Sony has officially announced the latest range of Xperia smartphones for 2020. The company, best known for its range of photography-friendly devices, launched three phones, each with its own unique feature set. So, you'll find something here for every budget and requirement.
Sony Xperia 1 II
The Sony Xperia 1 II is the company's newest flagship device, with specifications and pricing to match. At first glance, the name is unusual, as it appears to read the Xperia one two. However, marketing materials show that Sony opted for a similar naming strategy as with their cameras, so this is actually the Xperia 1 Mark II.
As with previous flagships, the main focus here is on the camera and photography setup. The Xperia 1 II comes with the, now familiar, triple-lens rear camera with ZEISS optics. This is made up of a 12MP primary sensor, 12MP telephoto lens, and 12MP ultra-wide sensor.
There are features like Real-time Eye AF for tracking people and animals using auto-focus. The front stereo speakers are tuned by Sony Pictures and were built around Dolby Atmos technology. The phone is also among the first to sport 5G compatibility.
Rounding things off, the Xperia 1 II comes with a 4,000mAh battery with Qi fast wireless charging. The company also boasts that the on-board AI-powered Battery Care technology will improve the battery's lifespan.
Sony Xperia 10 II
The Xperia 10 II is an upgrade to last year's Xperia 10. The mid-range phone is designed with entertainment in mind. To that end, there is a 21:9 Wide six-inch OLED display, protected by Gorilla Glass 6.
The display is optimized for immersive viewing by the TRILUMINOS tech, usually found in Sony's Bravia TVs. The 21:9 screen gives mobile games a more immersive experience, as well. You can also multi-task, thanks to Sony's implementation of multi-window applications.
The 10 II is lighter than its predecessor, too, weighing just 151g. Despite this, the phone is IP65 and IP68-rated for water and dust resistance.
The Xperia 10 II also features a tripe-lens rear camera setup, with a 12MP primary sensor and two 8MP lenses. Like the Xperia 1 II, this phone comes with the AI-powered Battery Care feature to take care of the 3,600mAh battery.
Sony Xperia L4
To round things off, Sony also announced its entry-level device, the Xperia L4. The phone has the same 21:9 aspect display as the Xperia 10 II but is slightly larger at 6.2 inches.
The L series is the company's entry-level range, and the L4 marks the first time you'll find a triple-lens rear camera here. There's a 13MP primary sensor, a 5MP ultra-wide lens, and a 2MP depth camera.
The battery is smaller, too, measuring 3,580mAh, but it does support fast charging. You'll also have access to Sony's multi-window UI. At launch, the Xperia L4 will be available a choice of either black or blue.
The Smartphones of The Future
Although there is no official release date for the new Xperia devices, Sony has noted they'll be available in Spring 2020.
Ordinarily, smartphone launches at this time of year are handled at Mobile World Congress (MWC). However, fears over Covid-19 (otherwise known as coronavirus) meant that MWC 2020 was canceled. This has led to many manufacturers going it alone and sharing their latest devices without attendance at an international event.
This was the case with Samsung earlier in the month. The smartphone giant unveiled its latest Galaxy S20 devices. If you're after an alternative to Sony's latest flagships, then be sure to check out everything you need to know about the Samsung Galaxy S20 series.