Sony has officially taken the wraps off of its new phablet, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, a whopping 6.4-inch Full HD Android smartphone powered by Qualcomm’s new Snapdragon 800 chipset. Running at 2.2GHz, the MSM8974 quadcore makes the Xperia Z Ultra one of the fastest – if not, for the moment at least, the fastest – phones around; it also gets 4G LTE and an 8-megapixel camera.
The casing, a svelte 179 x 92 x 6.5mm and 212g, is waterproof and dust-proof, and in fact Sony has raised its game on that front compared to the Xperia Z. Whereas the original phone met IP55/IP57 standards, the new Xperia Z Ultra steps that up to IP58.
There’s WiFi, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, and GPS, along with DLNA streaming, and Sony has used its Exmor RS for mobile camera technology and its X-Reality for mobile media optimization tech too. For the first time in a Sony smartphone, there’s TRILUMINOS pulled over from the newest BRAVIA TVs, too.
Sony Xperia Z Ultra overview:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h45uTBGftkQ
Interestingly, the Xperia Z Ultra’s touchscreen – though not designed to work with a specific active stylus, as with the Galaxy Note II – can recognize not only fingers but any conductive material, such as a pencil tip. That makes for easy notetaking and sketching.
Meanwhile, since 6.4-inches of phone might be a bit much to hold to the side of your head for long calls, Sony has also whipped out a new accessory, the SBH52 “mini handset”. Hooking up via Bluetooth – with NFC for easier pairing – the hands-free kit can be used as is traditional, with plug-in wired earphones, or held directly to your ear.
Sony SBH52 overview video:
Up front there’s an OLED display that can show caller ID, music information, and text messages. It also has HD Voice support – network depending – and a standalone FM radio with RDS.
There’s also the DK30 magnetic charging dock, which uses the power of magnets to guide the Xperia Z Ultra into place on the charging pins. That comes with two inserts, to suit the phablet whether or not it’s wearing an optional case.
The Sony Xperia Z Ultra will go on sale – in purple, white, or black – in Q3 2013, with pricing yet to be confirmed. Sony hasn’t given specific dates for the DK30 and SBH52, though we’d assume they’ll appear on shelves at the same time as the Xperia Z Ultra.
Well done Sony well done, the note three is going to have to be something very special to beat this one
Awesome Sony. They really step up the level. I’m waiting for what Note 3 has to offer now. If it’s inferior to ZU, I’m switching to ZU.
But don’t you guys think 6.3 Inch is too big! 5.8-6 inch should have been better for hand…:)
If this doesn’t inspire Samsung to improve its build quality for the Note 3, nothing will.
Come on dude, that’s to big. Is this where we’re going with this, looks like I’ll be holding on to this here note 2 for a long time until companies come back to there senses, 6.4 notice how no one had it up to there ear to talk.
Good phone but can this phone handle easily as it has huge screen?
Actually, I’m somewhat blown away by how comprehensive Sony has launched this product. A look at their accessories for this model indicates Sony is serious about addressing several areas. Clearly a valid attempt at what is currently a niche market—an all-in-one of the smartphone segment. Is Sony now back in the game, whereas before they constantly trailed the competition? It starting to look that way. Good job Sony!
what the hell–is it a 6.3″ or is it a 6.4″ inch screen?
LOVE SBH52 “mini handset”. Hooking up via Bluetooth to make calls. Might be cheaper to use a regular bluetooth headset.
Like the phonablet size.
This might just be the device that replaces my phone and tablet!