Sony D6503 “Sirius” packs more surprises. 4K Video, Stereo Speakers and heaps of new software features

The leaks of Sony’s D6503 which can be possibly called Xperia Z2 just keeps on coming. Earlier on we’ve seen leaks of the pre-production software which is running on Android 4.3 Jelly Bean. Now the folks at XperiaBlog has gotten their hands with one that’s running the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat which reveals several new interesting features.

Firstly the camera now gets 4K video recording, joining the same bandwagon as Galaxy Note 3 & Liquid S2. While the Xperia Z1 offers Timeshift that shoots 61 pictures in 2 seconds, the new D6503 offers Timeshift video which is likely to be similar to iPhone 5S’s Slo-mo.

The Xperia UI gets more than just a cosmetic refresh with the introduction of smart gesture features that’s similar to the ones found on Samsung Galaxy smart phones. There’s Smart Backlight control which keeps the screen awake while you’re staring at it and Smart Call Handling which lets you answer phone calls by lifting the device to your face or rejecting the call by simply shaking it. Another nice addition is the ability to wake the device by double tapping the screen which is similar to LG’s KnockOn.

If you can’t answer calls, Sony is integrating an on-board answering machine which automatically plays a pre-recorded message and records your caller’s voice message. This is a nice add-on which makes the typical voicemail service redundant. Like most new smart phones, the new interface also lets you choose between normal and simple launcher. The simple launcher offers a clutter free experience with bigger buttons and larger fonts which is easier to use for non-savvy users.

The new device also retained the same signature water and dust resistance capabilities as before. While taking pictures underwater is possible with a dedicated camera button, the screen reacts erratically when it gets in contact with water. To solve that problem, there’s a Touch Block app to prevent unwanted “touches”.

In terms of hardware, it is now speculated that the new device comes with stereo speakers at the front as shown in the image above. This could offer a better audio experience similar to HTC One’s Boom Sound front stereo speakers. The 3 hole vents below actually serves as a microphone, possibly with redundant mics for noise cancellation or better recording quality. There’s also a physical comparison between the D6503 and the current Xperia Z1. From the photos, the D6503 looks almost similar in thickness but it is slightly taller due to its larger screen.

The D6503 aka Sirius is expected to be released in March and probably it will make its launch appearance at MWC 2014 which is happening in the last week of February. To recap, the the D6503 is said to be running on a faster 2.3GHz Quad-Core Snapdragon 800 processor with 3GB of RAM and 16GB of on-board storage. The camera seems to retain the same 20.7MP 1/2.3″ shooter that’s found on the current Xperia Z1. For the current Xperia Z1 owners, hopefully Sony will introduce the similar features with the Android 4.4 KitKat software upgrade.

Check out the new screenshots and hardware comparison after the break.

Comparison of Xperia Z1 (Silver) vs D6503 “Sirius” (Black)

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