Sony has officially confirmed that the Xperia Z series is no more, making the Xperia Z5 the last entry to the lineup. The brand is now positioning the new Xperia X Performance (seen above) as its successor, instead of the expected Xperia Z6.
News of this development broke out recently via a post on Sony’s German Facebook page. A customer had asked the company when the Xperia Z6 would be coming out. In its response, the manufacturer said the phone range will no longer continue to exist. It then clarified that the new X series represents a modified concept which will meet the needs of users even more.
The comment was redacted by Sony soon after. However, a spokesperson later issued a statement to Android Authority verifying that the Xperia Z5 was the last of its kind. They also hinted that the entry-level Xperia XA is set to be the successor to the Xperia M4 Aqua.
Also See: Sony Xperia X series phones promise better photos and battery life
Dropping the flagship Xperia Z range in favor of the mid-range Xperia X lineup is a monumental shift in strategy for Sony. Adjusting its product portfolio to make way for a more streamlined approach could prove to be a smart move in the long run. It looks like the brand is putting all its eggs in the X basket by focusing on better battery life, camera and style.
One key aspect the X series doesn’t offer is advanced waterproof properties. Sony says that it had let go of the feature since consumers didn’t make their buying decisions based on water resistance. The devices can still survive splashes and short trips underwater, but won’t come with an IP certification.
Sony is now aiming for a nine-month release cycle for its smartphones. It’s planning to debut new models in 6 months time at IFA.