Sony Xperia Z1 News: Specs Confirmed at IFA, Price and Release Date Unknown

The Sony Xperia Z1 was officially revealed to the public on Sept. 4, giving curious fans and IFA attendees the chance to finally see the long-rumored phone in action and to get confirmation about various aspects of the device.

The Z1, formerly called the Honami, is the successor of the Xperia Z. The phone will be dust and water resistant, as is the case with most Xperia phones. This is due to the fact that the ports have waterproof flaps, with the headphone jack completely waterproof without a flap. The design of the Z1 is slightly different from past Xperia models, according to CNET. The aluminum case on the back of the phone wraps around to the sides of the phone, making the phone stronger and more comfortable to hold.

As for the specs, the device will have the long-rumored Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor with 2.2GHz speed. This makes it one of the most powerful devices on the market, and the Z1 will have a 3,000mAh battery to keep the phone running. The device will use the Android 4.2.2 operating system, and while it may not be the latest version of Android it is indeed serviceable.

However, the biggest and most noticeable feature of the device is the 20.7-megapixel camera that comes with the Z1. The camera will have a 1/2.3-inch sensor, a wide angle 27mm f/2.0 G lens, and a Bionz image processor. The phone is capable of taking stunning photos even in low-light, and the photos taken with the Z1's camera will look great on the 5-inch Full HD display.

The device looks as though it will be a winner, but Sony did not reveal a price or release date for the Xperia Z1. Perhaps they are waiting for the service providers that will carry the phone, such as Sprint, Verizon, and T-Mobile to clarify those two price points. CNET is estimating that the device will cost no less than £500, which comes in at a little less than $800 USD, so service providers will most likely sell the phone as part of a multiple year subscription plan. As for the release date, Android Authority is reporting that the Xperia Z1 will launch in September so it can compete with other high-end smartphones also coming out during the month.

Look out for more Sony Xperia Z1 news as the smartphone confirms service providers and launch dates.