Sony has unveiled its new Xperia Z2 smartphone, borrowing innovations from its audio and camcorder businesses to provide noise-cancelling technology and ultra-high-definition video recording.
The Japanese tech giant unveiled the new device on the first morning of the Mobile World Congress trade show in Barcelona.
Noise cancellation works with an in-ear headset, which is sold separately, while the camera can capture video in so-called 4K resolution, an emerging standard that offers four times the sharpness of current high-definition video.
"With Xperia Z2 we have taken our premium Z series to the next level, delivering unique experiences that only Sony can offer," said John Featherstone, Sony Mobile managing director for Oceania.
Sony did not disclose how much the phone will cost in Australia, but said they should start shipping around the world from March. The phone will be available through Optus, Telstra, and Vodafone, and through direct Sony channels.
Sony, once an electronics powerhouse, has had difficulty keeping up with Samsung and other rivals in various consumer electronics. Its phones have struggled to compete with the likes of Samsung and Apple.
The Z2 sports the same 20.7 megapixel camera found in its predecessors, the Z1 and the Z1s. Most other smartphone cameras have 8 to 13 megapixels.
The Z2 is waterproof, like the Z1 phones, and its screen is slightly larger, at 5.2 inches diagonally instead of 5 inches.
At Monday's announcement event, Sony also demonstrated a SmartBand fitness accessory that works with a Lifelog app on the phone to record your day.
You see key moments on a timeline, including photos taken and messages sent and received. As your day progresses on the timeline, you see the number of steps and calories burned to that point.
Sony also announced a high-end tablet and a separate, mid-range smartphone.
The tablet is also called the Xperia Z2 and features a 10.1-inch screen, larger than most full-size tablets. It is also waterproof. The Wi-Fi-only model weights 426 grams, which is lighter than Apple's lightweight iPad Air, despite the Z2's larger size.
Sony's Xperia M2, meanwhile, is meant as a cheaper alternative to the Z2. Its camera isn't as powerful, at only 8 megapixels, and the screen is only 4.8 inches.
Sony is making a version of the M2 with two SIM card slots, something in demand in emerging markets, where plans vary so much that people often have service with multiple carriers and use what's most economical for the circumstance.
The M2 is slated for April.
Share
