Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact Launched at the Berlin IFA 2016; Release Date, Specs and Features
The rumors did not disappoint once more. Sony just dropped two models in the X series: the first X series flagship Sony Xperia XZ and the premium X Compact, at the IFA 2016 in Berlin. Both certainly feel and seem like premium handsets on paper, but before you go dropping dishes for these phones, let's do a quick overall at its specs, features, and build.
The Sony Xperia XZ
Not only is this new flagship device the highest spec smartphone among the Xperia X series, but it's also done some radical redesigns that would definitely attract some users. For one, it's finally done away with the iconic boxy design, as we can see with the rounded edges on the XZ. Apparently it's called Sony's "Loop Surface" design, as the top and bottom edges are completely flat as well.
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The back of the Sony Xperia XZ is also made of a new material called ALKALEIDO, which lends the phone a premium feel and touch. It comes in three color variants: deep blue, black, or silver, and is easily one of the best looking phones available in the market.
As for the specs, the XZ sports a 5.2 inch Full HS Triluminos IPS LCD display, and is powered by Snapdragon 820 SoC and 3 GB of RAM. It's juiced up by a 2,900 mAH battery, with supports Quick Charge 3. Like its flagship counterpart from Samsung. It also boasts a IP165/68 dust-waterproofing certification.
Meanwhile, the Xperia XZ packs the same 23 MP and 13 MP rear and front camera specs, but Sony promised an improved camera settings with triple image sensing technology, predictive hybrid autofocus and five-axis stabilization, which means it's now able to capture blur-free photos as well as 4k video.
Sony X Compact
Like the Sony Xperia XZ, it also comes with the same Loop Surface design: curved edges and a flat top and bottom side. It's approximately the same size with the iPhone 6S, and has three color variants: stylish white, universal black and mist blue, and its ceramic back gives it a solid and premium feel.
Its 4.6 inch IPS display packs a pixel density of 319 ppi and a 720p resolution, which are actually quite sharp specs for a screen display its size. It shares the same camera specs and features with the Xperia XZ, and amps up on a 2,700 mAH battery with Quick Charge support
Both smartphones share a new fingerprint sensor, placed intuitively at the side just across the power button for convenience (The fingerprint sensor will not be available on US models, however). Both sport USB Type C ports, and are optimized to learn and adapt to user habits for optimal and highly-customized experiences.
Release dates
Overall, both smartphones seem like strong contenders in the smartphone arena. The Xperia XZ will launch worldwide on October 2016, while the X Compact will go on earlier, on September. No official word out there for their prices, but reports speculate that the X Compact will be around $500.
