IFA 2015: Sony announces Xperia Z5 smartphone series, including a 4K handset

Not content to launch a single flagship smartphone at IFA 2015, Sony has today launched an entire range -- the Xperia Z5 series. Comprised of three phones -- the Xperia Z5, the Xperia Z5 Compact, and the Xperia Z5 Premium -- the series receives an update that Sony will no doubt hope offers real competition to Apple's upcoming iPhone models.

At the top of the range is the Xperia Z5 Premium which is a world first smartphone, featuring a 4K display. But it's not just the number of pixels that Sony is pushing with its new flagship device; battery life of two days is also touted. Each phone features a fingerprint reader integrated into the power button, and is waterproof.

In addition to the screen, Sony is also raising the bar in terms of camera. The Xperia Z5 Premium has a 23MP shooter which boasts super-fast autofocus, and low-light shooting. The 5.5 inch Premium version of the handset includes a Qualcom octo-core Snapdragon 810 processor, 32GB of storage, and 3GB of memory. Next in line is the Xperia Z5 with a 5.2 inch, 1080p screen. Finishing off the trio is the smallest handset, the 4.6 inch, 720p Xperia Z5 Compact.

Constructed from glass and metal, the Xperia Z5 Premium is a slightly weighty 180g. For anyone concerned about running out of space, the inclusion of a microSD slot will be welcomed, but with the launch not due until November, there's still a little time to wait -- the two other models will be available to buy in October. Sony has yet to share details of pricing, but this should be made available in the coming weeks. It just remains to be seen whether a 3430 mAh battery can really deliver two days of battery life.

Sony has released a couple of videos showing off the new smartphones. The first showcases what is described as "the best camera in a leading smartphone".

The second video highlights the features of all devices in the range.