Sony Xperia Z3+ unveiled, goes down Apple iPhone route

The new Sony Xperia Z3+ is discussed at the launch event in Dubai. Antonie Robertson / The National

The new Sony Xperia Z3+ is much the same as the Z3 in terms of its looks. Antonie Robertson / The National

The Z3+ is waterproof and dust proof to IP65/68. Courtesy Sony

The new device is pictured alongside the Sony SmartWatch 3

Sony has taken a leaf out of Apple's book by launching an incremental upgrade to its Xperia Z3 smartphone series.

Like Apple with its iPhone devices, which have previously included an S edition months after the initial launch, Sony has chosen to add the Xperia Z3+ to the global market, although it will be known as the Z4 in Japan.

The Z3 range was introduced at the IFA Berlin consumer electronics show in September and was met with widespread approval as a serious alternative to the iPhone and Samsung Galaxy S range.

But sales have been disappointing, with the company’s share of the smartphone market across Middle East and Africa standing at just 1.8 per cent for the first quarter of the year, down from 2 per cent a year ago, according to the industry analyst IDC.

The new device, available next month in the UAE at a price of Dh2,699, features “discreet, but impressive improvements”, according to a statement from Sony.

While it looks almost identical to its predecessor, the main physical change is the USB port has been moved from the top left to the bottom of the phone and is now capless meaning charging is made more convenient.

Sony says that this does not affect the phone's IP65/68 dust and waterproofing certifications.

The Z3+ is slightly thinner at 6.9mm compared to 7.3mm and the front selfie camera has been boosted from 2MP to 5MP.

It runs Android 5.0 and features the newer Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 processor.

The new device will come in four colours - black, white, copper and aqua green.

Sony last week admitted that it would be focusing solely on the mid- and high-end segment in an attempt to cut the losses of its ailing mobile and tablets unit in the coming year.

The Japanese company announced last month that it had sold 39.1 million units worldwide in the year to March, a figure that was unchanged compared with the previous year.

Follow The National's Business section on Twitter