So this is it. After a series of leaks and rumours, the Sony Xperia Z4 has been officially announced today in Japan, but we are sure that it will be launched throughout the world in the coming weeks. So, how different is the Xperia Z4 from its predecessor, the Sony Xperia Z3? Well, nothing has changed except the processor and the front-facing camera. The device is now just 6.9 mm thin, and weights 144 grams, with improvements to the metal used in the frame of the device.
The Sony Xperia Z4 features a 5.2-inch FHD IPS LCD display, 2.0GHz Snapdragon 810 processor, Adreno 430 GPU, 3GB RAM, and 32GB internal memory with an option to expand it using a microSD card slot. There's 20.7-megapixel primary camera with a 1/2.3-inch sensor, similar to what was found in the Xperia Z1, Xperia Z2, and Xperia Z3, with autofocus, single-LED flash, and 4K video recording.
The front-facing camera has been upgraded, and now it comes with a 5-megapixel Exmor R sensor with 25mm wide-angle lens.
Sony Xperia Z4 Specifications
- 5.2-inch TriLuminous IPS LCD display, 1920 x 1080 pixels, Tempered Glass for screen protection
- Android 5.0 Lollipop with Sony's custom UI
- Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor, 2.0 GHz/1.5 GHz octa-core 64-bit CPU, Adreno 430 GPU, and 3GB RAM
- 32GB ROM and microSD card slot (up to 128GB)
- 20.7MP primary camera with 1/2.3-inch BIS Exmor RS sensor, BIONZ image processor, autofocus, LED flash, Digital Image Stabilisation, and 4K video recording
- 5.1MP secondary camera with BIS Exmor R sensor with 25mm wide-angle lens
- 4G LTE, FM Radio, dual-band Wi-Fi ac/a/b/g/n, Wi-Fi Direct, Miracast, DLNA, Wi-Fi Hotspot, Bluetooth v4.1, and GPS with A-GPS/GLONASS/Beidou
- NFC, Micro-USB port (without flap), MHL, USB OTG, USB Host, and 3.5mm headphone jack
- Stereo front-facing speakers and LDAC audio (high-quality audio via Bluetooth)
- 2,930 mAh battery; IP6X for dust-resistance; and IPX5/IPX8 for water resistance
- Colours: White, Black, Copper, Aqua Green
Like every other Xperia Z series flagship smartphone, the Xperia Z4 is resistant to water (IPX5/IPX8) and dust (IP6X), and comes with tempered glass on the front and the back for protection against drops and scratches. It also features the same nylon woven grips in the corners of the metal frame of the device to save it from dents which can usually be seen after drops. The Xperia Z4 is powered by a 2,930 mAh battery, which according to Sony, should last two days after a full charge with normal usage patterns. In the connectivity department, the device is equipped with 4G LTE, dual-band gigabit Wi-Fi ac/b/g/n, wired and wireless screen mirroring, Bluetooth v4.1, Micro-USB port with MHL and US OTG, and the usual set of suspected features like FM Radio, GPS, and 3.5 mm headphone jack.
There is no pricing or availability details as of now, but we will keep you updated on the matter as an when we are notified about it.
Our Take
Was making a thin device more important than fitting in OIS? There's nothing really new in the Sony Xperia Z4 apart from the Snapdragon 810 processor, which is riddled with overheating issues as we've seen in the LG G Flex2 and the HTC One M9. Sony has really missed out on equipping the camera on the Xperia Z4 with OIS, which would have made a lot of difference in the end results while clicking images and videos. Every other major company including Samsung, Apple, LG, Motorola, and Lenovo have used OIS in the current generation of their flagship smartphone offerings (except Sony and HTC). The only thing that was below par in the Xperia Z3 was the absence of OIS and dual-tone dual-LED flash from the camera, and Sony has failed to bring those features in the Xperia Z4.
If you already own an Xperia Z3, and are looking to upgrade, don't do it. If you really, really need a better front-facing camera and are fed up with the plastic flap over the Micro-USB port, and you want to upgrade to a Sony device, the Xperia Z4 might be for you. There are much better smartphone offerings out there such as the Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 edge, Apple iPhone 6 Plus, and the upcoming LG G4. Looks like HTC One M9 and Sony Xperia Z4 are going to be flops.
