Sony Xperia Z2 Philippines Price is Php 33,990, It's Official! Sony's 2014 Flagship Android Smartphone, Now Available Nationwide!

Last March 2014, I ran a poll on this blog and I asked you, "Between Samsung Galaxy S5 and Sony Xperia Z2, which flagship Android smartphone this year do you think has a better design and more useful features overall?" Sony Xperia Z2 won by a landslide.

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

I know a lot of you have been waiting eagerly for the official launch of this handset in the Philippines -- more so because it's been moved back a bit. But today, I want to inform you that the legendary Japanese company's much anticipated and most innovative top-of-the-line smartphone is now finally available across the archipelago! You can get it for Php 33,990 and it comes with three elegant color options, namely, Black, White, and Purple.

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

Sony Mobile Communications Philippines has finally introduced the Xperia Z2 into the local market. This device represents Sony’s best ever premium waterproof smartphone combining its best display, sound, camera and camcorder experience as well as an exclusive entertainment offer and an ecosystem of companion products.

"With Sony Xperia Z2 we have taken our premium Z-Series to the next level, delivering unique experiences that only Sony can offer. We have redefined the smartphone once again through our camera and its ability to capture memories in stunning detail through 4K video shooting. Customers are now even able to experience the Best of Sony as they listen to their music in noisy environments without interruptions thanks to our acclaimed digital noise cancelling technology," shared Mr. Yasushi Asaoka, President of Sony Philippines Inc.

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

As you can see, Sony Xperia Z2 looks almost identical to its predecessor (with very subtle design differences), the 2013 TechPinas Badge of Excellence Awardee, Sony Xperia Z1 - having the same glass-metal-glass sandwich Omnibalance design identity and Dust-and-Water-Proof construction - but it does come replete with several improvements both on the outside and inside the shell. For one, not only will you get a larger 5.2-inch Full HD Triluminos Display with superior viewing angles - thanks to IPS screen technology - but you'll also have an even bigger 3,200 mAh battery pack delivering an extended uptime.

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design
As I've shared previously, Sony Xperia Z2 measures only 8.2 millimeters at its thickest point and yet Sony still managed to put a dedicated camera button on the side of the device, which should make it easier for users to launch the camera and start snapping photos. Personally, I love this button because it makes it possible for me to take selfies using the main camera.

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

In terms of imaging capabilities, Sony Xperia Z2 practically has the same 20.7 MegaPixel autofocus camera with LED flash (with 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor, Sony’s award-winning G Lens, and intelligent BIONZ) that's on SXZ1 but users now enjoy the new enhanced video mode, which captures memories in stunning detail in 4K resolution (3840 × 2160 pixels at 30 frames per second) at four times the detail of Full HD, delivering the world’s best camera and camcorder in a waterproof smartphone. On top of that, SteadyShot Image Stabilisation technology ensures your footage will stay smooth even if you are walking. There's even a new Movie Creator that allows you to trim and crop your videos so that you can easily pick out what you want to share, insert dramatic slowdown effects at one or more places on the timeline of the video, then preview the results before you save and share your video.

Speaking of being waterproof, Sony Xperia Z2 is IPX5 and IPX8 Certified meaning that it is "protected against water jets - Water projected at all angles through a 6.3mm nozzle at a flow rate of 12.5 liters/min at a pressure of 30kN/m2 for 3 minutes from a distance of 3 meters. It is also protected against water submersion - The equipment is suitable for continual submersion in water under conditions which are identified by the manufacturer."

Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

Inside its incredibly gorgeous shell, SXZ2 runs Android 4.4.2 KitKat operating system out of the box skinned by the latest version of Sony's svelte Xperia UI with its Quad Core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU and Adreno 330 GPU based Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 SoC, handles multitasking with 3GB of RAM, and has 16 GB of ROM that can be expanded via microSD card slot supporting up to 64 GB. These internal specifications combine to give Sony Xperia Z2 an Antutu Benchmark Score in the area of 33,000 to 35,000, which merely reflects the fact that this handset is truly one of the most powerful Android devices out there and puts it in the same echelon as its fellow 2014 flagship releases HTC One M8, LG G3, and Samsung Galaxy S5.

Sony Xperia Z2 Antutu

Apart from these stellar innards - of course - just like any other Xperia smartphone, Sony Xperia Z2 features top-notch multimedia and gaming services that are unique to the Japanese company's handsets. These include the following:
  • “What’s New” app helps you discover new and recommended movies, music, games and apps for enjoyment on your Sony Xperia Z2 – all accessible from an informative and interactive widget on the home screen.
  • “WALKMAN” and Movies applications provide access to a global catalogue of more than 25 million songs on the “WALKMAN” app through the Music Unlimited service and tens of thousands of movies and TV series on the Movies app through the Video Unlimited service from Sony Entertainment Network.
  • PlayStation App gives you the chance to enjoy an enhanced gaming experience – keeping you connected to your gaming friends and the games you love to play.
  • PlayMemories Online – a cloud-based image and video service that is integrated into the Album application. A new ‘All Sync’ feature enables users to instantly auto-upload all of their photos without storage limitation to enjoy on all your devices.
  • TrackID TV- enhances your TV-viewing experience as it lets you search, share and explore information from broadcasted TV shows such as cast & crew, biographies, filmography or show related Tweets.
Sony Xperia Z2 Specs, Sony Xperia Z2, Sony Xperia Z2 Design

Sony Xperia Z2 is the best cameraphone the Japanese Electronics Giant has produced to date and on top of its innovative imaging hardware it also comes with a growing range of innovative Xperia camera apps. In addition to Info-eye, Social live and Timeshift burst, Xperia Z2 also comes pre-loaded with new Xperia camera apps for both photo and video.
  • Timeshift Video - To relive every moment of the action in slow motion detail, the new Timeshift video mode lets you shoot in 120 frames per second and select scenes to slow the playback speed for dramatic slow motion effects exactly where you want, even underwater.
  • Creative Effect - Use a range of new creative effects for your photos and videos. Available in real-time for video, these adjustments enhance your clips with a range of effects such as colours, image trails, mirror and motion effects.
  • Background Defocus - This new 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.
  • AR Effect - Now available for video recording, have some fun with your photos and videos with new augmented reality animations, including sound effects for video.
Accessories Galore! Sony offers the most comprehensive range of innovative companion products and accessories to give you new ways to use and enjoy your Xperia smartphone. With 154 NFC enabled one-touch connected products – including TVs, headphones, audio speakers, tablets, and more–it has never been easier to connect and enjoy your content across multiple devices.

Sony Smartband

The Sony SmartBand SWR10 works with Xperia Z2 to log your life in partnership with the Lifelog application, creating an automatic 24/7 diary of your activities, entertainment and memories. Plus, with SmartBand you’ll never need to worry about losing your phone or missing a call with a series of customisable smart notifications delivered straight to your wrist. The SmartBand will be available in June 2014 - along with Sony Xperia Z2 - in all Sony Centers, Xperia shops and other authorized dealers with an SRP of Php 4,490.

TP Friends, as you all know, I'm a Sony Xperia Z1 owner -- it's my daily smartphone currently. If you've met me in person, you should know that's true. I love its beautiful glass-metal-glass shell, the solid construction, the reassuringly well-built and durable feel in the hand that it gives me, the audio quality when I'm using the earphones to listen to my favorite music tracks, and of course, the powerful camera (The Soft Skin Mode for Selfies is amazing, I promise you!) SXZ1 was one of my 2013 TechPinas Badge of Excellence awardees and off hand, it appears that the follow-up to it, the Sony Xperia Z2, will likewise get the same distinction this year.

TechPinas Smartphone Technical Specs Table (TSTST)
Name Sony Xperia Z2
Type Slate Form Factor (Full Touchscreen)
Price Category High End (Flagship Level)
Dimensions146.8 x 73.3 x 8.2 mm
Weight 163 grams
Available Colors White, Purple, Black
Operating System Android 4.4.2 KitKat
Display 5.2 inches (~424 ppi pixel density), 1080 x 1920 pixels, Triluminos, IPS LCD, capacitive touchscreen, 16M colors, X-Reality for mobile – Sony’s intelligent super resolution technology which analyzes each image and optimizes the quality to deliver super sharp videos, Shatter-proof and scratch-resistant glass
Processor Quad Core 2.3 GHz Krait 400 CPU, Adreno 330 GPU, Qualcomm MSM8974AB Snapdragon 801 chipset
RAM 3 GB RAM
Internal Storage 16 GB, expandable via microSD card slot, supports up to 64 GB
Camera 20.7 MegaPixels, autofocus, LED flash, BSI Sensor, 1/2.3'' sensor size, geo-tagging, touch focus, face detection, image stabilization, HDR, panorama, Front: 2.2 MegaPixels, BSI Sensor
Video Capture 2160p 30 frames per second, 1080p @ 60fps, 720p @ 120fps frames per second for main camera, video stabilization, Full HD 1080p for front camera
Audio and Video Playback MP4, H.263, H.264, MP3, eAAC+, WAV, Flac player
Ports microUSB v2.0, TV-out (via MHL A/V link), 3.5 mm audio jack
Connectivity Wi-Fi 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac, Wi-Fi Direct, DLNA, Wi-Fi hotspot, Bluetooth v4.0 with A2DP, ANT+, EDR, 3G HSDPA, 42 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.8 Mbps; LTE, Cat4, 50 Mbps UL, 150 Mbps DL
GPS Yes, with GLONASS and A-GPS
Sensors Accelerometer, Digital Compass, Proximity, Gyroscope
Network 2G Network GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900, 3G Network HSDPA 850 / 900 / 1900 / 2100, 4G Network LTE800 / 850 / 900 / 1700 / 1800 / 1900 / 2100 / 2600
SIM Card Type microSIM
Battery Non-removable Li-Ion 3200 mAh battery
Uptime Up to 740 Hours of Standby, 120 hours of Music Play, 19 Hours of Talk Time
Value-Added Features Triluminos Display, Big Battery, Sony’s ClearAudio+ which automatically optimizes the audio experience without the need to adjust individual settings, X-Reality for mobile, Top-notch Imaging Capabilities, IP58 Certified Dust and Water-Resistant at 1 Meter for 30 Minutes
Announcement February 24, 2014 - MWC 2014 in Barcelona
Availability TP Guesstimate: Q2 2014
Philippines - June 2, 2014, Official
Price TP Guesstimate: Php 33,000
Official SRP: Php 33,990