When is a smartphone not a smartphone? When it is what Sony calls a “communication device.” That’s what Sony is calling their next-generation Xperia Pro 5G that, depending on how you look at it, is either a really interesting camera or your typical smartphone.
For one, it comes with a dedicated Type D Micro HDMI input (a first for smartphones), a somewhat dated Qualcomm Snapdragon 865 processor, and a 6.5-inch 4K OLED screen with a 60hz refresh rate optimized for making your Sony communication device an effective external monitor as well as something for data transfer.
This comes into play when the Xperia Pro 5G is used for live streaming, among other things. A trend we’ve seen among some of the other manufacturers with their consumer cameras, this isn’t that shocking to see in a Sony pseudo-smartphone effort.
Still, the middle ground this device occupies might confuse some consumers as it is definitely designed to be a dedicated smartphone. It can also connect with other Sony cameras like those from the Alpha lineup.
Basically, the Xperia Pro 5G is a sort of hub device spanning many different functionalities that helps tie in with the broader Sony ecosystem. This is especially reflected in its price. At $USD 2,499.99, it is quite clear that Sony has a particular target audience in mind and, given the phone isn’t competing with top-of-the-line devices from Apple or Samsung, that isn’t your average smartphone consumer.
You can watch a video from Sony detailing the Xperia Pro 5G’s features here.
Does the Sony Xperia Pro sound like a smartphone – or “communication device” – you would be interested in owning? Let us know your thoughts on Sony’s latest device in the comments below.
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