Johannesburg - Leaked images of smartphones expected to be launched by Japanese electronics manufacturer Sony have been leaked online, ahead of the company’s launch next week.
Sony’s Xperia XZ2 Compact and Xperia Z5 Compact were named as the devices to be launched, with images of the smartphones courtesy of Xperia Blog.
“The picture below shows the Xperia XZ2 Compact next to a Xperia Z5 Compact. The new design shows the curved bottom, which ties in with Sony’s earlier tease,” the blog said.
The images of the smartphones are alleged to be of a prototype, and may not represent the final version.
The suspected prototypes also ditched the 3.5mm headphone jack, and the fingerprint sensor is expected to feature on the rear of the device, like the Xperia XA2 series.
Earlier this week, the smartphone maker tweeted a teaser ahead of the launch of its latest smartphone range touted for next week at Mobile World Congress.
In the tweet the company posted a cryptic 23-second video stating the launch would take place on February 26.
In the video, a design was seen cascading into a palm of a hand, when compared to the leaked images - it may seem that Sony have added a backing to the device.
This image appeared in our comment section, said to be a XZ2 Compact prototype. What do you think - legit or not? pic.twitter.com/RTmUDEyTTt
— Xperia Blog (@XperiaBlog) February 19, 2018
The Japanese electronics manufacturer also opened its first South Africa Xperia Care store at Vodaworld in Midrand last year, as a customer service centre and Sony branded product retailer.
The world’s biggest global smartphone conference, MWC, is held annually in Barcelona, Spain and will see Sony launch its new range of smartphones alongside announcements from major smartphone manufacturers such as Samsung, Nokia, Sony and others.
Fin24 will cover launches at MWC 2018 live from February 28 to March 1.
* Sign up to Fin24's top news in your inbox: SUBSCRIBE TO FIN24 NEWSLETTER