IFA 2016: Sony Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact press photos leak ahead of launch

We are just a few hours away from the launch of Sony Mobile’s new range of Xperia smartphones, and a couple of press renders have leaked out courtesy of the X_peria Blog_. The image that the website refers to as press renders are said to be of the Xperia XZ and the Xperia X Compact smartphones that are expected to be launched at the Internationale Funkausstellung Berlin (IFA) today. So technically speaking, this would be our official first glimpse of the handset ever since the GSMArena leak that revealed the Xperia XZ in July. [caption id=“attachment_332723” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Xperia Blog[/caption] The press renders of the flagship Xperia XZ shows off a new design that picks up a few bits from the Xperia Z5 and the recent Xperia X range. As with the Samsung Note 7, the edges are curved. Note that the display itself does not curve, only the edges of the device. [caption id=“attachment_332722” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Xperia Blog[/caption] The fingerprint reader looks identical to the one on the Xperia X series and so is the button set up on the right hand side. The back of the smartphone is more interesting though. We get a camera setup that’s rather unusual. The lens, LED flash and a couple of unknown sensors are aligned vertically, with the image sensor at the top. Next up we have the Compact version of the XZ now tagged as the Xperia X Compact. While the handset went missing back at the Xperia X series unveil , Sony thinks it is ready for showtime now and in all probability we may see it getting unveiled at IFA this year. [caption id=“attachment_332720” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Xperia Blog[/caption] The Xperia X Compact follows the same curved-edge design language as with the XZ but camera set up on the back flows horizontally instead of vertically, even though it includes the same set of sensors and the LED flash. [caption id=“attachment_332721” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Xperia Blog[/caption] The difference in the design is that the XZ showcases what we think is a metal back, while the X Compact’s back appears to be covered in of glass. [caption id=“attachment_332719” align=“aligncenter” width=“640”]  Image: Xperia Blog[/caption] Also showcased for both smartphones are their respective Xperia flip cases that comes with a frost-like translucent finish. Both smartphones are expected to be showcased today, among other Sony innovations at the pre-IFA launch in Berlin.