Liveblog: Sony unveils Xperia Z1 aka Honami

posted by Victor H. / Sep 04, 2013, 8:09 AM

Liveblog: Sony unveils Xperia Z1 aka Honami

The moment has come. After months of constant leaks, rumors and whispers, Sony will finally unveil the Xperia Z1 today at IFA 2013. We are already in Berlin, the place where Europe’s biggest technology show takes place and will bring a liveblog of the exciting announcement.

We expect a short and concise event, focused on the Xperia Z1, the company’s new flagship. Sony has already unveiled that it’d feature a 20-megapixel camera that aims to bring a small revolution to smartphone photography, and that it’d be a water-resistant device with a design similar to the Xperia Z.

Ever since Kaz Hirai took over the role of Sony President and chief executive on April 1, 2012, the Japanese company has been undergoing a renaissance with renewed focus on mobile. Now, we’re about to see the ripest fruits of its efforts. Follow us below!

Sony’s IFA 2013 press conference will start at the following times:

07:00AM — Pacific (PT)

09:00AM — Central (CT)

10:00AM — Eastern (ET)

03:00PM — London

06:00PM — Moscow

11:00PM — Tokyo

Live event tracker

09:56	This was Victor with PhoneArena, thanks for tuning in!
09:56	Sony's event is over, but Samsung's huge keynote starts shortly. Stay tuned!
09:55	And that's a wrap - last promo video is playing now, and we're off to get sweet hands on time with the Xperia Z1.
09:54	"Sony is poised to lead."
09:54	"We hope that every products moves you in powerful, relevant and meaningful way."
09:53	Kaz just confirmed the Xperia Z1 will launch this month! No word on carriers.
09:53	Video is over - a lot of its features come from Sony's cameras.
09:51	Sony shows us the design process behind the Z1
09:50	Back to Xperia Z1 and it's video time. Remember that leaked promo?
09:50	The cameras/lenses will work with iOS and Android. Oops, no Windows Phone in the mix.
09:49	10x zoom on QX10, 1" image sensor on QX100, Wi-Fi, NFC, BIONZ image processors
09:49	Kaz is not letting down other phone users.
09:48	With an adapter you can attach these cameras to almost any smartphone.
09:48	Impressive. "It really completely transforms your mobile shooting experience."
09:47	Kaz just simply snapped it on and the camera was ready to use with the Z1!
09:47	QX10 and QX100 camera will work with Z1
09:46	Kaz seems to set the stage ready for the new lenses for Z1!
09:46	"As I've demonstrated, the Xperia Z1's camera is unlike anything ever seen before in a smartphone."
09:46	Ha! And that was Samsung's text message ringtone interrupting Kaz for a short second!
09:45	"Every Xperia Z1 sold here in Germany" and other European countries will get some 100 euros' worth of free Sony entertainment
09:44	"Outstanding screen."
09:44	"Extended battery life" is also confirmed on the Xperia Z1.
09:43	The PlayMemories cloud service will be supported in major European markets, expanding to other markets quickly
09:42	"Access this library from anywhere."
09:42	Kaz unveils Play Memories online - all your photos stores in the cloud
09:41	61 images in 2 seconds - blazing fast burst shot mode on the Z1!
09:40	InfoEye is next - recognizes what you shoot
09:40
09:39	3X lossless zoom on a 20MP camera with G lens and BIONZ tech.
09:39	"A product that's not only beautiful, but fully waterproof."
09:39	"The Xperia Z1 is the absolute embodiment of that one Sony ethos."
09:39	Time for specs
09:38	It's zed one, not zee one, says Kaz.
09:38	Yes! Xperia Z1
09:37	"A product that could only come from Sony."
09:37	One Sony. Is it time for the Xperia Z1?
09:37
09:36	Improved signal to noise ratio.
09:36	Multitude of high-quality audio products are coming up: "packed with latest Sony tech"
09:35
09:35	"Let's focus on high-resolution audio now." Okay, Kaz, we're all ears.
09:35	4K Home Cinema Projector!
09:34	"There are some of you for whom even 84" is not enough." Something big is coming.
09:34	Pretty awesomely, they will come with a 7.1 channel sound bar
09:33	Sony adds two new Bravia models, a 55" and 65" ones
09:33	Time for 4K TVs!
09:32	Or Lucky Charms.
09:32	Sony is lightning fast, going through devices faster than you can eat pop corn!
09:31	Vaio Tap 11 is here
09:31	The device is named VAIO Fit

Options

27 Comments

1. PunyPoop

Posts: 752; Member since: Jan 18, 2013

THIS IS IT!!!

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:10 AM 4

6. PunyPoop

1 MINUTE TO GO!!!!

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:58 AM 1

14. rihel_95

Posts: 305; Member since: Mar 21, 2012

Still some music is going on! FTW

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:11 AM 1

2. AfterShock

Posts: 4146; Member since: Nov 02, 2012

If Sony's stuff is priced ok it may lure me away from a N5. I don't expect that but do hope they buck their own trend some an appeal to more people that way. Otherwise its a Fabergé egg phone to me.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:13 AM 2

3. mottykels

Posts: 387; Member since: May 15, 2013

I cant wait >.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:17 AM 2

8. LetsBeHonest

Posts: 1548; Member since: Jun 04, 2013

Yup also waiting for official camera samples...

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:02 AM 1

22. zuckerboy

Posts: 898; Member since: Dec 22, 2011

ok try to use time machine :D

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:34 AM 0

4. itsdeepak4u2000

Posts: 3718; Member since: Nov 03, 2012

Just waiting eagerly for Z1 announcement and then Z1 mini, because I want it.........

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:22 AM 3

5. HeWhoDoesNothing

Posts: 158; Member since: Jul 15, 2013

So excited!!!!

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 8:47 AM 1

7. HeWhoDoesNothing

No pop corn for me lol. It's early in the morning: Lucky Charms.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:01 AM 1

11. Victor.H

Posts: 1026; Member since: May 27, 2011

Cool, keep it healthy :)

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:07 AM 2

9. zachattack

Posts: 621; Member since: Jul 31, 2013

still not watchable /yawn

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:04 AM 0

10. ghassangs7

Posts: 9; Member since: Aug 13, 2013

Yeah there is my favorite brand let's goooooo!

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:07 AM 0

12. _Bone_

Posts: 2155; Member since: Oct 29, 2012

Epic fail haha. Lags more than your average Xperia.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:08 AM 0

13. special4u

Posts: 63; Member since: May 22, 2013

OMG! I expect REAL Beast from Sony, not the fake beast from Samsung

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:10 AM 0

16. _Bone_

The last fake from Samsung man-handled Sony, so will the Note III 3 hours from now,

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:11 AM 0

15. GMS85

Posts: 216; Member since: Sep 26, 2012

WE IN ITTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

17. _Bone_

I can see those press phones running out of juice.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:14 AM 0

18. _Bone_

We are sorry to report that Sony Music Services are stopped working. Sorry for the inconvenience.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:16 AM 0

19. _Bone_

Haha, it's falling apart from that broken engrish.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:22 AM 0

20. shuaibhere

Posts: 1986; Member since: Jul 07, 2012

i think sony europe president is having banana in his mouth...

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:23 AM 0

21. _Bone_

Not sure if this is more boring or the black screen when the stream was broken.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:28 AM 0

23. _Bone_

Okay, getting more interesting.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:39 AM 0

24. gazmatic

Posts: 807; Member since: Sep 06, 2012

watch it here http://www.pcadvisor.co.uk/test-centre/mobile-phone/3466879/sony-xperia-z1-ifa-live-press-conference-video/

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:54 AM 0

25. nxl2610

Posts: 49; Member since: Aug 14, 2013

That it ? i'm a bit disappointed -_-

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 9:56 AM 0

27. HeWhoDoesNothing

For me, it wasn't "disappointment", just, underwhelming.

posted on Sep 04, 2013, 10:45 AM 0

26. pwnarena

Posts: 1129; Member since: Feb 15, 2013

you can see from the audience. nobody was awed. they were just like introducing stuff. unlike nokia's production introduction with actual demonstrations. well, i'm disappointed. i've always been a sony fan. that presentation wasn't good.