Sony Xperia Z4v launched: Focus on the cameras

Sony has announced the Xperia Z4v smartphone, and it's looking good. The 5.2-inch display is high resolution, and the two cameras have been improved with both hardware and software. The phone is waterproof, even with a capless USB charging port.

It's impressive how much Sony has crammed into the 8.6mm thin Z4v. Both the 20.7MP rear camera and the 5MP front camera have 25mm wide-angle lenses. Sony told ZDNet the cameras are designed to get a wider field of view in photos than most of its competitors. It decided to put the same wide-angle lens on the front camera to get bigger crowds in selfies without using a selfie stick.

The Snapdragon 810 processor in the Xperia Z4v is octa-core, and with 3GB of RAM (32GB to 128GB internal storage), the phone should be very fast. This will come into play, as the phone can record and output 4K video using the camera.

Aside from the cameras, Sony gave a lot of attention to audio on the new Xperia. It features what the company calls "hi-res" audio that resamples music to a higher bit rate. This is officially called ClearAudio+, with Sony claiming that it is superior to other technologies. Perhaps most impressively, the Xperia Z4v can scan headphones that are plugged into the phone and automatically adjust the audio profile for the best quality playback.

Hardware specs:

• CPU: Qualcomm Snapdragon 810
• OS: Lollipop (Android 5.0.2)
• Memory/storage: 3GB/32GB (expandable with microSD slot)
• Display: 5.2-inch, 2,560x1,440, IPS
• Cameras: Front 20.7MP, rear 5MP, both 25mm wide-angle lens, 4K video capture
• Audio: Stereo speakers, ClearAudio+, automatic headphone compensation
• Connectivity: LTE, CDMA, HSPA+, GSM, Wi-Fi (MIMO), NFC
• Battery: 3,000mAh, wireless charging, Quick Charge 2.0 compatible
• Dimensions: 144.4x72.3x8.6mm; 5.69x2.85x0.34 inches
• Weight: 160g; 5.64oz

With the Snapdragon processor in the Xperia, the handset is Quick Charge 2.0 compatible. This allows an extra eight hours of run time in just a 15 minute charge, as we previously reported. This should serve in a pinch if the stout 3,000mAh battery isn't enough on long days. The Xperia Z4v also has wireless charging capability that is compatible with both Qi and PMA technologies.

The 5.2-inch display features a technology Sony calls X-Reality. Examples shown to ZDNet included screens where the technology identified washed out areas and automatically brightened them.

PS4 gamers will enjoy the ability to shoot a game being played on the Xperia Z4v for gaming anywhere on the same network as the PS4. You can pass the game around other devices in the home.

The Sony Xperia Z4v will be available during US summer from Verizon exclusively, in either black or white. Pricing is not known at this time.

See related:

• Sony Xperia Z3 review
• Sony Xperia Z3v review