going to get a bit of a size boost, increasing its screen size to 5.5-inch from the 5.2-inch of the Xperia Z4/Z3+ (but keep the 1080p resolution), and that it will use a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, not the Snapdragon 820 that was originally rumoured.
Along with all that, the Xperia Z5 is expected to have 3GB RAM, 32GB storage, a 20.7MP rear camera, 8MP front camera, and will also have a fingerprint scanner. Based on what we know of competing devices that are coming out around this time, i.e. the Samsung Galaxy Note 5, the Xperia Z5 could have its hands full in the market. However there is also some cross-marketing that is rumoured to be happening between the Xperia Z5 and the new Bond movie, Spectre – we’ll have to see if that has any effect on its popularity.
What do you think about the Sony Xperia Z5 with these specs? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below.
Source: MobiPicker via Phone Arena
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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:
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.
AIVAnet 