After pushing Android 12 stable update to the Xperia 5 III models, Sony has now released the new software skin for the Xperia 5 II devices. Sony Xperia 5 II was launched back in 2020 with Android 10 OS and flagship specs like the Snapdragon 865 SoC, triple cameras.

The Android 12 stable update comes with firmware version 58.2.A.0.899. It carries a size of 1,000MB and is currently available for devices in the US, Asia, Europe, Russia. The specific models supported are XQ-AS52, XQ-AS72, and XQ-AS62.

If you own the device, you should have received the notification to update. In case you didn’t, just head to the Settings page followed by the Software update menu. The update page doesn’t seem to show the changelog, but you’ll get all the Android 12 features with the update.

Sony Xperia 5 II Specifications 

The Sony Xperia 5 II has a 6.1-inch FHD+ OLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate. It has a 21:9 aspect ratio and a Gorilla Glass 5 protection. The smartphone features a triple camera system with a 12MP main lens, a 12MP wide-angle sensor, and a 12MP telephoto sensor. The camera is capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps.

It has the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC paired with 8GB RAM and up to 256GB of UFS 3.0 storage. It packs a 4,000mAh battery with fast charging support. The device has a side-facing fingerprint scanner and has a USB Type-C port.

RELATED:

• Sony Xperia 10 IV design and specs leaked in high-res renders
• Sony Xperia 1 IV renders reveal design, 6.5-inch display & more
• Sony WH-XB910N over-the-ear headphones with ANC & 40mm drivers launched at Rs 14,990 in…
• Sony partners Honda to jointly manufacture & sell electric vehicles
• Sony’s latest Walkman models rekindle the spirit of the iconic Walkman
• Sony console prototype shipment, hints at PS5 Pro development

The post Sony Xperia 5 II gets the Android 12 OS in these regions appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Sony Xperia 5 II has gotten a new color variant in Europe. The phone which launched in Black, Blue, and Grey, now comes in Pink. Sony is also including a free pair of its WF-1000XM3 noise-canceling earbuds.

The new colorway is available in Germany, Italy, and Spain. Depending on the country or store you purchase from, you can grab the phone for €899 or €799. For example, Estorepartner Germany sells the phone for €799 while Amazon Germany has it listed for €899. Both stores include the Sony WF-1000XM3 Bluetooth headphones.

The offer with the free headphones runs from February 2 to February 14, and if you decide to return the phone, you also have to return the headphones.

The Xperia 5 II has a 6.1-inch OLED display with a 2520 x 1080 resolution and a 120Hz refresh rate. There is a Snapdragon 865 processor under the hood and you get 8GB of RAM and 128GB of storage.

The back of the phone has three cameras – a 12MP main sensor with OIS, a 12MP telephoto camera with OIS and 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide angle camera. The front-facing camera is an 8MP sensor.

Even though the Xperia 5 II has an OLED display, it opts for a side-mounted fingerprint scanner. There is a 4000mAh battery under the hood with support for 21W fast charging via a USB-C port. Other features it has includes an audio jack, stereo speakers, Bluetooth 5.1, and NFC. It runs Android 10 out of the box but Sony has begun rolling out the Android 11 update for the phone.

RELATED:

• First look at Sony Xperia 1 III shows an unchanged design and a new periscope lens
• Android 11 is now available for the Sony Xperia 10 II
• Sony Xperia Pro launched as the brand’s first 5G phone in the U.S

The post Sony releases a pink Xperia 5 II in Europe and it comes with free earbuds appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony launched the Xperia 5 II in the US back in September 2020. The company also brought the device to markets like Asia’s Taiwan and Home Country Japan, and Europe. If you recall, the device came with Android 10 out of the box. Now, after 4 months, it is getting the taste of stable Android 11.

Sony has lived up to the promise of its Android 11 update schedule. The company has already rolled out the update for Xperia 1 and Xperia 5 last week. They were originally scheduled to get it only by February of 2021. Anyway, the Android 11 update of Xperia 5 II compact flagship smartphone is arriving on time with software version 58.1.A.1.178.

This is reportedly rolling out to regions like Europe(XQ-AS52), dual-SIM variants(XQ-AS72) in Russia and South East Asia. As per the XDA report, a SoftBank Japan-exclusive model (A002SO), which is a single-SIM variant, will get the firmware version as 58.1.D.0.331.

The update weighs around 709.7 MB in size. It’s worth noting that Sony puts out a disclaimer you cannot revert to the previous software version after this update. So we suggest you not try it by any means at any cost as it could brick it.

Also as the report says, Xperia 5 II is yet to break into the Open Devices Program(AOSP config files for custom software support).

As for features, you can expect all the goodies of Android 11 OS that Google announced back in September. They are chat bubbles(conversations), media controls, improved permission management, improved Digital Wellbeing, and organized notifications.

That said, this update will soon expand to the left out markets in the coming days/weeks.

UP NEXT: No more pre-orders for Sony PlayStation 5 in India before February 2

The post Sony Xperia 5 II gets the Android 11 update appeared first on Gizmochina.

We already made a list of our best phones of the year 2020, which you should read if you have not. While we were compiling that list, there were some devices that we shortlisted but that didn’t make the final cut. It turns out that some of these devices can actually be classified as “underrated” as they didn’t make it out of China, got little attention when they were announced, or were overshadowed by other phones. So here is our list of the Most Underrated Phones of 2020.

Sony Xperia 5 II

Sony’s flagship phones usually get overshadowed by competitors for reasons such as price, features, or a combination of both, and the Xperia 5 II is a prime example. This 6.1-inch phone stands out in a market flooded with phones whose screens are just a few inches shy from entering the 7 inches turf. While it is as tall as a lot of other phones, no thanks to its 21:9 aspect ratio, this also means it is narrower making it more comfortable to hold.

The phone’s specs are good but when compared to the competition where you have phones with bigger batteries, faster-charging technologies, and more affordable price tags, then a compact-sized phone such as the Xperia 5 II will not be on your shortlist.

Buy Now

Meizu 17 Pro

This year, the Meizu 17 Pro was one of the two smartphones announced by the former top Chinese manufacturer; the other being the standard Meizu 17. This flagship is one of the best-designed phones announced this year.

Unlike most phones with a punch hole at the top left corner or center, the Meizu 17 Pro has its own at the top right corner. Not only does the hole have a really small diameter, but the bezels are also some of the thinnest you will find on a smartphone. Meizu completes the design with a ceramic back, horizontally arranged rear cameras, and a ring LED flash.

Even though it packed amazing specs out of the box, it got more features via OTA updates such as an increased refresh rate (from 90Hz to 120Hz) and video stabilization for all cameras. Unfortunately, the Meizu 17 Pro and its sibling, both gorgeous and with impressive specs, did not get a global release.

Buy Now (CN)

Vivo X50 Pro/Vivo X51 5G

Vivo is known for making phones with a premium design, impressive cameras, a mid-range chipset, and a high price tag, and the Vivo X50 Pro or Vivo X51 5G is one of such devices.

Its first-of-its-kind gimbal system brought a new type of stabilization to smartphone cameras. The whole 48MP quad-camera system is quite impressive and the camera arrangement is one we have seen other manufacturers copy. However, its high price tag, not unjustified for its pioneering technology, puts it in direct competition with more affordable flagships that offer a better all-round experience.

Buy Now

EDITOR’S PICK: Vivo X60 series brings the Exynos 1080 to market while focusing on camera performance

Redmi 10X Pro 5G

The Redmi 10X Pro 5G is a mid-range phone that packs features you will usually find on premium mid-range phones and flagships. This Dimensity 820 5G phone, which is exclusive to China, has a telephoto camera with OIS and 3x optical zoom! That is a big deal when you realize that flagships such as the Mi 10 5G and Mi 11 don’t have a telephoto camera but this sub $350 phone does.

Lenovo Legion Phone Duel

The Legion Phone Duel was Lenovo’s first gaming smartphone. It was also the first phone powered by a Snapdragon 865+ processor. For its first attempt, Lenovo did a lot of things differently. From adopting a side pop-up selfie camera to placing the rear cameras in an unusual position, and using two USB-C charging ports to achieve its 90W fast charging technology.

Like other gaming phones, the Legion Phone Duel has trigger buttons, RGB lights, a high refresh rate display, and great stereo speakers. While it did launch in Europe in October, gaming smartphones are still a niche category, so they usually get overshadowed by other flagships that pack better features overall and are not as expensive.

Nubia Play

The Nubia Play 5G launched in China in April, and on a spec by spec comparison, it is better than the OnePlus Nord which is our selection for the best budget 5G smartphone.

This 6.65-inch phone with a 144Hz AMOLED display, a Snapdragon 765G processor, 48MP quad rear cameras, and a 5100mAh battery with 30W fast charging had a launch price of ¥2399 (~$339 as of April) for the base model that has 6GB of RAM and 128GB of storage!

It did get a global launch but as the Red Magic 5G Lite and with some toned-down features such as a 120Hz refresh rate, 18W charging, and a much higher price tag.

Red Magic Lite / Nubia Play

Mi 10 Youth 5G

The Mi 10 Youth 5G launched in China as an affordable version of the Mi 10 series. Prior to its announcement, Xiaomi had announced an affordable Mi 10 phone called the Mi 10 Lite 5G that was only sold in international markets. Both the Mi 10 Lite 5G and Mi 10 Youth Edition share not only design almost the same specifications but Xiaomi gave the latter a camera upgrade in form of a periscope telephoto camera with OIS, 5x optical zoom, and 50X digital zoom.

The Mi 10 Youth 5G was supposed to launch in international markets as the Mi 10 Lite Zoom but that didn’t happen. We do not know if Xiaomi has canceled it or it decided to push the launch to next year.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 11 arrives with the Snapdragon 888, a top-tier display, Harman Kardon speakers, and more

The post The Most Underrated Phones of 2020 appeared first on Gizmochina.

Compact phones became very rare, yet Apple launched two compact devices this year. The latest one is the iPhone 12 Mini, already considered the king of compact phones by a lot of people. But is it really so or there is something at the same level in the Android world? This is a specs comparison between compact phones including the iPhone 12 Mini, the Sony Xperia 5 II, and the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The Samsung device is not among the most compact ones, but it is a clamshell phone with a foldable display and it becomes incredibly small while folded: that is why we included it in this comparison despite it may look like an atypical choice.

Apple iPhone 12 Mini vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 II

Design

The verdict may change depending on your tastes, but the most impressive design belongs to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G. The reason why it is the most attractive is the fact that it is a foldable phone and it features a foldable display. Thanks to this solution, the phone is able to become extremely compact while folded, so that you can keep it in a small pocket. And while the phone is folded, you can use a small external display to check the notifications and shoot selfies with the rear cameras. The iPhone 12 Mini comes right after with its compact and symmetric borderless design, and it even features a sturdier build quality with Ceramic Shield and a waterproof body offering water resistance up to 6 meters deep.

Display

Maybe it does not offer the most realistic image quality, but the most interesting display belongs to the Sony Xperia 5 II for a simple reason: it has a 120 Hz refresh rate. But do not underestimate the foldable screen of the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G with the HDR10+ certification. Despite being more compact, the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G has the widest display with a 6.7-inch diagonal. The iPhone 12 Mini offers an astonishing image quality with HDR10, Dolby Vision, and a wide color gamut. And it is the device with the smallest display. iPhone 12 Mini relies on Face ID for authentication, while Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G and Sony Xperia 5 II feature a fingerprint scanner.

Specs & Software

The most advanced device in terms of performance is the iPhone 12 Mini thanks to the Apple A14 Bionic chipset built at 5 nm. No matter if it comes with less RAM because the iOS operating system knows how to manage it. The silver medal goes to the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G powered by the Snapdragon 865+ mobile platform paired with 8 GB of RAM and UFS 3.0 native storage. But the Sony Xperia 5 II is still a top-tier flagship with its Snapdragon 865. iPhone 12 Mini runs iOS 14, while its rivals run Android 10.

Camera

The most complete camera department belongs to the Sony Xperia 5 II. Besides the classic 12 MP main sensor and an ultrawide lens, unlike its two rivals, it even comes with a telephoto sensor with 3x optical zoom. You do not get that on the iPhone 12 Mini and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G. But the iPhone 12 Mini actually provides better photo quality, if we exclude zoom capabilities. Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G is a very nice camera phone, but it is not among the best ones.

• Read More: Samsung could be working on a ‘Lite’ version of Galaxy Z Flip clamshell phone

Battery

The battery award goes to the Sony Xperia 5 II featuring a satisfying 5000 mAh battery. But it is the only one to lack wireless charging. iPhone 12 Mini and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G have below-average batteries, but they are not disappointing in terms of battery life.

Price

The prices of the iPhone 12 Mini start from €800/$700, Sony Xperia 5 II is priced €800/$890, and Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G costs about €1600/$1500 (prices vary depending on the market). At the end of the day, the iPhone 12 Mini is a better compact phone for several reasons. It is very compact thanks to its 5.4-inch display, it has a great chipset, very nice camera capabilities, and more interesting minor features. But the choice mostly depends on your needs: you may need an even more compact device like the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G while folded, or you may prefer having a longer battery life with the Sony Xperia 5 II. In each case, you would get an awesome device.

Apple iPhone 12 Mini vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 II: PRO and CONS

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G

PRO

• Foldable display
• Extremely compact (when folded)
• External display
• Wireless charging

CONS

• Price
• No water resistance

Apple iPhone 12 Mini

PRO

• Very compact
• High performance
• Face ID
• Wireless charging and MagSafe
• Stereo speakers

CONS

• Nothing particular

Sony Xperia 5 II

PRO

• Expandable storage
• Bigger battery
• Stereo speakers
• 120 Hz refresh rate

CONS

• Inferior front camera

The post iPhone 12 Mini vs Samsung Galaxy Z Flip 5G vs Sony Xperia 5 II: Specs Comparison appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony Xperia 5 II was first unveiled last month as the Japanese brand’s first phone with a 120Hz display. Apart from the screen with a high refresh rate, the phone equally comes with several amazing features including an impressive camera setup. Youtube channel PCB Review has given us our first look at the internals of the Xperia 5 II. The teardown shows how the internal components are arranged.

The Sony Xperia 5 II arrives with a compact build which means the company had a serious job to do to cram all the components into the available space withou compromising on stuff like battery capacity. The disassembly video gives us an insight into the engineering effort that went into the sleek design the device adopts.

On removal of the back cover, a layer of graphite sheet is revealed. The sheets are meant to dissipate heat from the device and this time around, it isn’t just from the battery but also on the trile rear cameras.as it extends in top of the sensors. The phone also features a copper tape behind the screen to transfer heat from the mid-frame.

The internal components are held in place, in some cases with adhesives, giving the device a water resistant build. Perpherals like the mis uses adhesives but the USB-C port is sealed using a rubber gasket.

On the whole, the Xperia 5 II looks quite easy to disassemble and put back together and should get a fair repairability score.

Asa reminder, the Xperia 5 Ⅱ sports a 6.1-inch OLED HDR display and is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor paired with 8GB of RAM while there is 256GB of storage onboard.  The phone packs a 4000mAh battery and has an IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating.

For photography, the Xperia 5 II features a triple camera setup, comprising of a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. The phone is capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps, which can also be played back at 5x slow motion at 24fps.

UP NEXT: POCO C3 for Rs 7,499 (~$102) brings 6.53-inch display, Helio G35, 13MP triple cameras and 5,000mAh battery

The post Sony Xperia 5 II teardown video reveals a graphite sheet for cooling the cameras appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony has launched the flagship Xperia 5 II in Taiwan. This coming just over a week after the company announced the smartphone for the global market. In Taiwan, it will retail for 29,990 New Taiwan Dollars (~$1030). This is quite higher than the price it is expected to be sold in the US which is $950.

The Xperia 5 Ⅱ emerges as Sony’s first device with 120Hz refresh rate but when compared to the Xperia 1 II, the resolution is reduced to FHD+. The Xperia 5 Ⅱ sports a 6.1-inch OLED HDR display and is equipped with a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor paired with 8GB of RAM while there is 256GB of storage onboard.  The phone packs a 4000mAh battery and has an IP68 dustproof and waterproof rating.

For photography, the Xperia 5 II features a triple camera setup, comprising of a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra-wide-angle camera, and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. The phone is capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps, which can also be played back at 5x slow motion at 24fps.

It is worth noting that the China version of the Xperia 5 Ⅱ will be released on October 15 and is expected to be priced between 6000-7000 yuan.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra beats Huawei P40 Pro in Camera Performance with a DxOMark score of 130

The post Sony Xperia 5 II lands in Taiwan for NT$ 29,990 (~$1030 USD) appeared first on Gizmochina.

The Sony Xperia 5 II has just been launched by the company. It is a new compact flagship from Sony and features top notch specs like the Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 SoC and a high refresh rate OLED panel.

Xperia 5 II

For those unaware, the new high end device is the spiritual successor to Sony’s Compact series. The Xperia 5 arrives as the compact version of the Xperia 1 2019 flagship, while the Xperia 5 II is the compact version of the Xperia 1 II, which was launched earlier this year. With smartphone sizes having become rather unwieldy and heavy for single handed use, the small form factor device will be a comfortable pick for many.

Xperia 5 II Specifications

Under the hood, the latest flagship from Sony features a Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 5G chipset. At the moment, the RAM and storage configuration is currently unknown. Although, we do know that the device is powered by a 4,000mAh battery pack. On the front, the smartphone sports a 6.1 inch FHD+ OLED display panel, which supports a 120Hz high refresh rate. This display has an aspect ratio of 21:9 and offers HDR support with Gorilla Glass 5 protection.

Editor’s Pick: Realme Narzo 20 Pro full specifications leak reveals 90Hz display, 48MP quad cameras, 65W charging and more

Unfortunately, the Sony press release has left out a bunch of details regarding the newly unveiled device. Although, it is confirmed that the Xperia 5 II features a triple camera setup, comprising of a 12MP f/1.7 primary sensor, a 12MP f/2.2 ultra wide angle camera, and another 12MP f/2.4 telephoto lens. However, the specs of the selfie shooter are currently unknown. But, Sony has highlighted that the device will be capable of shooting 4K HDR videos at 120fps, which can also be played back at 5x slow motion at 24fps.

Pricing and Availability

The Sony Xperia 5 II will be available in an unlocked Black color variant in the US, with variants compatible for Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, and Cricket. Pre orders for the device will start from 29th September 2020 with a price tag of 950 US Dollars, with shipping starting from 4th December 2020. For those that order before 29th November 2020, they will receive a gaming bundle comprising of a gaming headset, a 10,000mAh power bank, and 21,600 Call of Duty Mobile points.

UP NEXT: Realme 7i with 90Hz display, SD662, 64MP quad cameras, 5000mAh battery debuts for ~$214

The post Sony Xperia 5 II unveiled, features Snapdragon 865 and 120Hz OLED display appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony is said to be working on a new smartphone called the Xperia 5 II. While numerous reports have surfaced in the last couple of months, the device has recently spotted on various certification websites like 3C and TENAA, which was revealed the live images of the smartphone and a few of its key specifications, as per a MySmartPrice report.

Looking at the images found on TENAA, the Sony Xperia 5 II will feature a single selfie shooter on the front and a triple camera setup on the rear. The rear camera module is aligned vertically on the top left corner of the device. On the right, a power button can be observed along with another physical button which is housed a bit below. At the moment, it is unknown what functionality this button might serve and it might just be dedicated to the camera.

Editor’s Pick: Huawei products are now getting out-of-stock; company doesn’t have Plan B for Kirin chipsets

Moving on to the specification, the TENAA listing also revealed that the Sony Xperia 5 II will sport a 6.1 inch display. The device measures in at 157.65 × 68.4 × 8mm and will be powered by a 3,860mAh battery, which will likely support some form of fast charging. The smartphone is a 5G enabled handset, so it will ship with a 5G chip and will probably run Android 10 OS out of the box.

The 3C certification reveals that fast charging will be supported, however, the exact wattage is currently unknown. However, since the device has been spotted on both websites, we can expect an announcement to follow soon after. So stay tuned for more updates that are likely to arrive within the next few weeks.

UP NEXT: Smart TV makers like Xiaomi and LG seeks extension for zero import duty policy with the Indian govt

The post Sony Xperia 5 II spotted on 3C and TENAA, key specs and live images revealed appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony is expected to announce the Xperia 5 II flagship phone on September 17.  Ahead of the launch, the rumour mill has been agog with leaks surrounding the specifications and renders of the Xperia 5 II.

Reliable tipster Evan Blass has leaked an official promotional video of the device. The video clip centres on the handset’s multimedia and gaming capabilities. The phone is touted to allow you to enjoy your favourite movies and music and can also handle pretty much everything you throw at it. It is shown to feature a 120Hz screen refresh rate as well as 240Hz touch response time. The Xperia 5 II will also pack dual front-facing stereo speakers and gaming enhancement software that gives you absolute control over the handset during gaming. There is also a 3.5mm audio jack onboard.

The video also flaunts the photography and videography capabilities of the device. The Xperia 5 II can shoot slow-motion 4K videos in 120fps, offers burst shooting with AF at up to 20 frames per second and you can edit videos on the color-accurate OLED screen.

UP NEXT: Xiaomi Mi 10 Ultra beats Huawei P40 Pro in Camera Performance with a DxOMark score of 130

The post Sony Xperia 5 II promo video leaks ahead of September 17th launch appeared first on Gizmochina.

Sony is no longer a known player in the smartphone space. But the Japanese company continues to release new models every year with limited availability. Earlier this year, the firm launched Xperia 1 II as its flagship mobile device of 2020. Now, it may unveil Xperia 5 II soon as a render of this handset leaks revealing its entre design.

Last year, Sony launched Xperia 5 at IFA 2019. Therefore, its successor was expected to debut at the same event this year. Looks like it will certainly happen as its press render leak, courtesy of @evleaks (Evan Blass).

The render shared by Mr Blass gives us the first-ever glimpse of the upcoming Sony Xperia 5 II (pronounced as “Mark 2”). Just like its predecessor, it will come with a tall display most likely with 21:9 aspect ratio. The best part of this screen is there’s no notch or punch-hole as the selfie camera is loathed in the top bezel.

Interestingly, there are four physical buttons on the right side of this handset. The topmost one is volume rockers, followed by power key with an embedded fingerprint sensor, and two more buttons, which we think might be for Google Assistant and camera shutter respectively.

The rear of the phone looks like a carbon copy of Xperia 1 II except for a vertically triple camera setup with Zeiss T* optics instead of a quad. Further, there’s an NFC sign at the top, a “SONY” branding at the centre, and “XPERIA” logo at the bottom. Interestingly, there’s also a 3.5mm headphone jack at the top.

That said, Evan did not mention the specifications of this smartphone. But going by its predecessor, it should be powered by Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 flagship SoC.

UP NEXT: Sony Xperia 8 Lite with 21:9 screen, SD630, 12MP dual rear cameras launched in Japan

The post Sony Xperia 5 II render leak reveals a familiar design appeared first on Gizmochina.