(Update: new picture) Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact show up in leaked image, fingerprint reader on board

Update, August 5: @vizileaks has published another image allegedly showing the Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact. This one gives us a better view of the redesign power button/fingerprint sensor.

Original post, August 3: The Sony Xperia Z4 proved to be nothing more than a minimal upgrade over the Z3, which is something that caused an uproar among fans. The Japanese manufacturer sure had its reasons for doing this, though, and that is why the phone was never released outside the company’s home country. Now it’s time for the rest of us to see a new Xperia phone hit the market – what will it be like? Today we may be getting our first glance at the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact.

The image below comes from @vizileaks and displays a trio of devices. The middle one is only included for size reference; as you can assume, it’s the iPhone 5s. Now, the other two are said to be the next-generation Sony Xperia Z series handsets. The leakster labels them as the “Sony Xperia Z(TBC) and Compact”. The number is “to be confirmed”, but we have seen advertising show the number “5” recently. Regardless of the moniker, these should be the phones we see next, and that is the big deal here.

Sadly, this leak didn’t reveal too much about the new smartphones, other than some obvious design elements. It seems the power button has been elongated (we have seen this in previous rumors), as opposed to keeping that round shape we have become so used to. The right side also houses the volume rocker and dedicated camera button, which is the same layout we have seen in previous iterations.

The only main improvement we can get from this photo is the addition of a fingerprint reader. We can’t exactly see where the reader is located, but the image shown in the Compact seems to indicate it’s in the power button. Regardless, the functionality is there.

This leak comes in only about a month before Sony’s IFA press conference, which is scheduled to take place on September 2nd. We can’t really say the phones will be launched then, but it would be a great time for Sony to introduce its new flagship smartphones (this time for real). Sony is forecasting a 7.1% drop in mobile sales this year, compared to 2014. Something’s gotta give, and now that most 2015 flagships are out, Sony has an idea of how the market is going and could leverage from that knowledge.

Let’s keep it tuned to more rumor and leaks to come, guys. We are sure these will be showing up. In the meantime, hit the comments and let us know what you would like to see in the Sony Xperia Z5 and Z5 Compact (or whatever they may be called).

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