A new Sony Xperia smartphone has passed through the FCC with codename “Altair” and model number (SO-04F). The model number designation is for Japanese operator NTT DoCoMo. The phone is believed to be the Xperia Z2 Compact i.e. an upgraded version of the Xperia Z1 Compact (known as Xperia Z1 f in Japan).
The FCC schematic shows a phone with similar front-camera placement as the Xperia Z1 Compact and even the model number in the schematic refers to “Amami”, which is the codename for the Xperia Z1 Compact.
Sony SO-04F “Altair” passed through the FCC
Japanese parts retailer Moumantai has also listed what it says is the genuine back cover for the SO-04F handset. It shows the same rear camera placement as the Xperia Z1 Compact and confirms the use of a 20.7MP Exmor RS camera sensor and G Lens.
Sony SO-04F “Altair” rear part listed by Japanese retailer
If the back plate looks familiar to you, we believe it is the same one we saw earlier in the year. If it is the same, Sony may be moving from the high-rigid plastic sheet as found in the Xperia Z1 Compact to perhaps anodised metal.
This part ties in with a previous leak
All of the evidence points to the ‘Compact’ Xperia range following the Xperia Z1 > Xperia Z2 evolution path, i.e. a phone that looks very similar but with upgraded internals. This would also tie in with NTT DoCoMo’s model numbering: Xperia Z1 (SO-01F) to Xperia Z1 f (SO-02F) and then Xperia Z2 (expected to be SO-03F) to Xperia Z2 Compact (SO-04F).
If we were to take a guess, the phone would include the Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 MSM8974AB chipset, 3GB RAM, 20.7 MP Exmor RS camera, IP55/IP58 certification and noise cancelling tech. What we don’t know is if Sony would keep the same 4.3-inch 720p display size or nudge it up a bit. Depending on the chassis size, we could also see a higher capacity battery brought into the fold versus the 2300mAh battery in the Xperia Z1 Compact.
We’ll bring you more news on the Xperia Z2 Compact as soon as we have more details.
