Sony has launched the world’s first smartphone with a 4K HDR screen – the Xperia XZ Premium – even as the amount of high-quality content it can display remains slim.
The smartphone also comes with a predictive capture camera system that uses motion tracking to take pictures before the shutter button is pressed, theoretically enabling better action shots.
The phone’s 5.5-inch screen is the first of its kind to mimic the displays of high-quality 4K HDR televisions like the Samsung KS9500 and Sony’s recently announced XBR-A1E Bravia.
It marks the Japanese firm’s second foray into 4K smartphone displays, following the launch of the Xperia Z5 Premium in 2015.
The Xperia XZ Premium is due to go on sale this spring, with pricing details not yet disclosed.
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4K, otherwise known as Ultra HD, has long been touted as the future of broadcast television, but has struggled to find mass adoption in the UAE due to a lack of content options from broadcasters.
BeIN launched the Middle East region's first 4K satellite receiver last May, offering Euro 2016 games in 4K, while du and OSN have announced plans to offer 4K TV services by end-2017.
Netflix offers a large 4K library for UAE-based subscribers, albeit for those that have internet connections of 25 Mbps or faster.
4K HDR content is in even shorter supply, mostly confined to Netflix series such as Daredevil, Marco Polo and Chef’s Table.
Sony also announced the official launch of its Xperia Touch home assistant, first unveiled in concept form in Barcelona last year.
The Xperia Touch, which runs on Android, projects on to any vertical or horizontal surface, offering tablet-like functionality via a series of cameras and sensors.
The device will go on sale this spring, priced at around €1,499 (Dh5,825).
jeverington@thenational.ae
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