Sony hysteria z. Sony Xperia Z - Specifications. Information about the brand, model and alternative names of a specific device, if any

• Smartphone
• Stereo headset
• Stand
• USB cable
• Power Supply
• Documentation

Sony's flagship for the first half of the year, one of the most interesting Android smartphones of all time - there are a lot of advantages, but there are also disadvantages. The most controversial point is the display ...

Design, construction

During the announcement at CES, an interesting video was played of how the master assembles Z and other Sony equipment with his hands. You can take a look here, however, several products are shown here at once.

I decided to show this video for a reason, the design and construction of Z deserves special attention. Sony has come up with many different marketing phrases, both about design, which is good from different angles, and about other things, but the main thing is different. The device is really pleasant to take in hand. Another question is that most of it will seem very large when using Instagram, you have to intercept the device to go back to the photo feed. And so with many proposals. The shovel as it is, but the shovel, in my opinion, is very attractive. Perhaps the best looking Android shovel. Just keep in mind that the black device is very easily soiled, a film is factory-glued to the front and back, there are prints and scratches.

I do not advise you to shoot film, I did it with Sony Xperia V, as a result, the Sony inscription from the front panel disappeared. As you can imagine, erasing prints from film is not as easy as from glass. Therefore, for neat people, I would recommend the Sony Xperia Z in white, where prints are invisible. The ends are rounded, the assembly is excellent, there is not the slightest hint of backlash. At the bottom there is a traditional strap groove, all connectors under the caps are 3.5 mm, microUSB, microSIM slot, microUSB slot. The plugs fit snugly into place, and feature a rubber edging, the Sony Xperia Z is not afraid to swim in the sink or on the beach. Under the power button is a neat volume rocker. The only drawback is the strange design of the 3.5 mm jack, when the flap is open, somehow weakly matches the appearance of the device. If you are afraid that the plugs will loosen and start popping up, I recommend using a Bluetooth headset and a charging dock. By the way, the headphone jack block itself moves a little from side to side, this is noticeable. The inserts at the ends are dark blue, an unusual color combination. The dimensions are 139 x 71 x 7.9 mm, the weight is 146 grams, I like the weight of the device, but I have already said about the dimensions - keep in mind that if you do not carry large smartphones, then Z will definitely not suit you.

I have been using Z for quite a long time, it has seen different things, fell both on the parquet and in the snow, survived many impacts, drowned, was washed. As you can see, this did not affect the appearance in any way, which makes me happy. The plugs are still in place. There is a light indicator above the display, it lights up during charging or various events, I like that Sony does not forget about this kind of indication.

Protection

The device is protected from water, standards IP55 & IP57, which means that you can easily take it with you for a swim in the shower or directly sail into the sea. For a device with such characteristics, this is an interesting feature, at the exhibition we talked about this for a long time, someone never broke their device from the penetration of water, another colleague destroyed a couple of smartphones in this way, and I myself more than once or twice accidentally flooded my devices (coffee, cola, plain water). In the case of the Sony Xperia Z, you just need to wash it off the coffee and continue to use it, in the case of another gadget, you will have to visit the service. I'm not talking about a few drops, but more terrible things.

Display

The diagonal of the TFT display is 5 inches, the resolution is 1080 x 1920 pixels, the Mobile BRAVIA Engine 2 (second generation) technology is supported to improve the display of the picture, but this is not all, like a number of other products, there is no air gap, there are a number of others interesting moments. Fact, but the screen behaves well in the sun, compared with the iPhone 5, even in direct light the information is easy to read.

Another question is that compared to a number of other devices, for example, the HTC One, the screen in Z does not stand up to any criticism, it seems faded, the colors lose saturation when viewed from a small angle, there is no margin of brightness. I repeat, all this is noticeable when comparing, but in life you immediately pay attention only to the viewing angles, the white color starts to turn slightly yellow. Actually, the screen is the most controversial detail here, and, by and large, you can only find fault with it. And here you yourself have to decide whether you can use such a smartphone or not. For me, you can get used to it - when buying, try launching a browser, other applications, you should not evaluate the display using preinstalled pictures.

It is very interesting to see the ZL display, whether it is the same or better.

Contents of delivery

There is a very convenient stand, the smartphone is inserted with a slight click, it is very easy to get it out of this "socket", it is best used for charging - I had it on the dresser in the living room. When you come home, you immediately put the device back in place, it charges, and in the morning you pick it up with a full battery. The stand color differs depending on the smartphone color. It is interesting that for Russia the stand was included in the kit, in some other countries you will have to buy it separately (of course, if you need it).

Many thanks to Sony for the headphones. Now this is a really high-quality headset, based on the good old model EX-300. There is a version for the iPhone, the site has a review of it - among the inexpensive headsets, this is one of the best.

Paired with the Xperia Z, the earbuds help to understand one truth, the days of the Walkman are gone. I have highly praised the Android F-series player, but now comparable sound quality can be achieved with a smartphone. The sound settings are similar, the headphones seem to be "sharpened" for the device, it is a pleasure to use. The button on the headset starts or pauses playback, and not only in a standard player, but also third-party applications (for example, this is Soundcloud). A good speaker is installed here, you can talk without bringing it close to your mouth. And I also like that this headset has different lengths of the cable sections with the headphones, you can put it around your neck.

Differences between European and Japanese versions

The device for Japan is called SO-02E, apparently, a different display is installed there, you can see more details in this video. In short, the display is better there, this applies to both brightness and viewing angles, black is better, and other colors too.

There are some differences in design, on the back there is an infrared port. There is no Stamina mode in the power settings, the body colors are the same. There is additional software, these are various local services.

It's strange that a different display was installed in the version for Europe, I repeat, this is the most controversial point in the Sony Xperia Z.

Performance

It already has Android 4.1 (Jelly Bean), you can read about the capabilities of this version in a separate review.

The main thing is that now you can leave only one desktop, put all the necessary icons there and make the second only if there is not enough space. Now let's talk about different features. For example, the proprietary Clock widget allows you to choose a binary clock for those who like to puzzle their heads during the day. Very nice new themes, but the ringtones have not changed much. As always, Sony has a lot of its own icons, but most of all I liked the lock screen, such shutters, you can move your finger endlessly, the process is mesmerizing. Not only that, on this screen you can quickly go to the player or to the camera. There is a radio, mini-applications, can be called from the menu of running programs, they open on top of the utility that is currently working. This is a calculator, notes, a dictaphone, I constantly used the latter, it is very convenient - you can go to mail from the browser, and the recording goes on and on. Traditionally for Sony, not only FLAC is supported, but also AVI, the downloaded movie was recognized by a regular player without any problems. The branded player supports ClearAudio +, this function seriously changes the sound, but then you will not be able to use other equalizer presets, surround sound, dynamic normalizer and other features. It seems to me that the main thing here is still in the headset used, it makes the sound interesting, similar to what I heard in the Sony Walkman F. Although the effects are secondary, they also matter - in general, among devices with Android it is Sony The Xperia Z and ZL are among the best in terms of playback quality.

As you can see, at the top of the notification bar, by default, there is a mute widget for wireless interfaces, below the time and date. When the screen is locked, you can go to the mini player and control playback without going to the main screen. It is convenient in the car, I did it myself all the time. By the way, you can use the preinstalled Wisepilot navigation program in the car, although even Google maps seem more convenient to me.

For some reason, the Sociallife program is installed, when you click on the icon, you go to Google Play, and it says that it is "not supported on your device" - nonsense.

A quad-core 1.5 GHz Qualcomm APQ8064 + MDM9215M Quad Core processor is used, Adreno 320 is responsible for the graphics, 2 GB of RAM. It is unclear where to direct all this power, what applications are needed to unleash the full potential of such a powerful filling. In real life, the device is quite smart, but even when you just use the browser, the area next to the camera on the back heats up, and it heats up quite seriously, you have to hold the device by the ends. In Antutu, the device scored 20,219 points, as I understand it, one of the most productive smartphones at the moment.

Camera

Front-camera 2.1 MP, you can take a good self-portrait, video with a resolution of 1080p is supported, behind - the lens of the main "camera", 13 MP (Sony Exmor RS), LED flash, a lot of my favorite settings. Naturally, autofocus, panorama and other familiar to Sony functions... By the way, an interesting Burst mode, by pressing a button, the device starts shooting continuously and then drives all the frames from the buffer into one album, as colleagues say, it was possible to take up to a thousand pictures in this way (apparently, it got bored later). This is good for dynamic shooting, for example, if you have children or pets, you can shoot reports on the run. The camera interface has been changed, in my opinion, it has become clearer.

I shot video both day and night, with all due respect to Sony, I can't say that HDR mode for video works well, the picture is grainy, and viewing on a computer is depressing. During the day, the video turns out to be quite good, by the way, while shooting a video, you can take a photo, but only of small resolution. The iPhone 5 does not change the resolution - it simply cannot be changed in the menu or anywhere else. With photos, too, not everything is smooth, recording does not take place instantly, a split second, the iPhone 5 is faster. The quality is ok, but again I will say that the iPhone 5 shoots better in some cases. In general, everything is not bad, but many expect a miracle from this device in all aspects. Many people ask me if the Sony Xperia Z can replace the digital point-and-shoot camera. Can. How can Xperia V, iPhone 4 / 4S / 5, and Samsung Galaxy S3 do it. It all depends on what you expect from the device. Naturally, many modern digital point-and-shoot cameras shoot 100 times better than smartphones and we must come to terms with this. Another question is that a smartphone can replace two devices at once, and this is expensive in a number of situations. I have been shooting for a long time with the Sony Xperia Z, I will give the owners a couple of tips. It is better to always use the "Super Auto" mode, turn off the flash, shooting by touch is very convenient (when you do not need to touch the "button"), and check at the beginning of use what resolution there is. Better to choose the maximum. And I also note that it hurts to look at the "graphic effects" mode, who in their right mind can choose a kaleidoscope or a Harris shutter, I won't put my mind to it. It would be better to make a mechanical shooting button instead of all these settings.

Food

A 2400 mAh battery is used, there is an interesting Stamina mode, when you turn off the device (that is, the display), Wi-Fi is turned off, applications are not allowed to surf the network, this allows you to seriously increase the operating time. I've noticed that some programs conflict with this mode, like Facebook. You shouldn't believe the joyful messages on the counter, Sony Xperia Z is unlikely to live for four days. The claimed battery life is about 11 hours of talk time, 40 hours of music playback, 5.5 hours of video playback. In reality, the device could work for me for about two days, for example, this was the case with a SIM card for roaming, when I used Wi-Fi more often at a hotel or other places and did not talk much. In general, the Xperia Z seemed to me very predictable, even when browsing via Wi-Fi with a display where the brightness is turned all the way down, there is no fast discharge. In Moscow, under normal load, the device kept quiet from morning until evening, while sometimes more than 40% of the charge remained. Yes, I recommend Stamina to all owners, it also disciplines you - you will not be distracted by notifications different programswhile the device is turned off and in your pocket. We sat down in a cafe, turned on, connected to Wi-Fi or 4G (or 3G), and now you can calmly browse everything.

Memory

It claims 16 GB of internal memory, 11.73 GB available, it's very good that they did not remove the microSD card slot. With a 64GB card, you get over 70GB of storage for your TV shows, music, photos and more. Considering that there is continuous shooting here and you can shoot until you run out of space, there will never be little memory here.

Wireless capabilities

I must say right away that Sony Xperia Z supports LTE, tests with Megafon have already been carried out, so that owners of both components will be able to enjoy high speeds. In addition, of course, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth 4.0, Wi-Fi Direct, GPS, GLONASS, NFC, microUSB connector supports MHL, you can connect your smartphone to TVs, the main thing is to find such a cable. DLNA is also supported, Glonass, Throw's proprietary trick, which allows you to share files with other devices.

conclusions

The earpiece is not very loud, sometimes you have to strain your hearing, especially if it is noisy around. They hear you well. The external speaker is also far from the loudest, so you don't really want to use the Sony Xperia Z to listen to music in this way. Better with a headset. Where the proximity sensor is located, I still do not understand, during a conversation the screen sometimes did not turn off, so you can drop the call or press something wrong.

What is the bottom line. On the one hand, an editor needs to be objective. On the other hand, I have never been a supporter of this point of view and offered you my own view of things. Objectively, for 30,000 rubles it is better to buy the iPhone 5 as a more balanced device - the disadvantages are clear, but in general it is a universal soldier. Subjectively, for 30,000 rubles Sony Xperia Z is one of the most interesting smartphones on the market in principle. I personally really like the design and solution with the aluminum button on the right side - the habit comes very quickly. I hope Sony will not forget about this button and will use it in other devices. The large size no longer bothers me, but there is protection from water. By the way, if you can't make friends with Z because of its size, pay attention to ZL (but then there will be no moisture resistance). Great headset included, and the stand is also comfortable. The screen is the most controversial moment, but here I recommend that you look at it yourself and decide whether you can put up with it or not. It seems to me that this is quite possible. Not a bad camera, there is a memory card slot, all kinds of wireless capabilities, and even the battery life here is a little surprising (just don't forget about the Stamina).

But the most important thing is not even that. At Sony, the letter Z is usually used for the most advanced devices, this applies to laptops, and cameras, and other things. Could Z be called such? In my opinion, yes. It's a shame that the people of Japan got a smartphone with a better display. It's a shame that UK residents could buy a set with Sony MDR-R1 headphones when pre-ordering (a good thing).

But the great design remained. Nice to hold and pleasant to use every day. I recommend Sony Xperia Z not only to fans of "sonistyle", but also to all those who are looking for an interesting toy. The device is not without oddities, but in general it is a breakthrough for Sony. It remains only to finish all sorts of small jambs, not to save on displays and record more interesting melodies that do not resemble the polyphony from the nineties. In the near future I will write more about Z in the material related to skiing.

Sergey Kuzmin ()

Sony's mobile division has been in a serious crisis for several years. To change this situation was intended new flagship company - Xperia Z. It was well received by the press and experts. On paper, the specs are great. This is a Full HD display with a diagonal of 5 inches, a 13-megapixel camera with special photo processing algorithms. And, perhaps most importantly, the smartphone is dustproof and very beautiful. But is everything really so good in reality? We looked for the answer to this question during the user test of the Xperia Z.

The Sony Xperia Z kicked off the flagship product season of 2013. The presentation of the flagship of the Japanese company took place at CES2013 in January. At this event, the Xperia Z was the most talked about device and received many compliments.

Among the special merits of the novelty were a quad-core processor, a Full HD display with a diagonal of 5 inches, quality camera, dust and water resistant.

Another interesting point, about which almost everyone was told, is the stylish design. What is the use of tempered glass on the front and backs apparatus.

Dimensions. Contents of delivery

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The Sony Xperia Z is a slim but very wide smartphone. Excessive length and width do not allow the device to be operated with one hand. If we go into numbers, the dimensions of the device are 139x71x7.9 mm, the weight is 146 g. The weight did not seem excessive to me. Rather, it gives a sense of security. The large dimensions of the device are hidden by the small thickness. This allows the Xperia Z to be carried even in the pockets of tight clothing. However, if you go online, you have to pull the gadget out of your pocket.

The package (our test sample was purchased from Italy) includes:

Sony Xperia Z phone

• USB charger adapter
• Computer sync cable (microUSB)
• Stereo headset with 3.5mm mini-jack
• A set of overlays for a headset of different sizes
• NFC tag kit
• A set of protective films for the screen and the back of the device
• Instructions

In addition to this, the Russian sony equipment The Xperia Z will also be replenished with a charging dock, which is not designed to perform any other tasks other than charging itself. This is a plastic stand called "charging module" in the settings.

Design, construction

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The Japanese have done a great job on the appearance. Visually, the smartphone is not perceived as bulky, as can be judged from its characteristics. The developers managed to achieve this thanks to the minimalistic design. The smartphone uses a minimum of additional elements, and all the outlines of the body are close to rectangular. According to Sony, "The Xperia Z is built with premium materials and is the first to introduce the new OmniBalance design concept with slightly rounded edges and smooth reflective surfaces on all sides."

The ends of the Sony Xperia Z are made of metal (except for the caps for various technical connectors), and the front and back panels are covered with tempered glass. It should be noted that different types of tempered glass are used in different batches. Somewhere it's Corning Gorilla Glass, and somewhere Asahi Dragontrail. I do not know what was on my test sample, but I can state that the glass firmly protects the display and the back from scratches and abrasions.

By the way, on the web, some people call the Xperia Z a flattened / 4S. Comparisons with the previous two models of the "apple smartphone" are inevitable due to the angular shapes and glass covering the front and back sides of the device. However, the Xperia Z is distinctive and unlike any other mobile phone that came out before.

The devices are available in three colors: white, purple and black. I had a black device at my disposal.

Almost the entire front of the smartphone is occupied by a large touchscreen display with a diagonal of 5 inches. It's about 12.7 cm. Above it is the speaker hole. To the left is a camera for video calls (2 Mpix), and to the right - all kinds of sensors and sensors: motion sensor, light sensor, G-sensor. In the right upper corner there is an LED that lights up during charging, and also flashes when receiving SMS, calls or a discharged battery.

On the back is a 13MP autofocus camera with LED flash. Below is the NFC chip, branded with a special logo.

On the right side there is a button to turn on, turn off and lock the phone. It is metallic, silvery, round in shape. Below you can see the volume rocker. Even lower is the speaker for external calls. Its volume is below average. I would note the high probability of a missed call if your phone is in clothes or far from your location. In other cases, the volume is sufficient. On the same end, behind a protective flap, there is a slot for a microSIM card.

At the top there is a 3.5 mm headphone jack. It is also covered with a plug. A standard microUSB connector for charging and connecting to a computer is on the left side. There is also a slot for a microSD memory card and contacts for a docking station. But there is no mechanical camera button, the camera application for shooting can only be launched from the menu or lock mode. The lithium-ion battery in the Xperia Z is non-removable.

The build quality is excellent. During the test, I did not find any external defects. The impressions are extremely positive. The smartphone is assembled at a factory in China.

After the first acquaintance with the Sony Xperia Z, I caught myself thinking that I really liked the appearance of the device. The sensation of touching glass surfaces is not comparable to plastic. In addition, the assembly is excellent here. Controls are correctly spaced to the sides. But I absolutely did not like the dimensions.

Sudars and ladies who work in manufacturing companies and think that a 5-inch screen is good! You are wrong! This is really inconvenient and not ergonomic! You can't touch the edge of the screen with one hand. About "reach the corners", I generally keep quiet. In addition, when talking on the phone, you get the feeling that you are pressing a brick to your head. Is it really convenient?

I can say with confidence that I finally realized that the growth of the diagonal in modern smartphones is a dead end line of development.

Dust and moisture resistant

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Sony Xperia Z is a rare smartphone that has enough high level implemented moisture and dust protection. The smartphone is certified according to standards. The numbers indicate that dust can get inside the case, but will not affect the device's performance.

It is the pyte- and moisture resistance that is dictated by the presence of such a huge number of plugs on the body of the device. It is important to ensure tightness.

With regard to protection from moisture, the smartphone is able to stay alive at a depth of 1 meter for up to 30 minutes. In addition, it can withstand being under running water. The Xperia Z's real-world ruggedness tests have confirmed that the smartphone is not afraid of liquid. For example, I dipped my smartphone into a glass of mineral water and at least he could have something!

Screen. Graphics capabilities

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The screen is perhaps the most controversial thing about the Xperia Z.First, it's a 5-inch (12.7 cm) diagonal. Of course, it's good that it is large, but because of this, the device is excessively large. Secondly, the type of matrix used provides low viewing angles. As soon as you look at the screen at least a little from an angle, the colors on it begin to fade. But in normal position, the picture and colors are good. I didn't expect to see such a strange display on a smartphone for 30,000 rubles.

At the same time, I want to praise the resolution, which is 1080x1920 pixels with an excellent pixel density of 440 ppi. Image clarity is excellent. Individual points are difficult to see even under a magnifying glass.

The brightness is adjusted both manually and automatically, based on the operation of the light sensor. Naturally, there is also a proximity sensor that locks the screen when you bring the smartphone to your ear. Multi-touch technology allows you to simultaneously handle up to ten touches.

Keyboard and information input

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Entering information, as well as writing texts and dialing numbers is done using the touch screen.

The Xperia Z has two options for typing: a vertical and horizontal QWERTY keyboard, and voice dialing. In the first version, the buttons are small, but it is still convenient to type text.

In the horizontal orientation, the buttons are very large and allow you to type text without problems. The language is changed by pressing the RU / EN key, only in the settings you must first select the main languages. Of the features, I want to note the lack of the ability to type punctuation marks in one touch in the Sony interface. It annoys me personally.

Menu. Interface and navigation

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Sony Xperia Z runs on Android 4.1.2 Jelly Bean operating system. The software can be updated over the Internet. On top of the operating system is installed its own shell from Sony. It is much simpler and more understandable than the basic one.

Among the differences there is a difference in unlocking the device with standard androids... Sony has moved away from the boring pull-the-ring unlocking method. You don't need to aim at the slider and drag it to the right or left. Now all you have to do is swipe your finger across the screen from bottom to top or top to bottom, and the phone is ready to go.

The process of personalizing desktops is conveniently and thoughtfully done. In the main window, the user can select the desired desktop, and using the bottom menu - add widgets or shortcuts to applications, as well as change the background image or the entire design theme. The list of programs can be sorted by alphabet, installation time, frequency of use, or as you like.

In standby mode, the user has up to seven desktops.

A long continuous press on the top of the screen activates the notification panel. It displays the current date, operator's name and other supporting information. Notification panel informs about missed voice messages, messages email, Gmail, and more. Here you can quickly turn on such functions as Bluetooth, Wi-Fi, GPS, sound, auto-rotate.

The menu can be accessed by clicking the "Applications" item at the bottom right of the screen. The menu of the tested phone is represented by default with three screens that can be scrolled. These are all diverse applications. Long press on an application shortcut will move it to the desktop. To remove a shortcut from the desktop, you need to do the opposite. There is also a "Widgets" tab, from where you can add useful information directly to your smartphone desktop.

The set of preinstalled programs in Sony smartphones does not change much from model to model. Several online services, such as TrackID, Movies, PlayNow, offer you to choose, buy and play music, movies and games right away. Timescape collects information about the social activity of friends. There is a pre-installed file manager... There is also a QR code scanner.

The proprietary Smart Connect program, which serves to launch certain profiles (operating modes), is launched when the smartphone is installed in the docking station, but autorun can be turned off. There is no full-fledged version of the OfficeSuite Pro suite of office applications, which would allow not only viewing, but also editing files in popular Word, Excel and PowerPoint formats. Now the buyer gets only a stripped-down version of OfficeSuite, which makes it possible only to view files of these formats.

Telephone functions

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First of all, these include "Phone", "Contacts", "Messages". They are all located at the bottom of the Xperia Z home screen.

The Contacts application stores detailed information about phone numbers and subscribers. A specific record can have two dozen fields, be it the last name, first name, patronymic, mobile number, home phone, email address, date of birth or personal ID, Skype, etc. The search in contacts occurs at once in all fields of the client, that is, you can dial the number, first name, last name, etc. The profile of each subscriber can now be linked to his social media accounts.

Drawing keys, numbers and letters of the number dialing and virtual keyboard for typing SMS-messages is very convenient. During incoming call the screen displays a photo and the number of the subscriber from the phone book, or, if the subscriber is not known, a picture of a green man.

Text and multimedia messages grouped by subscribers. By clicking on a specific contact, you can view the history of correspondence with this person.

Internet and Google services

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The standard Chrone browser uses updated Webkit and JavaScript.

The device is fully integrated with google servicessuch as Gmail, Google+, Google Maps, YouTube and of course search. The user can only enter the data of his account Google and that's it.

Working tools include the "Calendar". It allows you to view events both by date and by time and action. The service is a high-quality planner-organizer, all in one. All events can be divided into groups with corresponding fields. All information is stored on a Google server.

Multimedia capabilities

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The music playing app is called Walkman . Here you can view and listen to audio tracks. Supported following formats files: MP3, AMR, AAC, AAC +, e-AAC + .. There is a sorting by artist, album, genre, composer.

The package includes a regular headset. Thanks to the 3.5 mm jack, you can pick up any headphones.

The "Video" item displays videos made both by the camera of the device and downloaded from the Internet.

A kind of thematic browser of photo and video files is the item "Gallery". All files are divided into folders: photo and video clips, music.

Camera. Photo and video capabilities

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The main camera of the Xperia Z can take pictures up to 13 megapixels. By default, it works in the so-called super-auto mode. The aforementioned "super auto mode" actually blocks all camera settings, the smartphone independently determines how to take pictures. It turns out quite well. The maximum resolution that can be set is 12 megapixels with an aspect ratio of 4: 3. Then the photos are 3920x2940.

The maximum resolution of camera images is manual mode - 13 megapixels, but it can only be achieved by switching the shooting mode to normal yourself. Then the received photos will have a size of 4128x3096.

Burst shooting speed reaches 10 frames per second. The quality is not bad, but in reality it turns out that we are not dealing with photography, but with saving individual frames of the video sequence.

Additional features include automatic smile detection, panorama mode and several filters, some of which change the image beyond recognition.

The camera can shoot video in Full HD-resolution 1080p, the quality is excellent, it may well go for home everyday shooting.

Photos and videos can be viewed from the "Multimedia" menu. Photos and videos are displayed as thumbnails, the list opens very quickly, there are no delays even with a large number of pictures or images. In the gallery, you can flip through photos by tilting the phone in one direction or another. All this became thanks to the built-in accelerometer.

Memory and speed

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The flagship from Sony is built on the Qualcomm Snapdragon S4 APQ8064 chipset, which consists of four Krait computing cores, clocked at up to 1.5 GHz. The Adreno 320 chip is responsible for the graphics, 2 GB of RAM is enough with a margin for everything. The built-in memory is only 16 GB, but there is a slot for a microSD card. In terms of hardware, the Xperia Z is almost identical to the Nexus 4, HTC Butterfly and ASUS PadFone 2.

The new model from Sony is a comprehensive correction of the errors of previous devices. The company tried to create a device that retains all the advantages and successful ideas of its predecessors. But at the same time it eliminates the problems of old devices from the line. The Sony Xperia Z5 smartphone (Sony Experia) turned out to be unusual and differs in its innovations. Attention in the new version has been paid to the ergonomics and convenience functions from daily use. According to the manufacturer's convictions, the phone should become one with its owner not only in terms of design, but also in terms of the quality of tactile sensations and software... Let's try to carefully study the review, delve into the detailed description, make a comparison with other models and understand whether these statements are true or not.

Design

To begin this review stands with the appearance of a smartphone. The new Sony Xperia Z5 (Sony Experia) has retained the traditional design concept of the OmniBalance designers. The appearance of the smartphone is made in a variation of Sense of Unity. This mobile phone looks really presentable, luxurious and solid. Austere contours with straight lines emphasize the luxury and sophisticated style of the case. So visually the cost of this model looks higher than its real price.

In the Xperia Z5 series, a particular design focus has been placed on individual details. This gives the rear window a matte and misted look. The original idea allowed not only to refresh the appearance of Sony smartphones, but also to solve one of the key problems. On such a surface, there are practically no traces and fingerprints. Even if they do appear, they are easily erased with simple movements.

The rear panel conveys an excellent tactile feel. The surface feels rough. Frosted glass can easily be confused with plastic or metal when you move away. Only touch can convey the quality of the material. It is especially pleasant that it did not significantly affect the final cost of the smartphone.

As a nice design innovation, it is worth noting the presence of a built-in fingerprint scanner in the power button on the side panel. This made it possible to emphasize the originality of the style and give a new look to boring functions. The scanner is responsive and powered by Qualcomm Sense ID technology. However, its implementation made the lock button more rigid. It takes some effort to press, so sometimes unlocking the screen does not work the first time.

The new smartphone lacks annoying plugs. The standard package includes a common SD and SIM card slot. On sale there is also a modification for a slot for two SIM - Sony Xperia Z5 Dual. According to the manufacturer's information, the device is waterproof. The smartphone can easily survive a fall into water. This feature was branded in all stylish models of the company.

Of the design flaws, protrusions along the perimeter of the frame can be distinguished. They were made in order to save the smartphone from sliding on the surface and scratching. However, the price of this innovation turned out to be high and cost users the usual comfort: when you take the Xperia Z5 in hand, the dimensions and edges cause inconvenience, which slightly spoils the feeling. A similar thing happens when you work with the display sensor. When you move your finger across the screen, you involuntarily touch these protrusions. Such a design, although practical, takes time to get used to the device. This disadvantage also includes the inconvenient location of the volume control keys. The buttons are located well below the usual place in other models.

Screen

The display uses a Sony Triluminos touchscreen IPS matrix with Live Color LED & X-Reality technology. Here, of course, one cannot fail to mention the dimensions: the screen diagonal is 5.2 inches. The image is transmitted in FullHD 1920 × 1080 resolution. The pixel density is 424 ppi.

The Xperia Z5 has built-in ambient light sensors that are responsible for automatically adjusting the brightness of the display. At the same time, the possibility of precise manual adjustment is retained. Multi-touch sensor is able to perceive and process up to 10 simultaneous touches. When you bring the phone to your ear during a call, the sensors automatically lock the screen. A nice plus is the ability to control the smartphone with gloves.

In general, the quality of color rendering and brightness of the model is excellent. The shades are rich, the colors are bright, the image is excellent. The anti-glare screen and a wide range of brightness settings allow you to comfortably use your phone in direct sunlight.

Sound

The Sony Xperia Z5 has earned accolades for its stereo sound quality. And no matter how many there are, everything will be small. The speakers and overall sound of the smartphone deserve a round of applause. The Japanese company was able to realize clear and loud sound with a good bass range. Not a single smartphone from all Sony's lines could boast of such properties.

The mobile phone is equipped with S-Force Front Surround and DSEE HX quality enhancement technology. To listen to your favorite music and tracks, there are wide options and as many different possibilities for improving the sound using personal settings and the built-in audio player, as a smartphone can in principle. The entire sound palette is well revealed when headphones are connected to a smartphone.

When it comes to phone calls, the Xperia Z5 is doing great. The interlocutor's voice is recognizable and retains familiar intonation and timbre. The noise canceling technology protects the conversation from gusts of wind and outside sounds in the open space.

Camera

The smartphone uses two digital cameras with 23 MP and 5 MP resolutions. The developers focused on the quality and detailing of the resulting photos. The main camera uses the new Sony Exmor RS with 1 / 2.3 sensor and 24mm G Lens. The aperture is f / 2.0. Hybrid autofocus together with LED flash for high focusing accuracy and speed.

The front camera uses the same 25mm G Lens and 5MP Exmor R module. There is no flash and the focus is fixed.

For shooting photos and videos, there is an HDR mode and a SteadyShot electronic image stabilization system with the Intelligent Active Mod function. The camera interface contains flexible settings, as well as options for recognizing smiles and "soft skin".

In general, each camera does an excellent job of its duties and demonstrates good quality of the resulting photos and videos in 4K resolution. The picture is detailed and sharp. In poor light conditions, frames lose quality, but at the same time remain at an acceptable level. If we compare the Z5 with other smartphones, then it outperforms its younger predecessors, but is still inferior to the flagships of other companies. And it is significantly inferior.

Specifications and performance

The hardware part of the smartphone runs on the Qualcomm Snapdragon 810 chipset. The x64 platform is made using the 20 nm process technology and consists of eight ARM Cortex cores. They reliably cope with the assigned tasks and demonstrate good performance. RAM smartphone is 3 GB. Flash memory is rated at 32 GB. Expand up to 200GB with optional microSD cards.

The Sony Xperia Z5 (Sony Experia) went on sale with an operating system running on the 5th version of Android LolliPop. Changes affected the interface describing and reworking the existing shell. All the innovations in the menus and sections are designed to improve the style and usability. At the moment, a software update is available for the smartphone to the sixth version of Android Marshmallow.

The video accelerator Adreno 430 is responsible for the work in the graphic aspect. The AnTuTu tests give top results. When running gaming applications at high graphics settings, the smartphone behaves perfectly. The FPS drawdown and performance drop occurs due to gradual heating. This is a problem common to all Snapdragon 810s. Heat is more localized at the top of the device, where the SoC is located. The temperature of the smartphone reaches 45-47 ° C. At the same time, the device feels significantly hot and you can get rid of this feeling only with the help of a cover.

But despite this flaw, the Xperia Z5's hardware delivers excellent specs and high performance headroom. This guarantees the owners a reliable performance and the launch of the most demanding applications. This mobile phone will be able to adequately withstand comparison and compete with other representatives of the flagship series, and will also retain the relevance of the technical filling for many more years.

Accumulator battery

Finally, this review should be completed with a description of the battery parameters. A battery with a capacity is responsible for autonomy 2900 mAh... Its capabilities are enough for standard daily work with an active screen. The smartphone lasts for 40 hours without additional recharging. But if you increase the intensity of the loads, the battery will drain pretty quickly. This is due to the demanding platform, as well as the large FullHD display.

In standby mode, the charge will last 540 hours, but if you start watching videos in high definition FullHD phone will last only 7.5 hours. You can relax while playing with the device for no more than 3.5 hours.

conclusions

The Sony Xperia Z5 smartphone is a successful leader in the flagship series and has earned positive reviews. Price in 25 thousand rubles justifies all possible functions, so that such a cost can be counted as a definite plus in the piggy bank of this model. However, there are a number of contradictions here. The phone has a really cool and original design, reasonable dimensions, interesting colors, but a number of innovations spoil the good impression at the same time. This applies to the side frames on the case, the tight power button with a fingerprint scanner and constant heating during operation. It seems that the 23 MP camera is a novelty for Sony smartphones, but in terms of quality they still lose compared to competitors.

Detailed testing of the new flagship Sony Mobile

Perhaps it's worth starting with the fact that Sony, once again updating its main and most popular line mobile devices called Xperia Z, this time brought everything "to a common denominator", giving all devices included in the updated series, without exception, serial number 3. Thus, even a miniature version flagship smartphone Sony Z3 Compact immediately "skipped" one digit in its index, so as not to differ from its line-mates. There is no and never will be a model with the name Xperia Z2 Compact, users immediately received the third "mini" -version, and now all three main products in the top family have a uniform Z3 index in their name.

The new line of Sony mobile devices was presented at the very beginning of autumn during the IFA 2014 world exhibition and includes three top-end devices: the flagship smartphone Sony Xperia Z3, its miniature xperia version Z3 Compact, as well as a new eight-inch tablet called the Sony Z3 Tablet. This applies to the main devices of the line. In addition to them, the new series of mobile products Sony entered and budget smartphone Xperia E3, and a watch, and a new bracelet with an e-ink screen ... But everything has its time. Today we present to your attention a detailed test review of the most important device in the top-end family - sony smartphone Xperia Z3, which very quickly replaced the presented Xperia Z2 literally in the spring. The Japanese firmly adhere to the once chosen course to update the flagship line every six months, rightly believing that during this time enough reasons have accumulated to update the model range.

Unlike the Xperia Z2, which has progressed relative to its predecessors precisely in terms of technical improvements, the Xperia Z3 has practically no changes in this regard. But on the other hand, a very tangible work was carried out on the appearance of the product itself and the user graphical interface, that is, most of the changes this time lie precisely in the plane of design and decorations. However, this does not mean at all that k next update should be treated with disdain. On the contrary, the Sony Xperia Z3 eliminated all those flaws and roughnesses that annoyed in the powerful, but in many ways the resulting rude Xperia Z2. However, in terms of technical characteristics there have been some changes. Let's talk about everything in order.

Video review

To get started, we suggest watching our video review of the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone:

Main characteristics of Sony Xperia Z3 (Model D6603)

	Sony Xperia Z3	Vivo xshot	HTC One M8	Samsung Galaxy S5
Screen	5.2 ″, IPS	5.2 ″, IPS	5 ″, Super LCD 3	5.1 ″, Super AMOLED
Resolution	1920 × 1080, 423 ppi	1920 × 1080, 424 ppi	1920 × 1080, 440 ppi	1920 × 1080, 432 ppi
SoC			Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (4-core Krait 400) @ 2.3 GHz	Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (4-core Krait 400) @ 2.5 GHz
GPU	Adreno 330	Adreno 330	Adreno 330	Adreno 330
RAM	3 GB	2/3 GB	2 GB	2 GB
Flash memory	16 GB	16/32 GB	16/32 GB	16 GB
Memory card support	microSD	microSD	microSD	microSD
operating system	Google android 4.4	Google Android 4.3	Google Android 4.4	Google Android 4.4
Battery	non-removable, 3100 mAh	non-removable, 2600 mAh	non-removable, 2600 mAh	removable, 2800 mAh
Cameras	rear (20.7 Mp; 4K video), front (2.2 Mp)	rear (13 Mp; video 4K), front (8 Mp)	rear (4 Mp; video 1080p), front (5 Mp)	rear (16 Mp; 4K video), front (2 Mp)
Dimensions and weight	146 x 72 x 7.3mm, 152g	146 x 73 x 8 mm, 148 g	146 x 71 x 9.4mm, 160g	142 x 73 x 8.1 mm, 145 g
average price	T-11028534	T-10970877	T-10761030	T-10725078
Sony Xperia Z3 offers	L-11028534-10

• SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC), 2.5 GHz, 4 cores
• GPU Adreno 330
• Operating system Android 4.4 KitKat
• Touch IPS-display, 5.2 ″, 1920 × 1080
• Random access memory (RAM) 3 GB, inner memory 16 GB
• Slot for microSD cards up to 128 GB (SDXC)
• Protection against dust and moisture according to IP 65/68
• Communication GSM GPRS / EDGE 850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz
• Communication 3G UMTS HSPA + 850, 900, 1700, 1900, 2100 MHz
• LTE Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20 (2600/800 FDD are used in the Russian Federation)
• Bluetooth 4.0, NFC
• DLNA, MHL 3.0, OTG, Media Go, MTP, Miracast support
• Wi-Fi 802.11a / b / g / n / ac (2.4 / 5 GHz), point wi-Fi access
• GPS / Glonass
• Camera Exmor RS 20.7 MP, autofocus, LED flash, 4K video
• Front camera 2.2 MP
• Non-removable battery 3100 mAh
• Dimensions 146 x 72 x 7.3mm
• Weight 152 g

Contents of delivery

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is packaged in a rather simple outwardly, which has already become a classic for the latest products of the Sony mobile line, a flat and square box made of thin unvarnished cardboard with a cardboard tray and three different-sized compartments inside, separated by thin partitions.

The package contents of the Sony Xperia Z3 are very laconic: compact charger yes Micro-USB connection cable. Headphones Sony has decided not to invest in a set for its flagship products anymore, they will be offered separately at a reasonable price, as an additional accessory.

Appearance and usability

If most of the main changes in Sony Xperia Z2 concerned the technical part, then in the third incarnation, the previous contents were dressed in a much fresher shell. Since the time of the very first Xperia Z, the appearance of the body of all flagship smartphones of the line has remained practically unchanged over the generations, remaining the same type. The design, which the developers even gave their own name OmniBalance, was a frame with flat edges. Moreover, recently it has acquired the appearance of such a rough heavy all-metal construction with cut sharp edges that the Xperia Z2, for example, was already really uncomfortable to hold in the hand. The main complaints that immediately rained down from users regarding the Xperia Z2 presented in the spring were precisely the roughness and severity of the novelty's case. This time, the developers took into account all the negative nuances and changed the feeling of using a smartphone beyond recognition.

Moreover, they did not have to do almost anything: they just removed the flat chamfers from the surface of the side frames, which also eliminated the rough edges that were digging into the palm. The metal frame has become completely streamlined, the flat and sharp edges have been replaced by rounded sidewalls, which makes the device really pleasant to hold in your hand.

The polymer spacer between metal and glass, which has disappeared in the latest models, has not returned here, but the metal edges of the hem do not dig into the skin like they did before. Now in the hands of the user there is a pleasant to the touch, smooth and streamlined "block", which, moreover, also threw off the weight. The mass of the Sony Xperia Z3 has been brought to a comfortable level, which has had the most favorable effect on the overall perception of the device - now there is simply nothing to complain about.

As for the general structure of the case, the smartphone is still a monolithic non-separable monoblock, consisting of two glass plates and a metal frame that runs along the entire side perimeter of the case. The surface of the metal is matte and a little rough, which makes the smartphone perfectly gripped in the fingers and does not slip out of the palm.

At the same time, even more changes have been made to the frame design than are immediately noticeable to the eye. The fact is that the corners of the frame this time were made of polycarbonate material, which dampens the impact when the device falls. Now they play the role of a kind of shock absorbers, which, in theory, should favorably affect the "survival" of the product after falling from a height. This plastic looks indistinguishable from the metal of the frame itself, so that in general the body retains a uniform look.

Another change has been made to the thickness of the case: the smartphone has become a little thinner, and it looks very cool. True, the decrease in thickness led to a decrease in the volume of the built-in battery, but the changes in this regard are not too significant.

Otherwise, everything has remained in place: the front and rear windows no longer have a factory protective film, the characteristics of the glass are similar to the popular Corning Gorilla Glass, but proud Sony does not like to dwell on the topic of its suppliers. The screen is now made using IPS technology, next to it on the front side there are two stereo speakers facing the user. Not forgotten and a special connector with an open pair of contacts for installing the smartphone in the docking station. The connector is universal: most modern Sony devices, including tablets, can be installed in the same docking station, purchased separately.

The covers on the side frame are still made of metal and equipped with rubberized gaskets. As a result, the smartphone, like its predecessors, is provided with maximum protection against ingress of water and dust according to the IP 65/68 standard. There are two covers, they hide slots for a memory card and a SIM card, as well as a Micro-USB connector. By the way, changes have also taken place here: now Sony's top mobile devices use Nano-SIM cards, obviously with an eye on the painless possible transition of some users from Apple iPhone. The rest will have to go to the communication salon again and change their SIM-card to a card of a new standard.

The front and rear glass panels no longer have those factory protective films about which there was so much controversy. Maybe this is for the better, since the films, naturally, wore out faster and were covered with a mass of scratches than glass, and it was quite problematic to remove them, and besides, the glass after that lost its grease-repellent coating.

The grilles for sound output are located at the top and bottom of the screen, the role of the grilles is played by two symmetrical slits in the glass. It is quite a logical decision to turn the speakers towards the user, not away from him, and there are two speakers themselves. By the way, the sound of the new flagship has become much louder than that of its predecessors, even despite the water-resistant gaskets. Another change: earlier it was through the upper slot of the speaker that the status indicator light made its way, now its role is played by a more traditional LED dot located separately. There is an item in the settings menu where you can disable some of the indicator's functions, leaving it to notify only about the charging status.

Below the screen, as is customary at Sony, there are no hardware touch buttons; control is carried out using virtual buttons on the screen. So here below you can find only the lower speaker grille, and even then there is not much room left for it. In general, the frames around the screen are very thin on all sides, so that the body of the smartphone with such a large display area remained in quite digestible dimensions - both for an average human hand and for a pocket of any size.

The back wall of the case is exactly the same as the front one: it is made of glass, there is no protective film on it, there are no gaskets between the glass and the metal of the side edges, and from the functional elements there are only a camera window and a flash eye. The flash here consists of one LED, while the majority of competing flagships have long been made double flashes, and now they are also multi-colored. It's good at least that they did not forget to provide the smartphone with preinstalled software that allows you to use this module in flashlight mode.

The power and lock button is located on the right side, next to the volume rocker. It is traditional for latest smartphones Sony has the appearance of a metal round, but in the models of the third series it is slightly different in appearance. All keys are large, easily groped blindly, have a distinct spring-loaded travel, so there are no complaints about the controls of the Sony Xperia Z3.

At the bottom of the right side there is a dedicated hardware camera control key, due to which the smartphone can be used for shooting even under water, although the screen at this time becomes insensitive to touch. The ability to shoot underwater on Sony mobile devices is such a proprietary "feature" that the company constantly plays in advertising and on posters.

The audio jack for the headphone (3.5 mm) is on the top here, and it is not covered by any caps. However, it is also protected against water ingress inside the case. There is nothing on the bottom end - a universal Micro-USB connector, which, by the way, supports connection external devices in OTG mode, hidden under a cover on the left side edge. For daily charging, you will have to flip this cover every time - or use the separately purchased docking station. Support wireless charging Sony is in no hurry to integrate into its mobile devices.

There is another hole in the lower left corner of the case - this is the traditional strap attachment that is found on all Sony smartphones, and it's a shame that other manufacturers neglect this useful element.

The color scheme of the new flagship cases has undergone significant changes. Quite unexpectedly, the smartphone was presented not only in traditional black and white, as well as, quite expectedly, golden colors, but also in a completely new - greenish-mint, which the developers simply call green. In fact, this color has a soft pastel, as if slightly faded greenish tone; the color is discreet and very pleasant to the eye. But the golden color is more reminiscent of polished copper to a shine, for which it got its name Copper (copper-red).

Screen

The Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone is equipped with an IPS sensor matrix. The screen dimensions are 64 × 114 mm, the diagonal is 5.2 inches, the resolution is 1920 × 1080 pixels. Such a parameter as pixel density is 423 ppi. From the developers themselves given type display received the brand name Triluminos.

Outside, the screen is covered with a protective glass without a factory protective film - this proprietary distinctive feature has finally disappeared from the screens of Sony mobile devices. The side bezels from the edge of the screen to the edge of the case are approximately 3 mm thick - the bezels are very narrow.

The brightness of the display can be adjusted manually, or you can use automatic adjustment. The multitouch technology here allows you to process up to 10 simultaneous touches. The display can be operated with gloves as well as wet fingers. When you bring the smartphone to your ear, the screen is locked using a proximity sensor.

Alexey Kudryavtsev, editor of the “Monitors” and “Projectors and TV” sections, carried out a detailed examination using measuring devices. Here is his expert opinion on the screen of the test sample.

The front surface of the screen is made in the form of a glass plate with a mirror-smooth surface, resistant to scratches. Judging by the reflection of objects, the anti-glare properties of the screen are no worse than those of the Google Nexus 7 (2013) (hereinafter simply Nexus 7). For clarity, we present a photo in which a white surface is reflected in the turned off screens of both devices (Sony Xperia Z3, as it is not difficult to determine, is on the right, then they can be distinguished by their size):

Both screens are dark, but the Sony screen is still darker (its brightness in the photo is 98 versus 103 for the Nexus 7). The tripling of reflected objects in the Sony Xperia Z3 screen is very weak, which indicates that there is no air gap between the outer glass (aka touch sensor) and the matrix surface (OGS-type screen - One Glass Solution). Due to the smaller number of boundaries (such as glass-to-air) with greatly different refractive indices, such screens look better under strong ambient light, but their repair in case of cracked outer glass is much more expensive, since the entire screen has to be changed. On the outer surface of the screen there is a special oleophobic (grease-repellent) coating (very effective, perhaps better than that of the Nexus 7), so fingerprints are much easier to remove, and appear at a slower rate than in the case of ordinary glass.

With manual brightness control, its maximum value was about 680 cd / m², and the minimum was 4.7 cd / m². The maximum value is simply huge and is a record for this type of technology, and, given the good anti-glare properties, in bright daylight and even in direct sunlight, the image on the screen should be clearly visible. In complete darkness, the brightness can be lowered to a comfortable level. Works automatic adjustment brightness by light sensor (it is located to the left of the logo on the front panel). IN automatic mode when the ambient light conditions change, the screen brightness both increases and decreases. This function depends on the brightness adjustment position. If it is at the maximum, then in complete darkness the auto brightness function reduces the brightness to 130 cd / m2 (too much), in an office illuminated with artificial light (about 400 lux) it sets at 350 cd / m2 (very much), in a very bright environment (corresponds outdoor lighting on a clear day, but without direct sunlight - 20,000 lux or slightly more) increases to 580 cd / m² (sufficient). If the brightness slider is at half the scale (it is very non-linear - after 50% the brightness goes up sharply with an increase in the setting value), then the screen brightness for the three conditions indicated above is as follows: 68, 240 and 580 cd / m² (suitable values). If the dimmer is set to minimum - 7.4, 120, 580 cd / m². As a result, the automatic brightness control function works absolutely adequately. At any brightness level, there is no significant backlight modulation, so there is no screen flickering either.

This screen uses an IPS matrix. The micrographs show the typical IPS sub-pixel structure:

For comparison, you can see the gallery of photomicrographs of screens used in mobile technology.

The screen has good viewing angles without inverting tints and without significant color shift, even with large gaze deviations from the perpendicular to the screen. For comparison, here is a photo in which identical images are displayed on the screens of Nexus 7 and Sony Xperia Z3, while the brightness of the screens was initially set to about 200 cd / m² (along the white field across the entire screen), and the color balance on the camera was forced to 6500 K . Perpendicular to the plane of the screens white field:

Note the good uniformity of brightness and color tone of the white field. And the test picture:

The colors on the Sony Xperia Z3's screen are oversaturated, skin tones are heavily redshifted, and the color balance is very different from standard. Now at an angle of approximately 45 degrees to the plane and to the side of the screen:

It can be seen that the colors did not change much on both screens, but on the Sony Xperia Z3 the contrast decreased to a large extent due to the strong black highlighting and a greater decrease in brightness. And a white box:

The brightness at an angle on both screens has noticeably decreased (at least 5 times, based on the difference in shutter speed), but in the case of the Sony Xperia Z3, the brightness drop is greater (the brightness in photos is 216 versus 230 for the Nexus 7). At the same time, the color tone changed slightly. When deviated diagonally, the black field is lightened strongly and acquires a violet or red-violet hue. The photos below demonstrate this (the brightness of the white areas in the direction perpendicular to the plane of the screens is the same for the screens!):

And from a different angle:

When viewed from a perpendicular view, the uniformity of the black field is average, since there are areas with slightly increased brightness along the edge:

Contrast (approximately in the center of the screen) is normal - about 690: 1. The response time for the transition black-white-black is 23 ms (14 ms on + 9 ms off). The transition between gray tones of 25% and 75% (by the numerical value of the color) and back takes 33 ms in total. The gamma curve, plotted using 32 points with equal intervals by the numerical value of the shade of gray, did not reveal a blockage either in highlights or in shadows, and the indicator of the approximating power function it turned out to be 2.31, which is higher than the standard value of 2.2, while the real gamma curve strongly deviates from the power dependence:

The smartphone has a dynamic adjustment of the backlight brightness depending on the nature of the displayed image. The general tendency is that the brightness decreases in dark images, but the algorithm is somehow complicated, and as a result, the brightness periodically jumps noticeably, which is annoying, and a decrease in brightness in dark images reduces the distinguishability of gradations in shadows under ambient light conditions. That is, there is zero benefit from this function, only harm. As a result, we carried out a number of tests - determining the contrast and response time, comparing the black illumination at angles - when displaying special templates with invariably average brightness, and not single-color fields across the entire screen. Of course, the obtained dependence of brightness on the hue (gamma curve), most likely, does not correspond to the gamma curve of a static image, since the measurements were carried out with sequential display of shades of gray on almost the entire screen.

The color gamut is noticeably wider than sRGB:

We look at the spectra:

They are very atypical. As they write on the Sony website, this screen uses LEDs with a blue emitter and a green and red phosphor (usually a blue emitter and a yellow phosphor), which, in combination with special matrix light filters, allows you to obtain a wide color gamut. Unfortunately, as a result, the colors of images - drawings, photographs and films - oriented to the sRGB space (and there are the vast majority of them) have an unnatural saturation. This is especially noticeable on recognizable shades, such as skin tones. The result is shown in the photo above. Note that when comparing with the Sony Xperia Z2, it can be seen that the manufacturer tried to improve the situation with oversaturated colors, and to bring the coverage back to normal, increased the cross-mixing of components, but something stopped him at the phase of decreasing the green color saturation. Thanks for trying, but we have to go further down to sRGB.

The balance of shades on the gray scale is far from ideal, since the color temperature is above the standard 6500 K. True, the deviation from the spectrum of a black body (ΔE) on most of the gray scale is less than 10, which is considered an acceptable indicator for a consumer device. However, the variation in color temperature and ΔE is large, which negatively affects the visual perception of color balance. (The dark areas of the gray scale can be ignored, since the color balance there does not really matter, and the error in measuring color characteristics at low brightness is large.)

This smartphone has the ability to correct the color balance by adjusting the intensities of the three primary colors. Which is what we tried to do, the result is data signed as Corr. in the graphs above. As a result, we slightly reduced ΔE on white and brought the white point closer to 6500 K a little more (but also greatly reduced the brightness).

The limited range of adjustments and high resolution, which is actually higher than the adjustment step, prevented us from bringing at least the white point back to normal. However, this correction did not reduce the oversaturation of colors.

If the image on the screen of this smartphone still seems not bright enough to someone, then you can turn on the proprietary mode X-Reality for mobile... The result is shown below:

Saturation and contour sharpness are programmatically increased, and there are fewer discernible gradations in the saturated color area. But the picture, yes, became brighter. For color extremists, there is a mode of "extreme brightness" in which the mockery of the image (and common sense) exceeds all reasonable limits. Here's what we got:

Of course, such a picture will find fans. We are all very different.

Let's summarize. The brightness adjustment range of this screen is simply nowhere wider, and everything is in order with anti-glare properties, which allows you to comfortably use your smartphone both on a sunny day on the beach and in complete darkness. It is permissible to use a mode with automatic brightness adjustment, which works absolutely adequately. The advantages also include a very effective oleophobic coating, no flicker and no air gap in the layers of the screen. The disadvantages are strong black lightening when the gaze deviates from the perpendicular to the screen surface and aggressive dynamic brightness adjustment. With color reproduction, things are not the best, the colors are oversaturated (especially skin tones suffer), the color balance differs from the standard one. The presence of the corresponding adjustments allows you to slightly tweak the balance, but not completely and by reducing the brightness. Nevertheless, taking into account the importance of characteristics for this particular class of devices (and the most important thing is the readability of information in a wide range of external conditions), the screen quality can be considered high.

Sound

For the first time ever, the sound of Sony's flagship smartphone is truly satisfying. During the backstage first acquaintance with the prototypes of the Sony Xperia Z3 at the IFA exhibition in Berlin, the device did not impress with its sound. However, the serial sample sent to us later to the editor was pleasantly surprised by the power of its sound and the depth of sound, especially considering that the speakers here are also covered with membranes that protect against water ingress. The new Xperia Z3 began to sound much louder and better than its predecessors, the sound remains clear at the maximum volume level, the low frequencies are not abundant, but quite enough, the maximum volume is high. Looking ahead, it is worth noting that the mini-version of the Xperia Z3 Compact is not so rosy with this, the devices are clearly equipped with speakers of different quality.

The device traditionally uses a proprietary Walkman player to play music. The stock audio player is rich in settings and additional software sound enhancements, such as a built-in equalizer with a mass of preset values \u200b\u200b(you can set your own), clear technology Phase, xLoud or virtual surround sound. Management of most of the settings is available if the complex ClearAudio + function is turned off, otherwise all settings are at the mercy of the machine.

FM-radio is available as standard on the smartphone. Traditionally, it works only with headphones connected as an antenna, it does not have the ability to record programs. There was no dictaphone in the standard configuration of the flagship, as, by the way, in the Xperia Z3 Compact.

Camera

Sony Xperia Z3 is equipped with two digital camera modules with a resolution of 20.7 and 2.2 megapixels. The hardware base here is exactly the same as in the Sony Xperia Z2, only software effects are added. The main 20.7-megapixel camera is equipped with a 27mm G Lens with an F2.0 aperture. The camera uses a 1 / 2.3-inch Exmor RS for mobile sensor and a Bionz for mobile processor.

By default, the cameras of all Sony devices work as standard in the so-called super-auto mode (iauto) with a wide aspect ratio, but you can switch shooting to manual settings... It is noteworthy that when you use the hardware button on the side of the device to quickly turn on the camera, it is always activated only in automatic shooting mode, even if manual mode was previously enabled. If you launch the camera application by touching the icon on the display, then in this case everything goes as usual, and the camera leaves the previous settings intact, that is, it starts in manual mode, if it was set earlier. Note that there is a big difference between automatic and manual modes, because the maximum image resolution can be set only in the manual mode. When shooting in automatic mode, which is set by default, photos are obtained with a size of 3840 × 2160 (8 megapixels), and in manual mode, the maximum possible resolution is exactly the same 20.7 megapixels (5248 × 3936).

In addition to automatic and manual, the Sony Xperia Z3 camera software has several interesting additional shooting modes. Info-eye mode, for example, substitutes contextual information for an object in a frame using augmented reality technology. In Timeshift burst mode, the camera takes up to 61 shots two seconds before pressing the shutter button, from which you can then choose the best one. The Social live function allows you to upload footage directly to Facebook and view comments on them on the smartphone screen. AR effect makes it possible to combine pictures with animation using SmartAR proprietary augmented reality technology. In addition, the range of additional applications that increase the choice of different shooting modes can be expanded with downloadable applications, the number of which is constantly growing. To do this, you just need to turn on the camera, press the shooting mode selection icon and select "+ Apps" to view additional options.

The camera can shoot video in 1080p and UHD (4K), but the main thing is that there is also the ability to shoot in the most interesting of the modes - 1080p at 60 frames / second. An example of such a video is shown below.

• Movie # 1 (84 MB, 1920 × 1080, 60 frames / sec)

	Not bad (but not great) sharpness on the left side of the frame, which cannot be said about the right side and edges.
	Sharpness drops noticeably towards medium shots. The camera adjusts the exposure too sensitively.
	There are exposure issues, as well as noise in shadows and object borders.
	The color of the sky is quite "even", although for this reason the wires simply "drowned" in it.
	In this case, the exposure is chosen well, and the shadows are worked out. But with the work of the noise control and the right side of the frame, there are still problems.
	Again, an unpleasant choice of exposure and a large area of \u200b\u200bblur on the right.
	The foliage in the background is excellent in some places and terrible in some places. The number of the nearest car is distinguishable.
	Some sharping is noticeable on the wires, which still does not save them from drowning in the blue.

Trying to keep pace with the inexorable progress, manufacturers do not always present ready-made devices. It happened more than once that the very first models had something "damp". Unfortunately, eminent manufacturers sometimes sin with this.

The smartphone came to us even before the official presentation in Russia, and therefore I recall the case of the Sony Z1 Compact, whose camera we did not quite deservedly “hacked to death”. The problem was that due to the "dampness" of the sample, good pictures were obtained every other time, or even three. Most likely, the matter there was in the camera firmware, which did not adequately process the signal from the image sensor, which is why there was a characteristic blur in the pictures. A similar effect occurs when the camera is rotated around the optical axis at relatively slow shutter speeds, while sharpness deteriorates noticeably from the center to the edges of the frame. As a result, it was probably possible to shoot with a camera only from a tripod. But in later copies of the smartphone, the camera has become noticeably better.

A similar effect is present here: part of the image is blurred, like with a slow shutter speed. This may be because the camera is taking multiple shots at too long intervals. In any case, we hope that everything will be fixed soon enough, and Sony, as we have already noticed, is bringing its products to a decent state.

	Illumination ≈3200 lux. The camera is doing well.
	Illumination ≈1400 lux. The situation remains practically unchanged.
	Illumination ≈130 lux. The grain becomes a little larger from the noise reduction.
	Illumination ≈130 lux, flash. The flash hardly improves the situation.
	Lighting<1 люкс, вспышка. Камера справляется немного хуже, чем в прошлый раз. Вспышка очень слабая.

As for this camera "here and now", it does not correspond to a flagship of this level. The software processing is not the worst, but it is clear that it was done in a hurry: there are barely noticeable traces of sharping and “ladders” on straight lines, the exposure metering is too sensitive, and the noise reduction works erratically and (not always in some places) roughly. Noise control does not handle shadows very well for a flagship, but it is acceptable. Worse, it spoils the middle and long-range shots, although the sharpness of the optics and the resolution of the sensor are quite capable of working out such details, which is confirmed by the graph, which in this case somewhat rehabilitates the camera and gives it the right to life. Ultimately, all the problems (I want to believe) rest on the program, which the manufacturer did not manage to bring to the ideal. The reason to believe so also gives the feeling that a module is installed in the camera, very similar to the Z2 camera. In this case, the Superior Auto mode gives images of a different size than in the case of the Z2. Therefore, if the assumption is correct, then the module is definitely good, and the program is completely revised and, apparently, (yet) incomplete. But Sony is unlikely to leave its flagship to its fate, and in production samples this problem should be fixed. Well, in any case, the physical parameters of the camera are very decent, and after revision it promises to be interesting. And even now, with a certain skill, it is suitable for various subjects.

Telephone part and communications

The smartphone works as standard in modern 2G GSM and 3G WCDMA networks, and there is also support for the fourth generation (LTE) networks used in Russia. In practice, with a SIM card of the domestic operator MTS, the smartphone confidently recognizes and works with 4G networks. The network capabilities of the smartphone are extensive, correspond to a truly top-end level: there is support for the Wi-Fi 5 GHz range, Wi-Fi Direct, Wi-Fi Display, as standard, you can organize a wireless access point via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth channels. The mode of connecting external devices (USB Host, USB OTG) is supported, so you can connect flash drives and mice with keyboards to the Micro-USB port. The navigation module works with both GPS and the domestic Glonass system.

Spontaneous reboots / shutdowns during testing were not observed, as well as slowdowns or freezes of the system. When you bring the smartphone to your ear, the screen is blocked by the proximity sensor. An LED indicator at the top of the front panel is used to indicate charging status and incoming events.

There is no dedicated top row with numbers on the standard keyboard by default, you must switch the layout each time, or connect the number row yourself through the settings menu. The layout itself and the location of the keys are standard: to switch the language layout, just click on the button with the corresponding icon. The phone application supports Smart Dial, that is, when dialing a phone number, a search is immediately carried out by the first letters in contacts. There is a convenient opportunity to move the keyboard closer to one of the sides of the screen to make it easier to reach with the fingers of the hand holding the smartphone. Naturally, the input is also supported by continuous writing (sliding your finger from letter to letter) Swype.

OS and software

The operating system is a fresh version of the Google Android 4.4.4 KitKat software platform, on top of which its own proprietary graphical user interface is traditionally installed. The interior arrangement of the shell, all menus, settings items and pop-up contextual submenus - everything remains exactly the same. However, the outer shell has undergone significant changes. Previously, Sony's GUI elements were fairly finely drawn. Now, unexpectedly, all the elements on the screen, and most importantly, the application icons themselves, began to look much larger and sharper. Fonts have increased, such sudden transformations have only benefited the smartphone. There are also some less striking, but in some sense more useful improvements. Finally, the menu has appeared, for example, the function of restarting the device, because before that only Sony smartphones suffered from the lack of such an opportunity. If it was necessary to restart the device, it was necessary to first turn off and then turn on the smartphone, which was annoying.

The most important software innovation with new Sony mobile devices is the emergence of close integration with the Sony PlayStation 4. If the house already has one, then xperia smartphone The Z3, or the Xperia Z3 Tablet, will be able to act as a "portable screen", that is, everything that happens begins to be displayed not on the TV screen, but on the screen of a mobile device. This is convenient, for example, when you need to free the TV if a family member suddenly wants to watch some other program on TV. For such use, Sony will produce special fasteners that can connect a smartphone or tablet to the game console's joystick. This service is called Remote Play.

Performance

Like the previous flagship, the Sony Xperia Z3 hardware platform is based on a Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 quad-core SoC with four Krait 400 cores. However, the Sony Xperia Z2 had a maximum processor core frequency of only 2.3 GHz, while the Sony Xperia Z3 it is increased to 2.5 GHz. This is explained by the fact that it uses a slightly more advanced version of Qualcomm Snapdragon 801 (MSM8974AC).

The processor is supported in graphics processing by the same Adreno 330 video accelerator. The device initially has about 11 GB of 16 GB of its own memory for the user's needs. The amount of RAM of the smartphone is 3 GB, and this makes the Sony Xperia Z3 stand out among its direct competitors - all the others received only 2 GB of RAM. MicroSD memory cards in this model are supported up to 128 GB, you can also connect external flash drives, keyboards and mice to the Micro-USB port using a special adapter in OTG mode.

To get an idea of \u200b\u200bthe performance of the tested smartphone platform, let's run a standard set of tests.

All the results obtained by us when testing the smartphone in the latest versions of popular benchmarks, we summarized for convenience in tables. Several other devices from various segments are usually added to the table, also tested on similar latest versions of benchmarks (this is done only for a visual assessment of the obtained dry numbers). Unfortunately, within the framework of one comparison, it is impossible to present the results from different versions of benchmarks, therefore, many worthy and relevant models remain "behind the scenes" - due to the fact that they once passed the "obstacle course" on previous versions of test programs.

Testing in MobileXPRT as well as the latest versions of AnTuTu and GeekBench 3:

According to the results of testing in benchmarks, the device proved to be one of the most powerful and productive modern mobile devices on the market. It is worth noting that all the numbers almost coincided with the results of the previous model Sony Xperia Z2, which recently passed exactly the same tests. As for the relata in the AnTuTu test, they have increased greatly, but it is not entirely clear how the results of the two versions of the popular benchmark correlate with each other, because now the fourth version has been replaced by the fifth, and all new devices are now tested in it. It is not known whether the developers have brought everything to a common denominator, so for now it is necessary to mark in the tables which versions of the benchmark this or that model was tested. However, for sure, the difference is not so great, all top-end smartphones, the work of which is based on Snapdragon 801, are, in any case, the most powerful mobile devices on the market today, the hardware capacities of which will be enough for any given task for a long time.

When testing in 3DMark for the highest performing smartphones, it is now possible to run the application in Unlimited mode, where the rendering resolution is fixed at 720p and VSync is disabled (which can cause the speed to rise above 60 fps).

The results of testing the graphics subsystem in the gaming test Epic Citadel, as well as Basemark X and Bonsai Benchmark:

Browser cross-platform tests:

As for benchmarks for evaluating the speed of the javascript engine, you should always make allowances for the fact that the results in them significantly depend on the browser in which they are launched, so that the comparison can be truly correct only on the same OS and browsers, and this possibility is available when testing not always. In the case of Android OS, we always try to use Google Chrome.

Video playback

To test the "omnivorous" video playback (including support for various codecs, containers and special features, such as subtitles), we used the most common formats, which make up the bulk of the content available on the Web. Note that for mobile devices, it is important to have support for hardware video decoding at the chip level, since it is often impossible to process modern versions using processor cores alone. Also, do not expect a mobile device to decode everything, since the leadership in flexibility belongs to the PC, and no one is going to challenge it.

According to the test results, the Sony Xperia Z3 smartphone was not equipped with all the decoders required to fully play most of the most common files on the network. But the first smartphone of the series, the Xperia Z model, played all these same files without any problems without the need to resort to third-party solutions. Here, to play them successfully, you will have to resort to using a third-party player - for example, MX Player. True, in it you will first have to change the settings, switching from hardware decoding to software or to a new mode called Hardware + (not supported by all smartphones), only then the sound will appear. All results are tabulated.

Format	Container, video, sound	MX Video Player	Native video player
DVDRip	AVI, XviD 720 × 400 2200 Kbps, MP3 + AC3	reproduced normally	reproduced normally
Web-DL SD	AVI, XviD 720 × 400 1400 Kbps, MP3 + AC3	reproduced normally	reproduced normally
Web-DL HD	MKV, H.264 1280 × 720 3000Kbps, AC3	Hardware +
BDRip 720p	MKV, H.264 1280 × 720 4000 Kbps, AC3	plays fine with decoder Hardware +	video plays fine, no sound¹
BDRip 1080p	MKV, H.264 1920 × 1080 8000Kbps, AC3	plays fine with decoder Hardware +	video plays fine, no sound¹

¹ the sound in MX Video Player was only played after switching to software decoding or to a new mode Hardware +; the standard player does not have such a setting

Additionally, the MHL interface was tested. To test it, we used an LG IPS237L monitor that supports a direct MHL connection using a passive micro-USB to HDMI adapter cable. At the same time, the MHL output was carried out at a resolution of 1920 by 1080 pixels with a frequency of 30 frames / s. Regardless of the actual orientation of the smartphone, the display of the image on the screens of the smartphone and the monitor is carried out only in landscape orientation with the connector on the smartphone down. In this case, the image on the monitor is exactly inscribed in the boundaries of the display area (if you do not forget to increase the setting Image size up to 100%) and repeats the image on the smartphone screen one to one.

The MHL sound is output (in this case, the sounds were heard through the headphones connected to the monitor, since there are no speakers in the monitor itself) and is of good quality. At the same time, sounds are not output through the loudspeaker of the smartphone itself, and the volume is not regulated by the buttons on the smartphone body, but is turned off. In our case, a smartphone with an MHL adapter connected, judging by the charge indicator, was charging.

Then, using a set of test files with an arrow and a rectangle moving one division per frame (see "Testing methods for video playback and display devices. Version 1 (for mobile devices)"), we checked how the video is displayed on the smartphone screen. Screenshots with a shutter speed of 1 s helped to determine the nature of the frame output of video files with various parameters: the resolution varied from 1280 by 720 (720p), 1920 by 1080 (1080p) and 3840 by 2160 (4K) pixels and the frame rate of 24, 25, 30, 50 and 60 fps. In our tests we used the MX Player video player in the "Hardware +" mode. The results of this (block entitled "Smartphone Screen") and the following test are tabulated:

well no

Note: If both columns Uniformity and Skips green marks are set, this means that, most likely, when watching movies, artifacts caused by uneven alternation and skipping of frames will either not be visible at all, or their number and visibility will not affect the viewing comfort. Red marks indicate possible problems with the playback of the respective files.

According to the criterion for displaying frames, the quality of video playback on the screen of the smartphone itself is good, since frames (or groups of frames) may output with a more or less uniform alternation of intervals and without skipping frames. The displayed brightness range is equal to the standard range of 16-235, that is, in the shadows and highlights, all gradations of shades are displayed. When playing video files with a resolution of 1080p (1920 by 1080 pixels), the image of the video file itself is displayed exactly to the width of the screen, in the original Full HD resolution.

With a monitor connected via MHL, during video playback, the monitor displays an exact copy of the smartphone screen, that is, the output is carried out in true Full HD resolution in the case of 1080p files.

Displayed on the monitor range of brightness is equal to the standard range of 16-235 - in the shadows and highlights, all gradations of shades are displayed. The results of the monitor output tests are shown in the table above in the "MHL (monitor output)" block. The output quality is good. For files with 50 and 60 fps, we do not present the results, since this does not make sense due to the output mode of 30 fps. For games where higher frame rates are desired, you can use available external adapters that can output 60 fps at 720p, or you can try to find monitors / adapters that can output MHL at 1080p at 60 fps.

The takeaway is typical: an MHL connection can be used to play games, watch movies, display web pages, and other activities that benefit from increased screen size.

Battery life

The lithium-ion battery installed in the Sony Xperia Z3 turned out to be quite a bit smaller in volume than that of the Xperia Z2, but still has a capacity of 3100 mAh, quite worthy for a modern flagship. The new flagship Sony did not become a record holder in terms of battery life, but it showed itself as a whole no worse, and maybe a little better than its own predecessor. Perhaps the new type of battery is affecting, or the optimization of energy consumption has become better, but in any case, a slight decrease in the volume of the new battery did not negatively affect the battery life of the device in test modes.

	Battery capacity	Reading mode	Video mode	3D Game Mode
Sony Xperia Z3	3100 mAh	20 h 00 m	10h 00m	4h 50m
Sony Xperia Z2	3200 mAh	15h 20m	11h 00m	3h 30m
Oppo Find 7a	2800 mAh	16h 40m	8h 20m	3h 00m
HTC One M8	2600 mAh	22h 10m	13h 20m	3h 20m
Samsung Galaxy S5	2800 mAh	17h 20m	12h 30m	4h 30m
TCL Idol X +	2500 mAh	12h 30m	7h 20m	3h 00m
Lenovo Vibe Z	3050 mAh	11h 45m	8h 00m	3h 30m
Acer Liquid S2	3300 mAh	16h 40m	7h 40m	6h 00m
LG G Flex	3500 mAh	23h 15m	13h 30m	6h 40m
LG G2	3000 mAh	20 h 00 m	12h 30m	4h 45m
Sony Xperia Z1	3000 mAh	11h 45m	8h 00m	4h 30m

Continuous reading in the FBReader program (with a standard, light theme) at a minimum comfortable brightness level (the brightness was set to 100 cd / m2) lasted until the battery was fully discharged for more than 20 hours, and with continuous viewing of YouTube videos in high quality (HQ) with the same brightness level via a home Wi-Fi network, the device lasted 10 hours. In 3D games mode, the smartphone worked for almost 5 hours. The device charges quickly enough, the full charge time is less than 3 hours.

Outcome

Once again, Sony Mobile has released an excellent top-end device of the highest quality and performance class. The flagship of the Japanese boasts an expensive, catchy and stylish design and, of course, premium materials. Among its strengths are also the presence of a high degree of protection against water and dust, the maximum hardware performance and technical equipment to date, as well as a powerful battery and sound quality of sound. The screen and camera are certainly not great, but they generally correspond to the high level of a smartphone. However, at this point, I would like to state with a little sadness that we have not seen any breakthroughs in the next update. The filling of the smartphone has remained practically the same, the changes are noticeable, but still, for the most part, cosmetic. However, we did not see any special breakthroughs from other manufacturers in the new season, the market froze in anticipation of new technical discoveries, and we are looking forward to them too.

In 2007, the first iPhone from Apple was presented for the first time, and almost all guests attending the conference were deeply impressed by the size of its display. Today, the 6.44-inch screen with p rarely gets really rave reviews. Sony is a pleasant exception in this regard, as potential buyers noticed it immediately.

Even those users who are not too fond of huge smartphones watched his first presentation with great interest. Now we will consider customer reviews and try to draw a definite conclusion about the qualities of this wonderful gadget.

Immediately, we note that the "older brother" of the device we are considering, the Sony Xperia Z Ultra, has for the most part all the same characteristics, so the article can be used for an absentee acquaintance with the flagship model. Of course, it is much better in some respects, but still the main features have practically not changed at all.

Main technical characteristics

For you to understand, on the basis of which consumers expressed this or that opinion, it would be nice to familiarize yourself with the basic characteristics of our "hero". Here they are:

• The gadget of the mobile OS Android 4.2.2 is controlled.
• 6.44-inch display with 1920 x 1080 resolution.
• An excellent 8MP Exmor RS camera is installed at the back, but for some reason the developers decided not to install a flash.
• The "heart" of the device is the Qualcomm Snapdragon 800 processor, clocked at 2.2 GHz.
• The Adreno 330 core is responsible for video processing.
• It has 2 GB of RAM on board.
• Built-in memory - 16 GB, additionally there is a slot for micro-SD.
• Data transmission and reception interfaces: NFC, GPS, Wi-Fi, Bluetooth.
• The battery capacity is 3000mAh.
• Device dimensions: 179.4 x 92.2 x 6.5 mm.
• Your pocket will be weighed immediately by 212 g.

What this magnificence causes Z immediately fell in love with buyers with a powerful filling, a modern (at that time) version of "Android", as well as a nimble graphical shell. As experienced users say, usually when you see a shell for Android from a hardware developer, you immediately want to remove it. But not this time: everything is done as accurately and efficiently as possible, the interface does not "lag", the animation is fast and smooth.

In this regard, the Sony Xperia Z, the characteristics of which we have reviewed, can sometimes give odds to much more eminent competitors. In any case, it is not so rare to find reviews on the Internet about how people switched to it from Apple products. Users are attracted by the initial openness of the platform, which makes it possible to interact more effectively with the device.

Other differences from competitors

At the moment, this particular model is the largest and most massive Full HD smartphone in the world. Compared to it, the iPhone 5 is about 2.5 times smaller. However, it practically does not exceed the size of the Samsung Galaxy Mega. The latter is important, since with a further increase in the size of the display, users finally lose the ability to use the device as a phone, without looking like a tent circus worker.

It should be noted that manufacturers often include such a class of equipment in the middle price segment: the same "shovel" from Samsung has the worst filling (if you compare), but it costs around 15 thousand rubles. Sony, known for its perfectionism, couldn't do that. The Xperia Z is a great smartphone packed with the manufacturer's best solutions, as well as branded protection against dust and moisture.

What do they say, according to buyers, does not react in any way to strong humidity in the room. Of course, it is better not to go to the sauna with him, but he tolerates light pouring with juice or water (while watching cartoons with a child) without any problems.

Moreover, desperate experimenters report that the Sony Xperia Z phone can be immersed to a depth of up to a meter for a full half hour! However, it is for the sake of moisture protection that the smartphone has so many plugs. As buyers notice, due to all kinds of layers of protective materials, the speakers on this smartphone are somewhat deaf, so when watching movies without a headset, the sound has to be set to the maximum value. However, its quality is up to the mark, so a quick loss of resource does not threaten the microphone.

As far as dust is concerned, such conditions should still be avoided, as it clogs into all existing cracks. Users say it is incredibly difficult to pick it out from there. However, given the amazing water resistance for a model of this class, the phone can simply be rinsed under running water. Of course, rubbing it with a hard brush clearly should not be, but it tolerates gentle washing with a soft cloth perfectly.

This feature is extremely valuable for those who prefer not to part with their smartphone, even on a summer beach vacation. Important! Despite the ease and simplicity of washing, you should not take a smartphone on vacation without a protective film glued to its display. Reviews indicate that the screen is easily scratched, and there is definitely no equal to sand in the matter of damaging equipment!

Stunning performance

With a decent (but still not outstanding) hardware, the device earns almost 29,000 points in the AnTuTu test! At the time of the release, only the console on which was originally "sharpened" for powerful games was gaining more, and therefore was equipped with a Tegra 4 chip. Feedback from gamers indicates that the Sony Xperia Z smartphone "digests" all the latest novelties of mobile games perfectly. You will never meet any brakes or freezes (even light ones).

But if you think that our Sony Xperia Z review consists solely of describing the strengths of the smartphone, then you are wrong. Like any piece of technology, this gadget has its drawbacks. There is nothing serious about them, but nevertheless, you should pay attention to some points.

Negative points

We have already noticed that the local camera does not have a flash. Not at all. Why this is done, buyers and store marketers do not really understand, but they assume that the company could take this strange step in order to increase the competitiveness of the flagship Z Ultra. The fact is that the specimen we are considering has practically the same characteristics as its older brother. Here are just Sony Xperia Z, the price of which is about 20 thousand, is quite suitable for the role of a "mid-budget" phone, while the official price of the older model is from 30 thousand rubles.

In a word, the manufacturer's marketers have tried their best! Many buyers admit that if the camera had that same ill-fated flash, they would definitely not spend money on an older generation model, preferring a "little brother" to it.

However, the users of both devices themselves admit that the camera does not have any outstanding abilities, shooting almost at the level of the old iPhone 4S. But the viewing angles of the display are excellent, and the picture quality is very high. The images are so clear and rich that in this regard, the Sony Xperia Z smartphone bypasses all its competitors.

Concluding the review of the shortcomings, another unpleasant circumstance should be noted. The fact is that almost all music lovers who have dealt with this phone complain about the side location of the headphone jack. Given the hefty size, they are extremely inconvenient to use: such a miracle with a side ledge cannot be crammed into a pants pocket, and you cannot use a normal case.

Feedback from service center masters

If you follow the latest trends in the high-tech market at least a little, then you probably know that the body of almost all modern smartphones, tablets and other equipment is fastened with latches. Accordingly, with patience and more or less straight hands, they can be disassembled for cleaning and simple maintenance.

This trick won't work with this phone. The fact is that all the details are set on hot melt glue. So for assembly and disassembly, it is necessary to use a special soldering station, which only individual craftsmen have at home. If you do not have any experience of such actions at all, we strongly do not recommend taking on them using this phone: you will definitely break something in it.

Almost all internal elements are glued, so we recommend avoiding sudden “shocks”, we do not recommend dropping your smartphone on hard surfaces. In addition to the risk of breaking the display, this will almost certainly entail damage to other components, which can simply come off their seats. Of course, nothing like this will happen from a simple shaking, but nevertheless it is simply necessary to remember these design features.

What's wrong with watching movies?

One question plagues all fans of watching movies on a smartphone. Sony! How is it that you, the "trendsetter" in the world of cinema, cannot make the standard software for watching videos more omnivorous? Nowadays, when MKV files are perfectly reproduced by almost all the latest models of even cheap TVs, when you try to watch them on your phone, they are played without sound! Of course, you can install any player you prefer, but the absurdity of the situation itself confuses many users.

As for the FullHD resolution, at least in this respect there are no problems. Some buyers complain about the somewhat unusual controls in their local player, but these features just take some getting used to.

Don't forget about the cover!

Yes, the aspect is unexpected, but therefore no less important. The fact is that the display of the phone, although it is protected by a good coating, but without a normal cover can come into a completely indigestible state in just a month or two. Users recommend Krusell. It costs about one and a half thousand rubles. The higher (compared to competitors) cost is offset by the fact that there is a built-in stand, which significantly improves the use of the smartphone for watching movies.

What do they say about the docking station?

The kit comes with a relatively good Sony Xperia Z docking station. This circumstance is simply well perceived by users, since with the help of this "gadget" the smartphone can be turned into a more or less serious tool for work, suitable not only for writing comments on social networks ...

For example, on a business trip, you can even pile a report. It is not very convenient, but still quite doable. In addition, buyers highly appreciate the fact that after purchasing the device, they have a gadget in their hands, which is almost a full-fledged tablet. Important! Many buyers note that the plugs that cover all the technological connectors for protection are not very strong. This phone Sony Xperia Z unpleasantly impressed many of its fans.

Especially goes to the charging connector. If you regularly pull on its cap for six months, it can become very loose, or even completely disappear. It is much better to use a docking station for charging: just remove the smartphone from the tablet and place it on the platform intended for it. The charging process begins immediately, and you do not have to mock the plug.

Picture quality

The picture quality of the Sony Xperia Z screen is excellent, but part of the screen eats up the panel with control buttons. By the way, Sony is one of the first companies to completely switch to virtual buttons. In some cases, this is not so convenient, since you have to use the side button to activate the display, and in some cases it will obviously not work to reach it the first time.

However, we would not consider this as a serious drawback: the traffic police strongly discourage using the phone on the road, and in other situations it is quite possible to find a couple of extra seconds, stop and press this unfortunate button.

The screen is made of very high quality, as a result of which users note excellent color reproduction. Since the manufacturer uses really good matrices, even the black color actually looks like that (although buyers with good eyesight still notice some grayishness). Of course, the backlight quality is excellent, no annoying light spots are observed in the corners.

Fans of modern gadgets also love the tablet for the fact that web pages and movies are perfectly displayed on its display, and dynamic games look great. Alas, there is no magnetic latch that would activate the display when the cover of a special case is opened. However, almost all users take this circumstance quite calmly, not counting it as a disadvantage of the Sony Xperia Z. The tablet of the average manufacturer (the same Samsung) also does not have such an opportunity, and therefore our users are not spoiled by this.

Wireless and GSM modules

If you have a router that can operate at 5 GHz, then you can rejoice! The phone supports this range, so you can avoid interference in apartment buildings, where almost everyone has wireless points. In addition, users note the impressive "tenacity" of the module on this model: the phone more or less confidently catches the network even in remote corners of an apartment or house.

As for conventional mobile communications, there are no particularly outstanding results: no better, but no worse than competitors. How does the Sony Xperia Z behave in new networks? LTE networks (of which we still have very few) work great with it. He is friends with SIM cards of any domestic operators without problems. In any case, there are no negative reviews on this score. However, many users believe that the Sony Xperia Z Ultra allows for faster data transfer.

Deciding whether it is worth spending an additional 10 thousand rubles for this is a purely personal matter.

A little about other wireless standards

As we already indicated in the specifications, there is support for the newfangled NFC. Until recently, this option was completely useless, but the new owners of the LG printer and the Sony DSC-QX10 smartograph indicate that the smartphone started working with them immediately, without any failures. In addition, you can find wireless NFC headphones on sale, so many music lovers also respect this feature.

In the new one, this option was retained precisely because users found it very useful. In particular, company representatives mention that buyers have repeatedly written about the benefits of this standard in the feedback form.

Since the size of the device when used as a phone makes the user look rather ridiculous, it is better to get a headset right away. Buyers also note that the smartphone perfectly "hooks" on almost all existing models of "smart" watches, so you can also purchase them for solidity.

A little about design

As for the design, here too Sony went its own way. We are talking about her branded button, which many do not like. However, a considerable part of users still claims that it is very pleasant to the touch, and it is very convenient to use it. The company's engineers can be understood: this small design stroke has become so familiar to users over the years that it will not be possible to simply take and get rid of it.

What do the reviews tell us? The Sony Xperia Z is an excellent choice for its price point. The phone is very comfortable to use, the materials of the body are pleasant. If you always wanted to have a gadget that would combine the qualities of a smartphone and a tablet, then you simply cannot find anything better.

Let's sum up ...

I definitely don't want to part with the Xperia Z. In no way inferior to tablets with a display diagonal of 7 inches, at the same time it perfectly performs all the functions typical of ordinary phones. If you have a TV that supports this function, you can stream videos and photos to it from your Sony smartphone. In short, the device is definitely good and well tailored.

The manufacturer promises that the Sony Xperia Z will be updated for at least a year and a half, so even fans of the freshest Android can take their time to switch to the new model. If you need something more powerful, we recommend looking at the model with the Ultra prefix. Users testify that its capabilities are sufficient to completely replace a standard seven-inch tablet.