Sony Xperia Z2 – Android’s next iPhone rival?
In less than nine months the Sony Xperia Z landed and was quickly superseded by the Sony Xperia Z1. Now it appears yet another new model is on the horizon, with Sony Xperia Z2 rumours hitting fever pitch.
Although official Z2 specs have yet to surface, it has been claimed that a Sony Xperia Z2 release date will follow an MWC 2014 unveiling later this month. With the handset reportedly just weeks from launch, a recent spate of images have teased the upcoming phone alongside a bevy of teased specs.
As the Sony Xperia Z2 rumours gain momentum, we look at what you can expect from the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One 2 rival.
Sony Xperia Z2 News
Although leaked Sony Xperia Z2 pictures have suggested the handset will boast a form factor markedly similar to its predecessors, latest reports have claimed that a heavily reduced bezel will see the phone’s screen size increased to 5.25-inches. The reduction in bezel means the Z2’s larger screen will fit on a body only marginally larger than that of the Z1.
Having been photographed alongside its siblings (above), the Sony Xperia Z2 looks set to benefit from a familiar form factor, with reports have claimed Sony insiders suggesting the phone will again feature a waterproof coating. Although currently unconfirmed, we would be far from surprised to see Sony retain its boxy design principles with the Z2 given the handset will be more of an incremental upgrade than a total refresh.
As well as getting bigger, things on a visual front are rumoured to be getting better too. Whereas the Z1 features an already impressive 1080p Full HD panel, reports from the Chinese supply chain have claimed a stunning 2K screen will be present. This new panel is said to host a 2560 x 1440 pixel resolution, identical to that expected to appear on the upcoming Samsung Galaxy S5.
Adding to the range of leaked Sony Xperia Z2 images, the phone has also popped up on video a couple of times, with the hands-on leaks showing a slightly remodelled OS.
Building on Sony’s now familiar UI, the Sony Xperia Z2, a handset also leaking under the moniker of the Sony Xperia Sirius, will reportedly feature a raft of new software-based camera features but more on that later.
Sony Xperia Z2 Release Date
In what is becoming an increasing busy period for the smartphone scene, the Sony Xperia Z2 release date has been rumoured to follow an MWC 2014 unveiling. This is despite the preceding Xperia Z1 having only been launched at IFA 2013 last September and the Sony Xperia Z1 compact having touched down earlier this month after a CES announcement.
While a February Sony Xperia Z2 release would be a slight surprise, given the rate of leaks and the short cycle that saw the Z become the Z1, it is not totally out of the question.
With Sony having confirmed it will hold an MWC-based press conference on the morning of February 24, the manufacturer has given itself a prime launch platform for the mooted handset. Adding further backing to the MWC Sony Xperia Z2 release date claims, further rumours have suggested a Sony Xperia Tablet Z2 is also on the horizon.
If the Sony Xperia Z2 release date claims are accurate, the phone will face stiff competition. With the handset likely to hit retailers in late March or early April, the Z1 replacement could land in stores within a matter of weeks, or indeed days or the high-profile Samsung Galaxy S5 and HTC One 2.
Sony Xperia Z2 Specs
While Sony has remained coy on confirming any of the phone’s details early, a mass of Sony Xperia Z2 leaks have offered a strong indication as to what the handset might have in store. Although impressive, the rumoured Sony Xperia Z2 specs sheet is looking very similar to those teased for the HTC One 2 and Samsung Galaxy S5.
On a hardware front the Z2 has been reported to run the now commonplace quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor. Unlike past handsets, however, the Z2’s CPU will reportedly be clocked at 2.5GHz, with 3GB of RAM thrown into the mix too.
Set to run Google’s Android 4.4 KitKat OS, further Sony Xperia Z2 specs leaked include the same 20.7-megapixel camera as found on its predecessor, the aforementioned 5.25-inch 2K display and a remodelled UI.
This leaked array of specs is largely unsurprising and, although impressive, uninspiring. Although they will create a handset that is powerful enough and visually appealing enough to satisfy all consumer needs, the Z2’s specs will offer nothing new on its rivals.
Although this collection of specs is looking increasingly likely to feature, given that most reports have surfaced courtesy of Chinese blogs and claimed ‘supply chain sources’, we must stress that they should be taken with a slight pinch of salt.
Sony Xperia Z2 Rumours
Where the handset does looks set to differentiate itself from the masses, however, is on a software front. Based on leaked video of the phone – surfaced by YouTube user Rimas Flyil – the Z2 has been shown to run Sony’s Lifeblog application as well as a reworking of knock-on, the LG G2 feature that allows the handset to be woken by simply double-tapping the display.
Further features surfaced within the leaked video include a range of incoming camera credentials that will improve the physical snapper that is set to be retained from the Z1.
Within this teased camera software, it has been suggested that the Z2 will benefit from 4K video recording and a new Timeshift Video app. It is said that the Timeshift feature will allow users to “record high frame-rate video and apply slow motion effect.”
As well as 4K shooting, the Z2 will reportedly offer 1080p Full HD recording at 60 frames-per-second, double the 30fps rates currently offered.
Further turning the Z2 camera into something that has really grabbed our attention, the latest Sony Xperia Z2 rumours have pointed to the introduction of a Xenon flash and the arrival of a new CamScanner mode that can turn photographed documents into PDFs.
Elsewhere, a PS4-esque start-up animation has been showcased alongside a range of new live wallpapers and the KitKat introduced notification bar and transparent UI gradients.
Although there is no single major software improvement, this collection of rumoured Z2 UI updates looks enough to truly transform elements of the phone. If accurate we can’t wait to get our hands on the device.
Sony Xperia Z2 Price
As you might expect there is currently no word on an official Sony Xperia Z2 price. However, given that the Z1 is still setting wannabe owners back around £550 SIM free, we expect the Z2 will cost just shy of £600 at launch.
Stay tuned for all the latest news, rumours and leaks on the Sony Xperia Z2