It seems we're having no lack of Android phones to choose from this year and just weeks after being announced in Japan. Today, Sony is announcing the Xperia Z3+ which is basically the Xperia Z4 in Japan. It seems that companies are enjoying adding the letter '+' after their existing smartphone and thus making a entirely new model out of the old one.

Sony is not a newcomer to this rebranding game, they've been practically doing this with their entire Xperia Z lineup. Throughout the 2 years since the original Xperia Z1 was announced, the design and core specifications like the camera has not be changed whatsoever. Every 6 months or so, they'll just swap in the latest and greatest silicone into the body of the previous Xperia Z and somehow make it a little thinner and boom! They have a new device.

Even slimmer.Even lighter. Even faster.Discover the next step in our evolution with Xperia Z3+. http://bit.ly/XperiaZ3plus
Posted by Sony Mobile on Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Xperia Z3+ is no exception and this time around, Sony didn't increment the numbering and simply just added the '+' after the Xperia Z3 indicating that it's a slight improvement. Indeed it is, as usual, the new processor included this time around is the ever so popular 64-bit 8 core Snapdragon 810 CPU.

On the front of the display, Sony has kept the already decent 5.2" 1080P Triluminous IPS display and is comparatively lower res than competing flagships from both Samsung and LG. Despite the lower PPI, the display is still very much a good one and so is the 20.7MP brought forward from last year's Xperia Z3. There's not much highlight on either the software or hardware of the rear camera, so we'll presume that it's still pretty decent.

What's different however is the new processor and also changes like the new 5MP front facing camera, a slightly slimmer profile (6.9mm opposed to 7.3mm), and a somewhat smaller 2,900mAh battery which can accommodate up to 2 days of usage.

As to the looks of the Xperia Z3+, Sony has kept the well designed omni-balance design of previous Xperia Z devices and the Xperia Z3+ is still IP68 rated which means you can bring it down to the pool to capture all the action underwater.

However, there is one notable change in the hardware and that is the new position for the microUSB charging port. The port has been moved from the top left corner to the standard bottom center placement. The new placement also removes the obnoxious flap and also the magnetic charging dock.

Sony says the Xperia Z3+ will go on sale in the coming weeks ahead and no pricing has been revealed but expect it to be closely priced to the existing Xperia Z3. This is indeed an international phone so expect to see it available in quite a range of countries.

SOURCE: ENGADGET and SONY MOBILE