Sony launches Xperia Z2 in India

Sony has finally launched the Xperia Z2 in India, priced Rs49,990. The new Sony flagship would be available starting 12 May and will take on the HTC One M8 and Galaxy S5.

The company has also launched the fitness-centric SmartBand priced Rs5,990. Positioned as a life logger, the SmartBand, would come bundled with the device.

Though the device appeared to be like the Z1, its internals had been thoroughly refreshed. The smart phone, which runs on Google's latest Android 4.4 KitKat, would be offered in black, white and purple colours.

Among the highlights of the device is its 20.7-megapixel camera with 4K recording support, along with 1/2.3-type Exmor RS for mobile CMOS image sensor, Sony's G Lens and intelligent BIONZ. The 4K resolution (3840×2160 pixels/30p) that helps capture four times the detail of Full HD, is supported by STM10 Stereo Microphone for stereo audio recording.

It additionally comes loaded with Xperia camera apps, including Timeshift video, Creative effect, and AR effect. The new Background defocus camera app allows the creation of a shallow depth of field effect. Two photos can be captured at different focus settings and blended together, creating a blurred out background for more professional looking photos.

According to Kenichiro Hibi, managing director of Sony India, who spoke to indianexpress.com, pricing was intentional as they wanted to remain competitive in the flagship segment.

The phone was packed with all the latest technology that Sony was proud to offer, he said, adding, the company wanted customers to feel what was next for the mobile phone segment.

Significantly, Sony was trying to make wearable devices more popular in India with bundling its SmartBand with the Sony Xperia Z2 and pricing it at R5,990 when bought without the phone.

Hibi said most customers did not know what wearable devices were. The company's intention was to let customers use the devices and know how they could impact their life, as he explained the aggressive pricing on the bands, he added.

The Sony SmartBand would run with all Android KitKat smart phones through the Lifelog app, which would keep tabs on everything happening in one's life. He said Sony wanted to leave the choice to the customer and not limit them to using the SmartBand just with a Sony phone.

Sony India claims a 10 per cent market share of the smart phone space and was targeting sales of Rs5,500 crore this fiscal.