Sony unveils 7mm thick Xperia T3 with 5.3" screen and LTE

Sony unveiled "the slimmest 5.3-inch phone," the Xperia T3. It measures 7mm thick, not the thinnest ever but still impressive for a mid-ranger of this class. It shares a lot of similarities with the Xperia T2 Ultra, but is more compact.

The Sony Xperia T3 has a Triluminos IPS display with 720p resolution. The screen has an average 277ppi pixel density and Bravia Engine 2.

The frame is built following the traditional OmniBalance design with a metal frame that's exposed on the sides. The back is a matte plastic in one of three colors: white, black or purple.

The new 5.3" smartphone runs Android 4.4 KitKat on a Snapdragon chipset with a quad-core Cortex-A7 CPU, 1GB of RAM and Adreno 305 graphics. It has 8GB of built-in memory (5GB user available), which is expandable by microSD cards of up to 32GB.

The camera department boasts an 8MP Sony Exmor RS sensor with 1080o video capture and Sony's usual camera extras like Superior Auto, AR effects, Steady Shot stabilization, Social live (live streaming to Facebook) and tracking autofocus. The front-facing camera is a 1.1MP / 720p shooter.

The Sony Xperia T3 has rich connectivity for a mid-range device, starting with the usual 2G/3G, LTE Cat. 4 for up to 150Mbps download speeds, Wi-Fi with Miracast and DLNA, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC and A-GPS.

Sony Xperia Z2 Review

The Good The Sony Xperia Z2 has a glorious screen, tonnes of power, a great camera and a beautiful design. It's waterproof too, so it won't conk out when you drop it in the bath.

The Bad It's expensive, its regular autofocus adjustments during shooting can spoil videos, and the camera resolution is throttled when using the full automatic mode.

The Bottom Line Sure, it costs a bundle, but the Sony Xperia Z2 is everything you should expect from a top-end phone. Its impressive performance rivals the Samsung Galaxy S5 for smartphone top dog, but the Z2's slick glass and metal design trumps the S5's plastic body. If you're looking for both style and substance from a phone, you've come to the right place.

The Sony Xperia Z2 is the latest flagship super-phone from Sony, replacing the Xperia Z1 released last year. The new phone keeps the same aluminium-edged design, sexy glass front and back, Full HD display, quad-core processor and impressive 20.7-megapixel camera. Like its predecessor, it's completely waterproof.

You might wonder, then, exactly what is new on the Z2?

Well, it has a slightly larger 5.2-inch display, a slimmer bezel around the edge, a marginally faster 2.3GHz Qualcomm processor, the latest Android 4.4.2 KitKat software and a camera capable of capturing 4K video. Although those are only marginal upgrades, the Z1 was already a smashing piece of kit, and it might be slightly too soon for a full overhaul, given that it was only released in September last year.

It's available to preorder in the UK and wider Europe now for an eye-watering price of £600 (€700). The company is yet to confirm if it will ever get a US release, but I wouldn't get your hopes up -- the Z1 never got a proper release in the States, and the Z1S was announced at CES earlier this year as a US variant of the older phone. It's listed as "coming soon" on Sony's Asia site (with no pricing given), but there's no sign of it yet for Australia.

Key Features:

• Qualcomm Snapdragon 801
• 3GB RAM
• 5.2-inch IPS screen
• 20.7-megapixels camera
• IP58 waterproof
• 3200 mAh battery
• 146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm

Design

The Xperia Z2 is physically very similar to its predecessor, but that's by no means a criticism. It has the same glass front and back and aluminium band running around the edge. It looks stunning and feels extremely luxurious to hold. It certainly feels more premium than the lightweight, plastic-bodied Samsung Galaxy S5.

The HTC One M8, with its all-metal body, feels similarly luxurious. It's entirely down to personal preference whether you like the smart glass and metal of the Z2 or the industrial milled metal of the M8. I personally can't pick a favourite -- I think they both look superb -- but the M8's curved back makes it more comfortable to hold in one hand.

The Z2's glass panels do make it rather more susceptible to scratches from keys in your pocket, so if you want to keep it looking pristine -- which I imagine you will, given how much you've paid for it -- you should pop it in a case. Like its siblings, the Z2 is completely waterproof, but the waterproof rating has been slightly increased. It's IP55 and IP58 rated which basically means you can completely submerse it in up to 1.5 metres of water for up to 30 minutes at a time.

Not only does that mean it won't break the first time you accidentally drop it in the toilet, it also lets you get snap-happy with the camera underwater -- that's great news for snorkelers. The screen won't register your taps when wet, but there's a dedicated camera shutter button on the edge to help with those snorkelling shots.

The screen size has been increased from 5 inches to 5.2 inches. Thanks to a slimmer bezel however, the phone's body hasn't increased too much, but it's still a big phone. If you're more used to the 4-inchiPhone 5S, it probably won't be to your taste, but the 4.3-inch Xperia Z1 Compact has a cracking lineup of specs and is much more pocketable, so may be a suitable compromise between size and performance.

Around the edges you'll find a microSD card slot and a micro-USB port hidden under a waterproof flap, a flap-free 3.5mm headphone jack and the same sticking-out power button you'll see on all of Sony's recent phones. There's also a little hole in the edging allowing you to pop in a lanyard to make it slightly more secure to hold up when you're taking pictures. Sony doesn't actually provide a lanyard in the box, so you'll have to try and find one on an old camera you're not using.

The speakers now sit on the front of the phone at the top and bottom. Like the HTC One and One M8's BoomSound speakers, they're designed to direct the sound towards you, rather than away. They're much smaller than the One's though, so don't provide as big a sound, but their position means it doesn't get muffled when you lay it flat on a surface.

Display

The 5.2-inch display packs the same 1,920x1,080-pixel resolution as the previous Z1. As the Z2 is marginally bigger, the screen has a slightly lower pixel density -- 423 pixels per inch against the Z1's 440 -- as the same number of pixels are being stretched over a larger area. In reality though, it's not a difference you're ever likely to notice.

The IPS display is extremely crisp, with small text on Web pages, icon edges and high definition photos looking pin sharp. Sony boasts that the display uses the same "Triluminous" technology as its Bravia TVs, which makes it more vivid. Whatever Sony has done, it's worked, as the Z2's display is absolutely superb. It's not only very bright, it has rich, vibrant colours with plenty of contrast and excellent viewing angles to boot.

It's a brilliant screen for watching glossy Netflix shows like "Breaking Bad" or even for just flicking through your sunny holiday snaps -- my shots from Tuscany looked glorious on the Z2. You're also able to tweak the colour balance in the settings if you prefer things to look a little warmer, but I personally found the automatic mode to look the most natural.

Software and processor

The Z2 arrives running the latest version of Google's mobile operating system, Android 4.4.2 KitKat. You'd be right to expect the latest version of software on new launches, but Sony does have a habit of using older Android iterations -- the Z1 Compact launched only recently with the ageing Jelly Bean -- so it's refreshing to find the latest software on board as standard.

Sony has thrown its usual software tweaks into the mix. Although it functions in much the same way as any Android phone, with multiple homescreen panels, a multitasking carousel and an app tray, you'll also find a customisable app menu, Sony's own image and video galleries as well as access to its Music and Video Unlimited streaming subscription services (though these will cost you extra).

Hop into settings and you can change the theme of the phone. It comes preloaded with standard colour palette options, but you can download extra themes that drastically change the interface to give a nautical wood effect, for example, complete with compass icon for the home button. It's hardly a killer feature, but if you like putting your own stamp on your technology it's fun to play around with.

It's all powered by a quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor clocked in at 2.3GHz, backed up by a very generous 3GB of RAM. That's a seriously potent lineup of specs so I wasn't at all surprised that it gave a very strong performance. It achieved an impressive score of 3,822 on the Geekbench 2 benchmark test, easily rivalling both the Galaxy S5 and HTC One M8.

Navigation was swift and lag-free with no noticeable delays when switching between open apps, diving into menus or flicking around the notifications panel. It handled demanding gaming extremely well too. Riptide GP 2, Asphalt 8, Dead Trigger 2 and GT Racing 2 all played with high frame rates for smooth, enjoyable gameplay.

Camera

Around the back of the phone is the same 20.7-megapixel camera you'll find on both the Z1 and the Z1 Compact. It's an impressive amount of megapixels, but it doesn't necessarily guarantee better pictures. To see what it's capable of, I took it for a spin around an unusually sunny London.

Immediately I hit a snag. You aren't able to shoot in intelligent auto mode -- or use any of the scene modes or HDR modes in manual -- when at the full 20-megapixel resolution. You'll need to knock it down to 8 megapixels in order to use those modes. Luckily then, the settings it chooses when shooting at full resolution can still be superb.

Sony RX100 is the best point-and-shoot camera

Hello everyone, My name is Dilshan and today we're going to talk about sony's latest released Sony RX100

If you're not quite looking for the power of a professional camera but you appreciate the benefits of taking quality photos, Sony's RX100 is the perfect choice. That's why we're going to talk about it.

At its best -- which is to say any well-lit environment -- the RX100's photos can be indistinguishable from a DSLR, requiring an expert eye to see how a more expensive camera is superior.

And the RX100 delivers great results with minimal effort. When set to "auto" the lens is almost always quick to focus. Shots are sharp, vibrant, and overall pleasing to the eye.

For those desiring a little more control over their shots, the programmable ring around the lens, along with full manual control, will let you experiment to your heart's content.

The RX100 lets you record video too. It's more of a secondary feature, but in the right hands and using right setting, movies shot using the RX100 can impress too.

The camera's design is also a winner. Constructed almost entirely of aluminum, the black case has a simple, classic design that pays homage to old-school cameras while still looking like a 21st century device. It is solidly constructed, but not clunky, and every button, knob and dial exudes quality.

But the $600 camera comes with plenty of compromises. You're stuck with the 28-100mm fixed lens. In lower light, image quality starts to drop off faster than it should, especially when you use the zoom function. It's not quite as pocketable as most of its point-and-shoot counterparts, nor does the battery last quite as long. And the price tag will certainly scare a few people away (though you can easily find it for $500).

There's also the $750 RX100 MKII to consider, which features the same lens, a hotshoe for adding accessories and also has a big one-inch sensor. It also adds a few light absorbing tricks to that sensor to markedly improve its low-light performance.

If you're not quite a hobbyist, but you're in the market for a camera that is noticeably better than your phone, the RX100 is the camera to spring for.

Sony SmartWatch 2 SW2 review

Does a more advanced smartwatch make for a better smartwatch? Sony's original SmartWatch last year didn't get too many people excited, but with the Samsung Galaxy Gear hitting the shelves and Apple's long-rumoured iWatch getting closer, the time is clearly ripe to release an updated version to stay in the increasingly high-stakes smart watch game.

Today we're going to review the Sony SmartWatch 2.

Design

The SW2 is beautifully compact at an almost-square 42x41mm, and just 9mm thick. The body is made from black-painted aluminium, with reflective silver trim. It weighs 123 grams, which is less than my own metal-banded analogue watch.

Compactness is one of the best things the SW2 has going for it.

Most of the smartwatches we’ve seen to date are bulky, oversized affairs. That’s not automatically a bad thing – many people choose to wear huge watches, or ranges such as Casio’s G-Shock wouldn’t exist. However, large watches are a matter of preference – a fashion statement some watch-wearers would prefer to avoid. Personally I have tiny wrists, so the SW2 suits me perfectly as a ‘normal’ sized accessory.

The watch is rated IP57, dust- and water-resistant: if you get caught in the rain or fall into a pool, it’ll be fine – just don’t go swimming in it.

The SW2 is sold with one of three watchband styles: silicone rubber, which is available in yellow, cyan, purple, pink, or black; leather, available in brown or black; and metal. Unlike some competitors (Samsung Galaxy Gear, I’m looking at you), Sony’s smartwatch is compatible with any standard (spring-bar) 24mm watch band.

In New Zealand, only the black silicone-rubber strap, and metal strap, are available. Only the black silicone-rubber strap is currently available through the Sony Australia website, though we’re unsure what models may be available through other Australian retailers.

Software and features

It's supposed to be compatible with any smartphone that uses Android 4.0 or later, which immediately makes it a much more flexible device than the Gear, that's limited to a very small number of Samsung handsets.

Download Sony's Smart Connect app from Google Play, touch the NFC-enabled device to the SmartWatch and it will automatically hook up. Most of its apps don't come preinstalled, but you can individually download apps for reading (not initiating) calls, texts, emails, Facebook, Twitter and more. You can't actually take calls on the SmartWatch as there's no microphone or speaker, though you can answer calls and then talk via a Bluetooth headset. Notifications popped up promptly and texts and emails appeared clearly, automatically sized to fit the screen when the phone was pocketed.

There are presently over 140 apps available for the SmartWatch (much more than the Gear), though it's the usual mix of pretty goods and so-whats, including exercise apps, games, languages and remote controls. Some, like the very limited and glitchy map app, are free, but others, including WhatsApp Alerts, cost a fee.

Email notifications are supported, and we tested with Gmail and Microsoft accounts (although it's worth noting you can't reply to them on the device). Currently Microsoft Exchange and Hotmail/Outlook emails only work for notifications if paired with a Sony Xperia Z1, as Sony has adapted its implementation of Android to support it; other Android devices cannot support Microsoft's email technology currently. Some software is also dependent on being used with Sony-created software. The music playback controls, for example, only work with Sony's Android music player; playing, pausing and skipping Spotify is a no-go area. Disappointing.

The 1.6-inch screen is the same size as the Gear's but it offers a lower resolution of 220x176 pixels -- not great, but it's fine for viewing updates and notifications. The battery life is considerably better than Samsung's competitor: leave it on all the time and you should get three to four days out of it, extending to a week or so if you switch it off at night. 

Charging is via a standard microUSB slot hidden behind a rubber cover on the side. It powers up by pressing the outsize silver button on the side, which matches aesthetically with the power button on Sony's Xperia handsets.

Water resistance, battery life

The SmartWatch 2 has an IP57 water and dust resistance rating, meaning it can sit in one meter (3.3 ft.) of water for 30 minutes without going kaput. And indeed, we tested the smartwatch by dunking it in a glass of water, and saw no ill effects afterwards. In the realm of smartphones, Sony has taken water resistance more seriously than any other manufacturer, so we weren't surprised to see the company's smartwatch live up to that billing.

Sony advertises three to four days of battery life with typical use. Based on our testing, we'd say that's a solid estimate. It's nice not to have to charge every night, but you'll probably want to plug in its included microUSB cable once every two or three nights, just to be safe.

Hardware

The SmartWatch 2 isn't ridiculously thick or bulky. It has a depth of 9 mm. It feels fairly comfortable on the wrist, but, at least with the default band, we preferred the feel of both the Galaxy Gear and Pebble. The silicone strap version we tested (it's also sold with a stainless steel band) weighs 123 g (the watch face weighs 48 g), and we thought the strap looked and felt very cheap.

Even if you agree with us that the default silicone band feels subpar, there are options. That's because another feature the SW2 has in common with Pebble is that you can customize its band. If you want to go with something bolder like leather, bright colors, or, hell, 18k gold, then you can swap its default band for any standard 24 mm watch strap. There's also that variation with the metallic band, but we didn't test that version.