Everything you need to know about the Sony Xperia Z4
With the Sony Xperia Z4 release date expected to be one of the early highlights of the 2015 tech calendar, we have already been afforded our first early look at the upcoming handset.
Despite the Xperia Z3 being just a matter of months old, Sony's frankly ridiculous habit of launching updated flagship phones every six months means the Z4 release date could be a lot closer than you might expect.
In keeping time with these twice-annual launch expectations, a flurry of Xperia Z4 rumours have already started to flow, with the damaging Sony hack even seeing renders of the device preaturely do the rounds online.
Advanced images aside, having overlooked the move to a QHD display with the Z3, it now appears Sony will echo the likes of the LG G3 and Samsung Galaxy Note 4 in adopting the 2K technology.
As well as improving screen quality, the Z4 could be considerably larger than its predecessors. Although latest reports have claimed the phone will feature a 5.4-inch panel, there is still much confusion around the phone's exact sizing.
The impressive additions don't stop their either. Sony has recently announced some new camera technology which is all but guaranteed to debut on the Z4. Eclipsing the Z3's inbuilt snapper, the new IMX230 sensor offers improved auto focus and light management abilities.
With a 64-bit processor and Google’s latest Android 5.0 Lollipop OS also tipped for inclusion, the Xperia Z4 is shaping up to be a true powerhouse of the smartphone space.
It needs to be, too. Sony recently announced loses of £1 billion on its smartphone efforts, a figure which has cost former Sony Mobile CEO Kunimasa Suzuki his job.
We will continue to update this page with all the latest Sony Xperia Z4 release date details, news, leaks and rumours as details emerge. Bookmark it now to keep on top of all things Xperia Z4.
Sony Xperia Z4 News
Sony needs its next smartphone to be a consumer hit. The Z3 gained critical acclaim but that didn't stop Sony Mobile haemorrhaging money in 2014.
Recent financial earnings reports have seen the manufacturer forced to revise its smartphone sales forecast. Having previously predicted it would shift 43 million devices during the year, this figure has since been slashed to just 41m. Sony has claimed this drop is due to lack of presence in markets such as the US and China.
With Kunimasa Suzuki having lost his job, former VP Hiroki Totoki has been promoted to head honcho.
Adding to the company's woes, the first Xperia Z4 images have been leaked via the Sony hack.
Bizarrely, the shots have not been stolen from the design labs, but emailed between two high-level execs trying to hash out a product placement deal in the upcoming James Bond film, Spectre.
“Sony Mobile has now provided us with the needed visuals of the new Z4 phones,” Sony’s Executive Vice President of Consumer Marketing, George Leon, stated in the leaked emails.
In the messages sent to Sony CEO Michael Lynton he added: “These phones are the planned phones for May/November of 2015. I’m attaching the visual for you to see.”
Although offering no details on the phone's specs, the leaked images have suggested the handset will pair a minimalist bezel with a 1.2mm glass boarder.
According to the leaks, the Z4 - which will look markedly similar to its predecessors - will be joined by a secondary, spin-off handset later in the year. It is expected this device, which will feature a slightly remodelled design, will act as a direct tie-in to the upcoming
