Handsets

Sony officially announces the Sony Xperia Z1 with QX10 and QX100 Smart Camera lenses

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xperia z1 unveil

Sony has just officially announced the Sony Xperia Z1, the company’s latest flagship smartphone with an insane 20.7 megapixel camera sensor onboard. Part of the “G” series of mobile lenses, Sony is promising a sensor that can zoom up to 3x without any loss of clarity. Also inside the Sony Xperia Z1 is a 5-inch 1080p display and Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 800 processor. The device is completely waterproof, and also features NFC, LTE, a 3,000 mAh battery, and more.

Set to launch this September, the Sony Xperia Z1 will run Android 4.2.2 with Sony’s custom software sitting on top. Most of the custom work has been put into the camera, with things like the “Info-Eye” feature that will feed you more information about whatever you’re viewing through your lens. Time Shift Burst mode will let you capture more than 60 images in just 2 seconds, something I’m sure stop-motion photography makers will love.

To top all of that off, Sony also revealed their two new smart lenses that can be used to capture photos with not just the Xperia Z1, but nearly any Android smartphone you own — the QX10 and QX100. The camera lenses use a bracket to attach themselves to your phone, essentially using your device’s display as a viewfinder as they feed what the sensor is seeing over to the phone electronically.

Sony’s PlayMemories Online service will automatically upload your pictures to the cloud for you, with unlimited storage to make sure you’ll never have to “make room” for that new batch of vacation photos. You can also use a new feature that will allow you to share the video you’re recording with your family and friends in real time.

Sony didn’t have an exact date or price to share just yet, but we expect those details to come to light as soon as European retailers begin putting up listings for what is sure to be one hot item.

Quentyn Kennemer
The "Google Phone" sounded too awesome to pass up, so I bought a G1. The rest is history. And yes, I know my name isn't Wilson.

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32 Comments

  1. Lol. Just had to get in before Samsung

  2. Can’t wait for your guyses hands on video :)

  3. Surprise! -_-

  4. The built in camera looks awesome!

  5. Make it Vanilla and you will have a winner!

    1. Lol no…

  6. Work on dem BezeLs Sony!

    1. That and inferior sound due to waterproofing are my worries with this device. Oh, and if it’s anything like the Z and ZL, it’ll cost way too much.

      1. The Cost is justified by the specs, which the phone obviously has along with the waterproofing and other gimmicks.

        1. Agreed. It’s the only 5in phone with specs like these, which is great, because not everyone wants a Note.

      2. Get a job so you can afford a decent phone.

    2. Truer words have never been spoken.

  7. Im sorry, the phone looks freakin ugly with those damn 10 mile wide bezels to the all it’s sides.. top bottom left right..

    1. Yeah, a shallow thing to admit, but the huge bezels kill it for me.

      1. I dont think it’s a shallow thing at all. We’re used to phones with bezels at 2.5mm or less this year. Kinda like getting used to lets just say 20″ wheels and here comes this nice ride with a 15″ wheel…

        1. It’s shallow. Smaller bezels won’t make your phone take better pictures or play better games

    2. Does a bezel that is a few millimeters thinner really make a phone that much more appealing. Explain your reasoning. I can understand if the bezels were outrageous but the bezels on this phone aren’t all that bad.

    3. Okay… May be I see your point >.< Here is a hands on video… Those bezels… O.O A hands on perspective really puts things… into perspective.

      http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4jIzpk_LBjA

  8. Yo man why does Sony gotta make it all hard to choose my next mobile phone?!

  9. The price will be 649€ and will be available this month according to Androidworld.nl

  10. With my Z Ultra and now this Z1 I’m really hoping people start picking these up. Sony is really making the effort here.

    1. Is the ultra any good? was thinking about buying one to replace my galaxy note 1 but I am afraid it will be to big.

      1. Oh it’s great. It’s much thinner than either Note phone. It’s definitely taller but it fits in my pockets just fine. I definitely recommend it.

    2. if people will put their prejudice aside and try this, they will love it. Once I tried the Z Ultra, there was no looking back. All this talk about “project butter” is bull. Throw a Snapdragon 800 in a phone and you see what smooth really is.

      1. Project butter is not bull No lag ever on my N4

    3. How did you like the battery life with ZU? I have heard horrible stories.

      1. Well I was spoiled by the Note 2, so it’s definitely not as good, but I’m a pretty heavy user and it doesn’t really bother me. I tend to use the majority of the battery life but it hasn’t died on me yet on a long day.

    4. yup, thinking about picking up the ultra

  11. Same processor as the Z Ultra which makes all other phones seem like dogs.Probably selling for the same price as the mid level Moto X. Kinda feel sorry for anyone who rushed out for their overpriced mint green Moto X

  12. Was there any mention of 4K recording capability?

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