Sony Xperia X – What is X series about?
Just early today, Sony announced Sony Xperia X, X Performance and XA during the MWC 2016.
Specifically, X Performance have latest update in term of processor & camera from Sony Xperia Z5 last year, other than the fact that the screen got smaller comparing to Z5. However, it’s still not a Z6 that we expected.
Over the years , Sony introduce two Z series flagship every single year. However, there are concern that people are getting tired of similar Omnibalance & there aren’t any significant update between two models that are only 6 months apart.
Sony has been neglecting their X series for a long time, the last X series was the Sony Xperia X8 which came out on 2010. Xperia X8 was one of the only 3 X series phone along with first Sony android phone Xperia X10 & X10 mini series. Here are 2 guesses on why Sony revisit X series.
1) Xperia X is the unofficial Z6.
With Z5 only widely available during the 4th quarter last year (especially with Z5 coming to US only this month), announcing a Z6 can directly have negative impact on Z5 in terms of sales as people will be confused by the similar priced product. Latest Xperia X actually has the similar specs as the rumored Z6. The differences are that Xperia X only comes in one size for all 3 models, and differentiate by the phone specifications instead (processor, RAM, storage, camera). However, various rumors show that Z6 will be coming in different sizes. So Xperia X might not be the Z6 that we are looking for.
2) Xperia X is the new gap to fill in as the 1st flagship of the year.
Similar name would cause confusion and discourage buyer. However, what if you can have two different series that came out in different point of the year? It clearly distinguish the products for the user. Last year Sony facing tough time trying to differentiate their Z3/Z3+ aka Z4/Z5 in various markets. I would think having Xperia X as 1st flagship for each year is a clever way to avoid marketing disaster from happening again.
Here are the specifications.
| Category | Xperia XA | Xperia X | Xperia X Performance |
|---|---|---|---|
| Operating System | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow | Android 6.0 Marshmallow |
| Display | 5-inch 720P HD | 5-inch Full HD 1080P | 5-inch Full HD 1080P |
| Processor | MediaTekHelio™ P10 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 |
| Storage | 16GB | 32GB | 32GB |
| Expandable | microSD up to 200GB | microSD up to 200GB | microSD up to 200GB |
| RAM | 2GB | 3GB | 3GB |
| Rear Camera | 13MP with Exmor RS | 23MP with Exmor RS | 23MP with Exmor RS |
| Front Camera | 8MP with Exmor R | 13MP with Exmor RS | 13MP with Exmor RS |
| Networks | LTE (4G), LTE Cat4, GSM GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+ (3G) | LTE (4G), LTE Cat6, GSM GPRS (2G), UMTS HSPA(3G) | LTE (4G), LTE (4G) Cat9, GSM GPRS (2G), UMTS HSPA (3G) |
| Charging | micro-USB Pump Express+ 2.0 |
micro-USB QC 2.0 |
micro-USB QC 2.0 |
| Waterproofing | None | None | IP65 / IP68 dust-tight & water resistant, Capless USB |
| Battery | 2300 mAh | 2620 mAh | 2700 mAh |
| Dimensions | 143.6 x 66.8 x 7.9 mm | 143 x 69 x 7.9 mm | 143.7 x 70.4 x 8.7 mm |
| Weight | 138g | 156g | 165g |