Sony Xperia XZ2 is a smartphone with the most powerful hardware available today, a “high” screen and excellent sound, capable (for the first time in the history of smartphone manufacturing) of shooting HDR video. We tested a Japanese new product, which is completely different from its predecessors, and in this review of the Sony Xperia XZ2 we are ready to tell you why this device is worth buying, and what might make you refuse to buy it.
According to the developers, in the Xperia XZ2, which was announced simultaneously with the compact version of the Xperia XZ2 Compact, the main emphasis is even more shifted towards supporting multimedia content, or, more simply, entertainment. At the same time, the modernization affected not only the characteristics of the 5.7-inch screen (now also with a “fashionable” aspect ratio - 18:9), but also the rear Motion Eye photo module. The new flagship has not only “musical” but also “tactile” superpowers: the Dynamic Vibration System (DVS) allows you to literally feel what is happening in a movie or game, as well as interaction with the interface.
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: technical specifications
- Model: H8266
- OS: Android 8.0 (Oreo) with Xperia proprietary shell
- Processor: Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 8-core 64-bit (SDM845), ARMv8 architecture, 4-core Kryo 385 Gold (2.8 GHz) + 4 core Kryo 385 Silver (1.8 GHz), Hexagon 685 DSP co-processor
- Graphics subsystem: Adreno 630
- RAM: 4GB LPDDR4X
- Storage: 64 GB, UFS, hybrid microSD/HC/XC memory card slot (up to 400 GB)
- Screen: 5.7 inches, HDR10, Full HD+ (2160x1080 pixels, 18:9), IPS Triluminos, X-Reality, Dynamic Contrast Enhancement, pixel density per inch 424 ppi, Corning Gorilla Glass 5 protective glass
- Main camera Motion Eye: 19 MP, Exmor RS (1/2.3-inch optical size, 1.22 µm pixel), wide-angle G Lens, 25 mm EGF, f/2.0 aperture, 8x digital zoom, predictive hybrid autofocus , LED flash, 960 fps super slow motion video, 4K HDR video
- Front camera 5 MP, Exmor R (optical size 1/5 inch), EGF 23 mm, f/2.2 aperture
- Interfaces: Bluetooth 5.0, Wi-Fi 802.11 ac/b/g/n (2.4 GHz + 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, DLNA, NFC, USB Type-C (USB 3.1 Gen. 1, 5 Gbps ,OTG)
- Network: GSM/GPRS/EDGE (2G), UMTS HSPA+(3G), LTE (4G) Cat.18 (up to 1.2 Gbit/s)
- Hybrid slot: nanoSIM (4FF) + nanoSIM (4FF)/microSD
- Sound: LDAC, aptX HD, DSEE HX, High-Resolution Audio, Clear Audio+, S-Force Front Surround
- Navigation: GPS/GLONASS/BDS/Galileo/QZSS, A-GPS
- Sensors: accelerometer, light and proximity sensors, gyroscope, compass (Hall sensor), fingerprint scanner
- Battery: non-removable, 3,180 mAh, Smart Stamina, Quick Charge 3.0, Qnovo adaptive charging, Battery Care function, wireless charging
- Features: dustproof and waterproof (IP65/IP68)
- Dimensions: 153x72x11.1 mm
- Weight: 198 grams
- Color: black obsidian, cold silver, dark emerald, ash pink
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: design, ergonomics
In the “Video” mode, next to the record button there is an icon that is used to activate super slow motion (960 fps) or just slow motion (120 fps) shooting, both with HD quality (1280x720 pixels) and Full HD (1920x1080 pixels).
The 3D Model Maker app uses Sony's proprietary algorithm and offers four scanning modes (head, face, food and freeform). The 3D face scanning function to create a three-dimensional avatar now works not only with the rear but also with the front camera, which allows you to do without third-party help.
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: hardware, performance
The new flagship is based on the most powerful Qualcomm Snapdragon 845 (SDM845) chipset, designed to meet 10 nm design standards. Eight Kryo 385 computing cores are divided into two clusters, with the first quartet clocked at a frequency of up to 2.8 GHz, and the second at a frequency of up to 1.8 GHz. Since the main focus is on artificial intelligence, cameras and security, this chip, in addition to the Adreno 630 graphics accelerator (Open GL ES 3.2, Open CL 2.0, Vulkan, DirectX 12), also integrates powerful Hexagon 685 DSP and Qualcomm Spectra 280 signal processors ( ISP). The new LTE modem X20 (LTE Cat.18) allows you to receive data on cellular networks with a maximum speed of 1.2 gigabits per second. The chipset's features also included support for Wi-Fi 802.11ad, Bluetooth 5.0 and Quick Charge 4/4+. The manufacturer notes faster (30%) rendering and increased, again by 30%, energy efficiency, while the increase in overall performance compared to its predecessor Snapdragon 835 is estimated at 25%. The Xperia XZ2 configuration is complemented by 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM.
TestingSonyXperiaXZ2 . Results in the AnTuTu benchmark
TestingSonyXperiaXZ2. Results in the GeekBench benchmark
TestingSonyXperiaXZ2 . Results in the 3DMark benchmark
The results of the main tests for the new smartphone were, of course, flagship.
The amount of fast built-in UFS memory reaches 64 GB. You can expand the storage with a microSD/HC/XC memory card up to 400 GB, for which space is provided on the combo tray. In addition, USB-OTG technology allows you to connect regular flash drives to the device.
The new flagship in fourth generation networks operates, in particular, on the LTE-FDD frequency bands - b3 (1,800 MHz), b7 (2,600 MHz) and b20 (800 MHz). Support for gigabit mobile Internet (Cat. 18, 1.2 Gbit/s), of course, is encouraging, but so far it is not so significant, especially for Russian regions. The wireless communications suite also includes Wi-Fi 802.11 ac/b/g/n/ (2.4 and 5 GHz), Miracast, Google Cast, DLNA, Bluetooth 5.0 (LDAC, aptX HD) and NFC.
The NFC interface will be useful not only for exchanging data between smartphones or the Android Pay payment service. Together with the corresponding application, it will, for example, tell you the balance of the Strelka and Troika transport cards.
Five satellite systems, including GPS and GLONASS, can be used for positioning and navigation. Coordination mode over Wi-Fi and cellular networks (A-GPS) is also available.
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: autonomy
The capacity of the non-removable battery in the Xperia XZ2 is 3,180 mAh, which is slightly larger than that of its predecessor (2,700 mAh). The smartphone comes with an 18-watt Quick Charge 3.0 fast charging adapter, thanks to which it is possible to fill the battery “to the neck” in about an hour and a half.
As for the energy efficiency of the new flagship, the AnTuTu Tester program rated it at a modest 6,277 points. A set of test videos in MP4 format (hardware decoding) and Full HD quality at full brightness played continuously for about 6.5 hours. In general, nothing special.
To increase the autonomy of the Xperia XZ2, smart energy saving modes Stamina and Ultra Stamina are used, the first of which limits, in particular, background data transfer, and the second also limits the number of available applications. The Smart Stamina feature will tell you in advance when to activate Stamina mode. Qnovo's adaptive charging technology and Battery Care function almost double the battery life (according to the manufacturer).
The benefits of wireless charging can be felt if you use, for example, a special 9-watt docking station WCH20 (sold separately), which supports the Qi (Wireless Power Consortium) standard.
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: software features
The Xperia XZ2 smartphone runs on the Android 8.0 (Oreo) operating system with a proprietary shell. Like stock Android, there is an application menu and separate screens with program shortcuts. A standard solution is also used for the notification curtain.
In the settings, it’s easy to change not only the theme or wallpaper, but also the icon grid, and also decide on the type of transition between screens. Tapping and holding on an application icon brings up a quick access menu (if supported) with up to four frequently used functions of that application.
The fingerprint scanner allows you to use fingerprints for additional protection of your smartphone (together, for example, with entering a PIN code). The location of the round capacitive pad - almost in the center of the rear panel - seemed less convenient than, for example, when the scanner was built into the power/lock button. In the SmartLock settings section, you can also add facial recognition unlocking.
Given the 5.7-inch screen size, the Xperia XZ2's settings include a one-handed control mode.
Sony Xperia XZ2 review: purchase, conclusions
Externally, the Xperia XZ2 stands out among its fellow soldiers with its new design. At the same time, the ergonomic metal-glass case was provided with reliable protection from water and dust. In addition, the flagship from Sony received a “high” HDR Full HD+ screen for the first time. But record performance is ensured by the most powerful processor at the time of announcement. One of the key features is the improved Motion Eye - the world's first smartphone camera with 4K HDR recording. Among other features, it is worth noting high-quality sound, as well as support for Dynamic Vibration System technology.
However, the new design of the Xperia XZ2 body still seemed somewhat bulky. And if you can already get used to the alternative installation of a second nanoSIM and a microSD memory card, the absence of a 3.5 mm audio connector does not cause positive emotions at all.
The price of a premium model, by definition, cannot be low. So, at the start of sales in large retail chains for Xperia XZ2 asked for 59,990 rubles. For exactly the same money you could buy it there (and on the Internet, of course, cheaper) (our review of the Samsung Galaxy S9+). At the same time, the “galactic” smartphone is not only thinner and lighter. For example, the resolution of a 5.8-inch screen is also higher (2960x1440 pixels versus 2160x1080 pixels). In addition, the main camera duo of the new Samsung flagship looks somewhat cooler (at least due to the aperture of the optics, larger sensor pixels, and the presence of optical stabilization). However, shooting slow-motion video at 960 fps is only possible in HD quality. And it’s no longer possible to record a 4K HDR video.
Review results of the Sony Xperia XZ2 smartphone
Pros:
- New ergonomic design
- "High" HDR Full HD+ screen
- Flagship Performance
- Advanced Motion Eye camera
- High quality sound
- Dynamic Vibration System Technology
- Dust-proof housing (IP65/IP68)
Minuses:
- Bulky body
- Lack of audio connector
- Alternative installation of nanoSIM or microSD memory card
Another fundamental (albeit frankly marketing) difference between the Xperia XZ and the Xperia X Performance is the ability to shoot video in 4K. It’s quite good here - the picture is nice, the sound is good, there are enough settings. True, I don’t quite understand why it was necessary to create a separate mode for shooting in 4K? Why couldn’t you add a selection of this resolution to the camera settings menu, as is done by other manufacturers?
However, don’t think that everything is bad with the Xperia XZ’s camera. No, it will still be better than most middle-class smartphones, but there can be no talk of any comparison with flagships. And all these improvements to autofocus and the introduction of stabilization are tantamount to decorating the Zaporozhets with garlands in the hope that it will go faster.
Iron and battery
Sony has been sitting tightly on Qualcomm hardware for a long time, so the Xperia XZ hardware does not present any surprises. Here we have the most sophisticated of the current system-on-a-chip - Snapdragon 820. The central processor uses 4 cores (2 at 2.15 GHz and 2 at 1.6 GHz), the graphics accelerator is Adreno 530, and there is exactly 3 RAM GB. The amount of permanent memory depends on the modification of the smartphone. The model with one SIM card is equipped with 32 GB of memory on the built-in storage, with two – 64 GB. In the first case, you can install a memory card without problems, but in the second you will have to choose between a second SIM card and a microSD card. Both modifications of the smartphone are compatible with cards up to 256 GB. The dual-SIM Xperia XZ has one radio module, so a simultaneous communication session using two SIM cards is impossible: you cannot call from one SIM card to another, and during a conversation on one SIM card, the second one is inaccessible.
The platform allows you to comfortably play games and watch videos, including 4K videos shot with the built-in camera. The overall level of performance is exactly the same as the Xperia X Performance.
The characteristics of the Sony Xperia XZ phone deserve the highest praise. When developing a new model range, the manufacturer takes into account the experience of working on Z series smartphones, avoiding previous shortcomings and expanding the capabilities of its devices. Xperia XZ is already the second flagship of 2016, which in some respects even surpasses the X Performance, but at the time of its announcement it costs a hundred dollars more. The smartphone has come to conquer the market with an updated body design, dust and water protection, USB Type-C and hybrid autofocus with record focusing time.
The characteristics of the Sony Xperia XZ smartphone vary depending on the modification, of which there are only two. The model with the digital designation F8331 works with only one SIM card, and the built-in memory is 32 GB. The second modification F8332 has a 64 GB drive and support for two SIM cards. The price of the Sony Xperia XZ smartphone in Russia at the time of writing this review is about 38,000 rubles, and only the 64 GB version is officially available.
Technical characteristics of Sony Xperia XZ
SoC Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 (MSM8996), 4 Kryo cores @1.6/2.2 GHz
- GPU Adreno 530 @624 MHz
- Operating system Android 6.0.1
- IPS touch display 5.2″, 1920×1080, 423 ppi
- RAM 3 GB, internal memory 32/64 GB
- Nano-SIM support (2 pcs.)
- Support microSD up to 2 TB
- GSM/GPRS/EDGE networks (850/900/1800/1900 MHz)
- WCDMA/HSPA+ networks (850/900/1700/1900/2100 MHz)
- LTE Cat.9 Band 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, 8, 12, 13, 17, 19, 20, 26, 28, 29, 32, 38, 39, 40, 41 networks
- Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g/n/ac (2.4 and 5 GHz)
- Bluetooth
- NFC
- GPS, A-GPS, Glonass, BDS
- USB Type-C, USB OTG
- Sony Exmor RS 23 MP camera, autofocus, f/2.0, 4K video
- Front camera Sony Exmor RS 13 MP, f/2.0, fixed. focus
- Proximity, lighting, magnetic field, fingerprint, accelerometer, gyroscope, barometer, step counter
- Battery 2900 mAh, Quick Charge 3.0
- Dimensions 146×72×8.1 mm
- Weight 161 g
Sony Xperia XZ equipment
The smartphone comes in a stylish box of medium size. It is made of thick cardboard. The design of the lower part is complemented by patterns that are installed as standard on the phone's screensaver. Inside is a USB Type-C cable, charger and documentation.
Design
Sony Xperia XZ mobile review begins with a look at its appearance and believe me, we have a lot to tell. The smartphone is very different from the previous flagship, released in 2016, which was to its advantage, especially if you remember how slightly different the Z series devices were. The body is made of a combination of glass, metal and plastic inserts. Visually, the smartphone is perceived as more rectangular, but in reality its ends are more rounded than in the Xperia X. The bottom and top edges are flat, which allows you to place the phone vertically and not worry that it will fall when the wind blows.
Most of the back is covered by a smooth metal sheet, painted to match the overall color of the body. But for high-quality signal reception, it is replaced by a plastic insert from below. Sony Xperia XZ compact review showed that the manufacturer takes a responsible approach to assembling its devices. We did not find any creaks or inconsistencies between parts, which allows us to test the water resistance without the slightest concern.
The manufacturer has very elegantly placed its logos: on the front - Sone, and on the back - Xperia.
The first is applied in a color several shades lighter than the front panel, and the lid is surface engraved. Data regarding the certification and IMEI of the device are neatly printed on a plastic strip in the SIM tray.
Above the display there is a light indicator for missed notifications and two small speaker slits - on top and bottom to give a stereo effect.
Sony Xperia XZ dual f8332 review showed that the frames surrounding the display were reduced by literally a fraction of a millimeter, but the diagonal was increased from 5 to 5.2 inches. In terms of ergonomics, you can find fault for a long time and there really is something to be desired. The complaints relate to the control keys on the right side of the phone.
The power button with its built-in fingerprint scanner is recessed into the body, and the volume rocker is set too low. Apparently the manufacturer is eager to replicate the design of digital cameras, where a zoom button is installed near the shutter release. But in a smartphone such a solution cannot be called ideal, although over time you get used to everything. The same applies to the unusual location of the fingerprint scanner. By the way, it works great, quickly and accurately recognizing the fingerprint.
The lower keys remained on the screen; the manufacturer is not eager to change its traditions. The review of the Sony Xperia XZ phone moves on to its screen, which turned out to be very interesting.
Sony Xperia XZ display
The smartphone has a high-quality IPS matrix with a diagonal of 5.2 inches and FullHD resolution. The pixel density is very high - 424 ppi. Sony Xperia XZ dual sim display review showed that the display turned out to be solid in all respects and fully justifies the flagship positioning of the device. The maximum brightness level is almost a record in the mobile market - 629 cd/m2. Sony Xperia XZ f8331 review showed that it is ideal for our climate, thanks to the convenient glove control mode.
As before, the manufacturer is introducing its own technologies that improve image performance.
The display occupies 70.9% of the front panel area, but there are quite large protrusions at the bottom and top. There are also those who are dissatisfied with the color rendition, or, to be more precise, with the oversaturation of colors. But is this a problem? You can always go to settings and specify your settings. In general, the screen is very good and does not require additional settings, but this is a matter of personal taste.
Sony Xperia XZ ds 64 GB review showed that the display was at least slightly improved compared to previous models. As we have already said, the brightness reserve is large, so information is easy to read in any weather conditions, and the increased sensitivity mode is useful in cold weather when wearing gloves. The colors are rich and the viewing angles are as wide as possible.
Sony Xperia XZ performance
The characteristics of the Sony Xperia XZ smartphone are what the manufacturer has focused on and it has really managed to offer a high-performance, but at the same time long-lasting flagship. One of the best chips of 2016 is responsible for performance - Snapdragon 820. It has a 64-bit architecture and is built using a 14nm process technology. Its structure contains 2 cores of 1.6 GHz and a similar number of 2.15 GHz.
The Adreno 530 video accelerator provides excellent opportunities for games that run great even at maximum graphics. Sony Xperia XZ technical specifications will be relevant for at least several more years; the processor copes with any use scenario. Its power is especially well revealed in demanding games and when processing video in high quality formats.
The Sony Xperia XZ dual smartphone review demonstrated that the processor heats up noticeably in demanding games and when recording video in 4K, but the heating is not critical, although there is throttling. In other cases, the case remains cold. Sony Xperia XZ characteristics and price are chosen perfectly. Of course, you can find a cheaper and more functional phone among second-tier manufacturers, but among A-brands it has practically no equal, given the price.
RAM 3 GB, in this regard everything remains unchanged. Many flagships have 4 or even 6 GB of RAM, but more is not required due to good system optimization. Performance is maintained even when working with multiple applications, and they are not unloaded from memory. A review of the Sony Xperia XZ showed the return of moisture protection, which is certainly pleasing. Built-in memory can be 32 or 64 GB.
The dual-SIM version claims to support a memory card up to 256 GB, installed instead of the second SIM. In a single-SIM device, everything is more thoughtful - you can place a memory card in a separate tray.
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At first, Sony decided to release flagship devices every six months. Now, in addition to frequent updates of the older model, the manufacturer has decided to produce “almost flagships.” A little cheaper, a little easier in some places. The first such solution was the Sony Xperia XZ1. The tested smartphone is equipped with the same system-on-a-chip, the same cameras, and can also record video at a speed of 960 frames per second, but instead of a 4K display it uses a FullHD matrix (albeit not quite a regular one, but HDR), and battery capacity is smaller. At the same time, they are asking for “almost a flagship” for about $100 less.
Specifications
| Display size and type | 5.2-inch, 1080*1920, LCD (IPS) |
| CPU | Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 8 cores (4x2.45 GHz, 4x1.9 GHz) |
| Built-in memory, GB | 64 (UFS) |
| RAM, GB | 4 |
| Memory expansion | microSD (up to 256 GB) |
| Number of SIM cards | 2 |
| 2G communication standards | GSM GPRS/EDGE |
| 3G communication standards | UMTS HSPA+ |
| 4G communication standards | LTE Cat16 |
| WiFi | Wi-Fi802.11b/g/n/ac, 2.4/5 GHz, MU-MIMO |
| Bluetooth | v5.0 |
| NFC | Eat |
| IrDA | No |
| USB connector | USB Type-C |
| AAudio jack | TRRRS (mini-jack 3.5 mm 4-pin) |
| FM radio | No |
| Fingerprint's scanner | Eat |
| Navigation | GPS, GLONASS, Beidou, Galileo, QZSS, SBAS |
| Built-in sensors | acceleration sensor, electronic compass, gyroscope, proximity sensor, light sensor, Hall sensor |
| Main camera | 19 MP, f/2, f=25 mm |
| Front-camera | 13 MP, f/2, f=22 mm |
| operating system | Android 8.0 |
| Protection class | IP68 |
| Battery | 2700 mAh |
| Dimensions, mm | 148*73*7,4 |
| Weight, g | 156 |
Appearance
Despite everything, Sony continues to follow its line and uses the recognizable Loop Surface design or “loop surface”. And even though Apple and Samsung fans in forum battles regularly mention pockets worn out by the sharp corners of Sony smartphones, the “brick” design, and the lack of progress in design ideas, this design still has a small army of fans, and I am among them. The same could be criticized for its rather large dimensions and impressive weight, but the Sony Xperia XZ1 took such comments into account. The dimensions are now noticeably smaller, and the weight is 35 grams less. And this with almost identical filling.
The XZ1 case is all-metal - the aluminum cover covers not only the back side, but also the side ends of the device. The openings for the antennas are made in the form of small inserts on the side faces. The upper and lower ends are covered with plastic inserts, and because of them the smartphone resembles a much more affordable one. There are metal inserts with a polished surface, decorated with small chamfers. Although the case is strong, when you try to twist and squeeze it, it gives in a little and creaks slightly. In addition, like the older model, when you try to twist it, rainbow stains appear around the perimeter of the screen. We received a pink version for testing (the color is called “dawn pink”), which is not at all afraid of fingerprints. Also available in black, moon blue and warm silver.
On the front side above the screen there is an LED indicator, a front camera, a system speaker, as well as proximity and light sensors. A second speaker is installed under the display, providing stereo sound reproduction.
On the back side at the top there is a camera window, as well as a unit consisting of a laser autofocus, an IR camera assist sensor, a flash and an NFC antenna.
On the left side surface there is a pair of inserts that hide the antennas, as well as a tray for installing two SIM cards in nanoSIM format, one of which can be replaced with microSD media. As with all other Sony smartphones, the tray can be removed without additional tools (clips or needles). And that's a plus. The disadvantages include automatic reboot when removing the tray. Of course, this is a kind of protection mechanism, but other smartphones somehow manage without it. On the right is the usual set, consisting of a two-position volume control key, a lock key with an integrated fingerprint reading sensor, and a dedicated photo key.
At the top end, only a microphone and a 3.5 mm mini-jack connector are visible. The bottom end is also not particularly busy - there is only a USB Type-C connector, as well as a second microphone.
Display
Although the tested smartphone is similar, it still ranks lower in the table of ranks, so it did not get a 4K display, but a FullHD one, but not a simple one, but with HDR10 support. There is not much content in this format yet, but it exists, and its quantity is growing rapidly. The display is protected by Corning Gorilla Glass 5 with a 2.5D effect. Of course, up to 10 simultaneous touches are supported. Viewing angles are sufficient for any operating conditions. The brightness of the display is noticeably higher than that - at the maximum backlight level, the brightness of the white field is 524.24 cd/sq.m, while the brightness of the black field is 0.57 cd/sq.m, which gives a static contrast of 920:1.
The display settings provide three display modes – “Ultimate brightness”, “Standard”, and “Professional”. It is noteworthy that it is in the latter mode that the Delta E deviation is the smallest - up to 6.5 on the RGBCMY primary colors, as well as from 1.5 to 11.1 on the gray wedge. The color gamut in this mode is close to sRGB, and the color balance is the most optimal. Of course, all this applies to content created for the sRGB color space. The color temperature in all modes is elevated approximately equally. The display settings provide separate color adjustment for RGB channels, which, with a calibrator, allows you to achieve the most realistic color rendition.
Mode Standard
Professional mode
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Extreme Brightness Mode
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Sound
In the front plane of the smartphone there is a pair of speakers, one of which combines the functions of a system speaker and a conversation speaker. Of course, the speakers allow you to reproduce stereo sound, and by the standards of smartphones it is of very high quality. From a subjective point of view, the sound seemed even better than in the case (unfortunately, it was not possible to make a direct comparison). In general, at the moment, among all the smartphones we tested, the speaker sound is one of the best, if not the best. But the volume of the XZ1 speakers is definitely higher than that of its premium brother. When playing a test sinusoidal signal with a frequency of 1 kHz at a distance of 1 meter, a sound pressure level of 78.1 dBA was recorded. This is not a record, but still a very good result. The audio output level is not too high. When playing a test signal and operating at a load of 32 Ohms, only 252.1 mV. Not much, but enough for sensitive headphones.
There are traditionally a lot of sound settings. There is automatic sound optimization, active noise reduction function (if this technology is supported by headphones), as well as DSEE HX functions (software enhancement of a compressed audio stream to Hi-Res quality), Clera Audio, dynamic normalization, surround sound settings. Of course, the already familiar 5-band equalizer with a separate ClearBASS control is provided. In general, Sony does not let the Walkman legacy be forgotten. As for the sound quality, there is also complete order. When tested in RightMark Audio Analyzer software using a Creative E-MU 0204 USB sound card, the smartphone earned a final rating of “excellent.” It is noteworthy that the results turned out to be very close to those shown by the rest of the XZ line,
RMAA. General results. 24 bit/48 kHz
Performance
The smartphone is built on the same system-on-a-chip as the older model, namely the Qualcomm Snapdragon 835. This SoC is made using the 10 nm FinFET process. 4 cores operate at a frequency of up to 2.45 GHz and the same number at a frequency of up to 1.9 GHz. The video subsystem is based on Adreno 540 with a frequency of 710 MHz. 4 GB of LPDDR4X RAM operates in dual-channel mode. In general, complete mincemeat by the standards of 2017.
System performance was measured in synthetic PCMark, 3DMark, Geekbench 4 and AnTuTu v6. Memory speed was assessed using the AndroBench application. Testing was also carried out in cross-platform javascript tests (Mozilla Kraken JavaScript and SunSpider). The results of these tests significantly depend on the browser used, therefore, to minimize the impact, Google Chrome will be used in all reviews, as the most common one.
The following smartphones were chosen as opponents:
: Samsung Exynos 8895, 8 cores (4*1.7+4*2.3 GHz) 4 GB RAM, 6.3 inches, 2960*1440 pixels;
: Qualcomm Snapdragon 835, 4 cores (2*2.45 GHz+2*1.9 GHz), 4 GB RAM, 5.2 inches, 3840*2160;
: Qualcomm Snapdragon 820, 4 cores (2*2.15 GHz+2*1.6 GHz), 3 GB RAM, 5.2 inches, 1920*1080.
Camera
The manual shooting mode settings provide manual focusing, selecting shutter speed, sensitivity level and white balance settings, as well as introducing exposure compensation. It is also possible to activate HDR mode and autofocus tracking. Among the features, it is also worth noting the function of 3D scanning of faces and objects with the possibility of subsequent 3D printing.
The flash, apparently, is exactly the same as in, because at a distance of 1 meter it was able to provide an illumination of 5.02 lux. The difference in results is so insignificant that it can be attributed to measurement error.
UPD: power measurements were carried out in video light mode. As repeated measurements have shown, in the “flash” mode the results are slightly better - about 20 lux.
Unfortunately, shooting in RAW is not provided, so it was not possible to measure the noise level. Transferring camera control to third-party applications using the Camera 2 API is possible. To evaluate image quality, a test pattern was shot with the main camera with sensitivity from ISO 100 to ISO3200 in 1 EV steps. It is worth noting that in automatic mode the limits of available sensitivity are expanded to ISO 12800.
Sample pictures
Macro photography
 |  |  |  |  |
| Illumination 50 lux | Illumination 50 lux + flash | Illumination 3 lux + flash |
Video recording mode
In video recording mode, there are no simplifications relative to the flagship. It is possible to record videos with a resolution of 3840*2160, as well as FullHD recording at a flow rate of 60 frames per second with progressive scan. Autofocus during video recording works correctly and discreetly.
Example of 4K video recording (2160/30p)
Example of FullHD video recording (1080/60p)
Example of FullHD video recording (1080/30p)
The front camera does not stand out in anything remarkable. Among the features that can be noted is the function of backlighting the screen when shooting in the dark.
 |  |
| daylight | artificial lighting, 30 lux |
Autonomous operation
The smartphone is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 2700 mAh, which is a rather modest figure for a 5.5-inch device. For comparison, it is equipped with a battery with a capacity of 3230 mAh, but its results in terms of battery life are quite modest. But don’t forget that the older model uses a more power-hungry 4K display. When tested using our method, the smartphone lasted 760 minutes in reading mode, 653 minutes in video viewing mode, and 309 minutes in the RealRacing3 game (opponents in game mode were tested in the EpicCitadel package). Sony XZ1 supports QuickCharge 3.0 fast charging mode, but, unfortunately, the complete charger was not provided for testing, so we used the charger from Xiaomi Mi5, which also supports QC 3.0 fast charging technology. The measurement result is 95 minutes to charge to 85% level and 145 minutes to fully charge. 
* - testing in the game RealRacing3
Conclusion
Sony has continued to use its recognizable design for years, and I must admit, it has fans, including me, but still there are plenty of opponents to this approach. But something else is worse - being at the forefront of progress, the smartphone is inferior to its competitors. We won’t talk about the battery life, because it’s still enough for a day, and every evening it’s advisable to recharge any modern flagship smartphone. It's the photo quality that's especially disappointing. No, it’s not bad at all, but competitors who use matrices produced by Sony itself have better photo quality. Of course, overall the smartphone is very interesting, but the cost is too high.
Minuses:
— body rigidity;
— “rainbow” on the screen when twisting the smartphone;
— photo quality (relative to competitors);
- low-power LED flash;
— price;
Pros:
— interesting (subjectively) and recognizable design;
— WiFi 802.11ac 5 GHz, MU-MIMO;
- NFC;
— Bluetooth v5.0;
— high brightness of the display;
— good display calibration in “Professional” mode;
— excellent sound quality on the tax audio output;
— excellent stereo speakers with high sound quality and volume levels;
— QuickCharge 3.0 support;
Information about the make, model, and alternative names of the specific device, if available.
Design
Information about the dimensions and weight of the device, presented in different units of measurement. Materials used, colors offered, certificates.
| Width Width information - refers to the horizontal side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 72 mm (millimeters) 7.2 cm (centimeters) 0.24 ft (feet) 2.83 in (inches) |
| Height Height information - refers to the vertical side of the device in its standard orientation during use. | 146 mm (millimeters) 14.6 cm (centimeters) 0.48 ft (feet) 5.75 in (inches) |
| Thickness Information about the thickness of the device in different units of measurement. | 8.1 mm (millimeters) 0.81 cm (centimeters) 0.03 ft (feet) 0.32 in (inches) |
| Weight Information about the weight of the device in different units of measurement. | 161 g (grams) 0.35 lbs 5.68 oz (ounces) |
| Volume The approximate volume of the device, calculated based on the dimensions provided by the manufacturer. Refers to devices with the shape of a rectangular parallelepiped. | 85.15 cm³ (cubic centimeters) 5.17 in³ (cubic inches) |
| Colors Information about the colors in which this device is offered for sale. | Black Blue Brown |
| Materials for making the case Materials used to make the device body. | Aluminium alloy |
| Certification Information about the standards to which this device is certified. | IP65 IP68 |
SIM card
The SIM card is used in mobile devices to store data that certifies the authenticity of mobile service subscribers.
Mobile networks
A mobile network is a radio system that allows multiple mobile devices to communicate with each other.
| GSM GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications) is designed to replace the analogue mobile network (1G). For this reason, GSM is often called a 2G mobile network. It is improved by the addition of GPRS (General Packet Radio Services), and later EDGE (Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution) technologies. | GSM 850 MHz GSM 900 MHz GSM 1800 MHz GSM 1900 MHz |
| UMTS UMTS is an abbreviation for Universal Mobile Telecommunications System. It is based on the GSM standard and belongs to 3G mobile networks. Developed by 3GPP and its biggest advantage is providing greater speed and spectral efficiency thanks to W-CDMA technology. | UMTS 800 MHz UMTS 850 MHz UMTS 900 MHz UMTS 1900 MHz UMTS 2100 MHz UMTS 800 MHz (B21) |
| LTE LTE (Long Term Evolution) is defined as a fourth generation (4G) technology. It is developed by 3GPP based on GSM/EDGE and UMTS/HSPA to increase the capacity and speed of wireless mobile networks. The subsequent technology development is called LTE Advanced. | LTE 700 MHz Class 13 LTE 700 MHz Class 17 LTE 800 MHz LTE 850 MHz LTE 900 MHz LTE 1700/2100 MHz LTE 1800 MHz LTE 1900 MHz LTE 2100 MHz LTE 2600 MHz LTE-TDD 1900 MHz (B39) LTE-TDD 2300 MHz (B40) LTE-TDD 2500 MHz (B41) LTE-TDD 2600 MHz (B38) LTE 700 MHz (B12) LTE 700 MHz (B28) LTE 800 MHz (B19) LTE 850 MHz (B26) LTE 700 MHz (B29) LTE 1500 MHz (B32) |
Mobile communication technologies and data transfer speeds
Communication between devices on mobile networks is carried out using technologies that provide different data transfer rates.
Operating system
An operating system is a system software that manages and coordinates the operation of hardware components in a device.
SoC (System on Chip)
A system on a chip (SoC) includes all the most important hardware components of a mobile device on one chip.
| SoC (System on Chip) A system on a chip (SoC) integrates various hardware components, such as a processor, graphics processor, memory, peripherals, interfaces, etc., as well as the software necessary for their operation. | Qualcomm Snapdragon 820 MSM8996 |
| Technological process Information about the technological process by which the chip is manufactured. Nanometers measure half the distance between elements in the processor. | 14 nm (nanometers) |
| Processor (CPU) The primary function of a mobile device's processor (CPU) is to interpret and execute instructions contained in software applications. | 2x 2.15 GHz Kryo, 2x 1.6 GHz Kryo |
| Processor size The size (in bits) of a processor is determined by the size (in bits) of the registers, address buses, and data buses. 64-bit processors have higher performance compared to 32-bit processors, which in turn are more powerful than 16-bit processors. | 64 bit |
| Instruction Set Architecture Instructions are commands with which the software sets/controls the operation of the processor. Information about the instruction set (ISA) that the processor can execute. | ARMv8-A |
| Level 1 cache (L1) Cache memory is used by the processor to reduce access time to more frequently used data and instructions. L1 (level 1) cache is small in size and works much faster than both system memory and other cache levels. If the processor does not find the requested data in L1, it continues to look for it in the L2 cache. On some processors, this search is performed simultaneously in L1 and L2. | 32 kB + 32 kB (kilobytes) |
| Level 2 cache (L2) L2 (level 2) cache is slower than L1 cache, but in return it has a higher capacity, allowing it to cache more data. It, like L1, is much faster than system memory (RAM). If the processor does not find the requested data in L2, it continues to look for it in the L3 cache (if available) or in RAM memory. | 1536 kB (kilobytes) 1.5 MB (megabytes) |
| Number of processor cores The processor core executes software instructions. There are processors with one, two or more cores. Having more cores increases performance by allowing multiple instructions to be executed in parallel. | 4 |
| CPU clock speed The clock speed of a processor describes its speed in terms of cycles per second. It is measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 2150 MHz (megahertz) |
| Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) The Graphics Processing Unit (GPU) handles calculations for various 2D/3D graphics applications. In mobile devices, it is most often used by games, consumer interfaces, video applications, etc. | Qualcomm Adreno 530 |
| GPU clock speed Running speed is the clock speed of the GPU, measured in megahertz (MHz) or gigahertz (GHz). | 624 MHz (megahertz) |
| Amount of random access memory (RAM) Random access memory (RAM) is used by the operating system and all installed applications. Data stored in RAM is lost after the device is turned off or restarted. | 3 GB (gigabytes) |
| Type of random access memory (RAM) Information about the type of random access memory (RAM) used by the device. | LPDDR4 |
| Number of RAM channels Information about the number of RAM channels that are integrated into the SoC. More channels mean higher data rates. | Dual channel |
| RAM frequency The frequency of RAM determines its operating speed, more specifically, the speed of reading/writing data. | 1866 MHz (megahertz) |
Built-in memory
Each mobile device has built-in (non-removable) memory with a fixed capacity.
Memory cards
Memory cards are used in mobile devices to increase the storage capacity for storing data.
Screen
The screen of a mobile device is characterized by its technology, resolution, pixel density, diagonal length, color depth, etc.
| Type/technology One of the main characteristics of the screen is the technology by which it is made and on which the quality of the information image directly depends. | IPS |
| Diagonal For mobile devices, screen size is expressed by the length of its diagonal, measured in inches. | 5.2 in (inches) 132.08 mm (millimeters) 13.21 cm (centimeters) |
| Width Approximate screen width | 2.55 in (inches) 64.75 mm (millimeters) 6.48 cm (centimeters) |
| Height Approximate screen height | 4.53 in (inches) 115.12 mm (millimeters) 11.51 cm (centimeters) |
| Aspect Ratio The ratio of the dimensions of the long side of the screen to its short side | 1.778:1 16:9 |
| Permission Screen resolution shows the number of pixels vertically and horizontally on the screen. Higher resolution means clearer image detail. | 1080 x 1920 pixels |
| Pixel Density Information about the number of pixels per centimeter or inch of the screen. Higher density allows information to be displayed on the screen with clearer detail. | 424 ppi (pixels per inch) 166 ppcm (pixels per centimeter) |
| Color depth Screen color depth reflects the total number of bits used for color components in one pixel. Information about the maximum number of colors that the screen can display. | 24 bit 16777216 flowers |
| Screen area Approximate percentage of screen area occupied by the screen on the front of the device. | 71.14% (percent) |
| Other characteristics Information about other screen features and characteristics. | Capacitive Multi-touch Scratch resistance |
| Corning Gorilla Glass 4 Triluminos display for mobile X-Reality display Dynamic contrast enhancement 1000:1 contrast ratio |
Sensors
Different sensors perform different quantitative measurements and convert physical indicators into signals that a mobile device can recognize.
Main camera
The main camera of a mobile device is usually located on the back of the body and is used for taking photos and videos.
| Sensor model | Sony IMX300 Exmor RS |
| Sensor type | |
| Sensor size | 6.17 x 4.55 mm (millimeters) 0.3 in (inches) |
| Pixel size | 1.118 µm (micrometers) 0.001118 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor | 5.64 |
| ISO (light sensitivity) | 100 - 12800 |
| Diaphragm | f/2 |
| Focal length | 4.27 mm (millimeters) 24.1 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Flash type The most common types of flashes in mobile device cameras are LED and xenon flashes. LED flashes produce softer light and, unlike brighter xenon flashes, are also used for video shooting. | LED |
| Image Resolution One of the main characteristics of mobile device cameras is their resolution, which shows the number of horizontal and vertical pixels in the image. | 5520 x 4140 pixels 22.85 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with the device. | 3840 x 2160 pixels 8.29 MP (megapixels) |
Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the device when shooting video at the maximum resolution. Some of the main standard video shooting and playback speeds are 24p, 25p, 30p, 60p. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Characteristics Information about other software and hardware features related to the main camera and improving its functionality. | Autofocus Continuous shooting Digital zoom Digital image stabilization Geographical tags Panoramic photography HDR shooting Touch Focus Face recognition White Balance Adjustment ISO Setting Exposure compensation Self-timer Scene Selection Mode |
| Hybrid autofocus Triple Image Sensing RGBC-IR sensor 6-element lens Wide angel G-lens |
Additional camera
Additional cameras are usually mounted above the device screen and are used mainly for video conversations, gesture recognition, etc.
| Sensor model Information about the manufacturer and model of the photo sensor used in the device's camera. | Sony Exmor RS |
| Sensor type Digital cameras use photo sensors to take photographs. The sensor, as well as optics, are one of the main factors in the quality of the camera in a mobile device. | CMOS (complementary metal-oxide semiconductor) |
| Sensor size Information about the dimensions of the photosensor used in the device. Typically, cameras with larger sensors and lower pixel densities offer higher image quality despite the lower resolution. | 4.69 x 3.52 mm (millimeters) 0.23 in (inches) |
| Pixel size The smaller pixel size of the photosensor allows more pixels per unit area, thereby increasing resolution. On the other hand, a smaller pixel size can have a negative impact on image quality at high ISO levels. | 1.127 µm (micrometers) 0.001127 mm (millimeters) |
| Crop factor The crop factor is the ratio between the dimensions of the full-frame sensor (36 x 24 mm, equivalent to a frame of standard 35 mm film) and the dimensions of the device's photosensor. The indicated number represents the ratio of the diagonals of the full-frame sensor (43.3 mm) and the photosensor of a particular device. | 7.38 |
| ISO (light sensitivity) ISO indicators determine the level of light sensitivity of the photosensor. A lower value means weaker light sensitivity and vice versa - higher values mean higher light sensitivity, i.e. better ability of the sensor to work in low light conditions. | 100 - 6400 |
| Diaphragm Aperture (f-number) is the size of the aperture opening that controls the amount of light reaching the photosensor. A lower f-number means the aperture opening is larger. | f/2 |
| Focal length Focal length is the distance in millimeters from the photosensor to the optical center of the lens. The equivalent focal length is also indicated, providing the same field of view with a full frame camera. | 2.98 mm (millimeters) 21.99 mm (millimeters) *(35 mm / full frame) |
| Image Resolution Information about the maximum resolution of the additional camera when shooting. In most cases, the resolution of the secondary camera is lower than that of the main camera. | 4160 x 3120 pixels 12.98 MP (megapixels) |
| Video resolution Information about the maximum supported resolution when shooting video with an additional camera. | 1920 x 1080 pixels 2.07 MP (megapixels) |
| Video - frame rate/frames per second. Information about the maximum number of frames per second (fps) supported by the secondary camera when shooting video at the maximum resolution. | 30fps (frames per second) |
| Angle of view - 90° |
Audio
Information about the type of speakers and audio technologies supported by the device.
Radio
The radio of the mobile device is a built-in FM receiver.
Location determination
Information about the navigation and location technologies supported by your device.
WiFi
Wi-Fi is a technology that provides wireless communication for transmitting data over close distances between various devices.
Bluetooth
Bluetooth is a standard for secure wireless data transfer between various devices of different types over short distances.
| Version There are several versions of Bluetooth, with each subsequent one improving communication speed, coverage, and making devices easier to discover and connect. Information about the Bluetooth version of the device. | 4.2 |
| Characteristics Bluetooth uses different profiles and protocols that provide faster data transfer, energy savings, improved device discovery, etc. Some of these profiles and protocols that the device supports are shown here. | A2DP (Advanced Audio Distribution Profile) AVRCP (Audio/Visual Remote Control Profile) DIP (Device ID Profile) GAVDP (Generic Audio/Video Distribution Profile) GAP (Generic Access Profile) HDP (Health Device Profile) HFP (Hands-Free Profile) HID (Human Interface Profile) HSP (Headset Profile) LE (Low Energy) MAP (Message Access Profile) OPP (Object Push Profile) PAN (Personal Area Networking Profile) PBAP/PAB (Phone Book Access Profile) SPP (Serial Port Protocol) |
USB
USB (Universal Serial Bus) is an industry standard that allows different electronic devices to exchange data.
Headphone jack
This is an audio connector, also called an audio jack. The most widely used standard in mobile devices is the 3.5mm headphone jack.
Connecting devices
Information about other important connection technologies supported by your device.
Browser
A web browser is a software application for accessing and viewing information on the Internet.
| Browser Information about some of the main characteristics and standards supported by the device's browser. | HTML HTML5 CSS 3 |
Mobile devices support different audio file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital audio data.
| Audio file formats/codecs A list of some of the main audio file formats and codecs supported by the device as standard. | AAC (Advanced Audio Coding) AAC+ / aacPlus / HE-AAC v1 AMR / AMR-NB / GSM-AMR (Adaptive Multi-Rate, .amr, .3ga) AMR-WB (Adaptive Multi-Rate Wideband, .awb) aptX/apt-X eAAC+ / aacPlus v2 / HE-AAC v2 FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec, .flac) M4A (MPEG-4 Audio, .m4a) MIDI MP3 (MPEG-2 Audio Layer II, .mp3) OGG (.ogg, .ogv, .oga, .ogx, .spx, .opus) WMA (Windows Media Audio, .wma) WAV (Waveform Audio File Format, .wav, .wave) LDAC DSEE HX DSD |
Video file formats/codecs
Mobile devices support different video file formats and codecs, which respectively store and encode/decode digital video data.
Battery
Mobile device batteries differ from each other in their capacity and technology. They provide the electrical charge necessary for their functioning.
| Capacity A battery's capacity indicates the maximum charge it can hold, measured in milliamp-hours. | 2900 mAh (milliamp-hours) |
| Type The type of battery is determined by its structure and, more precisely, the chemicals used. There are different types of batteries, with lithium-ion and lithium-ion polymer batteries being the most commonly used batteries in mobile devices. | Li-polymer |
| 2G talk time 2G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 2G network. | 11 hours 42 minutes 11.7 h (hours) 702 min (minutes) 0.5 days |
| 2G latency 2G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 2G network. | 600 h (hours) 36000 min (minutes) 25 days |
| 3G talk time 3G talk time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged during a continuous conversation on a 3G network. | 17 hours 30 minutes 17.5 h (hours) 1050 min (minutes) 0.7 days |
| 3G latency 3G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 3G network. | 610 h (hours) 36600 min (minutes) 25.4 days |
| 4G latency 4G standby time is the period of time during which the battery charge is completely discharged when the device is in stand-by mode and connected to a 4G network. | 590 h (hours) 35400 min (minutes) 24.6 days |
| Adapter output power Information about the electrical current (measured in amperes) and electrical voltage (measured in volts) that the charger supplies (power output). Higher power output ensures faster battery charging. | 5 V (volts) / 1.5 A (amps) |
| Fast charging technology Fast charging technologies differ from each other in terms of energy efficiency, supported output power, control of the charging process, temperature, etc. The device, battery and charger must be compatible with fast charging technology. | Qualcomm Quick Charge 3.0 |
| Characteristics Information about some additional characteristics of the device's battery. | Fast charging Fixed |
Specific Absorption Rate (SAR)
The SAR level refers to the amount of electromagnetic radiation absorbed by the human body while using a mobile device.
| Head SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device close to the ear in a conversation position. In Europe, the maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices is limited to 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by CENELEC in accordance with IEC standards, subject to the guidelines of ICNIRP 1998. | 0.85 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (EU) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The maximum permissible SAR value for mobile devices in Europe is 2 W/kg per 10 grams of human tissue. This standard has been established by the CENELEC Committee in compliance with the ICNIRP 1998 guidelines and IEC standards. | 1.2 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Head SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation that the human body is exposed to when holding a mobile device near the ear. The maximum value used in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. Mobile devices in the US are regulated by the CTIA, and the FCC conducts tests and sets their SAR values. | 0.35 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
| Body SAR level (US) The SAR level indicates the maximum amount of electromagnetic radiation to which the human body is exposed when holding a mobile device at hip level. The highest permissible SAR value in the USA is 1.6 W/kg per 1 gram of human tissue. This value is set by the FCC, and the CTIA monitors mobile devices' compliance with this standard. | 0.8 W/kg (Watt per kilogram) |
