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Sony reinvents Xperia brand with new Xperia X, X Performance and XA (updated)
At Mobile World Congress 2016 in Barcelona, Sony has launched what it is calling “an evolution of the Xperia brand.” The new re-imagined brand hopes to be more than just a smartphone, but a smart connected device “capable of changing the way you interact with the world.”
All-new Xperia smart product concepts challenge conventional categories with machine learning, natural user interface and sensing.
The exact details about the new devices are still coming in, however what we do know is that The Xperia X will use the hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor (2x ARM Cortex-A72, 4x ARM Cortex A53) and the Xperia X Performance will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. The Xperia X and X Performance will have 5-inch 1080p displays, while the Xperia XA will use a 5-inch 720p display, along with the MediaTek MT6755, an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor.
| Xperia X | Xperia X Performance | Xperia XA | |
|---|---|---|---|
Display | Xperia X 5" Full HD 1080p | Xperia X Performance 5" Full HD 1080p | Xperia XA 5'' HD 720p |
Processor | Xperia X Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 | Xperia X Performance Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 Processor | Xperia XA MediaTek MT6755 |
RAM | Xperia X 3GB | Xperia X Performance 3GB | Xperia XA 2GB |
Storage | Xperia X Up to 32GB, expandable up tp 200GB via microSD. | Xperia X Performance Up to 32GB, expandable up tp 200GB via microSD. | Xperia XA Up to 16GB, expandable up tp 200GB via microSD. |
Camera | Xperia X Rear: 23MP 1/2.3'' Exmor RS with Predictive Hybrid AF. Front: 13MP 1/3'' Exmor RS, 22mm Wide Angle Lens F2.0 | Xperia X Performance Rear: 23MP 1/2.3'' Exmor RS with Predictive Hybrid AF. Front: 13MP 1/3'' Exmor RS, 22mm Wide Angle Lens F2.0 | Xperia XA Rear: 13MP 1/3'' Exmor RS with Hybrid AF. Front: 8MP Exmor R |
Misc | Xperia X Android M, 2620 mAh battery, fingerprint sensor. | Xperia X Performance Android M, 2700 mAh battery, fingerprint sensor. | Xperia XA Android M, 2300 mAh battery. |
Next-generation tech
The Xperia X and Xperia X Performance include Sony’s next-generation camera technology called “Predictive Hybrid Autofocus.” Developed in collaboration with Sony’s camera engineers, it lets you choose your subject and then predicts its motion, so you can capture the action in perfect focus, without any blur.
As well as camera tech, Sony says that the new X series has next gen battery tech with Sony’s smart battery management, which the company says will deliver up to two days of battery life.
When it comes to design, each X series smartphone has a curved glass display within a rounded, continuous frame, while the Xperia XA features an edge-to-edge display. Also the Xperia X, Xperia X Performance and Xperia XA each have a range of Style Covers and come in four colors :White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold and Rose Gold.
Ambient connected devices
As part of the re-imagination of the Xperia brand, Sony is concentrating on how you interact with your smartphone. To improve the user experience while out-and-about, Sony has also released details of the Xperia Ear, a wireless ear-piece that provides useful information such as your schedule, weather and the latest news to keep you up-to-date on the go. It uses Sony’s voice technology, which means it can respond to verbal commands, so you can ask it to make a call, perform an internet search, dictate a message or navigate to a certain location. The key here is that it is a hands-free experience.
The Xperia Ear connects to your Android smartphone via NFC or Bluetooth and offers all day battery life plus IPX2 water-protection. As well as the ear piece, Sony has also announced the oddly named RM-X7BT in-car Bluetooth commander, which gives you wireless music streaming and hands-free smartphone functions whilst driving. It consists of two units – an ‘adaptor’ module that enables wireless audio streaming and hands-free calls, and a ‘commander’ that facilitates smartphone functions such as navigation, all whilst driving safely.
But Sony is also bringing its machine learning tech to just more than a AI which whispers in your ear. It has also announced three more concept products:
- Xperia Eye – a wearable wide-angle lens camera that can be attached to clothing or worn around the neck. It features a 360-degree spherical lens and has intelligent shutter technology that uses facial and voice detection to capture images.
- The Xperia Projector is designed for family communication using a natural and interactive interface projection on any clear surface. It will respond to touch, voice and gestures just as you would interact with your smartphone screen.
- The Xperia Agent is a personalised assistant. It will respond to voice and gestures – providing you with useful information, communication assistance and home appliance controls. It is also powered by Sony’s voice technology and will respond to a number of commands – and has a built-in camera and projector display for projecting content onto surfaces.
Wrap-up
This is quite an interesting set of announcements from Sony, I for one wasn’t expecting a Snapdragon 820 based device to be announced. Also it seems that this year’s theme at MWC is “value-add,” peripherals and modules that define the next stage in how we use our connected devices. Sony’s part in this is the Xperia Ear, Eye, Projector and Agent. It will be interesting to see how these “ambient connected devices” perform and if they actually make our lives easier/better.
What do you think? Please let me know in the comments.