Sony Mobile Malaysia has finally launched their latest flagship smartphone, the Xperia XZ, and the compact Xperia X Compact locally. Sony fans have waited with bated breath for a proper 2016 flagship Xperia X device to hit our shores and now it’s finally a reality.
Sony Mobile’s Xperia XZ flagship smartphone is one of the best devices they’ve made yet, featuring all the bells and whistles you would’ve come to expect from a top-of-the-line Sony smartphone. It’s got a 5.2-inch Full HD display, a Snapdragon 820 processor, 3GB of RAM and 64GB of internal storage (expandable via microSD).
Powering this new metal device is a 2,900 mAh battery. Connectivity options include dual-SIM 4G LTE, WiFi, Bluetooth 4.2 connectivity and NFC. It also gets a side-mounted fingerprint sensor and a dedicated camera button.
A new build also means that the smartphone will sport IP68 water resistance — much like the Xperia X Performance that never made it to our shores officially. But that’s not all because Sony has invested heavily in the development of the XZ’s camera. It now sports Sony’s new tri-sensor camera system, alongside a 13-megapixel selfie snapper, which is designed to give you the best image possible.
The word tri-sensor is used because in addition to the 23-megapixel Exmor RS sensor, the XZ also has a Laser AF sensor and an RGBC-IR sensor that is dedicated to getting accurate white balance readings of a particular scene.
Alongside the Xperia XZ, the Xperia X Compact is the other smartphone that sports this fancy new camera system from Sony. That said, the X Compact is a very different device than the XZ because it’s the compact version of Sony’s Xperia X smartphone.
This means that the device will sport a Snapdragon 650 processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage (also expandable via microSD). Putting the compact in its name, the handset comes with a smaller 4.6-inch HD 720p display, a 5MP selfie snapper and a 2,700 mAh battery. Other compromises include a plastic body and the absence of the XZ’s water resistance.
Both handsets will come running Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box.
Sony’s new Xperia XZ will be priced at RM2,699, comes in Forest Blue, Mineral Black and Platinum colours. The Xperia XZ is available for pre-order on 11street from now until 4th October and they will start shipping on 6th October. As an added bonus, they are bundling free gifts worth RM600 which consists of an SBH-80 Stereo Bluetooth headset, a USB Type-C OTG 64GB thumb drive and a back case plus screen protector.
The Xperia X Compact, on the other hand will be priced at RM1,999, comes in Mist Blue, Universe Black and White colours. Both the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact will be available at authorised Sony Mobile outlets beginning 7th October.
Want a more in depth look at these two devices? Check out our full hands-on and first impressions here. If reading isn’t your thing, we’ve got a video too:
If you have any thoughts, be sure to drop them in the comments below!