Sony just can’t catch a break at the minute, with the latest nuggets of information to filter out of the recent Sony hack seeing images of the upcoming Xperia Z4 handset make a premature appearance.
A device expected to be formally unveiled at MWC 2014 in March, the leaked Sony Xperia Z4 images have popped up as part of the hack surrounding the upcoming James Bond film.
As well as giving an early look at the Xperia Z3 follow-on, the leaks, spotted by Gizmodo, have suggested the phone will be the subject of serious product placement in the upcoming 007 flick.
“Sony Mobile has now provided us with the needed visuals of the new Z4 phones,” Sony’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Marketing, George Leon, said in a leaked email.
In the message sent to Sony CEO Michael Lynton he added: “These phones are the planned phones for May/November of 2015. I’m attaching the visual for you to see.”
While Leon’s comments have cast doubts over the Z4’s release, it is believed the flagship phone will land in May follow a MWC unveiling, with a secondary, spin-off handset to launch later in the year.
With the leaks seemingly showing two variations of the phone, the first (above) looks markedly similar to its predecessors.
Accompanied by the strapline “The Elemental – Xperia Z Fourth Generation”, the image shows a slimline device with a centrally located, round power control.
The other handset looks all the more dramatic.
Although the latest leaks have failed to offer any details on the Z4’s specs sheet, the images have suggested the phone will benefit from a mirrored front and back alongside a resin bezel and a 1.2mm thick glass panel.
It has also shown Sony’s cluttered device will be stripped back with just a single, large, square button featuring on the phones’ right-hand edge.
If that wasn’t enough, the hacked email has also given an advanced look at a new, unnamed wrist-based wearable.
Related: Sony Xperia Z3 Compact review
With the James Bond Spectre set to hit cinemas on November 6, 2015, the teased Z4 spin-off release would fit happily with some top spy-themed marketing.
The leaked email added: “Barbara wants to get a PLACEMENT FEE for putting the phone in. She understands that Sony is willing to commit to a marketing/advertising campaign of 18MM, but she wants an additional placement fee. In the past, Sony Electronics/Mobile has not paid a fee.”
