Affiliate links on Android Authority may earn us a commission.Learn more.
Sony reinvents Xperia brand with new Xperia X, X Performance and XA (updated)
August 05, 2025
AtMobile World Congress 2016in Barcelona, Sony has launched what it is calling “an evolution of the Xperia brand.” The new re-imagined brand hopes to be more than just a smartphone, but a smart connected device “capable of changing the way you interact with the world.”
The exact details about the new devices are still coming in, however what we do know is thatThe Xperia X will use the hexa-core Qualcomm Snapdragon 650 processor (2x ARM Cortex-A72, 4x ARM Cortex A53) and the Xperia X Performance will use the Qualcomm Snapdragon 820. The Xperia X and X Performance will have 5-inch 1080p displays, while the Xperia XA will use a 5-inch 720p display, along with the MediaTek MT6755, an octa-core Cortex-A53 processor.
Next-generation tech
The Xperia X and Xperia X Performance include Sony’s next-generation camera technology called “Predictive Hybrid Autofocus.” Developed in collaboration with Sony’s camera engineers, it lets you choose your subject and then predicts its motion, so you may capture the action in perfect focus, without any blur.
As well as camera tech, Sony says that the new X series has next gen battery tech with Sony’s smart battery management, which the company says will deliver up to two days of battery life.
When it comes to design, each X series smartphone has a curved glass display within a rounded, continuous frame, while the Xperia XA features an edge-to-edge display. Also the Xperia X, Xperia X Performance and Xperia XA each have a range of Style Covers and come in four colors :White, Graphite Black, Lime Gold and Rose Gold.
Ambient connected devices
As part of the re-imagination of the Xperia brand, Sony is concentrating on how you interact with your smartphone. To improve the user experience while out-and-about, Sony has also released details of the Xperia Ear, a wireless ear-piece that provides useful information such as your schedule, weather and the latest news to keep you up-to-date on the go. It uses Sony’s voice technology, which means it can respond to verbal commands, so you’re able to ask it to make a call, perform an internet search, dictate a message or navigate to a certain location. The key here is that it is a hands-free experience.
The Xperia Ear connects to your Android smartphone via NFC or Bluetooth and offers all day battery life plus IPX2 water-protection. As well as the ear piece, Sony has also announced the oddly named RM-X7BT in-car Bluetooth commander, which gives you wireless music streaming and hands-free smartphone functions whilst driving. It consists of two units – an ‘adaptor’ module that enables wireless audio streaming and hands-free calls, and a ‘commander’ that facilitates smartphone functions such as navigation, all whilst driving safely.
But Sony is also bringing its machine learning tech to just more than a AI which whispers in your ear. It has also announced three more concept products:
This is quite an interesting set of announcements from Sony, I for one wasn’t expecting a Snapdragon 820 based device to be announced. Also it seems that this year’s theme at MWC is “value-add,” peripherals and modules that define the next stage in how we use our connected devices. Sony’s part in this is the Xperia Ear, Eye, Projector and Agent. It will be interesting to see how these “ambient connected devices” perform and if they actually make our lives easier/better.
What do you think? Please let me know in the comments.
Thank you for being part of our community. Read ourComment Policybefore posting.
