18:9 Sony Xperia Compact certified by the FCC

This could be interesting – a Sony Xperia Compact with a tall aspect ratio screen. This is just conjecture based on dimensions from an FCC certification, but the numbers are lining up beautifully.

The Xperia in question has a 5” screen (126mm) and measures 135.43 x 64.63 mm. For comparison, an Xperia XZ1 Compact is 129 x 64mm – same width, but shorter.

The FCC only gave the display diagonal, not its aspect ratio or sides. However, check out what happens when we compare a 4.6” 16:9 screen (like that of the XZ1 Compact) and a 5” 18:9 screen:

Would it be too optimistic to think this device will show up at the MWC? Perhaps, though this looks like fairly solid evidence that Sony is ready to leave the old-school 16:9 screen behind and embrace bezel-lessness.

Source | Via

Sony Xperia XZ Pro to land at MWC with 4K OLED screen, Snapdragon 845, dual rear cameras

Sony's next flagship smartphone will be called Xperia XZ Pro, according to the latest rumor out of China. The company will allegedly unveil this device at MWC next month.

The XZ Pro will reportedly come with a 5.7-inch OLED touchscreen with 4K resolution, slim bezels, and a 'tall' aspect ratio (possibly 18:9).

It has a dual rear camera setup, made up of an 18 MP shooter with 1.33μm pixel size, and a 12 MP sensor with 1.38μm pixels. On the front will sit a 13 MP snapper for selfies.

The phone is powered by Qualcomm's upcoming Snapdragon 845, paired with 6GB of RAM and up to 128GB of built-in storage. The XZ Pro will be IP68 water and dust resistant, and will employ a 3,420 mAh battery.

It's expected to launch in China for over CNY 6,000 (that's $931 or €758 at the current exchange rates).

Source (in Chinese) | Via

New update hitting Samsung Galaxy A7 (2017) and Sony Xperia XA

Samsung has started rolling out a new update to its Galaxy A7 (2017) smartphone. Arriving as firmware version A720FXXU2BQL9, it's a security update that brings along Android fixes for the month of December.

The update is currently hitting units in Mexico, but should soon be available in other key markets as well.

Moving on, the Sony Xperia XA meanwhile has also been receiving a security update that bumps the Android patch level from August 5 to November 6. The update carries a build number of 33.3.A.1.115.

Currently only F3111 and F3113 models are getting the update, but other variants should also get it sooner than later.

As is usually the case with OTA roll outs, it might take time for the update notification to pop up on your device's screen, so be patient.

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Sony Xperia XZ2 alleged render shows the bezel-less design

Specs of a Sony flagship, codenamed H8216, appeared several days ago. Now we have the first alleged render of the phone that might arrive as the Xperia XZ2 or the Xperia XZ1 Premium. The image suggests the device will have no bezels on three sides of its screen akin to the Xiaomi Mi Mix 2.

The phone appears to have the power button on the side, most likely with the fingerprint scanner embedded. There is also a volume rocker and dedicated camera button on the right side. The tall screen spans all the way to the bottom, leaving a small bezel on top for the speaker, proximity sensor, and earpiece.

We already know to expect the first bezel-less Xperia phones in 2018, but at this point it isn't clear if the image is legit or not. So until we get an official announcement, or at least more solid evidence, don't take anything for granted.

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Upcoming fullscreen Xperia smartphones leak in images

Two new Xperia smartphones have leaked, sporting the in vogue fullscreen bezel-less designs. The images come courtesy GizChina.com, who are confident these are indeed images and not renders.

The two devices not just look different from current Xperia devices but also between each other. One device has the current squarish Xperia design with what look like speaker grilles at the top and bottom on the front. On the back is a very unique looking curved matte and glossy surface, with the matte regions forming semicircles at the top and bottom. The glossy area in the center is supposed to be glass with a fingerprint sensor underneath. The two camera modules are oddly spread apart, which probably means one is just a depth sensor as this much spacing would result in much larger parallax for any other arrangement.

The other device has more pronounced rounded corners but with the same stereo speaker arrangement on the front. It does have a uniform metal back with the fingerprint sensor prominently in the center. In the top left is a dual camera system along with the flash on the side. Both phones are supposed to have a 5.7-inch, 18:9 4K displays. They'll also be one of the first devices to have Snapdragon 845, and have 6GB of RAM and Android 8.0.

To tell the truth, these do kinda look sketchy. However, their outlandishness is almost a point in their favor as anyone making a fake would normally make them look believable or close to existing Xperia designs. Still, I would take these with a pinch of salt. We will probably find out for sure at CES or MWC.

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Sony Xperia Touch getting Android 7.1.1

Sony's one-of-a-kind Xperia Touch projector running Android is getting a software update. Launched on Android 7.0 in Europe this summer and in the US recently, the device is now being treated to the 7.1.1 version of Google's OS.

It's a lot more than an incremental update, however - neat features are being added too. Most importantly, the Xperia Touch now gets gesture controls when in wall mode. The input method advertised in early demos didn't make it to the commercial product. Well, it's now coming with the update. On top of that, you'll now be able to select left or right orientation for portrait apps.

Additionally, you'll now be able to manually adjust focus (in case the autofocus misses the mark) and apply your own keystone correction. Previously only available in wall mode, the automatic switch on upon detecting your presence will now work in table mode as well.

The new features definitely make the Xperia Touch worth its $1700/£1400 asking price, right? Well, not really, but it was never meant to be a mass market product anyway.

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Sony exec: next-gen Xperias to have bezel-less design

Managing Director of Sony India, Kenichiro Hibi, has stated that Sony is planning to launch next-gen Xperia phones and “you can expect a completely new design from the devices”. In other words, OmniBalance that has been employed since 2013 with the Xperia Z may be coming to an end.

Hibi knows the direction that the market is heading - 18:9 phones with bezel-less designs. And Sony may join this design trend with a new device “soon”.

The company has neglected the low-end and even its mid-rangers have premium ambitions. With that in mind, Sony can’t afford to keep an old school design when the market leaders have all jumped on the bezel-less bandwagon.

Hibi says that while the Indian market is focused on entry-level phones, Sony is doubling down on high end and mid-range devices. Something like an Xperia XA1 Plus is billed as “premium mid-range” while even the XZ1 is not the true flagship – that honor goes to the XZ Premium instead.

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Sony Xperia XZ Premium will get 3D Creator app as part of Android 8.0 Oreo update

Sony has confirmed that the new 3D Creator app - which was introduced at the ongoing IFA conference, and is already there on the newly-announced Xperia XZ1 and XZ1 Compact smartphones - will also arrive on the Xperia XZ Premium.

The confirmation came in the form of a tweet, where-in the Japanese company revealed that the app will pushed as part of the Android 8.0 Oreo update.

For those who aren't aware, the 3D Creator app allows you to capture images in 3D. The following video should give you a good idea about how the app works and what all it's capable of:

Moving on, the company also confirmed that the XZ Premium Oreo update will bring along some camera-related improvements as well.

Reports say these improvement include features like Autofocus burst (that lets you capture moving objects in sharp focus) and Predictive Capture (that detects movement in front of the camera lens, and starts buffering images while you’re preparing to shoot).

Source | Via

Sony announces its AirPods competitor - the WF-1000X earphones

Sony has launched its own pair of fully wireless earphones, the WF-1000X. Like it's older sibling, the MDR-1000X, the WF-1000X feature active noise cancellation and also have a couple of new tricks up its sleeve.

The earphones are completely wireless and come with a carrying case that also charge the individual earphones. The earphones turn on automatically when you take them out of the case. While the pairing process won’t be as simple on the AirPods, the presence of NFC will make things a bit easier.

The WF-1000X feature active noise cancellation. Like the MDR-1000X, you can turn on the ambient mode that lets you filter in outside sound so you can hear temporarily listen to what’s going on around you. There is also a mode that will just let you hear voices around you.

One new addition is Smart Listening. This works with the app on your phone to figure out what you are doing. While you are traveling in a vehicle, the app will minimize background sounds and voices and focus on the audio. When you are walking, it will increase the background sounds so you can listen to your surroundings. When you are standing or sitting it can turn up the voices so you hear people or important announcements around you. Of course, you can take control of the app and adjust things manually as well or switch this off entirely.

The WF-1000X has a battery life of 3 hours with the active noise cancelling on and 9 hours if you charge them with the case. In comparison, the AirPods last for 5 hours on their own and 24 hours with the charge from the case.

The WF-1000X is priced at $199, which is more than the $159 you pay for AirPods but with none of the convenience, smart gestures and battery life. What you do get is active noise cancellation, however, and if that’s your priority or if you have an Android device, this might be a good option.

Deal: Silver Sony Xperia XZs drops to all-time low of $545.72

Sony's Xperia XZs has been on sale in the US since April, and during this time it's seen a few price cuts and deals. While the initial recommended price for it was $699.99, we've also seen it going for $619.99 at one point, and recently its price was cut to $599.99.

Now though you can grab an XZs for cheaper than it's ever been. You do however have to act fast, because only a few units are left in stock at the amazing price of just $545.72. That means you save a whopping $154.27 on the device, but be advised that only the Warm Silver color version is this cheap - the black and blue models both hover around $599.

For the money you get a dual-SIM device with US warranty, which of course comes unlocked. It's compatible with GSM-based carriers only: AT&T, T-Mobile, Straight Talk, MetroPCS, Cricket, Simple Mobile, and Bright Spot for example. Note that it can't be used on CDMA-based networks such as Verizon and Sprint.

Source | Via

Sony Xperia XZ again drops to under $400 in US, free memory card included as well

The Sony Xperia XZ has received a new price cut in the US. A quick look at the device's Amazon listings reveal you can grab a unit for as low as $399.99. While this isn't the first time the phone has dropped to this level, the deal includes a free 64GB microSD card as well.

The price cut + SD card deal is available on black, blue, and silver color options. Respective listings suggest only few units are remaining, so those planning to avail the deal may have to act fast.

For what it's worth, the device was launched back in 2016 carrying a whopping $700 price tag.

Source 1 2 3 | Via

Sony Xperia XZ Premium reaches 750Mbps download speed over EE's LTE network

Earlier this year, the Snapdragon 835 powered a mobile router that clocked 930Mbps download speed. The Sony Xperia XZ Premium is based on the same chipset and it reached 750Mbps in “real-world test conditions” - specifically EE’s LTE network at Wembley Stadium in London.

The test put the one of a kind screen to good use by streaming The Grand Tour in 4K HDR (from Amazon Prime). Other things that the Sony team tried out was to download high quality music for offline listening and downloading “humongous” files from Google Drive.

They don’t specify how they tested the upload, but the Xperia XZ Premium went up to 110Mbps. “The end of wires? It can’t be long,” says Sony.

Source

Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact stars in leaked renders, video

Recently we showed you leaked hands-on images and CAD-based renders for Sony's upcoming Xperia XZ1, and now it's time for us to see another of the company's unannounced devices in all its glory. We're talking about the Xperia XZ1 Compact, which just received the leaked CAD-based render treatment. There's also the usual render video down below, make sure you don't miss that.

The Xperia XZ1 Compact has long been rumored to make its debut during Sony's IFA press conference on August 31. It should be joined by the aforementioned XZ1, but also the decidedly more mid-range Xperia X1.

As its name implies, the XZ1 Compact will be small - or rather, it will have a small screen. With smaller bezels, it might actually have been petite overall, but Sony doesn't seem to be ready to give up on top and bottom bezels just yet. It's not alone in that respect, with the Nokia 8 unveiled yesterday also suffering from this pre-2017 condition, but more and more competitors are going the near-bezelless route.

   
Some more Sony Xperia XZ1 Compact CAD-based renders

The XZ1 Compact is said to come with a 4.6-inch touchscreen, with the following dimensions: 129.5 x 64.5 x 9.4 mm. It's got a 3.5mm headset jack, a microSD card slot, and a USB Type-C port.

It looks quite similar to the bigger XZ1, as you'd expect, but with more straight lines than that model. It's made out of metal, and front-facing stereo speakers are pictured. It has NFC on board and has been rumored to sport the Snapdragon 835 chipset, 4GB of RAM, and a 2,600 mAh battery. It will probably run Android 7.1.1 Nougat at launch.

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New leak reveals Sony Xperia XZ1 from all angles

Shortly after a leak showing the rear panel for the upcoming Sony Xperia XZ1 surfaced, the device has leaked in its full glory, broadly confirming the design the previous leak had revealed.

This new leak shows the phone from all angles - take a look:

   
Sony Xperia XZ1 (leaked photos)

The leak also reveals/confirms several of the phone's key specifications, including Snapdragon 835 SoC, 5.2-inch HDR display, as well as 19MP rear camera (with Motion Eye feature) and 13MP front shooter. The device is IP65/68 certified and features Sony's 3D as well.

The handset is set to be unveiled at IFA conference in Berlin, and could go on sale as soon as September 10.

Source | Via

Sony Xperia XZ1 shown in leaked live images alongside at least one other upcoming model

Sony's yearly IFA press conference takes place on August 31, and we've already heard that we should expect three new smartphones to make their debut on that occasion. These have been leaking in various places over the past few months, and are rumored to be branded XZ1, XZ1 Compact, and X1. The first is expected to be the successor to the XZ, as you'd imagine.

The XZ1 is thought to bear the model number G8341, and such a device has been spotted in benchmarks already, revealing its specs in the process. Today a new leak brings us four live images of upcoming Sony devices, one of which is the G8341 as revealed through a shot of it powered on and displaying the About > System area of Settings.

    
Leaked images of upcoming Sony smartphones

It's running Android 8.0.0, which means it might launch with this version of the OS on board - perhaps sharing that honor with the Nokia 8. The other three pictures show at least two different devices (check the placement of the front-facing camera if you're having doubts), but the images unfortunately weren't accompanied by any info that could help us better understand what we're seeing.

With that in mind, what's immediately obvious is that at least one of the three upcoming Sony smartphones will come with a rear-mounted fingerprint sensor, a first for the company. Giving up on embedding that into the Power button may mean it's finally decided to become serious about making it in the US market - where it had to disable the side-mounted scanners so far due to some not officially disclosed contractual obligations.

For the phones we do see from the front, the top and bottom bezels are typical of Sony's latest designs, which unfortunately means it's ignoring the latest trend in the mobile world - that of killing as much bezel as possible. One last thing to note is that the G8341 depicted sports the Pixel-exclusive Android software buttons design, which makes us take the image with quite a bit of salt. There's also no (mandatory) "Powered by Android" badge on the lower part of the screen while the booting process is started, and that could be another red flag.

On the other hand, it's entirely possible that Google plans on letting other companies use that new design for the software buttons, and that the "Powered by Android" logo is still present in Sony's boot animation, just not at the exact moment that shot was snapped.

Source (in Chinese) | Via

Sony Xperia XZ1 (G8341) goes through Geekbench, leaves Snapdragon 835 footprints

The Sony G8341 was spotted again, this time in Geekbench scores. The benchmark confirms the suspected Snapdragon 835 chipset and 4GB of RAM, though it only showed Android 7.1 Nougat.

Other leaks about this phone – supposedly the Xperia XZ1 – suggested it will run Android O instead. Considering that Google is still tinkering with the OS, we wouldn’t jump to any conclusions yet.

 
Sony G8341/SO-01K (Xperia XZ1) on Geekbench

Additional leaked specs include a 5.2” 1080p screen and a price tag of $860/€760. The phone has another code name, SO-01K (for Japan) and we’d like to point out that the Xperia XZ was the SO-1J, so this is clearly the successor.

By the way, there’s another phone – G8441 – which is expected to be the Xperia XZ1 Compact with a 4.6” 720p screen as is the tradition. We’ll keep our eyes peeled for these and other Xperia at the upcoming IFA.

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Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ duo and Sony Xperia XZ Premium getting July patch

A new update has started hitting the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+ flagship duo as well as Sony'sXperia XZ Premium. Arriving as firmware version G950FXXU1AQG5 and G955FXXU1AQG5 for the Galaxies and version 45.0.A.7.90 for the Xperia phone, it brings along Android security fixes for the month of July.

For Samsung phones, the update - which is currently hitting units in Germany, Turkey, the UK, and the UAE - also includes a new firmware for the camera.

Coming to the XZ Premium, both standard as well as dual-SIM variant of the device are getting the update. As is usually the case with OTA roll-outs, it may take some time for the update notification to pop up on your handset's screen.

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Sony Xperia XZ Premium scratches, burns, but doesn't crack when bent

The time has come for YouTube channelJerryRigEverything to put another smartphone through its now-standard durability test. It's Sony's Xperia XZ Premium on this occasion. The Japanese company's current flagship smartphone has "Premium" in the name, but are the materials it's made of also premium? Watch the video embedded below to find out.

If you can't do that, we'll sum things up for you. As usual, the first test involves trying to scratch the screen with different picks, rated on the Mohs scale. Like every other smartphone's Gorilla Glass-coated display, the XZ Premium's scratches at a level 6. That's perfectly fine.

The device's back is also made out of glass, which protects the LED flash from scratching too easily. The camera lens is glass this time around too, unlike the Z5 Premium's plastic cover. The buttons on the side of the XZ Premium are metal, but the railings are plastic unfortunately.

Next up, the burn test applies a flame directly onto the screen for ten seconds until the pixels turn black. If you then stop burning the phone, the pixels will recover.

Finally, the bend test. No matter what direction the XZ Premium is flexed from, it won't snap in half, the display won't pop off, and the plastic side rails will not crack like they did in the Z5 Premium and XZ.

Sony G8441 spotted in benchmark listing with Snapdragon 835 SoC, Android 8.0

Just days after it was listed on a Polish retailer's website, the Sony G8441 has appeared in a benchmarking database, revealing some of its key specifications. The listing on AnTuTu reveals the device is powered by Snapdragon 835 SoC.

Other revealed specs include 720p display, 8MP/8MP camera combo, and Android O. RAM is 4GB, while internal memory is 32GB. Keep in mind that benchmarks do get some details wrong sometimes and the resolution bit in particular seems suspicious.

The listing on Polish retailer's website had revealed a price tag of around €650 (or $740) for the device. No official information on the phone's availability, but we expect it to be unveiled during the company's IFA conference in Berlin on August 31.

Source | Via

Sony to unveil flagship smartphone with 6" 18:9 screen at IFA, rumor says

Earlier this month, Japan Display (JDI) announced its first nearly bezelless touchscreen with an 18:9 aspect ratio. It's a 6-inch panel that's called Full Active and has 1,080x2,160 resolution.

Today a new rumor posted on Weibo claims Sony will use this exact screen in an upcoming flagship smartphone that it will be making official at IFA in Berlin, where it's holding a press event on August 31.

As you may know, 'tall' 18:9 and 18.5:9 touchscreens have been all the rage this year after Samsung and LG used similar panels in their Galaxy S8 and S8+, and G6 respectively. Since the aspect ratio is different to the now-standard 16:9, don't judge such a theoretical upcoming Sony flagship to be huge - in fact, it will be only slightly bigger than LG's G6 which has a 5.7-inch 18:9 screen. And it will, in all likelihood, be smaller than the 6.2" 18.5:9 Samsung Galaxy S8+.

If this pans out, then we can add a new model to the list of what we expect Sony to announce at IFA, alongside the already rumored XZ1, XZ1 Compact, and X1. Following that naming logic, the flagship should end up being called XZ1 Premium. No other details are known about it at this point, but it's a safe bet that we'll see the Snapdragon 835 chipset powering it.

Source (in Chinese) | Via