Sony will apparently skip the smaller version of the current Xperia Z2 and go straight to the Xperia Z3 Compact, and more details have now surfaced.
Samsung started the whole trend of launching "Mini" versions of high-end smartphones, and other companies quickly followed suit. When Sony launched its first "Mini" as the Xperia Z1 Compact, however, it was a game changer. While Mini versions of smartphones typically come with watered-down specs compared to the flagship, the Sony Xperia Z1 Compact offered a smaller form factor without compromising specs.
Sony has since launched its new flagship, the Xperia Z2, and the rumor mill started looking forward to an Xperia Z2 Compact as well. The smaller version has yet to materialize, however, and recent whispers suggest that Sony may skip the Z2 Compact altogether and launch an Xperia Z3 Compact later this year.
Well-known Xperia developer DooMLoRD now bolsters such claims, offering more details on the upcoming Sony Xperia Z3 Compact/ Mini (model number D5800X). According to a new tweet from the tipster, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact will sport a 4.5-inch 720p display and boast a 2.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 processor under the hood.
Other specs reportedly include Adreno 330 graphics, 2GB of RAM, a high-end 20.7-megapixel rear camera, and a 2.1-megapixel front shooter. On the software side, the Sony Xperia Z3 Compact will run Android 4.4.2 KitKat, likely upgradeable to the latest version out of the box.
With no Xperia Z2 Compact and no Xperia Z3 flagship official, it's quite difficult to determine whether these Xperia Z3 Compact rumors have any truth to them, but these rumored specifications are nonetheless exciting. If Sony releases another compact smartphone with high-end specs and features on board it may finally determine other phone makers to follow suit, which could lead to a whole new standard for "Mini" devices. The company already set the bar high with its Xperia Z1 Compact, so it's not hard to believe it would launch yet another powerful Mini.
Sony might take the wraps off its Xperia Z3 and Xperia Z3 Compact at the IFA 2014 trade show in September, but nothing is confirmed at this point. As always in such cases, take all leaks and speculation with a grain of salt until an official announcement.
