Sony Xperia Z6 release date, news and rumors
Update: A new flagship phone which could be the Sony Xperia Z6, but is more likely to be branded as the Sony Xperia X2 or similar, has started leaking in photos and benchmarks.
Sony turned it all around with the Xperia Z5, making up for the lacklustre Sony Xperia Z3+ with a far more stable phone. It also benefited from one of the best fingerprint scanners we've seen on a handset and a camera upgrade that made for much clearer photos.
Yet we can't help but feel that Sony could have done even more. There are still missing features and undercooked specs and there's only so many times the company can wheel out essentially the same design, even if it has been increasingly polished.
It's a tough market right now too. If Sony wants to sway people away from the Samsung Galaxy S7, LG G5, HTC 10 – and the upcoming iPhone 7 – it needs to make the very best phone it can.
But making the best phone it can might mean ditching the Z line altogether, as Sony currently seems a lot more focused on the Xperia X range and it's unclear whether we'll get a Sony Xperia Z6 at all.
The latest leaks suggest a mystery new phone is in the works, but whether this is the Xperia Z6, the Xperia X2, or something else altogether remains unclear.
Check out our Sony Xperia XA review and our hands on Sony Xperia X reviewCut to the chaseWhat is it? Sony's next Z-branded flagshipWhen is it out? Possibly IFA 2016 in September, if it launches at allWhat will it cost? It'll be expensive, it's a flagship after allSony Xperia Z6 or Xperia X2?
The Xperia Z6 is a confusing situation. Sony took to the stage at Mobile World Congress 2016 to announce three new phones; the Xperia X, Xperia XA and Xperia X Performance, followed shortly after by the Xperia XA Ultra. The eagle-eyed among you will note none of these bears the Z6 moniker.
The phones feature premium specs, with the Xperia X boasting a fingerprint scanner and a 23MP rear facing camera much like the Xperia Z5 – but the assumption is they will slide in below the flagship Z line. Or so we thought.
Sony didn't confirm whether these are its new flagship devices – thus killing off the Xperia Z6 and the Z line – and since the launch it's not exactly made the situation any clearer.
Over the course of MWC the question was put to a variety of spokespeople from the company and the message was somewhat confusing.
Jun Makino Senior Product Marketing Manager at Sony Mobile told uSwitch "I can't comment on the future, but we will not be releasing a Z6." He said that Sony is "turning to the next stage, with the Xperia X series".
But soon after, Sony denied this was the case. In a statement to techradar, a Sony spokesperson said "Although we can never confirm about the future possibilities of our product line-up, we can share with you that we have no plan to launch Xperia Z6 at this stage."
Emphasis on the "at this stage" part, suggesting that Sony does plan to announce the Xperia Z6 in the future. That was then followed by a statement to AndroidPIT from Sony Mobile US which said, "The Z series is not going away. We want to make it clear."
But more recently a leaked slide seemingly shows that Sony plans to focus exclusively on the 'X' brand until at least 2018. It may not be genuine of course, but it's looking like we may not see the Xperia Z6 for quite some time. For now the Xperia X2, or whatever Sony's next high-end phone ends up being called, could be the closest we'll get to it.
Here's our look at the Xperia X and what it means for the Xperia Z6.
YouTube : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zjOf1rYhdXUSony Xperia Z6 release date
Sony announced the Xperia X range at MWC 2016 in February, and the handsets started going on sale this summer.
Usually we see an Xperia launch at both MWC and IFA in September, so it may be that Sony has chosen to give the Xperia Z6 a miss in Barcelona and just go for an IFA 2016 launch this year.
That's looking distinctly possible, as Sony has announced an IFA press conference on September 1, while a new phone has recently popped up in a series of leaks, suggesting it could be on the way soon. But while the handset just about has flagship specs the model number suggests it could be another entry in the Xperia X range – perhaps the Sony Xperia X2.
In fact a couple of model numbers have emerged, suggesting we might be seeing a whole new range of phones. That could mean an Xperia Z6 and Xperia Z6 Compact, but at the moment it looks more likely that it's new X entries.
A source speaking to cnBeta has previously said that we'd see two Sony flagships this year- one in June and one in October. But even if that's true it's not clear whether the new phone will carry Z branding.
TechRadar's take: A new flagship phone will likely arrive at IFA, but it will probably be called the Xperia X2 or similar. The Z6, if it ever arrives, is unlikely to land this year.
Sony Xperia Z6 design
Hottest leaks:
A brushed metal back
Early rumblings about the Sony Xperia Z6 suggested it would have a completely new design, with metal playing a big role. The Sony Xperia Z5 and most other Sony flagships have a metal frame with a glass back, so perhaps Sony will be ditching the glass and going all-metal. However, it's possible that this rumor was referring to the Xperia X, which itself is metal-clad.
More recently rumors have referred to a high-end phone with the model number F833X, which suggests it's a member of the X range, but it could be the closest thing we're going to get to an Xperia Z6.
These rumors include a number of leaked photos, showing a phone with curved edges but a flat top and bottom, with a back that's seemingly brushed metal. That flat top and bottom would be a change for Sony, which has rounded them in its recent phones.
They could well be accurate and they reveal other details like the apparent presence of a USB Type-C port for charging, though the 3.5mm headphone port is thankfully still intact.
What's less clear is if the Xperia X2 will be dust and water resistant. Sony dropped the feature from the likes of the Xperia X and Xperia XA, but it's managed to keep waterproofing intact for the Xperia X Performance.
TechRadar's take: The leaked shots look convincing, but the handset on show is likely to be an X rather than a Z.
Sony Xperia Z6 screen
Hottest leaks:
5.1-inch 1080p screen3D Touch
Early Sony Xperia Z6 rumors claimed it would have a 5.2-inch screen, just like the Xperia Z5. That marks it out as separate to the Xperia X phones, as they are all 5.0 inches other than the 6.0-inch Xperia XA Ultra.
However, more recently a benchmark showing off what's likely to be Sony's next high-end phone (whether Z6 or X2) has listed a marginally smaller 5.1-inch 1080 x 1920 display. That 5.1-inch size has since been echoed by another leaker, so it's our best guess at the size.
A 1080p resolution would be lower than most flagships, which are starting to embrace QHD displays, but it would be in line with the likes of the Sony Xperia X Performance. Whatever the case, the display on the Xperia Z6 / Xperia X2 apparently won't be 4K, despite Sony introducing that resolution on the Xperia Z5 Premium.
Whatever the resolution, it may benefit from 3D Touch-like technology if rumors are to be believed.
TechRadar's take: Sony seems quite happy to stick with 1080p screens, while a 5.1 or 5.2-inch size seems believable – pushing it above the original X handsets but not into phablet territory.
Sony Xperia Z6 camera and battery
Hottest leaks:
High megapixel counts on both front and rear cameras4K video support from both
A leaked benchmark for a mystery high-end Sony phone reveals a 21MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing one, while someone who claims to have got hold of a prototype reckons it has a 23MP rear camera and a 12MP front-facing one.
23MP seems more likely, given that both the Xperia X Performance and Sony Xperia Z5 have such a sensor, while that 12MP front-facing snapper could actually be 13MP, in line with the Sony Xperia X Performance.
We've also heard that both snappers will be capable of shooting in 4K, rather than just the rear one, while it's clear from leaked shots that the main camera has a dual-LED flash.
We haven't heard any battery rumors yet, but Sony tends to use relatively small yet efficient juice packs, so we'd guess it will be 3,000mAh at most.
TechRadar's take: A 23MP rear camera and 13MP front-facing one just like the Xperia X Performance would be our best guess, as Sony tends to stick to similar camera tech for a while. But some tweaks are likely and 4K footage from the front snapper would help it stand out.
Sony Xperia Z6 OS and power
Hottest leaks:
Snapdragon 820 processor3GB of RAM
The earliest Xperia Z6 rumors include reference to the Snapdragon 820 chip, which is the minimum we'd expect to see given that it's the main flagship processor of 2016.
More recently we've seen a benchmark listing a Snapdragon 820 chip, coupled with 3GB of RAM and an Adreno 530 GPU. Another leak also mentions 3GB of RAM, so that's looking likely, which is unfortunate as it's a step down from the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC 10, both of which have 4GB of RAM.
Still, it's in line with the Xperia X Performance and Sony rarely puts the most cutting edge tech in its phones.
The benchmark also reveals that the phone will run Android Marshmallow rather than Android Nougat. If it launches in early September that's quite possible, but if we're waiting longer Nougat is likely.
TechRadar's take: Sony seems to have slightly dropped out of the specs race, so a Snapdragon 820 chip and 3GB of RAM seem believable, though if so the Xperia Z6 / Xperia X2 may struggle to stand out.
Sony Xperia Z6 other features
Hottest leaks:
USB-CStereo speakers
The Sony Xperia Z6 or Xperia X2 is likely to once again have a fingerprint scanner and leaked images also suggest it will have front-facing stereo speakers, while the NFC sensor seems to be present, but at the front rather than the back.
A USB Type-C port has been spotted too, which would be a first for a Sony phone and would allow for reversible USB cables.
TechRadar's take: Sony tends to put a big focus on sound and has used stereo speakers before, so their presence here is likely, while USB-C would make sense too as most brands will start using it sooner or later.
Sony Xperia Z6 rivals
The Sony Xperia Z6 will be up against the biggest flagships of the year, like the Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC 10. Both of these phones have QHD screens, while the Xperia Z6 will likely just be 1080p. It could also have less RAM, leaving it with a tough fight on its hands.
Check out our Samsung Galaxy S7 and HTC 10 reviews
It will also have to face up to the iPhone 7. That hasn't been launched yet but is rumored to include a large camera and plenty of power, but no 3.5mm headphone port.
Check out our guide to all the iPhone 7 news and rumorsSony Xperia Z6 cost
There aren't any price rumors yet, but we'd expect the cost will be in line with past Sony flagships like the Xperia Z5 and Xperia X Performance, so it's likely to come in at roughly US$700/£525/AU$1000.
Take a look at the Sony Xperia XSony Xperia Z6: what we want to see1. A new design
Sony has been using essentially the same design on all of its flagships and most of its other phones for years. They have a very rectangular look and in the case of the flagships a metal frame with a glass back.
It looks pretty nice, and back when Samsung was still churning out plastic flagships it could even be considered one of the better designs. However, it's never been mentioned in the same breath as recent Apple or HTC designs and with each year it gets a little staler.
So we'd really like to see a completely new look for the Sony Xperia Z6. We've now seen the company change things up a bit for the Xperia X range, but hopefully we'll get even bigger changes for the Xperia Z6.
2. An improved UI
There was a time when Sony's interface was quite good compared to the competition, but while stock Android and rival UI's have evolved Sony's has stayed much the same.
It has a slightly dated look, a cramped keyboard and often comes bloated with apps. It's in real need of an improvement and hopefully will get one soon. The closer to stock Android it gets the better as far as we're concerned with Sony – unless it can come up with something really revolutionary.
3. A better screen
The Sony Xperia Z5 doesn't have a bad screen at all, but at 1080p it's been dwarfed in resolution by rivals like the Samsung Galaxy S6 and LG G4, not to mention newer phones like the HTC 10.
Pushing the resolution on the Xperia Z6 up to QHD could be the answer, but only if it makes a real difference and doesn't harm the battery life too much – and surely Sony can manage it, given it's stuffed 4K into a smartphone?
Failing that perhaps Sony could improve the screen in other ways – making it stronger like the Moto X Force or more vibrant like Samsung's Super AMOLED displays for example. Anything to give it an edge.
4. Three-day battery life
Sony's flagship phones tend to have good battery life, often boasting up to two days of life. But that doesn't pan out if you're using the phone heavily.
At a minimum we'd love to see two-day battery life when you're actually taking advantage of all the features a smartphone has to offer, but better yet we'd love to see three days of life. With most 2015 flagships struggling to last a single day Sony could have a huge advantage if the Z6 can stretch to three.
5. Plenty of power
The Sony Xperia Z5 uses a Snapdragon 810 chip, which, overheating issues aside, is a powerful processor. But the Xperia Z3+ used the same chip and had the same amount of RAM, so the Xperia Z6 is in need of a substantial upgrade.
Fortunately, an upgrade is just what we're likely to get. The smart money is on the Z6 packing at minimum a Snapdragon 820 chip, which is significantly more powerful than the 810. As it won't be landing before late 2016 it may even use a Snapdragon 823. Hopefully it will also get a RAM boost to tip it over the 4GB mark.
6. Wireless charging and USB Type-C
Sony packed a lot of features into the Xperia Z5, but it lacked both wireless charging and USB Type-C support, which are two things we'd really like to see in the Sony Xperia Z6.
If we don't see them then the company risks getting left behind by rivals – although metal bodies make wireless charging a real hassle.
7. Better speakers
Sony clearly wants its Xperia range to be media marvels, given the Hi-Res audio support and front-facing speakers. But those speakers aren't quite up to scratch, especially compared to the BoomSound ones on the HTC One M9.
So there's work to do here. While smartphone speakers will never come close to even a decent set of portable ones it would be great if the Sony Xperia Z6 has good enough ones to use in a pinch.
8. 3D Touch
One of the early Sony Xperia Z6 rumors is that it will have pressure sensitive screen tech along the lines of the 3D Touch feature found on the iPhone 6S.
It's not completely unbelievable given Apple and Huawei already do it and it could be the next big thing. It could also be a good direction for Sony to go in helping the Z6's screen stand out if it doesn't want to up the resolution, so it's something we'd like to see.
9. Better waterproofing
Water and dust resistance is one of the main selling points of Sony's flagships. But despite Sony often taking its phones into pools and lakes when marketing them, the Xperia Z5 should apparently not be completely submerged or exposed to sea water, salt water, chlorinated water or liquids such as drinks.
So in other words while you can use it in the rain most other water-based activities risk voiding your warranty. That's a shame and we'd love to see a fully waterproof Xperia Z6. One which can be submerged indefinitely and even taken into the sea would be great.
10. A big new feature
More and better, that's the minimum that we expect from any new flagship. But for the Sony Xperia Z6 to really impress and really compete with the likes of the Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge and HTC 10 it could do with a killer new feature.
One that we've perhaps not seen before or at least not seen much of. It could be 3D Touch, as mentioned above. Or perhaps an iris scanner that's faster than a fingerprint.
Maybe Sony will go mad and give us a foldable phone with a holographic screen. Probably not that last one, but hopefully something awesome.
Or, if not, then at least maybe charge a little less for the Sony Xperia Z6. The Xperia Z5 was meant to launch at £599 (about US$920, AU$1,249), but even after a pre-release price drop to £549 (about US$843, AU$1,144) it was still one of the most expensive phones around.
The Xperia Z6 could have the Samsung Galaxy Note 7 to compete with
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