What we’re looking at could be the announcement of Sony’s widely anticipated Xperia Z4 smartphone, which seems to have been launched in Japan over the weekend with little fanfare. This news is rather surprising, given previous launches have been much more widely publicised than this.
Engadget Japan is reporting that the flagship Xperia Z4 has been launched, with very similar specs to the Z3, with a few key changes.
Size-wise, they’re identical with a 5.2″ display at 1920 x 1080 full-HD, 0.4mm thinner at 6.9mm, and its lost a few grams at 144 g from 152 g. Exterior dimensions are reportedly 146 x 72 x 6.9mm. The Xperia Z4 will be available in white, black, copper, and aqua green.
Inside is a Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor (2 GHz / 1.5 GHz), 3GB of RAM, 32GB internal storage expandable by microSD slot up to 128GB, running Android 5.0 Lollipop.
The camera on the rear remains unchanged with a 20.7mp Exmor RS sensor with a rating up to ISO 12800, but the front facing camera has seen a boost over the Xperia Z3, to a 5.1mp shooter from the 2.2mp prior model. With a focal length of just 25mm, the ultra-wide angle lens will be great for taking selfies of you and all your mates.
In audio terms, the inclusion of LDAC means that (with compatible headphones) you’ll get an incredible audio quality experience compared to traditional Bluetooth, and that’s not the only improvement. Bluetooth 4.1 is on board, as well as 802.11a / b / g / n / ac (MIMO) Wi-Fi.
The Xperia Z4 is waterproof like its predecessor, but unlike the predecessor, the flimsy port covers are gone, replaced with a cap-less USB terminal to increase the usability of the phone.
The specs tally well with what we’ve heard of the Xperia Z4 previously, and if this is indeed the launch, it’s a very muted affair. As we find out more, we’ll update you here. We’ve been in contact with Sony Australia and we’re awaiting further information.
Ed: We do apologise for the sketchy nature of the report; the translation from Japanese has affected readability somewhat, but we’ve put together the best we can.
Update 2:50pm:
Looks like this one is legit, there’s now an official press release from Sony on their Japanese website. The specs all match up and the only thing missing is that there will be an official Window Case for the Z4 that will be available in the same colour options as the phone. The window cover will let you receive calls, operate the camera and control your music, all through the window.
There’s also a nice render of all the Xperia Z4 in all four colour options that will be available.
The phone sounds nice. Whilst others are complaint about Sony’s lack of innovation I disagree.
The new 810 processor is more efficient so battery can last longer.
The have gotten rid of those breakable flaps.
It’s thinner.
It’s lighter.
The design is nice and simple and note feminine like the iPhone.
The front camera is a good improvement.
The rear camera could be using a newer sensor.
I believe Sony have a good basic design and are improving on it with each release.
So the Z3 Neo is actually the Z4? Truth to be told, it doesn’t differnate from the compeition much. Samsung, LG and HTC won’t be worrying about this phone having much impact on their sales.
So, literally it’s just a SoC spec bump?
I know Sony’s strategy on releasing a new flagship every 6 months is to always have the most up-to-date phone, but as a result the changes between each are so minor it’s hard to feel any excitement at all. It feel like they’re coasting now, even as their mobile division struggles.
They reduced the battery capacity as per phonearena…….final nail for Sony’s coffin
noooo what… — not impressed with this. Pretty much the same camera over 3 iterations?! Has there been any HW changes on it?
Samsung now started celebrating in their HQ loud
nooooo, desktop USB charger, this all but confirms not Qi
any news of Qi???