Naina Khedekar

Finally, Sony has launched the Xperia Z2 in India. The new Sony flagship is priced at an MRP of Rs 49,990 and will be available starting May 12. It will be competing with the HTC One M8 and Galaxy S5. As suspected, Sony has also launched the fitness-centric SmartBand, that’s being positioned as a life logger. The SmartBand, priced at Rs 5,990, will come bundled with the device.

Though the device appears to look a lot like the Z1, it comes with refreshing internals. The smartphone runs on Google’s latest Android 4.4 KitKat will be available dipped in black, white and purple colours.

One of the highlights of the device is its 20.7-megapixel camera with 4K recording support, along with 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor, Sony’s G Lens and intelligent BIONZ. The 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels/30p) helps capture four times the detail of Full HD. It is supported by STM10 Stereo Microphone for stereo audio recording.

It is also loaded with Xperia camera apps such as Timeshift video, Creative effect, and AR effect. The new Background defocus camera app simulates a shallow depth of field. Capture two photos at different focus settings and blend together the different depths, leading to a blurred out background for more professional looking photos.

Xperia Z2 owners will have access to an exclusive content offer that includes six blockbuster movies from Sony Pictures, including Captain Phillips, through the Video Unlimited service as well as 30 days free trial of the Music Unlimited service and a range of PlayStation Mobile games.

It is fuelled by a 3200 mAh battery for prolonged battery life, which is further spruced by Sony’s Battery STAMINA Mode. The device is set to launch globally from March, but there is no word on the pricing yet.

The Sony SmartBand is a fitness tracker that bears resemblance to most trackers out there in the market currently, including FitBit and Nike FuelBand. Sony’s SmartBand will help you log daily activities using the device and will be fed into Sony’s Lifelog application. It can also track your sleep patterns and alert you for any smartphone notifications, just like the Samsung Gear Fit.