Sony has had a rough time in the smartphone race and hasn’t been able to keep up with the competition in the budget or the premium segments. After trying out a number of strategies, the company last year announced three flagship smartphones coming in different sizes one of which also had a 4K enabled display. While that strategy wasn't very fruitful, this year the company is back with new handsets and it seems that the three variant strategy is here to stay.
The ongoing MWC (Mobile World Congress) saw Sony announcing a new premium Xperia line called the Xperia X which includes three handsets having 2.5D curved 5-inch displays and this time there no phablet or compact. All three look very similar to each other and carry on Sony’s omni-balance rectangular slab design but now you get a metal back.
Xperia X Performance
This is the top of the line version which includes a new Snapdragon 820 octa-core processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage which is expandable. The 5-inch display has a 1080p resolution (Sorry, no 4K) and will be fully waterproof, something what Sony has been doing for a long time. The cameras include a 23MP rear camera similar to the Xperia Z5, however it now comes with a fast predictive hybrid focusing system with some more tweaks. On the front there is a 13MP selfie camera.The rear camera can also shoot 4K videos and shoot at ISO 12,800. Just like the last year’s Z5 series, you get a fingerprint scanner on the right edge embedded in the power button and a 2,700mAh battery.
Xperia X
A toned down version of the Xperia X Performance, the Xperia X features the same camera arrangement and the same 5-inch 1080p display. The handset does not offer waterproof certification though, Sony probably thought that this feature isn’t attracting customers any more. Inside there is a more nimble Snapdragon 650 processor with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of expandable storage. Other features include the same fingerprint scanner and a 2,620mAH battery. The Xperia X and X Premium will also feature premium stereo speakers and high-res audio inside.
Xperia XA
For the budget conscious, the Xperia XA is here which has a lower HD resolution (720p) 5-inch display compared to the other two and of course no metal back. You don't get the fingerprint scanner or the waterproof body and even the cameras are lower specced including a 13MP main camera and an 8MP selfie snapper. This one will be powered by a MediaTek Helio P10 octa-core chipset with 2GB RAM and 16GB expandable storage and a 2,300mAh battery.
The handsets sound like a well balanced update from Sony but to be honest there isn't anything exciting about the handsets. Somehow it feels that Sony is not very confident about its smartphones and is still playing safe. Pricing is yet to be confirmed and the handset should start shipping post March.
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