Previous reports placed Sony Mobile to be coming out with at least five iterations of the upcoming Xperia Z6 lineup. Now, recent speculations suggest that instead of a number of new releases, there will only be two iterations under the Xperia Z6 lineup for next year.

In a report by N4BB, it is mentioned that Sony Mobile will be stretching Xperia Z6 launch events across 2016. Apparently, the tech manufacturer will be announcing a base model Xperia Z6 in the middle of the year, with another iteration coming out at least three months after. The report contradicted earlier speculations that Sony Mobile will be launching the Xperia Z6 early next year, possibly at the Consumer Electronics Show.

Sony Mobile is looking to shut down its R&D facility in Taiwan next year, and a limited number of flagship iterations is a way to cut back on processes.

While the industry follower did not specifically mention what models will be coming out under the Xperia Z6 lineup, it is indirectly hinted that the second version (other than the base model) will have the same features as the Premium lineup seen in Xperia Z5 Premium.

This will make the second Xperia Z6 feature 4K display and a larger battery capacity to make up for the power drain. In addition, it is hinted that Sony Mobile may be shifting to an all-metal, unibody design, making the Xperia Z6 integrate a much premium look and feel.

Previous speculations placed Sony Mobile to be thinking of coming out with at least five Xperia Z6 iterations. According to Blorge, the upcoming lineup will be comprised of a base model Xperia Z6, a larger Xperia Z6 Plus, a returning Ultra iteration with 6.4-inch display, an Xperia Z6 Compact and for the first time in the series, a small Xperia Z6 Mini with a 4.0-inch screen.