For some time now, customers and industry onlookers alike have been wondering what Sony has been up to, after all the Xperia Z line hasn’t seen a release for almost a year now. 2016 threw the Xperia Z line into doubt of course, with the launch of the Xperia X series, including the Xperia X Performance, complete with Snapdragon 820 and 23-megapixel camera. Despite the change from “z” to “x”, the Xperia X line of devices have been sporting the same sort of design that Xperia Z devices have done. According to new photos however, obtained by GSMArena, it looks like Sony could be looking to change up their design a little for their upcoming flagship launch.
The site was tipped off anonymously, with pictures of a Sony device known simply as the F8331 right now. According to the report, this is a device that will pick up where the Xperia X Performance left off. With a larger display, complete with a still-1080p resolution, and possibly a Snapdragon 821, but more likely the same Snapdragon 820. 4K video recording is pegged for both front and rear-facing cameras, but there was no mention of just what the megapixel-count for either of these two cameras would be. The big deal here of course, is the inclusion of the USB Type-C port spotted in the pictures, as well as the change up in the design. The oval speakers at the top and bottom of the front panel make a return from the Xperia Z3, but the whole design appears to be more rounded and tries to shake off its inherit rectangular design.
There’s no use of glass here, and the positioning of the camera’s flash and other sensors on the back panel looks a little different to previous Sony design as well. Of course, just what Sony plan to do with this device is, as of writing, anybody’s guess. Rumor has it that this mysterious F8331 is to be the next flagship for the Japanese firm, but if it is to pack a 1080p display in a sea of Quad HD displays, they might have their work cutout justifying a Sony price tag. Regardless, this is the first look at something new from Sony that we’ve seen in quite some time, and fans of the Japanese brand will no doubt be pretty excited to see what’s next.
