Sony Xperia XZ vs Xperia X Compact: What's the difference?

Sony has taken the covers off two new smartphones at the IFA technology show in Berlin, called the Xperia XZ and Xperia X Compact. The two phones are very similar on the inside, but with different sizes on the outside.

To help you work out which is best before they go on sale in September and October respectively, here we have compared the specs and sizes of the new Xperia XZ and X Compact.

Both handsets have been treated to a new design, giving them a subtly different look to previous Sony phones. The edges are no curved slightly instead of being flat, making them heavier to hold and more secure in your hand. Both phones also have a new 'laser' infrared focus on their rear camera, which helps the handset to focus more quickly, especially when the subject is poorly lit.

Sony is yet to say how much each phone will cost, but we expect to see the compact being the cheaper of the two. But the compact misses out on the XZ's screen resolution, higher-quality front camera and waterproofing, which is a shame because for many consumers this phone will be the perfect size.

As the iPhone SE has proved, by Britian's best-selling smartphone, there is demand for smaller smartphones with the same performance as their larger stablemates. The compact could be set to fill an Android-sized gap in this sector of the market.

Customers who stumped up for the X expecting it to be a replacement for the Z5, only to see it usurped by the XZ mere months later, may well be confused and disappointed by these latest offerings.

Finally, to settle any confusion these new Sonys may have created, the company says the XZ is its new flagship. Below this sits the Xperia X Performance, then the X and X Compact, before ending with the mid-range XA.