- Ahead of the IFA electronics show (runs from Sep. 4-9 in Berlin), Sony (NYSE:SNE) has launched its Xperia Z5 phone line. The flagship model, the 5.5" Z5 Premium, is the first phone to sport a 4K display (overkill?). The standard Z5 has a 5.2" 1080p display, and the Z5 Compact a mere 4.6" 720p display.
- Sony, looking to stand out in a very competitive high-end Android market, is also emphasizing the phones' cameras: They have 23MP resolutions, 24mm lenses, F2.0 apertures (good for low-light shots), and a "ground-breaking" auto-focus speed of 0.03 seconds. They run on Qualcomm's Snapdragon 810 processor.
- Huawei, trying to make greater high-end inroads, has launched the Mate S, a 5.5" phone with a 1080p display, metal body, and 13MP camera with optical image stabilization. It will retail for a steep €650 ($728).
- Lenovo (OTCPK:LNVGY) is going off the beaten path. The company has launched the Phab and Phab Plus, two near-7" devices whose size arguably makes them tablets more than smartphones. Also launched: The Vibe P1, a phone with a 5" 1080p screen and massive 5,000mAh battery; the Vibe P1m, which has a 5.5" 720p screen, and a relatively modest 4,000mAh battery; and the Vibe S1, which has two front cameras to enable selfie shots with depth effects.
- Meanwhile, Lenovo's Motorola Mobility unit has refreshed its Moto 360 smartwatch lineup. 42mm and 46mm men's versions are offered, along with a 42mm women's version. The watches sell for $300-$430.