Sony Announces Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact
by Joshua Ho on September 1, 2016 9:00 AM EST
Today at IFA 2016 Sony announced two new phones to flesh out the Xperia X lineup, namely the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact.
Starting with the Xperia XZ, it looks like Sony is still sticking with their 6-month refresh cycle for flagship devices as this looks to succeed the Xperia X Performance with a 5.2 inch display, 5-axis video stabilization, improved stereo microphones, and a USB-C port for improved usability. However the SoC remains the Snapdragon 820 similar to the Note7.
| Sony Xperia X Family | |||
| Xperia XZ | Xperia X Compact | Xperia X Performance | |
| SoC | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 2x Kryo @ 2.15GHz 2x Kryo @ 1.59GHz Adreno 530 @ 624MHz |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 2x Cortex-A72 @ 1.8Ghz 4x Cortex-A53 @ 1.4GHz Adreno 510 |
Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 2x Kryo @ 2.15GHz 2x Kryo @ 1.59GHz Adreno 530 @ 624MHz |
| RAM | 3GB | 3GB | 3GB LPDDR4 |
| NAND | 32GB/64GB eMMC + microSD |
32GB eMMC + microSD |
32GB/64GB eMMC + microSD |
| Display | 5.2” 1080p Triluminos LCD |
4.6" 720p Triluminos LCD |
5” 1080p Triluminos LCD |
| Dimensions | 146 x 72 x 8.1 mm 161 grams |
129 x 65 x 9.5 mm 135 grams |
143.7 x 70.4 x 8.7mm 164 grams |
| Modem | Qualcomm X12 (Integrated) 2G / 3G / 4G LTE |
Qualcomm X8 (Integrated) 2G / 3G / 4G LTE |
Qualcomm X12 (Integrated) 2G / 3G / 4G LTE |
| SIM Size | NanoSIM / Dual NanoSIM | NanoSIM | NanoSIM |
| Front Camera | 13 MP, 1/3.06” Exmor RS | 5 MP, 1/3.06” Exmor RS, f/2.0 | 13MP f/2.0, 1.12µm |
| Rear Camera | 23 MP, 1/2.3” Exmor RS, Laser AF, PDAF | 23 MP, 1/2.3” Exmor RS, Laser AF, PDAF | 23MP w/ EIS, f/2.0, 1.12µm, 1/2.3" |
| Battery | 2900 mAh | 2700 mAh | 2700 mAh (10.4 Whr) |
| Connectivity | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac 2x2 MIMO, BT 4.1 LE, GPS/GNSS, NFC, USB Type-C | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BT 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, NFC, USB Type-C | 802.11a/b/g/n/ac, BT 4.2, GPS/GLONASS, NFC, micro-USB |
| Launch OS | Android M w/ Xperia UI | Android M w/ Xperia UI | Android M w/ Xperia UI |
In addition to these changes, the Xperia XZ gains laser auto-focus to improve the speed with which it acquires focus in low light as well as an RGBC IR sensor which is used to set white balance. Laser AF is nothing new at this point but it is new to high-end Xperia phones, and similar systems to the RGBC IR sensor have been seen in the Galaxy S7 and LG G5 to enable more accurate white balance settings. Sony is marketing the combination of PDAF on their Exmor RS 23MP sensor, laser AF, and the RGBC IR sensor as their “triple image sensing technology”.
The Xperia XZ also has a 13MP front-facing camera with 22mm equivalent focal length and a max sensitivity of 6400 ISO which is said to improve the quality but I’m a bit skeptical here. The press release also mentions the addition of manual focus and shutter speed which is nice to have as Sony has been relatively late to the party when it comes to implementing these kinds of features. For reference, HTC has done this since the One M8, Samsung since the Galaxy Note5, Apple since the iPhone 6 with third party apps, and LG since the G4.
As far as design goes, the Xperia XZ has an ALKALEIDO metal back cover, though Sony's photos don't do a great job highlighting this. The phone is still water resistant - rated IP65/68 - but resistance is emphasized so I can only assume that this will only work reliably against light water exposure such as spilling a cup of water on the phone.
For the Xperia X, it appears to share almost everything with the Xperia XZ, but with a different “loop design” and a 4.6” 720p Triluminos display. Instead of a Snapdragon 820 SoC we’re looking at a Snapdragon 650 SoC which makes sense when considering that it’s the Xperia X Compact rather than the Xperia XZ Compact or something similar. Both devices also support Qnovo’s adaptive charge system which helps to reduce the impact on battery lifespan that fast charging mechanisms often have.
The Xperia XZ will be available in the US starting October 23, 2016 in Forest Blue, Mineral Black, and Platinum. The Xperia X Compact will be available in the US starting September 25, 2016 in Mist Blue, Universal Black, and White. The Xperia XZ will include a USB-C fast charger in the box as well. Operators and retail partners aren’t announced but it’s likely that GSM operators will be supported at the very least.
Source: Sony Newsroom
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Dribble - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
Z3 compact was mostly great but crippled by the 12gb internal storage which for a high end phone was pathetic and very quickly filled up.The Z5 with the snapdragon 810 was crippled by that chip which was a massive power hog. It overheats in big phones so putting it in a compact one would mean it was pretty useless.
The 650 in the XZ is actually a pretty good chip, a nice balance of performance and battery life, gpu is a bit slower but then this has a pretty low res screen. I am actually like the chip. Lack of waterproofing makes me sad however.
wffurr - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
Haven't had a problem with storage in my Z3. Don't even have an SD card in it. I use Dropbox for automatic photo backup and Google Play Music for streaming with some local caching. Biggest space hog on my phone is actually the Kindle app.Glad to hear that the 650 chip is decent. I had heard about the Z5 Compacts overheating.
Now if only I can get over the lack of waterproofing and the magnetic charging dock.
acme64 - Tuesday, September 6, 2016 - link
all sony's have SD slots. Internal storage is irrelevant.MattMe - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
I've a Z3 Compact currently, and I agree it was a great little phone. Good size, good spec, waterproof, magnetic dock. I have managed to get through a few rear screens recently though. Never understood why phones would have more glass than absolutely necessary.At 2 years old I'm looking to upgrade with my next contract and was anticipating the newest Sony Compact to be the logical choice. Looking at this, however, it seems that anticipation was misplaced. I'm presuming it won't be priced as a budget device.
I know it's subjective but I personally think all the X range of Sony devices look a bit cheap, particularly the Compact. Definitely not a good looking phone, although some sites seem to be saying the opposite.
Hopefully the little Nexus will be good this year.
ToTTenTranz - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
How is this new XZ not completely redundant with the already existing X Performance?zeeBomb - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
**SONY DONE-GOOFED!**They ruined the power of the Compact by adding a *Snapdragon 650*... Why Sony? Why not 820? That shit is on 28nm gahdammit! And speaking of which no waterproofing in the same form as last yearr...im ok with the XZ, but prices are gonna let consumers go elsewhere...
GG Sony. I had high hopes. I don't know now.
zeeBomb - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
Btw if anyone wants a small image of what they metal thing is...https://www.google.ca/search?q=ALKALEIDO+alloy&...
hybrid2d4x4 - Friday, September 2, 2016 - link
A 28nm chip this far into this year is a deal breaker. Those big bezels don't help either, especially that useless bottom one...That said, at least they're still making a <5" screen phone.
Please start paying attention to feedback/criticism Sony!
JaLooNz - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
No NFC for the Compact? So much for a modern high-priced phone.MattMe - Thursday, September 1, 2016 - link
I wasn't aware of that! That's a decision-maker right there. Definitely going elsewhere this year at renewal time.