All of the new Sony Xperia Z3 details from IFA
Last night Sony revealed its newest devices at the IFA show in Germany. Here’s all of the details.
Xperia Z3 and Z3 Compact
That’s right – we’ve got the Sony Xperia Z3 already despite the Z2 being less than a year old. So is there anything truly new? This time round Sony is boasting about the phones being a tiny 7.3mm thick and having an even higher tolerance for dust and water than the previous water and dust-proof Z2.
Screen-wise, the larger version is 5.2″ and the compact is 4.6″ (same as the iPhone 6 we’re expecting to see announced on Tuesday).
The phone is powered by a 2.5ghz Snapdragon 801 processor, and apparently the “Stamina” battery mode means that charge can last as long as two days. We’ll believe it when we see it.
The camera sounds pretty decent too – its 20.7MP in the rear and like its predecessor can shoot in 4K. There’s also set to be a number of camera apps, including Face In, which sounds like it will record from both cameras simultaneously (so you can record your actions) and intriguingly a “multicamera” app that will let you shoot video from up to three compatible Xperia cameras, and create multi-angle videos together.
Finally, there’s Sony’s ace up its sleeve in the form of PS4 compatibility. Sony has announced a new bracket specifically designed for mounting an Xperia Z3 on a PS4 controller so that if you’re on the same wifi network, you can play games on your phone instead of on the TV. Great for if you want to play in the bedroom… or the bathroom.
Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact
The Z3 Tablet Compact is like a bigger version of the Z3 – spec-wise it is nearly identical, albeit with an 8.1MP camera in the rear and 2.2MP on the front… and perhaps most crucially, an 8″ screen. This also features PS4 remote play and the aforementioned camera apps.
Xperia E3
Meanwhile down in mid-range Sony has announced the Xperia E3. Whilst the device still looks the business, spec-wise it is a step down: sporting only a 5MP camera, 4.5″ screen, and 1.2ghz processor. We’re not quite sure of UK pricing and availability (and crucially, the difference between the E3 and Z3), but we’ll let you know when we find out.
SmartBand Talk & SmartWatch 3
Finally a couple of wearables from Sony. The Smartwatch 3 is Sony’s first Android Wear compatible watch, but also has a number of features that work independently: There’s 4GB of storage on board, and independent accelerometers, GPS and bluetooth – so you can leave your phone at home when going for a run, and still listen to music using bluetooth headphones. Like everything Sony (apart from, umm, the PS4), it too is waterproof.
The SmartBand Talk meanwhile is a smaller device designed for “life logging” (Sony has a new Life Log app that works with this and the Watch above) – it has a 1.4″ e-ink display (so, Kindle style) and it will display details on your physical activity throughout the day. Interesting too it also works as a handsfree kit – as you can take calls through it too.
So that’s all of the major Sony stuff – let us know what you think in the comments.
