Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact
Sony took the wraps off its eagerly anticipated Xperia XZ2, which sports a fresh design after similarly styled previous models left Sony handsets looking dated.
Both the 5.7in XZ2 and the 5in Compact model are powered by Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 845 processor, but Sony was keen to talk about its camera tech.
Not only can the rear cameras on both phones shoot HDR video, they do so at 4K resolution. The camera is also better supported in Super SlowMo mode. The previous version topped out at 720p, but the XZ2 shoots in Full HD.
The Compact includes most of the same features as the XZ2, but it doesn’t support wireless charging, which appears for the first time in the range on the XZ2.
It’s perhaps surprising that Sony has excluded a 3.5mm audio jack, but the phone supports AptX HD and LDAC codecs for high-quality Bluetooth audio.
The motive behind the decision could be the launch of Sony’s Ear Duo buds that are expected to retail for $279 in May. The earbuds allow some external sound into the ear, instead of complete isolation, which might prove appealing for joggers who need to be aware of their surroundings. KEY DIGITS AND DETAILS Price TBC Availability Now Processor Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 Cameras 19MP rear, 5MP front OS Android 8 Screens XZ2: 5.7in 1,080 x 2,160; Compact: 5in 1,080 x 2,160 Memory 4GB Storage 64GB storage, microSD cards up to 400GB