Sony Introduces Xperia™ Z2, its new Premium Flagship Waterproof Smartphone with Best Ever Display, 4K Recording and Digital Noise Cancelling Technology

BARCELONA, Spain, Mobile World Congress, February 24, 2014 /PRNewswire/ --

• The world's best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone^[1]with Sony's proven camera technologies: Award-winning "G Lens", 20.7 MP "Exmor RS for mobile" CMOS image sensor and "BIONZ for mobile" image processing engine
• Capture video in 4K resolution with SteadyShot™, complemented by new Xperia camera apps such as Timeshift video and new AR effect
• Our brightest and most vivid viewing experience ever on 5.2" Full HD TRILUMINOS™ Display for mobile with Live Colour LED powered by X-Reality™ for mobile
• The world's first Digital Noise Cancelling Technology^[2]in a smartphone for an immersive audio experience
• The latest Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor with 2.3 GHz quad-core Krait CPUs and 4G LTE for fast performance, 3GB RAM and high capacity 3200 mAh battery in an 8.2mm slim smartphone

Sony Mobile Communications ("Sony Mobile") today introduces Xperia™ Z2, Sony's best ever premium waterproof smartphone combining its best display, sound, camera and camcorder experience as well as an exclusive entertainment offer and a growing ecosystem of companion products. Xperia Z2 is the newest addition to Sony's premium Z series and will launch globally from March 2014.

"With Xperia Z2 we have taken our premium Z series to the next level, delivering unique experiences that only Sony can offer," said Kunimasa Suzuki, President and CEO, Sony Mobile Communications. "We have redefined the smartphone once again through our camera. Xperia Z2 offers an innovative experience that captures memories in stunning detail through 4K video shooting, or offers new ways to use the camera with our unique Xperia camera apps. Furthermore, the Best of Sony has been delivered in the sound quality and customers are now able to listen to their music even in noisy environments without interruptions thanks to our acclaimed digital noise cancelling technology."

The world's best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone^[1]

Capture and relive every detail with Xperia Z2's camera and camcorder. Xperia Z2 features Sony's proven camera technologies to deliver the unbeatable combination of the world's best mobile camera and our most advanced camcorder ever in and 8.2 mm slim smartphone. The 20.7 megapixel camera is matched with 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor, Sony's award-winning G Lens and intelligent BIONZ™ for mobile image processing engine resulting in superb photo and video quality.

These features work together to bring you sharp, vivid and beautiful photos and videos no matter what the circumstances. With new enhanced video mode, you can now capture memories in stunning detail in 4K resolution (3840x2160 pixels/30p) at four times the detail of Full HD, delivering the world's best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone^[1]. Plus, SteadyShot™ image stabilisation technology ensures your footage will stay smooth even if you are walking. The new Movie Creator allows you to trim and crop your videos so that you can easily pick out what you want to share. Insert dramatic slowdown effects at one or more places on the timeline of the video, then preview the results before you save and share your video.

The best video deserves the best sound. The compact and innovative STM10 Stereo Microphone offers high quality stereo audio recording. Compact and easy to carry, it's the perfect match for Xperia Z2's 4K video recording.

The smartest smartphone around with a growing ecosystem of Xperia camera apps

Enhance your mobile experience with a growing range of innovative Xperia camera apps. In addition to Info-eye™, Social live and Timeshift burst, Xperia Z2 also comes pre-loaded with new Xperia camera apps for both photo and video.

• Timeshift video: To relive every moment of the action in slow motion detail, the new Timeshift video mode lets you shoot in 120 frames per second and select scenes to slow the playback speed for dramatic slow motion effects exactly where you want, even underwater.
• Creative effect: Use a range of new creative effects for your photos and videos. Available in real-time for video, these adjustments enhance your clips with a range of effects such as colours, image trails, mirror and motion effects.
• Background defocus: This new camera app simulates a shallow depth of field. Capture two photos at different focus settings and blend together the different depths, leading to a blurred out background for more professional looking photos.
• AR effect: Now available for video recording, have some fun with your photos and videos with new augmented reality animations, including sound effects for video.
• Vine^[4]: Create short, beautiful, looping videos in a simple and fun way for your friends and family to see - all from your camera's viewfinder. Plus, using the dedicated camera button, you can capture Vine videos underwater as well.

In addition to these fun and useful pre-loaded Xperia camera applications, there's a whole range of extra apps for you to enjoy including Wikitude Places, Evernote, VI Sports and more.  Simply go into your camera viewfinder, tap the camera mode icon and then click on '+Apps' to see all the latest apps available on Sony Select to enhance your smartphone experience.  

Our best design with our highest level of waterproofing

The Xperia Z2 Android smartphone is designed with the user in mind, drawing on Sony's expertise in premium craftsmanship. Evolving Sony's stunning OmniBalance design, Xperia Z2 has a slimmer and more comfortable feel by having the glass panels encased in a single, solid aluminium frame with smoother edges. This dust-resistant and waterproof (IP55 & IP58) powerhouse blends beauty with function. The dedicated camera button means that you're ready to capture the action wherever you are - both in and out of the water. Plus, the stunning 5.2" display, balanced with symmetry in design, provides a natural feel when held in your hand.

Bringing the viewing experience to life in bright and vivid detail
To enjoy the latest content in stunning quality and vivid colour, Xperia Z2's screen is built using the latest BRAVIA^® TV technologies optimised for mobile. The 5.2" Full HD TRILUMINOS™ display for mobile with Live Colour LED provides the widest palate of rich natural colours for the sharpest images and a viewing experience that is as close to reality as possible.

Natural colours true to life can be difficult to reproduce on a display. TRILUMINOS^[TM] Display for mobile with brand new Live Colour LED uses red & green phosphor with blue LEDs and customised colour filters to produce a brighter and more uniform light. The result is richer colours on the screen for all of your smartphone viewing without the risk of saturation.

Sony's intelligent super resolution technology, X-Reality for mobile, analyses each image to optimise colours, sharpness and contrast while also reducing noise. The super resolution function reproduces lacking pixels for spectacular clarity and detail.

Entertainment without interruption

To enjoy with the best display and a wide range of entertainment, Xperia Z2 also offers amazing sound quality with stereo speaker output and Sony's digital noise cancelling technology.

Whether you're on a plane or in on the bus, enjoy music on the go without the interruption of background noise. Our digital noise cancelling technology and dynamic sound in Xperia Z2 helps reduce up to 98% of ambient noise, when used with the compact in-ear MDR NC31EM Digital Noise Cancelling Headset. Or, immerse yourself in entertainment with S-Force Front Surround™ to enjoy the latest movies, gaming and music on your Xperia Z2.

Music, movies and more - out of the box and at your fingertips

With Xperia Z2, you also get a range of entertainment right from the moment you turn your smartphone on. Xperia Z2 owners will have access to an exclusive content offer that includes six blockbuster movies from Sony Pictures, including Captain Phillips, through the Video Unlimited service as well as 30 days free trial of the Music Unlimited^[3] service and a range of PlayStation®Mobile games.

This exclusive out of the box content offer is available on Xperia Z2 through Sony's range of integrated entertainment apps with a new and intuitive user interface:

• "What's New" app helps you discover new and recommended movies, music, games and apps for enjoyment on your Xperia Z2 - all accessible from an informative and interactive widget on the home screen.
• "WALKMAN^®" and Movies applications provide access to a global catalogue of more than 25 million songs on the "WALKMAN^®" app through the Music Unlimited^[4] service and tens of thousands of movies and TV series on the Movies app through the Video Unlimited^[5] service from Sony Entertainment Network.
• PlayStation^® App gives you the chance to enjoy an enhanced gaming experience - keeping you connected to your gaming friends and the games you love to play.
• PlayMemories Online^[5] - a cloud-based image and video service that is integrated into the Album application. A new 'All Sync' feature enables users to instantly auto-upload all of their photos without storage limitation^[5] to enjoy on all your devices.
• TrackID^[TM] TV^[6]- enhances your TV-viewing experience as it lets you search, share and explore information from broadcasted TV shows such as cast & crew, biographies, filmography or show related Tweets.

Enjoy ultra-fast performance with a battery you can rely on

Xperia Z2 is armed with the power to multi-task and enjoy everything from super-fast web surfing to video streaming without the wait. With the fully integrated Qualcomm^® Snapdragon™ 801 processor with 2.3 GHz quad-core Krait CPUs and 4G LTE, Xperia Z2 offers ultra-fast performance for the apps and entertainment you want to enjoy, without the interruptions. The Snapdragon 801 also features the Adreno™ 330 GPU for rich graphics and gaming and a dual ISP for a seamless camera, camcorder and display experience.

Xperia Z2 also includes a large 3200 mAh battery which provides outstanding, class-leading battery performance. Plus, with Sony's Battery STAMINA Mode, you can stay connected even longer, as it automatically turns off the functions you don't need to save power when your display is inactive. As soon as you press the power button to wake up your screen, everything is up and running again.

Unrivalled ecosystem of companion products and smart accessories, including SmartWear

Sony offers the most comprehensive range of innovative companion products and accessories to give you new ways to use and enjoy your smartphone. With 154 NFC enabled one-touch connected products - including TVs, headphones, audio speakers, tablets, and more - it has never been easier to connect and enjoy your content across multiple devices.

The SmartBand SWR10 works with Xperia Z2 to log your life in partnership with the Lifelog application, creating an automatic 24/7 diary of your activities, entertainment and memories. Plus, with SmartBand you'll never need to worry about losing your phone or missing a call with a series of customisable smart notifications delivered straight to your wrist.

The Xperia Z2 will launch globally from March 2014.

For the full list of Xperia Z2 specifications, please click here.

^[1]Xperia™ Z2 is a waterproof smartphone (in compliance with IP55/58††) featuring 4K video capture with a 20.7MP camera. Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics' SpecTRAX service as of 21st February 2014, for more information on Strategy Analytics results go to: http://www.sonymobile.com/testresults/

^[2]Compatible headphones required. The Xperia™ Z2 features unique digital noise cancelling (DNC) technology optimised for use with Sony DNC headphones (optional extra). Specifications verified by Strategy Analytics' SpecTRAX service as of 21st February 2014.

^[3]Subject to market availability. Movies offer available in 40 markets.

^[4]Sony Entertainment Network services are subject to availability by region. Please visit http://www.sonyentertainmentnetwork.com  for more details. The number of tracks available from this catalogue varies by country and may be fewer than stated.

^[5]If an image exceeds 1920 pixels along its longest plane (either width or height), it will automatically be resized to 1920 pixels.

^[6]TrackID™ TV is only available in United Kingdom, Germany, France, Japan and United States

About Sony Mobile Communications

Sony Mobile Communications is a subsidiary of Tokyo-based Sony Corporation, a leading global innovator of audio, video, game, communications, key device and information technology products for both the consumer and professional markets. With its music, pictures, computer entertainment and online businesses, Sony is uniquely positioned to be the leading electronics and entertainment company in the world. Through its Xperia™ smartphone and tablet portfolio, as well as innovative SmartWear products, Sony Mobile Communications delivers the best of Sony technology, premium content and services, and easy connectivity to Sony's world of networked entertainment experiences. For more information: http://www.sonymobile.com

Legal

1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market. 3) Icons displayed are for illustrative purposes only. The homescreen may appear different in your product. Some features may not be available in your country or area.

"Sony", "WALKMAN", "VAIO", "Cyber-shot", "Handycam", "α", "BRAVIA", "X-Reality", "BIONZ", "SteadyShot", "TRILUMINOS" and "S-Force Front Surround" are registered trademarks or trademarks of Sony Corporation. "Xperia" is a registered trademark of Sony Mobile Communications. All other trademarks or registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at: http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/legal/trademarks-and-copyright/

SOURCE Sony Mobile Communications