So, when we tend to talk about cellphones lately we think of Samsung, LG ... and that's about it for most people when they mention brands. But there's so many more, and good options. Huawei has been really stepping it up, apparently HTC is bringing their latest device to Canada.
One brand that has been around for a long time but has been pretty quiet is Sony. And it's not a brand that should be 'in the shadows'. They've made some really quality devices, just tend to be harder to find.
I recently had reviewed the XZ2 - where the only major issue I could poke at it was the shape made it slippery. I still use it to shoot all my youtube videos as it's really that good.
Well, that looks to be fixed up as they have now announced the XZ3, which has a more gentle bezel on the back.
Check out the full media alert from Sony. Among the details and better back, you'll see that it has the typical spec bumps where you'd expect, the inclusion of more AI and will actually ship with Android Pie (9.0).
The downside is that currently there are
Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) continues its evolution in Xperia™ engineering and design with the announcement of its latest flagship, the Xperia XZ3, powered by the best of Sony’s expertise across TV, audio, imaging and gaming, in a sleek modern design.
“Our new XZ3 flagship smartphone is not just beautiful to look at, but it’s packed with Sony’s cutting-edge audio and visual technologies, letting you enjoy high-quality content just as the creators intended, for a truly immersive entertainment experience in the palm of your hand.” said Hideyuki Furumi, Executive Deputy President, Head of Sales Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications.
Xperia XZ3 features a beautiful 6-inch QHD+ HDR OLED display, powered by Sony’s award-winning BRAVIA OLED TV technologies, to deliver deeper blacks, higher contrast, and sharper clarity with more vibrant colours to enjoy your favourite movies and content. And advanced X-Reality™ for mobile will “up-convert” SDR content to near HDR (High Dynamic Range) so even when you’re watching content online, you can enjoy a high-quality playback offering higher resolution, wider colour gamut, and improved contrast.
The immersive entertainment effect is also enhanced by Sony’s premium audio expertise. The S-Force Front Surround Sound speakers are now even more powerful with 20% more loudness than the previous model. Hi-Res Audio lets you listen to music in the quality as the artist intended, while DSEE HX upscales your compressed music to near Hi-Res Audio quality; and LDAC ensure superb wireless listening.
And Dynamic Vibration System creates a powerful haptic experience that enhances music, movies and games; letting you feel the action in your hands and bringing content to life in a completely unique way.
The curved 3D glass in front and back blends seamlessly into the device body to create a sleek and elegant borderless design, generating beautiful reflections and ambient colours from all angles. The XZ3 sits comfortably in the hand, courtesy of an extended 18:9 screen framed around a near bezel-less body.
Crucially, the XZ3’s slim 3mm aluminium metal frame does not compromise looks for durability, together with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and IP65/IP68 certified water resistance[i]. And there is a choice of four beautiful colours[ii] in a stunning finish to reflect your individual style: Black, White Silver, Forest Green, and Bordeaux Red.
XZ3 also introduces a new user-friendly interface Side sense, using AI to provide easy and convenient access to your favourite apps. Simply double-tap anywhere on either side of your XZ3, and it cleverly predicts and displays the apps you want to use next placing them within easy reach, without having to scroll up or down for them. Designed with large displays in mind, Side sense offers effortless, one-handed operation.
XZ3 features new Smart launch with AI that instantly prepares your camera when you hold your phone up in landscape mode, ensuring you never miss a moment. Smart launch, together with existing features with AI including Superior Auto, Predictive Capture, Predictive Autofocus and Smile shutter, ensure the XZ3 camera gives you the best chance for a great shot. And of course only Sony’s Motion Eye™ camera offers 4K HDR Movie recording for pro-quality filming and Full HD 960fps Super slow motion for dramatic shots.
Complementing the 19MP main camera is a best-in-class 13MP front camera that lets you capture beautiful and improved portrait selfies with beauty and bokeh effects for creative shots. In addition, advanced 3D Creator now lets users add facial expressions to their scans, taken with either the front or main camera, making them even more lifelike.
Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform, the XZ3 gives users the world’s fastest maximum connection speeds at 1.2Gbps. In addition, your immersive experience is set to last all day, thanks to several useful battery features such as Smart Stamina, STAMINA mode, plus Battery Care[iii] and Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology to help the battery stay healthy to give you a longer battery lifespan.
A range of accessory covers Style Cover Touch SCTH70 and Style Cover Stand SCSH70 will be available in corresponding colours. Also available are charging and audio accessories:
Xperia XZ3 will be available in selected markets globally from end of September 2018 and will be among the first devices to ship with the latest Android™ 9 Pie
[i] XZ3 is water resistant and protected against dust, so don’t worry if you get caught in the rain or want to wash off dirt under a tap water, but remember all ports and attached covers should be firmly closed. You should not put the device completely underwater; or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water or liquids such as drinks. Abuse and improper use of device will invalidate warranty. The device has been tested under Ingress Protection rating IP65/68. For more info, see www.sonymobile.com/waterresistant. Note the XZ3 has a capless USB port to connect and charge. The USB port needs to be completely dry before charging
[ii] Availability of colours will vary by market
[iii] Battery Care charges your phone to 90%, waits, then charges to 100% just before your normal wake-up time
One brand that has been around for a long time but has been pretty quiet is Sony. And it's not a brand that should be 'in the shadows'. They've made some really quality devices, just tend to be harder to find.
I recently had reviewed the XZ2 - where the only major issue I could poke at it was the shape made it slippery. I still use it to shoot all my youtube videos as it's really that good.
Well, that looks to be fixed up as they have now announced the XZ3, which has a more gentle bezel on the back.
Check out the full media alert from Sony. Among the details and better back, you'll see that it has the typical spec bumps where you'd expect, the inclusion of more AI and will actually ship with Android Pie (9.0).
The downside is that currently there are
no plans to range the Xperia XZ3 in Canada at this timeAll in due time I guess.
Sony’s new Xperia XZ3 flagship smartphone brings you a seamless design for an immersive viewing experience
Highlights
- A stunning 6-inch 18:9 QHD+ HDR OLED display, powered by Sony’s award-winning BRAVIA® OLED TV technologies, to deliver deeper blacks, sharper images and more vibrant colours
- Beautifully curved 3D glass design seamlessly blends the OLED display into the slim phone body for perfect hand fit
- Side sense uses AI to cleverly predict the apps you need most and puts them in easy reach
- Smart launch with AI ensures you never miss capturing a moment by launching the camera mode when the phone is lifted horizontally
- 19MP Motion Eye™ main camera and 13MP front camera provide unique capturing technologies, including 4K HDR Movie recording, Full HD 960FPS Super slow motion and advanced 3D Creator now with facial expressions
Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) continues its evolution in Xperia™ engineering and design with the announcement of its latest flagship, the Xperia XZ3, powered by the best of Sony’s expertise across TV, audio, imaging and gaming, in a sleek modern design.
“Our new XZ3 flagship smartphone is not just beautiful to look at, but it’s packed with Sony’s cutting-edge audio and visual technologies, letting you enjoy high-quality content just as the creators intended, for a truly immersive entertainment experience in the palm of your hand.” said Hideyuki Furumi, Executive Deputy President, Head of Sales Marketing, Sony Mobile Communications.
The most immersive experience to see more, hear more, feel more
Xperia XZ3 features a beautiful 6-inch QHD+ HDR OLED display, powered by Sony’s award-winning BRAVIA OLED TV technologies, to deliver deeper blacks, higher contrast, and sharper clarity with more vibrant colours to enjoy your favourite movies and content. And advanced X-Reality™ for mobile will “up-convert” SDR content to near HDR (High Dynamic Range) so even when you’re watching content online, you can enjoy a high-quality playback offering higher resolution, wider colour gamut, and improved contrast.
The immersive entertainment effect is also enhanced by Sony’s premium audio expertise. The S-Force Front Surround Sound speakers are now even more powerful with 20% more loudness than the previous model. Hi-Res Audio lets you listen to music in the quality as the artist intended, while DSEE HX upscales your compressed music to near Hi-Res Audio quality; and LDAC ensure superb wireless listening.
And Dynamic Vibration System creates a powerful haptic experience that enhances music, movies and games; letting you feel the action in your hands and bringing content to life in a completely unique way.
A seamless design and intuitive interface
The curved 3D glass in front and back blends seamlessly into the device body to create a sleek and elegant borderless design, generating beautiful reflections and ambient colours from all angles. The XZ3 sits comfortably in the hand, courtesy of an extended 18:9 screen framed around a near bezel-less body.
Crucially, the XZ3’s slim 3mm aluminium metal frame does not compromise looks for durability, together with Corning® Gorilla® Glass 5 and IP65/IP68 certified water resistance[i]. And there is a choice of four beautiful colours[ii] in a stunning finish to reflect your individual style: Black, White Silver, Forest Green, and Bordeaux Red.
XZ3 also introduces a new user-friendly interface Side sense, using AI to provide easy and convenient access to your favourite apps. Simply double-tap anywhere on either side of your XZ3, and it cleverly predicts and displays the apps you want to use next placing them within easy reach, without having to scroll up or down for them. Designed with large displays in mind, Side sense offers effortless, one-handed operation.
Advanced Motion Eye™ camera and AI in Xperia
XZ3 features new Smart launch with AI that instantly prepares your camera when you hold your phone up in landscape mode, ensuring you never miss a moment. Smart launch, together with existing features with AI including Superior Auto, Predictive Capture, Predictive Autofocus and Smile shutter, ensure the XZ3 camera gives you the best chance for a great shot. And of course only Sony’s Motion Eye™ camera offers 4K HDR Movie recording for pro-quality filming and Full HD 960fps Super slow motion for dramatic shots.
Complementing the 19MP main camera is a best-in-class 13MP front camera that lets you capture beautiful and improved portrait selfies with beauty and bokeh effects for creative shots. In addition, advanced 3D Creator now lets users add facial expressions to their scans, taken with either the front or main camera, making them even more lifelike.
Powerful performance
Powered by the cutting-edge Qualcomm® Snapdragon™ 845 Mobile Platform, the XZ3 gives users the world’s fastest maximum connection speeds at 1.2Gbps. In addition, your immersive experience is set to last all day, thanks to several useful battery features such as Smart Stamina, STAMINA mode, plus Battery Care[iii] and Qnovo Adaptive Charging technology to help the battery stay healthy to give you a longer battery lifespan.
Accessories
A range of accessory covers Style Cover Touch SCTH70 and Style Cover Stand SCSH70 will be available in corresponding colours. Also available are charging and audio accessories:
- Wireless Charging Dock WCH20
- Open-ear Stereo Headset STH40D
- 2-way Style USB Audio & Bluetooth® Headset SBH90C
- USB Type-C™ 2-in-1 Cable EC270
Availability
Xperia XZ3 will be available in selected markets globally from end of September 2018 and will be among the first devices to ship with the latest Android™ 9 Pie
[i] XZ3 is water resistant and protected against dust, so don’t worry if you get caught in the rain or want to wash off dirt under a tap water, but remember all ports and attached covers should be firmly closed. You should not put the device completely underwater; or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water or liquids such as drinks. Abuse and improper use of device will invalidate warranty. The device has been tested under Ingress Protection rating IP65/68. For more info, see www.sonymobile.com/waterresistant. Note the XZ3 has a capless USB port to connect and charge. The USB port needs to be completely dry before charging
[ii] Availability of colours will vary by market
[iii] Battery Care charges your phone to 90%, waits, then charges to 100% just before your normal wake-up time