Smartphone makers have been hard at work to differentiate their products from other brands. From screen sizes, to apps, to cameras, to software, every phone wants something that will set it apart from its competitors.
Sony has lagged in the smartphone category, and to help give them an edge, the venerable Japanese electronics maker has announced the waterproof Xperia ZR smartphone.
The Sony Xperia ZR is a high-powered version of the Sony’s flagship Xperia Z. The new phone has IP55 and IP58 certification, which means that the phone can handle being submerged in water up to 1.5 metres deep for up to 30 minutes, and is able to shoot HD video while underwater.
The smartphone features a 4.6 inch screen with 1280 x 720 resolution and Sony’s Mobile Bravia technology. A 13MP camera, complete with Sony’s Exmor RS sensor and high dynamic range (HDR) imaging, is part of the package.
Running on Google’s Android 4.1 Jelly Bean mobile OS, and skinned with Sony’s custom user interface, the Xperia ZR has a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor and 8GB of internal storage – expandable to 32GB. Connectivity will include 4G LTE, NFC and DLNA compatibility. You can get the phone in black, silver, pink and blue.
The Xperia ZR also includes a Sony Walkman album and movie apps and an OptiContrast OLED screen with Bravia tech to reduce glare.
No pricing has been released, but Sony said the phone will be available in the 2nd quarter of 2013.