Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact announced at IFA 2016

Sony introduced the Xperia X series at MWC and now we are seeing them expand the line-up with an announcement at IFA 2016. The Japanese phone maker has just unveiled a couple new smartphones: the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact.

The Xperia XZ and X Compact promise a whole set of stunning features, plus a much needed design refresh. Let’s touch on the essentials real quick, before we bring you our full hands-on a bit later on.

Sony Xperia X Compact

The Xperia X Compact is a shrunken down version of the Xperia X, featuring a 4.6-inch LCD display of 720p resolution, featuring Sony’s well known Triluminos technology. The device is powered by a Qualcomm Snadpragon 650, and it features 3GB of RAM and 32GB of storage. The camera is a 23MP model that you can read about more below. Sony packed a 2,700 mAh battery in this diminutive phone measuring 129 x 65 x 9.5 mm and featuring USB Type-C. According to Sony, the device is coated in a ceramic material, rather than metal, like the Xperia XZ.

The Xperia X Compact will be available in black, white and lovely light blue, starting in the following weeks. No details about the price have been released as of this writing.

Sony Xperia XZ

The Xperia XZ features roughly the same specs as the Xperia X Performance, including the Snapdragon 820 and 3GB of RAM, a 5.2-inch Full HD display, and a 2,800 mAh battery. The big story here is the new design, which is a nod to the the legacy of the Xperia line, but still brings something new to the table.

The metallic design takes a cue from the “flattened cylinder” aesthetic of old Lumia phones, and the final result is quite appealing. Sony used a metallic finish called “Alkaleido” that gives the phone a nice shine and depth, while the rounded edges should make it very pleasant to hold in the hand.

Sony has not revealed pricing or availability details for the Xperia XZ.

Camera experience

Sony prides itself for making some of the best cameras in the mobile industry. In fact, many other manufacturers go to Sony for their sensor needs.

Both the Sony Xperia XZ and X Compact come with the company’s new triple image sensor technology. This combines the usual Exmor RS sensor with a couple other elements that capture color and distance information.  Predictive Hybrid AF and Laser AF make it possible to acquire shots free of blur and motion.

The 23 MP camera is said to be amazingly fast, being able to go from standby to capture in just 0.6 seconds. Part of this is thanks to the dedicated camera button. And if you want to go all manual, Sony allows this.

Furthermore, Sony is pushing the line in the video department. “Both Xperia XZ and X Compact offer significant advancements in the evolution of video recording, with the introduction of the world’s first 5-axis image stabilization cultivated in Sony’s Handycam camcorders, with Sony’s SteadyShot Mode, which allows the user to shoot smoother videos even when walking or capturing extreme close-ups.”

The Xperia XZ can also handle 4K video recording, which is nothing to scoff at.

Also read:

• Sony Xperia X series hands-on
• Sony Xperia X review
• Sony Xperia X Performance review
• Sony Xperia XA Ultra is official: check out that screen!

Sony promises pristine mic and speaker performance. Both devices come with dual speakers and dual microphones, as well as integrated noise cancellation.

A few smart features that should improve performance have been added. The first is Qnovo, which adapts charging to keep the battery healthy and double its lifespan. They also included Smart Cleaner, which cleans app cache when not commonly used. Meanwhile, Xperia Tips will keep an eye on your usage and give you usage tips when it deems necessary.

Interested in learning more about these phones? Don’t worry – we are in Berlin and will be sure to take a closer look at them real soon. Meanwhile, hit the comments and tell us if Sony has convinced you with these two new additions to their Xperia X family.