Skip to main content

Sony’s Xperia M2 Aqua is an underwater photographer’s wet dream

Sony has announced the Xperia M2 Aqua, a revised version of the original Xperia M2, which was launched at Mobile World Congress earlier this year. The phone shares many of the same features, but adds what Sony says is “the highest level of waterproofing available in any smartphone.” It demonstrates just how water tight the little phone is in a promo video, where the M2 Aqua is used to shoot video underwater.

Despite the excellent IP65/68 certification, the Xperia M2 Aqua is a mid-range smartphone, meaning the tech will be more affordable than if it was attached to a flagship phone. The screen measures 4.8-inches and has a 960 x 540 pixel resolution, which matches the original Xperia M2, while the processor is the latest 1.2GHz Snapdragon 400 chip.

Related: Here’s our pick of the best water resistant phones currently available

There’s 1GB of RAM on hand to help the processor get things done, but owners will only have 8GB of internal memory to fill. Luckily, there is a MicroSD slot to increase this, which will take cards up to 32GB in size. Android 4.4 KitKat is loaded, along with Sony’s own user interface, and the phone has 4G LTE connectivity. Sony also mentions the Xperia M2 Aqua is compatible with its Smartband wristband, and has NFC for a quick connection.

Related: Read our review of the Sony Smartband lifelogging wristband here

If you’re looking forward to taking pictures in the sea, pool, or even the bath (just don’t send those ones to us), the Xperia M2 Aqua’s camera has 8 megapixels, uses Sony’s Exmor RS sensor, and can record 1080p video. The selfie cam isn’t quite so good, and only manages 1.1-megapixel stills, and VGA quality video recording.

Water resistant phones are becoming increasingly popular, and a reasonably priced model with a cool design could be very successful. We’re still waiting to hear how much the Xperia M2 Aqua will cost, but we do know it’ll be going on sale during the final few months of 2014, and is set to launch in Europe, Asia, and Latin America. North American fans, as usual with Sony’s smartphones, will have to wait and see.

Andy Boxall
Andy is a Senior Writer at Digital Trends, where he concentrates on mobile technology, a subject he has written about for…
Widescreen Xperia 1 II super phone is full of Sony’s camera and visual expertise
sony xperia 1 ii photos launch price availability news 10 mk2 top

If MWC 2020 had not been canceled and had gone ahead as usual, Sony would have started the first day of the show with its own smartphone launch. While the event itself may not be happening, we’ve still got the details of Sony’s new phones — the Xperia 1 II and the Xperia 10 II.

Leaving the unusual decision to use numbers rather than letters to differentiate these updated models aside, here’s what you need to know about the new widescreen Sony smartphones.
Xperia 1 II
The Xperia 1 II (or Xperia 1 Mk2 as it’s also known) is a serious upgrade over last year’s flagship Xperia 1 Sony phone, and the good news is it comes with the latest tech most will demand from a phone in 2020. It also continues the strategy seen in the Xperia 5, where it pulls in expertise from other parts of the Sony empire to enhance the new phone.

Read more
How Sony’s camera guru is transforming Sony Mobile, starting with the Xperia 5
Sony Xperia 5

When Sony first introduced the DSC-RX100 in 2012, it delivered DSLR-quality pictures in a pocket-friendly, point-and-shoot camera. It was a trailblazing product that used a brand new 1-inch sensor when everything else comparable around it used smaller, less capable sensors. This is the camera that helped the company’s imaging division become the powerhouse it is today.

It was also primarily the project of Kimio Maki, who headed up Sony Imaging at the time. In June 2019, he became Executive Deputy President Sony Mobile and there are plans afoot to perform the same turnaround at the struggling mobile division. In the same way as the RX100 appealed to creative people who wanted pro-level products in their hand, Sony’s strategy to make its current and next generation smartphones more appealing follows a very similar path.
Understanding the plan
Sony Headquarters, Shinagawa, Tokyo Andy Boxall/DigitalTrends

Read more
AT&T just made it a lot easier to upgrade your phone
AT&T Storefront with logo.

Do you want to upgrade your phone more than once a year? What about three times a year? Are you on AT&T? If you answered yes to those questions, then AT&T’s new “Next Up Anytime” early upgrade program is made for you. With this add-on, you’ll be able to upgrade your phone three times a year for just $10 extra every month. It will be available starting July 16.

Currently, AT&T has its “Next Up” add-on, which has been available for the past several years. This program costs $6 extra per month and lets you upgrade by trading in your existing phone after at least half of it is paid off. But the new Next Up Anytime option gives you some more flexibility.

Read more