The new mid-range is a fact, and Sony wants a part of it. The just-unveiled Xperia M2 reads like the result of months of observation and picking up feedback cues, as it integrates what has been cemented as the core of what makes a smartphone desireable. Quad-core processor? Check. Decent camera? You got it. 4G LTE? Yep. Price tag that won't break the bank? Probably -- Sony doesn't like sharing that part of the equation before it absolutely has to.

But lets talk facts. The successor to the 4-inch Xperia M takes a brave step forward (or backwards?) in one particular regard: screen size. Unlike last year's model, the M2 has grown considerably, and its display now measures in at 4.8-inches. In comparison, the amount of pixels went through only a minor update -- a 540x960 qHD resolution up from 480x854. Sony is boasting that this is the "largest qHD display in its class", though, if you're good with numbers, you'll know that this is actually a small hit in terms of pixel density, which now sits at about 229 ppi. Hardly a selling point, or perhaps that's just us. The processor, now a respectable 1.2GHz quad-core Snapdragon 400, has also seen an upgrade, and allows the Xperia M2 to hook up to a 4G LTE network. While on the topic of connectivity, its worth pointing out that the M2 will also come in a dual SIM version.

The rest of the hardware highlights include an 8-megapixel camera, with Sony's proven Exmor RS sensor, 1GB of RAM and 8GB of internal storage (no word on microSD slot, but it's likely), and a fairly large, 2330mAh battery. The M2 will come in the three signature Xperia colors: black, white and purple, and will see a global launch starting April 2014. Exact market availability, and more importantly -- price -- hasn't been ironed out just yet, though it's probably safe to assume that if your area had access to the 2013 Xperia M, it'll also get access to the Xperia M2.

There's a lot to like about the Xperia M2 -- the time-tested (but also somewhat tired now) OmniBalance design is still appealing, and the specs are definitely up to standard. However, we're a tad apprehensive to hear about the final, perhaps most essential bit of information -- price. Asking for a handsome sum is not how Sony usually goes about their products, and this could be a problem now that phones like the Motorola Moto G have shown what value really is.


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