Sony has done very little to differentiate its Xperia smartphones when it comes to standout specs, much to the brand’s detriment.
That could be about to change however, with a fresh rumour that points to a new Xperia device with a 4K screen.
Yes, you read that correctly. Sony has only used QHD screens on one smartphone – the upcoming Xperia Z4v – so a 4K display is a huge step-up.
The leak comes courtesy of a UAProf for a mystery Sony Mobile device that points to a 3,840 x 2,160 screen resolution, courtesy of XperiaBlog.
Image credit: XperiaBlog
A UAProf, or a User Agent Profile, is a file that contains information about the capability – stuff like model, screen size, character set support, etc. – and preferences of a device.
They’re useful for content providers so that they can produce content in an appropriate format for a given device.
The model numbers are listed as E68XX, E6833, E6853, and E6883, which follow the same naming convention as previous Xperia smartphones.
Image credit: XperiaBlog
Interestingly, the device in question looks set to carry an “MSM8994” chip, which we know to be Qualcomm’s Snapdragon 810 processor.
The Snapdragon 810 hasn’t received the best reviews thanks to overheating issues, but it’s theoretically capable of supporting a 4K screen.
It would make sense for this phone to feature a Snapdragon 810, mainly due to release dates.
Image credit: XperiaBlog
The 4K handset is likely to launch in the second half of this year. However, Qualcomm’s next flagship chip, the Snapdragon 820, won’t start appearing on smartphones until early 2016.
As such, the Snapdragon 810 is the only real choice for a 4K smartphone when it comes to existing Qualcomm chips.
But what device is this? Well, rumours suggest Sony is plotting three phones this year.
Two of those look likely to be the Xperia Z5 and the Z5 Compact, following on from the Z3/Z3+/Z4 and Z3 Compact.
However, the third is tipped to be an Xperia Z5+ phablet, which XperiaBlog notes may have a screen size of 5.5-inches or above.
We have to question whether there is any real incentive for Sony to use a 4K display on a smartphone, though.
What’s more, it will be tough to tell the difference between QHD and 4K resolutions on a smartphone screen, due to the diminutive form factor.
However, there is the argument that 4K screens will eventually roll out onto smartphones thanks to the advent of virtual reality, as many VR headsets use smartphones as display inserts.
As such, a screen being closer to the eyes demands higher resolution to keep images looking crisp.
Related: Best Android Smartphones 2015
Of course, Sony hasn’t confirmed any of this information, so we can’t say for sure what the company has in store.
It’s likely the company will make some announcements regarding upcoming plans for mobile at the IFA tradeshow in Berlin, which is scheduled for early September.
New smartphones are expected, following Sony’s penchant for biannual handset launches.
Do you think a 4K smartphone could be Sony Mobile’s saving grace? Tell us your thoughts in the comments.
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Editorial independence
Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.
Professional conduct
We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.