LIVE FROM IFA 2016, BERLIN: Sony announced two additions to its X series smartphones, the flagship Xperia XZ and the Xperia X Compact, as it defended its relevance in the smartphone market.

Acknowledging that its viability has come under scrutiny, president and CEO Kazuo Hirai said “our ability to connect with you in meaningful ways continues to guide us to a better, stronger Sony, that will be profitable and positioned for growth. “

He added that the results of 2015 substantiated Sony’s return to profitability and has given it “the confidence to continue our quest to further innovate”.

Xperia
Sony focused on the camera features of its new phones.

“With Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact you can capture every moment as you see it, with blur-free images day or night, and with true to life colours thanks to our new triple image sensing technology,”said Hideyuki Furumi, executive VP, global sales and marketing, Sony mobile communications.

Sony’s first flagship of the X series, Xperia XZ, and Xperia X Compact feature triple image sensing technology that claim to solve the problem of taking pictures in bad lighting.

Along with predictive hybrid auto focus to track subjects in motion for blur-free results, the phones also have a laser auto focus sensor with distance sensing technology, and true to life colours thanks to the RGBC-IR sensor with colour sensing technology.

Sony also claims the phones are the first in the world to feature 5-axis stabilisation for shooting smoother videos.

Xperia XZ provides a 13MP front camera, a 4k 5.2” glass display and metal back.

It is available in a new colour – forest blue – (there are rumours that the new iPhone may also feature a dark blue colour) along with mineral black and platinum.

The Xperia X Compact has a 4.6” screen, “high-gloss finish and solid feel” and will come in mist blue, universe black and white.

The fingerprint sensor power button on both devices is “intuitively” placed on the side of the phone and both have a new Battery Care feature, as well as Qnovo adaptive charging.

Xperia Ear, Sony’s in-ear and hands-free product that allows users to perform activities like listen to a text message and reply using gestres, will be available from November in select markets.

Xperia XZ will launch in October 2016 and Xperia X Compact will be out this month.

VR
With the PlayStation VR headset ready to roll out next month, Hirai said “VR launches us into a new realm that promises limitless possibilities, starting with games but expanding soon across our entire Sony group”.

He said VR will enable Sony to leverage its technological strength in areas such as digital imaging, content creation and production, adding that the firm is exploring how to develop VR as an “entirely new creative and business opportunity”.

The firm also said to stay tuned for a robot to assist around the home, which can form an emotional connection with people by combining audio and video tech sensors as well as megatronics with AI robotics.

When it comes to consumer electronics, Hirai said he is aware users have many options and wants Sony to be their “preferred choice”.