Sony Xperia Z1S Waterproof Smartphone Announced: 5" Triluminos Display, 20.7 MP Camera And 3000 mAh Battery

Sony Mobile today debuts its new U.S. flagship Android smartphone, the waterproof Xperia Z1S. Building on the success of Xperia Z, the new Xperia Z1S will be available as an exclusive to T-Mobile. Beginning today, consumers can pre-register to be the first to buy the device, with an online pre-sale kicking off January 13 and nationwide availability in participating T-Mobile stores and online starting January 22.

The latest addition to the ‘Z series’ is a slim yet durable smartphone, crafted with premium materials to withstand life’s surprises. Xperia Z1S has an IP58 rating, making the device Sony’s first waterproof flagship smartphone in the U.S. With a 20.7 megapixel camera, BIONZ for mobile image processing engine, and Sony G Lens as well as a 5-inch Full HD TRILUMINOS Display and X-Reality for mobile, Xperia Z1S is a stunning, premium waterproof smartphone bringing together the best of Sony’s expertise across camera imaging, display and entertainment.

Sony Xperia Z1S

“As a waterproof smartphone complete with the best of Sony’s technology, Xperia Z1S breaks the mold of not only what you can do with a smartphone, but where you can take it,” said Ravi Nookala, President, Sony Mobile Communications U.S. “Building on the momentum of the successful partnership for the launch of Xperia Z, T-Mobile’s shared vision of delivering an uncompromised mobile experience makes them the perfect exclusive partner to bring Xperia Z1S to the U.S.”

Beginning January 13, T-Mobile customers can purchase Xperia Z1S online at www.T-Mobile.com for $0 down with 24 equal monthly device payments of $22 with the Simple Choice Plan. As a special pre-sale promotion, Sony Mobile is providing customers with a $100 VISA gift card with purchase of a Sony Xperia Z1S and a Sony PlayStation 4 (“PS4”) for a limited time from Jan. 13 – 21. Additionally, every Xperia Z1S comes with a unique entertainment offer. You get six great movies to download from Video Unlimited including Sony Pictures’ critically acclaimed Captain Phillips on the day of its digital release, 10 preselected PlayStation Mobile games, and a 60-day free trial of Music Unlimited.

“We are excited to extend T-Mobile’s partnership with Sony and to build on our success with the Xperia Z,” said Jason Young, Senior Vice President of Marketing of T-Mobile. “At T-Mobile, people can get unlimited talk, text and data with no annual service contract, nationwide 4G LTE coverage, unlimited data and texting in over 100+ countries and upgrades when they want. Now, with the exclusive addition of the Xperia Z1S people have yet another great reason to come to T-Mobile.”

The World’s Best Camera In A Waterproof Smartphone

Whether it’s braving the rain to get front row shots of your favorite band or taking the “selfie” to a whole new underwater level, Xperia Z1S makes fear of using your phone around water a thing of the past. Further developing the water-resistant capabilities of Xperia Z, the Xperia Z1S can be completely submerged in freshwater up to 4.9 feet for 30 minutes, making it waterproof (as per IP58 rating) and with its physical camera key, you can even use the device to shoot photos and videos underwater. It also incorporates wet finger tracking technology, to ensure the phone works perfectly when either the screen or your fingers are wet.

Whether above or below water, Xperia Z1S leverages Sony’s best digital imaging technology to capture compact digital camera quality 20.7 MP photos and Full HD videos. For the first time in a U.S. flagship smartphone, Sony has added its BIONZ for mobile image processing engine – the ‘brain’ of the camera, which together with the sensor, produces images with less noise or blurring, better auto-focus and white balance, and clear image 3x zoom. Sony’s camera expertise also extends to the lens, with Sony’s award-winning G Lens (F2.0), which incorporates the brand’s unique optical design technology and quality control.

More Than Just Photos And Video

Innovating on what’s expected of smartphone camera capabilities and overall experience, the Xperia Z1S comes preloaded with a unique suite of applications called Xperia Camera Apps. Making their debut on a U.S. flagship smartphone, these applications include Info-eye, Timeshift burst, AR effects, Social live, and as an exclusive to Xperia Z1S, Background defocus.

• Info-eye: Perform a visual search that provides related information on items like wine, books, and landmarks, simply by capturing them with the camera
• Timeshift burst: Capture 61 images within two seconds – a second before and after pressing the shutter – so you can scroll back and forth to find the perfect image.
• AR effect: Overlay a selection of fun, customizable animations to create pictures with playful touch using the “SmartAR” augmented reality technology developed by Sony. The animations include dinosaurs, ocean-life and more.
• Social live: Broadcast memories in the making to friends and family on Facebook, live from your Xperia Z1S. Moments such as your best friend’s wedding to your child’s very first recital, are not only shared while you record, but are also made interactive as you receive your friends’ responses right on your screen to keep the conversation going in real-time.
• Background defocus: Adjust the blur in the background for more artistic, professional-looking photos, once only achieved by using top of the line D-SLR cameras or specific lenses, with this exclusive camera app for your Xperia Z1S.

A Gamer’s Handheld Companion

The Xperia Z1S brings an entertainment experience that only Sony can offer including free content as well as integration of Sony media apps with Sony entertainment services, including the new PlayStationApp for the connected gamer.

The PlayStation App allows direct access to various PlayStation Networkfeatures and information such as profiles, trophies, messages, notifications and game invitations, as well as news and blogs from the official PlayStation website. The app is also a companion app to the PS4, allowing for a Second Screen feature in supported games, the use of the Xperia Z1S as a remote control to the PS4, and the ability to watch friends’ PS4 game play. Users can even purchase PlayStation Store game content from the device and download it directly onto their PS4, PS3 or PlayStation Vita while on the go. Beyond the app, Xperia Z1S supports the DUALSHOCK 3 wireless controller, bringing a console-like experience to PlayStation Mobile games.

An Immersive Viewing Experience

Xperia Z1S features a 5-inch Full HD display incorporating Sony’s intelligent TRILUMINOS Display technology powered by X-Reality for mobile picture engine. The TRILUMINOS for mobile display creates a wide palette of rich natural colors reproducing 130% of the natural color gamut and contrast for an immersive viewing experience thanks to Sony’s BRAVIA expertise. Paired with Sony’s intelligent display technology – X-Reality for mobile, which analyzes each image to optimize resolution and sharpness – the display delivers an unmatched viewing experience.

Key Features For Xperia Z1S

• Waterproof, rated IP55/58
• Sony G Lens, 1/2.3” 20.7 MP Exmor RS for mobile image sensor and BIONZ for mobile image processing engine
• Preloaded Xperia camera apps including: Info-eye, Timeshift burst, AR effect, Social live, and Background defocus
• 5-inch Full HD TRILUMINOS Display for mobile with X-Reality for mobile picture engine
• PlayStation App – Connect to your PS4 system and PSN friends, use your smartphone as a second screen and manage your game downloads
• Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core 2.2 Ghz processor, 3000 mAh battery, 4G LTE

Xperia Z1S Specs