A press image and the purported official specs of Sony's upcoming smartphone codenamed "Honami" have leaked, detailing a 20.7-megapixel camera, 5-inch 1080p display, and more.
Sony is finally enjoying some success in the competitive Android smartphone market, all thanks to its Xperia Z smartphone released earlier this year. The device showed off the company's design expertise and created a real trend of having a water-resistant smartphone. However, Sony does not appear to be resting on its laurels just yet. It introduced the world's thinnest tablet with the Xperia Tablet Z, announced a 6.4-inch full HD phablet with its Xperia Z Ultra, and the company is getting ready to bring at least one new smartphone to the market with the "Honami."
Much like phablets were created from converging a small tablet and smartphone, smartphone makers have recently started to release devices that are both smartphone and high-end camera. Sony now seems to have the Nokia Lumia 1020 and Samsung Galaxy S4 Zoom in its sights with its upcoming handset.
A retailer has posted press images and specs of the Sony "Honami," which is expected to officially be called the Xperia i1 when it makes its debut. The smartphone will feature a 5-inch 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) TRILUMINOS display with X-Reality for mobile, run Android 4.2.2 and pack a 2.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor with an Adreno 330 graphics processing unit (GPU). The Xperia i1 will also include 16GB of internal storage, 2GB of RAM, 1/2.3-inch 20.7-megapixel rear camera with ExmorRS for mobile, Sony G-Lens and BIONZ for mobile, a 2-megapixel Exmor R front facing camera, 4G LTE radio, Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n, Bluetooth 4.0, NFC, an expansion slot for additional memory and a non-removable 3,000 mAh bayyery. The smartphone will also be IP55/IP57 certified, meaning it will be both water and dust-resistant, and will come in black, white, or purple color options.
The retailer does not list a release date, but current rumors claim that Sony will announce the 'Honami' at IFA Berlin 2013, which begins on September 6. If that purported timeframe proves to be accurate, more details about the Xperia i1 will likely surface in the coming weeks.
