Sony Xperia XZ2 release date, specs news: Latest flagship showcased with lighter and more powerful camera, slimmer display bezels

Special blue color variant of Sony Xperia XZ 2016Sony Mobile

Sony has showcased its latest flagship smartphones, the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact on the eve of the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2018 in Barcelona earlier this week. Consistent with the previous rumors, the Sony Xperia XZ2 sports a brand-new design that leaves the Xperia lineup's angular and blocky display edges in the past. Aside from the fact that the latest Xperia XZ update is the first-ever all-screen smartphone from Sony, the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact are also packed with impressive camera technology.

As reported by CNET, the regular-sized Sony Xperia XZ2 sports a 5.7-inch display, while the Xperia XZ2 Compact comes in handy with a 5-inch display. Regardless of their difference in size, these two Xperia XZ2 variants share almost the same specs and features. For one, both devices run the latest Android 8.0 Oreo OS out of the box, not to mention Qualcomm's latest high-end mobile processor, the Snapdragon 845. To note, this is the same powerful chipset used by the other recently-unveiled handsets in the MWC, the Samsung Galaxy S9 and S9 Plus.

Perhaps the main feature that separates the Sony Xperia XZ2 from the rest is its upgraded camera capabilities. Sony said that the camera firmware used by the Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact was developed through a partnership with Qualcomm, so that the firmware will be able to optimize images even in low-light conditions. The Xperia XZ2 rear camera also highlights a special 3D face mapping technology, which allows the user to create his or her own 3D selfie photo.

Both the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact have rear camera lenses that are capable of shooting high-dynamic range (HDR) videos in 4K resolution. The HDR videos can also be captured in super slow motion mode, which is a first in Sony's Xperia smartphone series. Moreover, the resolution of slow-mo videos is adjusted from 720p to full high-definition (HD) view.

Lastly, the Sony Xperia XZ2 and XZ2 Compact feature much slimmer bezels, which give their all-screen front look. The screen display of the smartphones is stretched from edge to edge. The Xperia XZ2 has 3D glass in place for both panels of its aluminum frame with larger screen-to-body aspect ratio. Meanwhile, the Xperia XZ2 Compact includes a non-scratch polycarbonate material. Both variants have their HD LCD screens protected by Corning's Gorilla Glass 5.