https://techcrunch.com/2017/08/31/sonys-xperia-xz1-will-ship-with-android-oreo-and-a-camera-doubles-as-a-3d-scanner/

It’s hard to shake the feeling that Sony’s Xperia line exists primarily as a method for getting its camera technology out in the world. It’s not that they’re not solid phones, it’s just the company doesn’t seem particularly concerned with selling a lot of them, or doing much innovating outside of the imaging side of things. The company has also struggled to strike deals with U.S. carriers, making distribution something of a Sisyphean task here in the States.

As a showcase for the company’s camera tech, however, the phones work pretty well. At nearly every big phone trade show, from CES to MWC to IFA, the company invariably shows off a new Xperia iteration and leads with a few new camera tricks. Hey, it’s as good a platform as any for the company that makes roughly half of the world’s smartphone image sensors.