Sony has taken a step forward in its water-resistant technology with the introduction of Xperia ZR, an Android smartphone that allows users to capture photos and full HD videos up to 1.5 metres (5 feet) underwater for up to 30 minutes.
A younger sibling to Sony's flagship smartphone Xperia Z, Xperia ZR has many of its predecessor's features in a smaller, more compact design. The device comes with a 4.6-inch HD display, 13 megapixel camera, and is powered by the quad core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 processor clocked at 1.5GHz and paired with an Adreno 320 GPU and 2GB of RAM. The camera is equipped with Sony's Exmor RS sensor and the smartphone has a dedicated shutter button for taking underwater photos. The device has 8GB of on board storage which can be expanded to a further 32GB via a microSD card.
Xperia ZR is one step ahead in its water resistance with levels at IP55 and IP58 than Xperia Z, which is IP55 and IP57 compliant. "As well as being dust-resistant, this waterproof phone is IP55 and IP58 compliant, so you can keep it submerged in 1.5 meters of fresh water for up to 30 minutes. Combined with its dedicated camera key, the waterproof capabilities let you shoot videos in Full HD or snap pictures underwater, capturing the sharpest visuals. The camera key also allows you to shoot even from a locked screen, meaning you'll never miss a moment again," Sony said in a press release.
The 4G-enabled smartphone features NFC technology and comes equipped with the company's Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 "for sharp and bright viewing experiences". It also comes with a Sony's 'Stamina' battery conservation technology, which according to the company's claims, will improve the standby time of the smartphone by four times or more by automatically shutting down battery-draining apps whenever the screen is off and starting them up again when the screen is back on.
Sony has yet to reveal the price for the device; however, the Xperia ZR is expected to carry a mid-range price tag. The handset will hit shelves sometime in the second quarter of the year.
Checkout how Sony Xperia ZR works underwater:
