The Xperia XZ: A Camera Phone First and Foremost

As I hold Sony's new flagship phone, the Xperia XZ, here at Evo 2016, it's clear that all the attention is focused on its camera technology. The phone boasts a 23 megapixel sensor from the Xperia Zed series, which has been improved upon with the addition of laser detect autofocus and a second sensor for enhanced performance. However, what truly sets this camera apart is the new RGB IR sensor dedicated to white balance and color accuracy. This attention to detail demonstrates Sony's commitment to producing high-quality images.

The design of the Xperia XZ is also noteworthy, particularly its metal back, which was first introduced at MWC. This feature is a staple of the X Series line, but it's clear that Sony has made significant strides in refining this design to create a truly premium feel. The phone's sleek and symmetrical build, dubbed "Loop" by Sony, creates a tangible sense of quality that is evident when holding the device.

While the Xperia XZ may not boast the most impressive specs, with a Snapdragon A20 processor, 3 GB of RAM, and 32 GB of expandable storage, Sony's differentiation lies in its design and camera capabilities. The phone runs on Android 6.01 at present, although it would have been nice to see the latest version, Android Nougat, especially given that other companies such as LG are set to launch Nougat phones soon.

In contrast, the Xperia X Compact shares many of the same strengths as its larger counterpart, including a camera and design, but downgrades on several specs. The compact phone does not feature a metal back, nor does it have the Snapdragon A20 processor, instead opting for a plastic back with a ceramic-style coating and a Snapdragon 650 processor. This compromise allows the X Compact to be slightly cheaper and is set to hit the market sooner than its larger counterpart, which will be available in October.

A notable feature of the Xperia X Compact is its dedicated shutter button, which reinforces the phone's focus on being a camera-first device. Additionally, like its larger sibling, the X Compact also features USB-C for 2016, although it would have been nice to see more recent technology incorporated into the design.

One potential drawback of both phones is their display resolutions, with the Xperia XE still using 108p and the X Compact settling on 720p. While neither resolution is particularly low, they do represent a step backward from more modern displays that are now ubiquitous in smartphones.

In conclusion, Sony has done an excellent job of living up to its strengths by producing high-quality devices like the Xperia XZ and X Compact. These phones demonstrate a clear attention to design and camera capabilities, even if they may not be the most impressive specs-wise.

"WEBVTTKind: captionsLanguage: enhey guys I'm vlw of verge here at Evo 2016 and I have Sony's new flagship for this year the xeria XZ now all the action with this phone is around here at the back because Sony is doubling down tripling down on its camera technology you still have the 23 megapixel sensor from the Xperia Zed series but this time it also has laser detect autofocus so has a second sensor and a new RGB IR sensor dedicated to white balance and getting just the right colors so these are really the stand up features apart from that you have the metal back design which Sony introduced at mwc and it's its feature for the xeria X Series but besides them this is really quite a regular Android flexure smartphone Sony's differentiation here is design and the camera in terms of the specs of Sony's new flagship you would have heard them quite a few times already this year it's a Snapdragon a20 processor 3 GB of RAM 32 GB of expandable storage both of which are actually quite limited we've seen some other flagships coming out with 6 GB of RAM and plenty more storage but you also get the usual fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button you get USBC naturally for 2016 also something that's quite unique to Sony nowadays is having a dedicated shutter button which again goes through the whole point about this being a camera phone first and foremost and besides that there's also an Xperia X compact which shares the same strengths of camera and design so you have a choice of sizes the 5.2 in Xperia XZ or the 4.6 in xeria X compact the xeria X compact actually downgrades quite a few of the specs it doesn't have the metal back it doesn't have the Snapdragon a20 so what you may do is with the plastic back with a ceramic style coating and a Snapdragon 650 I think that might be sufficient to get most people the performance that they need but again isn't the top tier level there are just a couple of specs that might disappoint people uh one of them is the resolution the xeria XE still sticks with 108p resolution the xeria X compact still has a 720p resolution on it neither of them is bad per se and both displays have really nice view and angles looking at them now but it isn't the latest it isn't pushing any boundaries and for Sony that's what we usually expect besides that both of these phones seem to be running Android 6.01 at the moment uh no promises from Sony with respect to Android nougat the latest version which would have been really nice to see other companies like LG are just about to launch Android nougat phones so before seeing these new Sony phones in person I was actually ready to criticize them for not having any breakthrough specs aside from those new camera systems um but getting in my hands what I finding is that I really like them uh this is typical with Sony they do design really really well have this new Loop design as they describe it there's a whole bunch of symmetry going on around each phone and it's tangible you you feel it in your hand particularly the exper X compact I've always had a soft spot for Sony's smaller phones um it's just a joy and a pleasure to hold in terms of Sony living up to it strengths and extending them these phones are just classic Sony so Sony hasn't yet announced the pricing for these new phones but the X compact can be expect to be a little bit cheaper and it will be on the market sooner next week in fact xeria XE will be out there in October thanks for watching our first look at Sony's new experior Range here at EA 2016 for more of the fun and Whimsy of covering the show here in burlin stay tuned to youtube.com/ thege andth verge.com exper Z no this is cardio this is goodhey guys I'm vlw of verge here at Evo 2016 and I have Sony's new flagship for this year the xeria XZ now all the action with this phone is around here at the back because Sony is doubling down tripling down on its camera technology you still have the 23 megapixel sensor from the Xperia Zed series but this time it also has laser detect autofocus so has a second sensor and a new RGB IR sensor dedicated to white balance and getting just the right colors so these are really the stand up features apart from that you have the metal back design which Sony introduced at mwc and it's its feature for the xeria X Series but besides them this is really quite a regular Android flexure smartphone Sony's differentiation here is design and the camera in terms of the specs of Sony's new flagship you would have heard them quite a few times already this year it's a Snapdragon a20 processor 3 GB of RAM 32 GB of expandable storage both of which are actually quite limited we've seen some other flagships coming out with 6 GB of RAM and plenty more storage but you also get the usual fingerprint sensor integrated into the power button you get USBC naturally for 2016 also something that's quite unique to Sony nowadays is having a dedicated shutter button which again goes through the whole point about this being a camera phone first and foremost and besides that there's also an Xperia X compact which shares the same strengths of camera and design so you have a choice of sizes the 5.2 in Xperia XZ or the 4.6 in xeria X compact the xeria X compact actually downgrades quite a few of the specs it doesn't have the metal back it doesn't have the Snapdragon a20 so what you may do is with the plastic back with a ceramic style coating and a Snapdragon 650 I think that might be sufficient to get most people the performance that they need but again isn't the top tier level there are just a couple of specs that might disappoint people uh one of them is the resolution the xeria XE still sticks with 108p resolution the xeria X compact still has a 720p resolution on it neither of them is bad per se and both displays have really nice view and angles looking at them now but it isn't the latest it isn't pushing any boundaries and for Sony that's what we usually expect besides that both of these phones seem to be running Android 6.01 at the moment uh no promises from Sony with respect to Android nougat the latest version which would have been really nice to see other companies like LG are just about to launch Android nougat phones so before seeing these new Sony phones in person I was actually ready to criticize them for not having any breakthrough specs aside from those new camera systems um but getting in my hands what I finding is that I really like them uh this is typical with Sony they do design really really well have this new Loop design as they describe it there's a whole bunch of symmetry going on around each phone and it's tangible you you feel it in your hand particularly the exper X compact I've always had a soft spot for Sony's smaller phones um it's just a joy and a pleasure to hold in terms of Sony living up to it strengths and extending them these phones are just classic Sony so Sony hasn't yet announced the pricing for these new phones but the X compact can be expect to be a little bit cheaper and it will be on the market sooner next week in fact xeria XE will be out there in October thanks for watching our first look at Sony's new experior Range here at EA 2016 for more of the fun and Whimsy of covering the show here in burlin stay tuned to youtube.com/ thege andth verge.com exper Z no this is cardio this is good\n"