R
Robert Nazarian
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Sony announced the Xperia Z1 Compact and T-Mobile-s Xperia Z1S last week at CES, but for whatever reason, they decided to hold off on a couple of phones until this week. Probably because they are mid-rangers. The Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia T2 Ultra dual are 6-inch phablets sporting mid-range specs.Both phones are identical other than the fact that the Dual has, you guessed it, dual-SIM capability. Specs for both phones include a 6-inch TRILUMINOS and Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for mobile, but the resolution is only at 720p. As to the rest, they sport a 1.4 GHz quad-core processor (presumably a Snapdragon 400), 1GB of RAM, 8GB of internal storage, microSD for expanded storage, 13MP rear camera with Exmor RS for mobile, 1.1MP front-facing camera, and 3,000 mAh battery. No word on which version of Android, but you can forget KitKat.
We don’t know when they will be available, but we do know they will eventually land in China, Asia Pacific, Middle East, and Africa. Pricing is expected to be below €400 ($546). I wouldn’t expect to see either model in the U.S.
Full presser below
Introducing Xperia™ T2 Ultra and Xperia™ T2 Ultra dual – the large screen smartphones for entertainment on-the-go
14th January 2014, London, UK – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces Xperia T2 Ultra, the next evolution in large-screen smartphone design. Designed specifically with customers from emerging markets in China, the Middle East, Africa and the Asia Pacific rim in mind, Xperia T2 Ultra brings together the best of Sony’s imaging and display technologies with ground-breaking design efficiency to produce a stunning LTE3 Android smartphone at a mid-range price point.
“Xperia T2 Ultra will lead the category through its combination of advanced display and camera technologies, it will bring large-screen entertainment in an amazingly portable form factor and it will do it all whilst providing incredible value for money,” said Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications. “Its large HD display will deliver big screen entertainment on the go whilst the efficiency of the design will allow it to remain the worlds most portable large screen smartphone.”
Incredible entertainment with you all the time
Sony’s entertainment divisions have been delivering some of the world’s greatest entertainment content for decades and with Xperia T2 Ultra these experiences will be more integrated than ever before. Sony’s latest Album, WalkmanTM and Movies apps will integrate out-of-the-box with cloud services to provide easy access to fantastic entertainment. For users in most Asia Pacific markets this will mean out-of-the-box integration with the Sony Entertainment Network as well as Sony’s PlayMemories Online storage service, whilst in China users will have access to an exclusive Sony movies channel via Sohu and the Sony Zone, a 320Kbps high quality streaming MP3 service.
To make the most of the movies and songs, whilst ensuring that users need never be parted from them, Xperia T2 Ultra combines a number of key design features to perfectly balance the need for a large screen with portability and battery endurance.
Xperia T2 Ultra’s stunning 6” HD TRILUMINOS display extends to within 2.5 mm of the phone’s edges. This means that it has a screen to phone size ratio of 73.6%, both making the most of the space available and ensuring that the phone is no wider than a standard credit card. It is also both slim (7.6 mm) and light (weighing only 173 ± 1g depending on variant differences), fitting easily in a jacket pocket.
Big, bright screens can often use a lot of power, but that’s not a problem with Xperia T2 Ultra, Sony has ensured that it is ready to go the distance by incorporating a battery-efficient processor and massive 3000 mAh battery, coupled with Sony’s unique Battery STAMINA Mode that automatically turns off functions to save power when you don’t need them and restarts them when you do.
Sony’s innovative smart social camera
Xperia T2 Ultra features a 13 megapixel camera, the best in it’s class2, that brings together the best of Sony’s digital imaging technology to allow users to capture incredible images, and, coupled with Sony’s new smart social camera ecosystem, smartphone photography can go far beyond the traditional snapshot.
The smart social camera system allows developers to create camera add-ons that extend functionality and re-define the role of the camera. Apps available at launch will include:
- Portrait Retouch: Turn Xperia T2 Ultra into a virtual mirror and experiment with make-up effects before snapping the perfect self-portrait
- Collage: Allows you to drop images directly into creative photo collages by changing formats, layouts and backgrounds
- Background defocus: Create stunning images full of depth by separating foreground elements and burring the background
- Timeshift burst: Ensures you get the perfect photo every time by taking 31 photos within two seconds, both before and after you press the shutter. You can then scroll through them afterwards to select the perfect shot.
- Sweep Panorama: Snap amazing and seamless panoramas easily. Take a snap then sweep the phone in a direction you set to capture wide-angle panoramas.
These will feature alongside a growing number of third party applications available through the Sony Select app store and accessible directly from the camera app on Xperia T2 Ultra. Already the smart social camera includes apps for services like Evernote and Sphere with many more launching in the coming months.
Xperia T2 Ultra at the heart of a connected ecosystem
With one-touch functions users can instantly and easily share music, photos and videos and movies from Xperia T2 Ultra with a wide range of NFC-enabled Sony devices, including speakers, SmartWatch, wireless headsets and TVs.
The SBH52 is a dynamic Smart Bluetooth™ Handset that provides easy hands-free call handling with a single press, while leaving your smartphone conveniently in your bag. It also provides you with stereo sound while enjoying movies on the Xperia T2 Ultra. The OLED display conveniently lets you browse your call log, view text messages, and see who’s calling you. And with a sleek, minimal and splash-proof design you can now use it anywhere, in any weather. Use it as a quality stereo music headset to listen to music or to the built-in standalone FM radio with RDS. Pairing and connecting is achieved simply by touching it to the back of Xperia T2 Ultra or other NFC-enabled device. The smart flip case – SCR14 doesn’t only protect your screen from scratching but can also serve as a holding stand for when you’re watching movies or using video chat. Moreover, its smart sensors will automatically wake up your Xperia T2 Ultra as soon as you open the cover!
Dual SIM, no compromise
Xperia T2 Ultra dual variant offers a new experience through the incorporation of Sony’s latest generation of dual SIM mobile technology. Users can set up both SIM cards independently with custom ring tones and one-touch switching between SIMs before making calls or sending texts. Sony’s dual SIM management technology means that users can keep both SIMs active, never missing a call, even whilst talking on one of them.
Key specs for Xperia T2 Ultra and Xperia T2 Ultradual
- 6” HD display (720p) with TRILUMINOSTM and Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 for mobile
- 13 MP camera with Exmor RS for mobile
- 1.1 Mp front facing camera with Exmor R
- Access to Sony’s “one-touch” ecosystem of 132 NFC connected accessories
- Snapdragon Quad-core 1.4 GHz processor with 1GB of RAM and 8GB of on board storage (Micro SD slot expandable up to 32GB)
- Large 3000 mAh embedded battery with Battery STAMINA Mode
1 Based on the published dimensions of Xperia T2 Ultra (weight, thickness and volume) compared against those of competing large screen smartphones. Strategy Analytics defines a large screen smartphone as a smartphone with a display size of 6 inches or greater. Source: Strategy Analytics SpecTRAX Service, 17th December 2013.
2 This claim was found to be supported based on the published camera resolution of Xperia T2 Ultra compared against that of competing 6” or larger screened smartphones with a global average launch price of less than €400, and the results of an independent features audit, conducted by Strategy Analytics between 23rd December 2013 and 2nd January 2014, comparing the features of Sony Xperia T2 Ultra with Samsung Mega 6.3, Huawei Ascend Mate and ASUS Fonepad Note 6.
3 Non-LTE variants available in certain markets, for more information check with local SOMC representatives.
Legal:
1) Facts and features may vary depending on local variant. 2) Operational times are affected by network preferences, type of SIM card, connected accessories and various activities e.g. playing games. Kit contents and colour options may differ from market to market. The full range of accessories may not be available in every market. 3) Icons displayed are for illustrative purposes only. The homescreen may appear different in your product. Some features may not be available in your country or area.
Sony, make.believe, WALKMAN, WALKMAN W logo, Sony Entertainment Network, PlayMemories Online, Exmor RS, Clear phase, BRAVIA, and xLoud are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Corporation. Xperia, Xperia Z, Xperia ZL PlayNow, SensMe, and TrackID are trademarks or registered trademarks of Sony Mobile Communications AB. PlayStation is a trademark or registered trademark of Sony Computer Entertainment. Media Go is a trademark of Sony Electronics. Android, Google Play, Google Chrome, Google Voice, Latitude, YouTube, Google Maps and Google Mail are trademarks of Google Inc. Snapdragon is a trademark of Qualcomm Incorporated. Twitter is a trademark or registered trademark of Twitter, Inc. Facebook is a trademark or registered trademark of Facebook, Inc. Microsoft ActiveSync is a trademark or registered trademark of Microsoft, Inc. Bluetooth is a trademark or registered trademark, and any use of such mark is under license by Sony Mobile. Neoreader is a trademark or registered trademark of NeoMedia Technologies Inc. microSD is a trademark or registered trademark of SanDisk Corporation. eCompass is a trademark or registered trademark of Genoptix, Inc. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark of the Wi-Fi Alliance. DLNA Certified is a trademark or registered trademark of the Digital Living Network Alliance. SyncML is a trademark or registered trademark of the Open Mobile Alliance. Skype is a trademark or registered trademark of Skype, Ltd. LTE is a trademark or a registered trademark of ETSI. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Any rights not expressly granted herein are reserved. All terms are subject to change without prior notice.
Additional information regarding trademarks may be located on our website at:www.sonymobile.com/global-en/legal/trademarks-and-copyright/.
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