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Sony takes fight to Samsung, Apple

Admire Moyo
By Admire Moyo, ITWeb's news editor.
Johannesburg, 05 Sept 2014
Sony touts its Xperia Z3 as having "the highest level of waterproofing, enhanced camera experiences and applications".
Sony touts its Xperia Z3 as having "the highest level of waterproofing, enhanced camera experiences and applications".

Japanese electronics giant Sony unveiled a slew of consumer devices during the IFA consumer electronics trade show this week in Berlin, as it takes on its competitors in several technologies in one foul swoop.

Its latest devices include its new Xperia Z series flagship smartphones - Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact, Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact - and the addition of two new products to its SmartWear Experience range: Sony SmartBand Talk and SmartWatch 3.

According to a recent IDC report, Sony still trails Samsung, Apple, Huawei, Lenovo and LG in the smartphone market. Sony's product announcements dovetailed with rival South Korean electronics giant Samsung releasing its Galaxy Note 4 smartphone and Gear S smartwatch during the same show.

Apple is reportedly set to unveil its iPhone 6 next week, with the Wall Street Journal saying the company plans to include short-range wireless technology in its coming smartwatch. Chinese electronics giant Huawei, during the show, also unveiled its Ascend P7 phone and the Ascend Matenew Ascend P7 phone7 phablet.

Game on

With the latest announcements from Sony, the Japanese company is keeping the pressure on competition in the smartphone, tablet and wearable technology space all at one go.

However, during a media briefing event yesterday in Johannesburg, the company could not reveal a launch date for SA, or pricing details for the gadgets.

World Wide Worx MD Arthur Goldstuck says the Sony range launched at IFA, including the Smartband Talk and SmartWatch 3, will give Sony additional ammunition to take on Apple, and may allow it to play catch-up to Samsung.

He notes Samsung came out with its own range of cutting-edge devices that will probably allow it to maintain its position as the current technology leader. "With the new format of the Galaxy Note Edge, the phone capability of the Gear S and the Gear VR device that took the audience by surprise in Berlin, Samsung is not waiting around to see what other manufacturers produce," says Goldstuck.

"It will only become clear after Tuesday [when Apple has its unveil] just how effective Sony and Samsung have been in pushing forward the boundaries of innovation. Apple always sets a benchmark with its September launches, and it's against that benchmark that we will probably be assessing the competition."

Specifications

The Xperia Z3 is a 5.6-inch smartphone while the Compact is 4.6-inches. Sony touts the devices as having "the highest level of waterproofing, enhanced camera experiences and applications, a long-lasting two-day battery life, best audio quality to date and PS4 Remote Play".

It adds the Xperia Z3 has a 7.3mm rounded aluminium frame and durable tempered glass panels, and is available in a new range of colours including white, black, copper or silver green. It weighs 152g. On the other hand, the Compact is 8.6mm thick and weighs 129g.

At 6.4mm slim, Sony says the Xperia Z3 Tablet Compact's compact design is perfect for those on the go and it weighs 270g. It is available in either white or black.

Sony also announced the addition of two new products to its SmartWear Experience range: the Sony SmartBand Talk and SmartWatch 3. The company says both talk to the popular Lifelog, the accompanying app that it says is designed to help users understand more about the way they live and move.

"At Sony Mobile, 'flagship' now means offering a choice to consumers of enjoying a large screen Xperia Z3 for immersive entertainment or a more compact, lighter Xperia Z3 Compact that doesn't ask you to compromise on features," says Kunimasa Suzuki, president and CEO, Sony Mobile Communications.

"Consumers demand and deserve greatness from their smartphone - in design, camera and battery life. That's precisely what we aim to deliver with Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact, at the same time as delivering innovations such as unique Sony camera experiences and, for the first time, PS4 Remote Play in two beautifully designed, fully waterproof smartphones."

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