Sony Xperia News and Updates: Xperia XZ and X Compact to Ditch Fingerprint Scanner in US Models?
Sony just recently released two brand new smartphones in their Xperia lineup. However, the company is said to be ditching one of the most essential features in the US market—the fingerprint scanner.
No Fingerprint Scanner
Launched in IFA 2016 in Berlin earlier this month, many have been anticipating the arrival of the new Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact to the US soil. However, as surprising as it may be, Sony decided to remove the fingerprint scanners in the US version of the smartphones.
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Sony Mobile's US website lists down all the specs of both phones, with the fingerprint scanner nowhere to be seen. The European models of both smartphones, however, will receive this feature. Fans across the country are somewhat confused by the move, as the fingerprint scanner has become one of the essential features in modern smartphones.
As per usual, Sony embedded the fingerprint sensors of the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact in the power buttons of the European models. However, Sony has already made this baffling move with previous device offerings, such as the Xperia X Performance, the Xperia Z5, and the Xperia Z5 Compact. Until now, Sony has not yet provided an official explanation as to why the company is doing this.
The Xperia X Compact is already available to purchase in the UK. Being the lower-end smartphone, it is most likely the first of the two to arrive in the US. Other than the fingerprint scanner missing from both devices, there are not likely any more changes to come with the US versions.
Specs Rundown
To recap, both smartphones launched by Sony will be added to the company's 2016 Xperia X lineup. The Xperia XZ is by far Sony's most powerful smartphone yet, going toe-to-toe with the Xperia X Performance in most specs. The Xperia X Compact sits somewhere in the lower midrange tier.
The Xperia XZ features a 5.2-inch display with 1080p Full HD resolution. The Xperia X Compact packs a smaller 4.6-inch screen with a lower 720p HD resolution. Both phones run on Android 6.0.1 Marshmallow out of the box, with a planned upgrade to Nougat.
The Xperia XZ packs the powerful Snapdragon 820 and an Adreno 530 GPU, while the Xperia X Compact is equipped with the high midrange Snapdragon 650 processor with a capable Adreno 510 GPU. Both phones come with 3GB of RAM and 32GB of internal storage, with the Xperia XZ having a 64GB model.
Both phones have an identical back camera setup. The rear sensor is a 23-megapixel lens with f/2.0 aperture. The Xperia XZ then comes with a 13-megapixel selfie snapper, while the Xperia X Compact offers a 5-megapixel one. The larger Xperia XZ also packs a 2900 mAh battery, while the Xperia X Compact packs a 2700 mAh one.
