Sony has just unveiled their latest flagship devices, the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact at MWC 2018 in Barcelona this morning but we managed to get some hands-on times with both devices at a pre-briefing event last week in Dublin. With improved camera technology, audio capabilities and larger displays, there’s a lot to cover here.
Sony Xperia XZ2
The larger and slightly more impressive of the two devices officially announced today, the Xperia XZ2 brings with it some long-overdue design changes including the new 18:9 display and more ergonomic design. Similar in design to the likes of the HTC U11 line of phones, the new XZ2 has a new ‘Ambient Flow’ design aesthetic with a 3D glass back.
Under the hood, you can find Qualcomm’s newest processor, the Snapdragon 845 along with 4GB RAM and 64GB storage. In the time we had with the device, app switching, photo taking and a small bit of gaming seemed effortless to this new powerhouse of a processor.
In the photography department, Sony has also made some improvements to the already impressive camera found in the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact. The 960fps at 720p feature introduced on these handsets has been upgraded to Full HD quality which is really going to make a difference to the video quality of your super slow motion captures. Testing the feature out in a moderately lit room returned some seriously impressive results, even on the smaller 5″ screen of the XZ2 Compact. Which, I must note, has all the same camera specs as the XZ2.
The XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are also the first phones in the world to be able to capture 4K HDR footage and the device also has some impressive HDR upscaling software to help upscale any SDR footage you are watching on the device or happen to capture with the camera.
Round the front, and as I mentioned earlier, Sony has introduced a large 5.7″ HD+ HDR LCD 18:9 aspect ratio screen in a footprint similar to last year’s 5.2″ XZ1 handset.
Even with this improved screen aspect ratio, Sony has still managed to keep its stereo speaker layout which are now said to be 20% louder than last year’s devices and also include Sony’s own S-Force Front Surround sound technology which we were first introduced to on last year’s models. After being shown a quick comparison between last year’s XZ1 and the new XZ2, we could definitely notice the improved loudness and Surround sound capabilities of the new handset.
The device also comes with a new ‘Dynamic Vibration System’ that uses an extremely low frequency actuator to vibrate the device in tune with your music, videos and games. We only had a brief change to test this feature out but we imagine it really adding a lot to mobile gaming on the device.
The device is also IP65/68 water and dust resistant and supports wireless charging. The ‘3D Creator’ software originally launched on the XZ1 and XZ1 Compact has now been upgraded to allow for ‘selfie capture’. Not only this, but you will also have the option to send your scans off to a remote server that will greatly improve the quality of your overall scan if you’re looking to have it printed.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 will be available on all Irish networks in either ‘Liquid Black’ or ‘Liquid White’ from April 6th onwards and will also be available on sonymobile.com/ie.
Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact
The smaller sibling to the XZ2, the XZ2 Compact is, as the name describes, an extremely compact yet powerful device. Packing almost all of the internal specs of its bigger brother, Sony has yet again proven they are the leaders when it comes to ‘no-comprises’ compact versions of their flagship devices.
The only differences between the two devices are:
Screen size (5″ Full HD+ on the XZ2 Compact – 5.7″ QHD display on the XZ2)
Battery size (2870mAh battery in the XZ2 Compact – 3180mAh battery in the XZ2)
The XZ2 Compact does not include the ‘Touch’ Dynamic Vibration System or wireless charging.
The Sony Xperia XZ2 Compact will be available from April 6th onwards on sonymobile.com/ie and will be available on all Irish networks at a later date. Pricing is yet to be confirmed.
Overall, we were very impressed by what Sony has achieved in their newest handsets and we can’t wait to put both devices through their paces in our full reviews which will be coming in the nest few weeks.
Please find the full official press release below:
Captivating your senses with immersive entertainment, the new flagship Xperia range
takes smartphone entertainment to the extreme
in a revamped design
- Xperia XZ2 is the most immersive entertainment device to captivate your senses with extended 5.7” HDR Full HD+ display, powerful stereo speakers, plus a brand new Dynamic Vibration System that brings your content to life. Motion Eye™ camera now has world’s 1st 4K HDR Movie recording in a smartphone[i] and Full HD 960FPS Super slow motion
- The world’s most compact 5” smartphone[ii], XZ2 Compact offers premium performance with extended 5” HDR Full HD+ display, the latest Motion Eye™ camera experience and Sony’s advanced AV technologies to maximise your entertainment in the palm of your hand
- Both smartphones feature Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform designed to deliver superior experiences and performance with Gigabit LTE download speeds to satisfy the most demanding technology enthusiasts
- Brand new dual camera technology innovation with ultra-high sensitivity displayed at MWC
MWC, 26th February 2018 – Marking a unique evolution in Xperia’s engineering and design, Sony Mobile Ireland today announced two new smartphones to headline its flagship range, Xperia XZ2 and Xperia XZ2 Compact. Built around the concept of bringing you the most immersive entertainment experiences yet – both models provide huge advancements in camera, display and audio technology as well as a beautiful new design to fit perfectly in your hand.
“If entertainment is your priority, then our new Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are your smartphones”, said Ciaran Cleary from Sony Mobile Ireland, “From what’s inside — world-class technology, to a new sleek, sophisticated design, these smartphones are everything you need and probably a lot more. We have pushed Sony’s boundaries even further with our new products for movie recording, viewing, and music listening – offering entertainment to the extreme.”
Xperia XZ2
Entertainment to the Extreme
Pushing your viewing experience to the extreme, our flagship Xperia XZ2 has an extended 5.7” HDR Full HD+ 18:9[iii] display so you can immerse yourself in your favourite movies and content in exceptional colour and contrast. Plus not only can you watch existing HDR content, using Sony’s BRAVIA® TV technology, X-reality™ for mobile, it will up-convert content to near High Dynamic Range (HDR) so even when you’re streaming videos you get better quality playback that feels like a movie experience.
Tuned for the ultimate and unique entertainment experience, XZ2 incorporates a new haptic experience, adding the perceptual sense of touch so you can feel your viewing experience. It uses Sony’s brand new Dynamic Vibration System which analyses audio data and lets you feel the action in your hands, bringing your movies, games and videos to life. Share your favourite videos with your friends thanks to the XZ2’s powerful front facing stereo speakers. Featuring S-Force Front Surround, they’re our loudest Xperia speakers ever.
High quality audio is also provided using Sony’s audio expertise with the truly authentic sound of Hi-Resolution Audio[iv] together with DSEE HX technology for upscaling. Quality is guaranteed when connecting to wireless speakers or headphones thanks to the enhanced Bluetooth technology LDAC which offers near High-Resolution Audio[v].
Extreme Video and Photo Capabilities
Motion Eye™ camera is pushed to the extreme and gets a ground-breaking upgrade with the world’s 1st 4K HDR Movie recording in a smartphoneI using HLG (Hybrid Log Gamma) format. You can now capture reality with incredible contrast, detail and true to life colour and share or upload to a compatible HDR TV or YouTube to view your content back in lifelike realism. Super slow motion video recording is also upgraded with 960fps now possible in Full HD to make your wow moments even more fascinating. Motion Eye™ camera brings you all the great still photography features you expect from Xperia with its intelligent control features such as Predictive Capture with motion and smile detection, Autofocus burst and Predictive Autofocus. Thanks to these superior features, plus our Quick Launch and Capture, you’ll never miss the moment.
For a truly unique and exciting way to capture memories 3D Creator application is now available with even greater flexibility for 3D scanning. Not only can you create 3D scans of objects or friend’s faces in less than a minute using the main camera, you can also now create 3D scans of yourself using the front camera – bringing to life your selfie in 3D and giving you endless opportunities in the 3D avatar world. Post-processing is now available to achieve even greater quality of 3D scans. Plus once you’ve finished your 3D scan or selfie, you can now post directly to your Facebook timeline within 3D Creator.
Stunning New Design
All of these great experiences are encased in a new design expression with a fluid 3D glass surface that creates a seamless form that’s effortlessly comfortable in your hand. The elegant design is contrasted by its tough exterior, built with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and metal frame to add extra durability and a beautiful premium feel. Its four different finishes offer a beautiful reflection and shine from every angle thanks to the beautiful glass and flow of light, available in Liquid Silver, Liquid Black, Deep Green and Ash Pink. Certified IP65/IP68[vi], XZ2 is designed to withstand splashes and spills so you don’t have to think twice about answering your phone in the rain.
Ultimate Performance to the Extreme
Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform with X20 LTE, XZ2 will provide immersive user experiences at lightning-fast connection speeds (up to 1.2Gbps) with the second generation Gigabit LTE solution so users can enjoy a modern lifestyle whilst working or having fun. For example you can get an episode of a TV series in just 20 seconds[vii] with super-fast downloading.
With all the ability for speed and performance you’ll want assurance that your battery won’t let you down, and XZ2 definitely delivers. With a large 3180mAh battery and the most power efficient control ever thanks to its 845 Mobile Platform, XZ2 offers worry free all day usage. Xperia’s useful battery features are also included such as Smart Stamina, STAMINA mode, plus Battery Care[viii] and Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology which help the battery stay healthy to give you a longer battery lifespan. For effortless charging you can also use the wireless charging dock (WCH20[ix]), and other compatible Qi chargers, by simply placing your XZ2 on the dock to power up without the need to plug in.
Xperia XZ2 Compact
The Best of Sony Technology in a Compact Design
A firm favourite in the Xperia flagship line-up, the premium compact smartphone takes on even greater things with XZ2 Compact. It delivers big screen entertainment in the palm of your hand with its 5” HDR Full HD+ extended display, making it the world’s most compact 5” smartphone[x]. With its large screen and powerful stereo speakers it’s designed to be the ultimate compact entertainment device.
It also has a multitude of premium updates found in its big brother XZ2, such as all of the Motion Eye™ 2018 upgrades including 3D Creator for selfie and Full HD Super slow motion as well as its premium still image capture. It’s also packed with Sony’s audio enhancing technologies such as Hi-Res Audio and front facing stereo speakers for your ultimate entertainment. This small but mighty smartphone is all powered by the latest, fastest ever, Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform.
Crafted to perfection, XZ2 Compact has the same design philosophy as XZ2 with its beautiful curved body that gives you the best comfort in your hand. Durability is ensured with a tough exterior including Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5, anti-scratch hard-grade polycarbonate, IP65/IP68 and metal frame. It is finished in four beautiful colours with a smooth frosted finish; White Silver, Black, Moss Green and Coral Pink.
