Sony Xperia XZ2: Release date, specs, features - everything you need to know

Unfortunately, the new smartphone doesn't feature a headphone jack

The Sony Xperia XZ2 and compact version are seen on display during the Mobile World Congress in Barcelona, Spain, February 26, 2018 (REUTERS/Sergio Perez)

Sony’s new flagship smartphone, the Xperia XZ2, has just been unveiled.

The Android handset was launched at the Mobile World Congress technology tradeshow, and will go head-to-head with the newly announced Samsung Galaxy S9.

Here’s everything you need to know about the Sony Xperia XZ2.

Design and colours

Sony’s Xperia phones have boasted the same look for several years now, but with the launch of the XZ2, the range has been treated to a much-needed makeover.

The new handset looks far more modern than its predecessors, thanks to its curved corners and large display.

Its chassis combines a glass front and rear with a metal frame, and it’s available in Liquid Silver, Liquid Black, Deep Green and Ash Pink colour schemes.

The XZ2 looks slick, but it isn’t quite up there with the likes of the iPhone X or Samsung Galaxy S8, S9 and Note 8 in terms of sheer beauty, largely because its top and bottom bezels are still very prominent.

It’s definitely a step in the right direction for Sony though.

Display

The XZ2 features a large and sharp 5.7-inch, 2,160 x 1,080 display with an aspect ratio of 18:9 and a pixel density of 424 pixels per inch, which is built for watching films and TV on.

What’s really interesting about it is that it will up-convert everything you watch on it to “near High Dynamic Range”, to make it look clearer and more detailed.

The feature sounds fantastic on paper, but we’ll have to test the XZ2 out properly to find out just how much of a difference it makes.

Camera

The XZ2 has a 19-megapixel main camera with f/2.0 aperture.

Like the Samsung Galaxy S9, it’s capable of shooting dramatic-looking super slow motion videos, that you can share with friends for a bit of fun.

You can also use it to capture 3D scans of objects or your friends faces, which you can use to create a digital avatar.

On the front, meanwhile, is a 5-megapixel selfie camera with f/2.2 aperture.

Additional features

Sony says the XZ2 is IP65 water- and dust-resistant, but adds that you shouldn’t completely submerge it or expose it to seawater, salt water, chlorinated water or drinks. It’s instead designed to withstand splashes and spills.

It has an unusual “Dynamic Vibration System” too, which analyses audio data when you’re watching or listening to something and makes the XZ2 vibrate, so you can “feel your viewing experience”.

It’s also powered by a 3,180mAh battery, can be wirelessly charged, and features a fingerprint sensor, front-facing stereo speakers and 64GB of internal storage that’s expandable by up to 400GB through the microSD card slot.

Unfortunately, there’s no headphone jack.

Release date

Sony is yet to reveal pricing for the Xperia XZ2, but says they’ll be “available globally from March 2018”.

EE, O2, Vodafone and Carphone Warehouse have all confirmed they will stock it, and you will, of course, be able to buy it directly from Sony too.

Xperia XZ2 Compact

The company has also unveiled a miniature version of the XZ2 for people who prefer smaller handsets, called the XZ2 Compact.

It has a 5-inch, 2,160 x 1,080 HDR display, a 2,870mAh battery, a polycarbonate rear (instead of glass) and no wireless charging, but is otherwise largely the same as the standard model.

The XZ2 Compact will also arrive next month, and will be available in White Silver, Black, Moss Green and Coral Pink colour schemes.