Upcoming redesigned Xperia device shows up in leaked pictures

Here’s our first look at what could be the next high-end Xperia phone.

Images supplied to GSM Arena by a tipster reveal what could be the successor to the current Xperia flagship, the Xperia X Performance. It looks like Sony is finally exploring new directions in product design, moving away from an aesthetic that we’ve grown (over-)accustomed to over the past few years.

The device in the images (purported to be the Sony Xperia F8331) features flat sides on the top and bottom, with rounded sides. The 2.5D glass on the front flows into the curved side of the phone, and, overall, the industrial design is reminiscent of the “flattened tube” look of a certain Nokia Lumia phone.

Like the Xperia Z Performance, the phone in the images features front facing speakers. The bottom of the device reveals a USB Type-C port – the Xperia F8331 could be Sony’s first phone to use the new standard, which is becoming increasingly popular with Android manufacturers. Unlike Motorola though, Sony isn’t ditching the 3.5 millimeter jack and seeing that the device is relatively thick, that would’ve been hard to justify.

The back of the device shows a more dramatic deviation from the established Xperia design language. The back is brushed metal, with what looks like a plastic antenna window at the bottom. The layout of the camera flash has been changed to a pill-shaped design that houses two LEDs and potentially a laser sensor.

One more design detail worth mentioning is the power button of the side, which seems to be unchanged compared to Xperia X Performance. The button will probably house the phone’s fingerprint sensor.

According to GSM Arena’s tipster, the display of the Xperia F8331 will be Full HD and larger than the X Performance’s 5-inch screen. Our guess based on the pics is that it will be at least 5.5-5.7 inches.

The Sony Xperia F8331 is rumored to be launched in the second half of the year. Sony has traditionally used IFA to unveil new devices and this year could be no exception.

What do you think of this new device? What does Sony need to do to gain your attention?