Sony on Tuesday unveiled a brand new Android handset whose main feature is the selfie-optimized front-facing camera. The Xperia C3 is not a hot flagship handset, an Xperia Z2 successor, meant to take on the high-end smartphones launched by the competition. Instead, Sony markets it simply as the “world’s best selfie smartphone.”
The Xperia C3 packs a 5-megapixel front-facing “PROselfie” camera with wide-angle lens, Superior Auto mode, soft LED flash and various software features to go with it, including HDR support, AR effect, Portrait Retouch camera app for real-time photo editing and 10 different Deco frames. Interestingly, Sony also allows users to take selfies by double tapping the back cover, and the Xperia C3 can also capture pictures automatically using a “Smile Shutter” feature.
The phone has a main 8-megapixel camera that packs an Exmor RS image sensor, and a suite of other photo-ready apps to further customize picture-taking and video-recording experiences.
When it comes to other specs, the Xperia C3 is a mid-range phablet, offering users a 5.5-inch HD IPS display, 1.2GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon processor, 1GB of RAM, 8GB of storage, microSD support, dual-SIM support, 4G LTE support for up to 150Mbps download speeds, NFC, Bluetooth 4.0, 2,500mAh battery and Android 4.4.2. The phone is just 7.6mm thick and weighs 150g.
Sony will launch the Xperia C3 in three color options including black, white and mint this August, starting with China, followed by other markets. It’s not clear how much the Xperia C3 will cost though.
More images showing the Xperia C3, a promo video and the full press release follows below.
Sony boosts “selfie” trend with the launch of Xperia™ C3 – the world’s best selfie smartphone
• The world’s best selfie1 smartphone fully-optimised for selfies featuring a powerful new ‘PROselfie cam’ and selfie apps
• Create and share the best selfies with a 5MP wide-angle front camera with Superior Auto mode and a soft LED flash in any light
• Have unlimited fun with AR effect on the front camera or use the Portrait Retouch camera app to style your close-ups in real-time and post pictures in one of 10 different Deco frames
• Present the best of you and enjoy best in class video calls on a 5.5” HD display over ultra-fast 4G/LTE connection
• With its super lightweight, slim design and powerful Quad-Core processor and 4G Ultra-fast speeds, the Xperia™ C3 can go everywhere with you
• Dual SIM gives you the flexibility to use two SIM cards in the same phone, so you never miss a call8th July 2014, London, UK – Sony Mobile Communications (“Sony Mobile”) today introduces Xperia™ C3, the ultimate new smartphone for selfies and social sharing thanks to Sony’s leading digital imaging technology and interactive camera apps.
“Xperia C3 is a unique new smartphone from Sony, created to offer the ultimate social sharing experience with a new powerful ‘PROselfie cam’. It also presents a combination of the best of Sony, with leading digital imaging technology and brilliant specs and performance all for a mid-range price” says Calum MacDougall, Director of Xperia Marketing at Sony Mobile Communications.
“The rise of selfies shows no signs of abating – its usage has increased by 17,000% since 2012 with the word officially being added to the Oxford English Dictionary in 2013. We’re excited to offer SONY’s first ‘PROselfie Smartphone’ and play a part in this global phenomenon.”
Fit more in the frame with our best ever ‘selfie cam’ smartphone
The Xperia C3 produces perfect selfies wherever, whenever with a 5 MP wide-angle front camera (25mm with 80 degree field of view) that allows you to capture more in the frame. With a unique soft flash, you can take flattering photos day or night by simply double tapping the back cover or using Smile Shutter, which you can then share with friends in three clicks. Thanks to the front camera’s Superior Auto mode, pictures are automatically adjusted for suitable lighting conditions and the auto scene recognition function, which works together with HDR and LED flash, makes sure you can capture the best selfies and selfie videos in any light.To enhance your pictures further, the Xperia C3 comes loaded with selfie camera apps. AR effect incorporates themes that let you easily add fun graphics and animations – like pirate hats, horror faces and laser eyes – to your selfies and selfie videos. Portrait Retouch is another innovative app that allows you to have a real-time makeover of up to two people from a combination of choices from 10 different beauty styles, 10 DECO frame options and magic beam for 6 eye reflection pattern changes. All these features allow you to elevate your images to a new level, to impress your friends via your favourite social media channels.
Enjoy Sony camera expertise
Created with Cyber-shot leading camera expertise, the Xperia™ C3’s impressive 8MP main camera, featuring an Exmor RS™ for mobile image sensor, captures perfect pictures even in challenging lighting conditions. With SteadyShot™ all of your videos will come out smooth and distortion-free. The front camera also makes video calls with Xperia™ C3 crispy clear, with exceptional image quality on the large 5.5” HD display over ultra-fast 4G/LTE connection.Discover apps that open up new experiences
Xperia™ C3 comes loaded with innovative camera apps – developed to enhance your mobile experience with social – and fun ways to create and share:
• Superior Auto – on both main and front cameras. From illuminated night views to backlit selfies, Superior Auto recognises four scene types on C3’s front camera and up to 36 scenes by the main camera and adjusts the settings automatically, to help you get the best photos anywhere, in any light. As the default camera mode, Superior Auto turns HDR on or off depending on your scene. HDR mode takes multiple shots with varied exposures and then merges them together to make your photos look natural – even in backlit conditions
• Portrait retouch v.2 – style your close-ups in real time. Portrait Retouch makes sure you’re captured looking your best with features including real-time makeover, DECO frame options and magic eye beam (light reflection) effects. Portrait Retouch offers a choice of 10 different beauty styles – including four natural looks for the guys – and the ability to retouch portraits of up to two people per image. You can see changes in real time, before capturing the shot to ensure a photogenic finish.
• AR effect – a different angle to your photos and videos. Switch your front selfie camera to AR effect mode and see your viewfinder come to life as a carnival or Halloween parties with yourself and friends wearing fun masks, Caribbean pirate hats and Mummy wraps.
• Timeshift-burst – always get the best picture. Timeshift-burst captures 31 frames in just 2 seconds – starting even before you press the shutter. Consumers can then scroll back and forth amongst the 31 frames to select the perfect image, or even keep them all.
• Picture effects – create the best picture. Apply a wide selection of creative effects to your photos and change colours, add image trails or apply mirror effects. These adjustments enhance your images and open up a world of possibilities.
• Movie Creator – create videos to be proud of. The new movie creator application allows you to trim and crop your videos so that you can easily edit what you want to share. Insert dramatic slowdown effects at one or more places on the timeline of the video so that you can preview your movie before you save and share.
• Social live – broadcast your precious moments live. Social live lets you broadcast every moment as it happens live via Facebook. Get your friend’s response right on the screen and keep the conversation going, all in real-time, and go beyond social sharing as you know it.
• Sweep Panorama – Take a panoramic photo by just sweeping the camera.
• Vine – Create and share beautiful looping videos. Share six-second videos with friends and your social networks with this simple and exciting app.Speed that goes on forever
Xperia™ C3 supports super-fast 4G/LTE networks with up to 150 Mbps for downloading and 50 Mbps for uploading, allowing you to share every highlight of your day, anytime and anywhere. Powered by an efficient Snapdragon Quad-core 1.2 Ghz processor and with 1GB RAM and 8GB Flash memory, Xperia™ C3 enables ultra-fast performance with breath-taking graphics.Lightweight and slim, for life on the go
At just 7.6 mm and a mere 150g, this slim and sleek smartphone is perfect for people on the go. Built with leading Sony technology the Xperia C3 has a stunning screen that offers an unrivalled experience. Its large, beautiful 5.5” HD IPS display optimised with BRAVIA® technology that offers great viewing from any angle.The Xperia C3 features an easy-toggle keyboard for one-handed input. In addition, its Simple Home mode offers a simplified home screen with larger fonts and loaded with the most used apps and speed dial features.
Better battery life
The Xperia C3 provides extensive usage to ensure you get the most out of your smartphone whilst on the move. On top of this, Battery STAMINA Mode 3.0 saves you wasted battery drain by recognising when you’re not using your display and automatically turning off the functions you don’t need, while keeping the notifications you want.Dual SIM, no compromise
Sony’s latest generation of dual-SIM technology allows users to set up both SIM cards independently with custom ring tones and easily choose between SIMs before making calls or sending texts, whilst Sony’s dual SIM management technology means that users can keep both SIMs active and never miss a call, even when talking on one of them.
Xperia C3 will be available in black, white and for something a bit special, mint, and will launch globally from August 2014 starting with China as the first launch market.For the full specifications, please visit: http://www.sonymobile.com/global-en/products/phones/xperia-c3/specifications/
1 Based on the results of a blind assessment of images captured by Xperia C3 against leading flagship smartphones and selfie-optimized devices, based on overall results and overall comparisons as rated by 200 Chinese smartphone buyers. Research was conducted by Strategy Analytics between 20-23 June 2014. For more information, go to: http://www.sonymobile.com/testresults
