Sony Xperia Z was one of the first Android flagship smartphones launched in 2013. The handset packs in top-end features and recent rumors suggest that the refreshed version of the smartphone may pack in a more powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor.

A Russian blogger Eldar Murtazin has tweeted that a refreshed version of the Xperia Z may soon make its appearance with the Snapdragon 800 processor. The tweet says, "Trying updated version of xperia z with snapdragon 800. Its really fast :)."

Murtazin also pointed out that the prototype of the Xperia Z also had LCD3 screen just like the HTC One but believes that Sony may not release it to the commercial models of the handset.

Currently, the Sony Xperia Z sports a 5-inch display with 1920 x 1080 (Full HD) resolution and Sony Bravia Engine 2 technology. The handset is equipped with a 1.5GHz quad-core Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 Pro processor. However, per AnTuTu benchmarks (via Android Authority) the Xperia Z still lags behind the HTC One and both the Exynos 5 and Snapdragon 600 versions of the Samsung Galaxy S4.

Sony has a couple of press events planned on June 25 and July 4 in Munich and Paris,respectively, where the company is expected to launch the Xperia ZU, dubbed Togari. Several rumors hint that a Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor will power the upcoming Xperia ZU. Sony may also reveal the Xperia Z with a powerful processor at one of these events.

If rumors are to be believed, then Sony also has another 5-inch smartphone i1 Honami in the pipeline. We don't know if the refreshed Xperia Z will be called Honami or whether it will retain the same same.    

However, if Xperia Z comes packed with the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, then it would be able to rout HTC One and Samsung Galaxy S4 with ease.