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Jolla's Android alternative is coming to Sony Xperia phones
If you're a fan of Jolla (a mobile platform that's part Linux, part Android and loosely based on Nokia's MeeGo project), good news. The company has announced it will be releasing an official version of its Sailfish operating system for a number of Sony Xperia handsets. The news came from the firm's press event at MWC this morning, and adds a big-name brand to the currently mixed list of devices that the plucky (persistent?) mobile software has officially been ported to.
The Xperia XZ Premium may be the 4K flagship we've been waiting for
After a mostly disappointing year of Sony smartphones (ahem, Xperia X and X Performance), the company might have just built its finest yet. Say hello to the Xperia XZ Premium, a high-performance sequel to last year's XZ that ticks just about every box on our list when it comes to flagship devices. The few things the XZ didn't exceed out early expectations on might be the device's undoing, but for now, Sony seems to have gotten enough right that we're willing to see where the XZ Premium takes us.
Sony's Xperia XZ arrives in the US October 2nd for $700
Sony debuted its latest handsets back at IFA and now the duo will soon debut in the US. The flagship Xperia XZ is slated to arrive October 2nd at Amazon, Best Buy and other retailers. Priced at $700 unlocked, the unlocked model supports GSM networks while packing in a 5.2-inch 1080p display, Snapdragon 820, 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage that can be expanded via a microSD slot. The XZ also has a USB-C port to keep up with the times and features like 4K video and enhanced image stabilization for its 23-megapixel camera. It's also IP65/IP68 dust-tight and water resistant for added protection from the elements and any unforeseen accidents.
Sony sold me on Xperia Agent in one cup of coffee
I like coffee. I like robots. So, when Sony's cutesy Xperia Agent offered to serve me up a cup of Arabica at IFA, how could I refuse? Of course I didn't, and it was probably the best cup of show-floor joe that I had this week. We first saw the Xperia Agent at MWC, but we've barely heard anything from the bot since, so free coffee or not, it was good to check in with the little guy and see it doing its connected thing.
The Xperia XZ is the 2016 flagship phone Sony should've made first
Let's not mince words: Sony's smartphone might be on the upswing, but the company still needs a hit. With any luck, the new, unlocked Xperia XZ can change all of that. It runs with the same Snapdragon 820 and 3GB of RAM as the earlier Xperia X Performance, but Sony squeezed that horsepower into a new beautiful new body and added a few tricks for good measure.
Sony's mid-range Xperia X gets a smaller spin-off
The new Xperia XZ might be the flagship phone Sony loyalists have been waiting for, but Sony still hasn't given up on making small smartphones. That's where the Xperia X Compact comes in: It's more enticing a package than you might think, given the company's recent batch of love-em-or-hate-em devices, and it's set to land the United States on Sept. 25.
Sony Xperia X Performance review: $700 worth of disappointment
Oh, Sony. The company has tried time and again to craft a smartphone that would find success in the US, and time and again it has fallen short. But when Sony pulled back the curtain on a batch of new Xperia X's at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, I allowed myself to get a little excited. Maybe these were the right phones at the right time, I thought, and maybe a company whose products I otherwise respected would find the foothold it was looking for. After being underwhelmed by the standard Xperia X last month, I still held out hope that the high-end Xperia X Performance would be the phone Sony needed. Long story short, it's not. Don't get me wrong: It's a serviceable device, and in many ways it's actually very nice. The thing is, a $700 smartphone should be able to deliver some modicum of excitement to the person who owns it; the X Performance mostly just leaves me cold.
Sony's Xperia X hits the US on June 26, but you don't need one
After a confusing introduction at Mobile World Congress earlier this year, Sony is finally gearing up to bring its new Xperias -- the Xperia X, X Performance, XA and XA Ultra -- to the US this summer. Alas, the Xperia X is set to land here first (June 26th for $550), though it's arguably the least interesting of the bunch. It's a handsome little phone and channels many of the Xperia Z5's design and construction strengths, but after a week of using it, one thing is clear: There isn't a great reason to actually buy one.
Sony's XA Ultra takes 16-megapixel stabilized selfies
Sony said in February that its mid-range Xperia X smartphone lineup would be camera-centric, and with the Xperia XA Ultra, it's making good on that claim. The 6-inch device has a 21.5-megapixel Exmor RS main camera with quick launch and hybrid autofocus (though the AF isn't predictive like on the Xperia X Performance). The coup de grace is the front-facing selfie cam, which packs an impressive 16-megapixel low-light sensor with a front flash and optical image stabilization (OIS).
Sony is done with the Xperia Z range
When Sony announced three new Xperias earlier this week, it wasn't really apparent where they fit into its grander smartphone plans. Turns out, the X, XA and X Performance are its future. Since 2013 Sony's flagships have been defined by the letter "Z." We've seen over 10 smartphones with the label, the latest of which were the Xperia Z5 Compact, Z5 and Z5 Premium, released last fall. That led many to expect that, at some point in 2016, an Xperia Z6 series would arrive to replace it. But that's not going to happen. Speaking to the British site uSwitch, a Sony Mobile senior product marketing manager confirmed that Sony "will not be releasing a Z6," adding that it's "turning to the next stage with the Xperia X series." We reached out to Sony for confirmation of the statement (it's made similar remarks to other publications) but it makes a lot of sense.
Sony's vision of our connected future is vague and uninspired
In addition to a new phone line, Sony also laid out its grand vision for the future of its Xperia line. Three concepts were on display. And they were all a little underwhelming.
Sony is working on a lifelog camera and Amazon Echo rival
Sony's in Spain to announce its new range of Xperia X phones, but that's not the only gear it's showing off this week. The firm is revealing three "product concepts" for gets that it could release in the future, depending on how we all react. The only issue that we can see is that at least two of the three products are vaguely reminiscent of stuff that's already out on the market. Take the Xperia Eye, a wide-angle lens camera that you can hang from your neck and looks pretty much like Autographer's life-logging camera. Unlike its rivals, however, the Eye is packing Sony's fancy image sensors and a 360-degree spherical lens. Sony is promising that it'll be smart enough to know when to take a shot (from your voice and other people's facial expressions) so you don't have to think about using it.Wait... didn't we already see this thing two years ago?
Sony's new smartphone camera sensor is smaller and cheaper
At this point, Sony's more famous for the components that it makes for other people's devices than their own phones. It's certainly the case for its image sensors, which are now used by Apple, Huawei and, if the rumors are to be believed, Samsung. Just in time for MWC, the firm is releasing a new Exmor RS, the IMX318, that's likely to pop up in plenty more devices in the next year or so. It's a 1/2.6-inch stacked CMOS that has a maximum resolution of 22.5-megapixels and a hybrid autofocus that'll focus in as little as 0.03 seconds. The sensor is a lot smaller than its predecessors, but now includes three-axis, electronic image stabilization that could do away with bulky OIS lenses.
Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact arrive in the US
As promised, Sony has brought its latest and greatest smartphones to the US. Both the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact are now on sale in unlocked form through Amazon, Best Buy, B&H and other shops at respective prices of $599 and $499. Both pack a fair punch for the price between their Snapdragon 810 processors, 32GB of storage and 23-megapixel rear cameras. The big differences are the displays (5.2 inches on the Z5 versus 4.6 on the Compact) and RAM (3GB versus 2GB). They should work nicely on AT&T, T-Mobile and other American networks that share their frequencies. However, you shouldn't expect exactly the same phone that you'd get elsewhere -- there's a catch.
PlayStation sells well (again), but mobile is hurting Sony
Sony made money. Again! The company saw in tiny increase (0.5%) in sales compared to the same quarter last to 2,581 billion yen (or $21.5 billion), but income now stands at $1.69 billion. This quarter's financial results was yet more balancing (and canceling) out of Sony's many moving parts -- profitable and not. Gaming and Motion Picture arms saw increases in sales, but these were cancelled out by woes in Mobile and Devices arms. Once a positive part of the company's earnings sheets, Sony's smartphone camera sensors saw a decrease in sales -- reflecting the tough times that all companies are experiencing with phone sales. The company seems to be stabilizing its giant electronics ship.
Sony's Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact will hit the US unlocked
They've been available in Europe and beyond for months, but we in the US are only now getting our chance to pick up Sony's newest smartphones. Sony just announced that the Xperia Z5 and its tiny cousin the Z5 Compact will be available unlocked from Amazon, Best Buy and B&H on February 7 for $599 and $499, respectively.
PlayStation and image sensors help Sony turn a profit
Twelve months ago, Sony was busy recalculating the losses it was expecting to report, due to its beleaguered mobile division. Today, the firm's announcing a 33.6-billion yen ($278-million) profit thanks (once more) to PlayStation and its image sensor division. Overall revenues came in slightly lower than a year ago (down by 0.5%), but a general uptick across the company's many divisions has helped push it into profitability. Despite this, mobile sales continue to slide (down 15-percent this quarter). Sony's Xperia brand is an expensive pastime, costing the company approximately $1.9 million per day in losses.
Sony and Verizon just scrapped the Xperia Z4v's US launch
Sony makes a mean smartphone, but it could never quite crack the macadamia nut that is the US mobile market. For while there it seemed like it had another fighting chance in the Verizon-only Z4v, too. Not anymore. After much hemming and hawing about its release date, a Sony spokesperson confirmed in an email that Sony and Verizon aren't bringing the Z4v to America after all. Way to keep us hanging, guys.
Don't use Sony smartphones underwater
If you head on over to Sony's website today, the company will warn you not to use its Xperia smartphones while underwater. That might come as a surprise, especially as Sony has repeatedly touted the waterproof capabilities of its devices in the past. But really, you shouldn't be doing it. XperiaBlog points out that the handset maker is now taking additional measures to discourage the practice, and has updated its website to help customers avoid making a costly mistake while at the pool.
Sony Xperia Z5 UK pricing: that 4K display will cost you £699
With its mobile division not enjoying much success over the past couple of years, Sony knew it needed to wow consumers with its latest round of Xperia smartphones. Yesterday, the company hoped to do exactly that by unveiling the Xperia Z5, Xperia Z5 Compact and the Xperia Z5 Premium, the last of which being the world's first 4K smartphone. So far, the only hint we've been given regarding pricing is that it "will reflect the premium quality" of the Xperia range, but today the Japanese phone maker has lifted the lid on what that pixel-rich screen will cost when it hits the UK.
