Skip to main content

Sony Xperia Z Ultra event announced for June 25 (Updated)

Sony-Xperia-Tablet-Z-review-logoWe’re used to press events being teased with a minimal amount of information, but usually we’re given something on which to base our speculation, such as Samsung’s forthcoming Galaxy and ATIV event, or Huawei’s, “Beauty is Worth Waiting For” tagline. Sony, however, hasn’t made life easy with its invitation to an event held on June 25, at least for those who don’t speak German.

Set to take place in Munich on the above date, the tagline on the invitation, roughly translated says, “Do you want more?” This has set tongues wagging that Sony will reveal a smartphone/tablet hybrid with a big screen, and coincidentally, just such a device has been hanging around the rumor mill for a few weeks.

Previously leaked under the codename Togari, tech blog VR-Zone claims industry insiders have confirmed it’ll be known as the Xperia ZU when it’s announced. The site’s source also says it’ll be packing the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 quad-core processor, running at 2.3GHz, and the 1080p screen will measure 6.44-inches. Sounds massive in every way to us.

We’re not convinced though, as the Togari will almost certainly be a major international release, so it’s surprising Sony has only sent its event invitations out in German, leaving the rest of the world’s media to guess what’s going on. For this reason, we wonder if the event is something more locally focused. A check of Sony’s German website reveals the only device not listed that has already been announced is the Xperia ZR, which isn’t expected to launch in the country anyway. Perhaps Sony will hold several press conferences at the same time, and other invitations will be circulated very soon. The 3pm local time is convenient for Europe, and not that bad for some of the U.S. either, as it’s 9am Eastern.

Sony July 4 Event InvitationWe’ll keep you informed if anything changes between now and then, but otherwise expect all to be revealed on June 25.

Updated on 06/13/2013 at 04:00am by Andy: Another invitation to an international Sony event has shown up, this time in France, and for July 4. The message is similar though, as it asks us to, “Note” the date, something it illustrates with a stylus-like writing instrument. This is joined by a super-slim profile shot of an unknown device, and rather than the Xperia ZU name quoted above, Engadget.com claims the device is the Xperia Z Ultra.

Topics
Andy Boxall
Senior Mobile Writer
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
I record interviews for work. These are my favorite free recorder apps
The iPhone 14 Pro and Google Pixel 7 Pro's voice recording apps running together.

The Voice Recorder app on a phone (left) and the Voice Memos on another phone Andy Boxall / Digital Trends

Before you head to the app store on your phone to buy a voice-recording app, take a moment to consider the apps that may already be installed on your phone. Why? In my experience, they're likely all you really need. I’ve recorded interviews and voice-overs for work for years, and I’ve found the two best examples come preinstalled on your phone already, so they’re entirely free to use.

Read more
The best Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5 cases: 10 best ones so far
Two Galaxy Z Fold 5 phones next to each other -- one is open and one is closed.

Samsung’s next-generation foldable is here with the Samsung Galaxy Z Fold 5. This iteration has some notable improvements, including a new hinge design that eliminates the gap from previous generations when the device was folded. You also get a 6.2-inch HD+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the outside while having a 6.7-inch QXGA+ Dynamic AMOLED 2X display on the inside, with both screens having a 120Hz refresh rate. In other words, they're about as nice as you could ask for.

The Galaxy Z Fold 5 is made with premium materials, and the triple-lens camera system packs in a 50MP main shooter, 10MP telephoto with 3x optical zoom, and a 12MP ultrawide lens. There’s a 10MP selfie camera on the front cover, and a 4MP camera on the inner display. You also get a Snapdragon 8 Gen 2 for Galaxy chip inside for the best performance and power efficiency.

Read more
Google Pixel Tablet just got its first big discount and it’s worth a look
Google Pixel Tablet on its charging dock.

Tablets are a dime-a-dozen these days, with offerings from all the great brands including Apple, Samsung, Lenovo, and more. So, if you really want to stand out in a sea of similar tech, you need to do things a little differently. That's what Google's Pixel Tablet offers. How? It comes with a unique speaker dock that can be used to both charge the device and offer room-filling sound -- almost like a smart speaker add-on. Better yet, when your Pixel Tablet is docked it benefits from the Hub Mode, turning the device into a smart display, with digital photo frame support, smart home controls, and hands-free Google functionality. Of course, it could set you back at full price, normally $499 unless you find it included in a roundup of the best Google Pixel deals. Well, guess what? Thanks to a Best Buy Google Pixel Tablet deal, you can get it today for $439 and save $60. Hurry, though, it's part of Best Buy's recent 48-hour sale so it won't stick around for long.

Why you should buy the Google Pixel Tablet
Okay, okay, so in our Google Pixel Tablet review, Joe Maring did give it less than stellar remarks, but he called out its reliable fingerprint sensor, comfortability during use and excellent speaker dock. Honestly, how many tablets come with a matching speaker dock that transforms the entire experience? This tablet also marks a "lot of firsts" for Google, as it's the first tablet from the company in nearly five years, the first Android tablet in eight years, and can be converted into a smart home display with the speaker dock. All of which are notable milestones.

Read more