Tokyo, Japan - At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Germany, to begin on Friday, September 4, Sony Corporation ( Sony ) will unveil its new lineup of products that represent the very best of its creativity and technological ingenuity. Underpinning the development and design of these products is Sony's philosophy of inspiring and fulfilling your curiosity and moving you emotionally, which will be on full display at IFA 2015. In advance of IFA's official opening, Sony held a press conference on September 2 (local time). There, Sony Corporation President and CEO Kazuo Hirai introduced Sony's newest products in the realms of High-Resolution Audio ( Hi-Res ) and mobile. He also championed the new experiences that can be had with Sony's other exceptional offerings, including its digital imaging products and TVs.
I believe there is still great potential for innovation within consumer electronics. At Sony we'll continue to make advances that make your life better and to provide you with wow experiences.
-- Kazuo Hirai
President and CEO, Sony Corporation
A video of the press conference can be streamed at www.sony.co.uk/ifa-press
Main Products Being Showcased
Hi-Res Audio Lineup
A new range of headphones called h.ear (pronounced hear ) and new Walkman models will spice up the user's world with the incredible Hi-Res audio they deliver and their eye-catching colors. The headphones and Walkman all feature simple, understatedly elegant designs and will be offered in select, vibrant color schemes to match. Together, they allow the user to enjoy superior Hi-Res sound while making a memorable fashion statement.
The h.ear series features both over-the-head style and in-ear style headphones. The h.ear on (over-the-head) models are accented with a sleek form factor and virtually unnoticeable seams between the headband and housing units, culminating in a much simpler design than conventional headphones, one which fits over the user's ears beautifully. Meanwhile, the h.ear in NC models are the world's first*1 in-ear Hi-Res*2 headphones equipped with digital noise canceling functionality, an advancement that means that the user can enjoy incredibly rich, unobstructed listening experiences on-the-go like never before. The new compact NW-A25HN Walkman - itself loaded with Hi-Res digital noise canceling features - will be packaged together with its own companion Hi-Res noise canceling headphones, making for a hassle-free out-of-box experience. With Sony's new lineup of color coordinated Hi-Res audio products, superior sound never looked so stylish.
Additionally, Sony is introducing the NW-ZX100HN Walkman , the latest in its ZX series that represents the ultimate in the pursuit of sound quality. The NW-ZX100HN features Hi-Res digital noise canceling capabilities and will also be sold together with companion Hi-Res noise canceling headphones. This Walkman boasts continuous Hi-Res playback*3 of up to 45 hours, and has become even more portable than its predecessors.
Sony is also unveiling a number of other new offerings as it expands its range of Hi-Res audio products . Among these is the CAS-1 audio system, whose compactness belies its power and resonance when used with either speakers or headphones. The audio system produces incredibly full sound and achieves a vivid sense of presence, even when placed in confined spaces such as on a desktop. The new RSX-GS9 car audio player and other products round out Sony's superior Hi-Res offerings showcased at IFA.
*1: As of the time of publication. According to Sony research.
*2: As defined by the Japan Audio Society (JAS).
*3: In 24bit/192kHz FLAC
Xperia Smartphones and Headset
Sony is announcing its latest flagship smartphone, the 5.2 Xperia Z5, along with a 4.6 Xperia Z5 Compact that fits all of the functionality and features of the larger model into a compact body. Made possible through collaboration with Sony's camera engineers, both models feature innovative camera technology that leverages the strength of a 23 MP Exmor RS for mobile sensor and autofocus that combines phase detection with contrast detection, realizing the fastest autofocus in a leading smartphone*1 at a ground-breaking speed of just 0.03 seconds*2. With this power in hand, those precious blink-and-you-miss-it moments in life will never pass the user by.
The Xperia Z5 and Xperia Z5 Compact bring incredible zoom capability, maintaining vivid, high image quality when shooting photographs or video even at 5x zoom. They also feature improved image stabilization, keeping camera shake to a minimum when capturing video - even when the phone is fixed to something like a moving bicycle. For the first time, Xperia will now incorporate a fingerprint sensor on the power button, removing the hassle of unlocking the device. Finally, Sony's new smartphones are waterproof and dust-tight (IP65/68)*3, boasting a simple, sleek design achieved by merging the frame with a frosted glass rear that is both striking and comfortable to hold.
In addition to these two models, Sony is also introducing the ultimate smartphone, Xperia Z5 Premium, which will feature the world's first*4 4K UHD smartphone display*5. This model will allow users not only to capture 4K video, but also to watch it back on the Xperia Z5 Premium's stunning 5.5 display. Additionally, this premium model is capable of outputting video directly to a 4K TV over an MHL*6 connection, enabling users to watch recorded 4K video on a big screen with ease. It is also equipped with 4K upscaling technology that will enhance non-4K photos and videos to incredibly crisp 4K resolution.
As a companion product to these smartphones, the MDR-NC750 Hi-Res headset with noise canceling functionality will allow users to unlock the full potential of the superior audio technology in
