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Sony Xperia Z

7.2 Verge Score 8.8 User Score Write Review
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Verge Review

Only a year after releasing the Xperia S, its first post-Ericsson phone, Sony has already reached the end of the alphabet with its flagship for 2013, the Xperia Z. The implication behind the name is that this handset is as ultimate as the letter Z itself, and Sony’s design and marketing teams have worked hard to amplify that idea. Cheap plastic has given way to tempered glass on the phone’s back and the power button is a precisely machined aluminum disc — so much time and attention has...

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Basic Specs

Thickness 0.31 inches
Weight 0.32 pounds
Form factor Slab
Screen size (diagonal) 5 inches
Operating system Android
Launch OS version 4.1

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Recent News

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Tech Specs

Hardware

Height 5.72 inches
Width 2.8 inches
Thickness 0.31 inches
Weight 0.32 pounds
Form factor Slab
Color Black, Purple, White

Display

Screen size (diagonal) 5 inches
Technology LCD
Resolution (Y) 1920 px
Resolution (X) 1080 px
PPI 443
Touchscreen type Capacitive

Connectivity

GSM Yes
GSM frequencies supported 1900, 1800, 900, 850
UMTS / HSPA Yes
UMTS frequencies supported 900, 2100, 850
LTE Yes
Wi-Fi Yes
GPS Yes
Bluetooth Yes
Bluetooth version Bluetooth 4.0
NFC support Yes
Tethering / mobile hotspot Yes
Media streaming DLNA

Processor

Manufacturer Qualcomm
Brand / family Snapdragon S4 Pro
Model APQ8064
Clock speed 1.5 GHz
Number of cores 4

GPU

Manufacturer Qualcomm
Model Adreno 320

Memory

RAM size 2 GB

Storage

Internal size 16 GB
External Yes
Max external size 32 GB
External type microSD

Front Camera

Resolution 2.2 megapixels
Video resolution 1080p

Rear Camera

Resolution 13.1 megapixels
Flash LED
Focus type Autofocus
Video resolution 1080p

Software

Operating system Android
Skin Sony
Launch OS version 4.1

Interface

Headphone jack 3.5mm
Other ports Micro USB, MHL

Sensors

Sensors Compass (Magnetometer), Accelerometer

Battery

Capacity 2230 mAh
Removable No
Wireless charging Yes

Recent News

No recent news about Sony Xperia Z.

Recent Discussions

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8.8

Average User Review

of 16 total reviews
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  • Design 9
  • Display 9
  • Camera(s) 9
  • Reception / call quality 9
  • Performance 9
  • Software 8
  • Battery life 9
  • Ecosystem 9

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  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by tonker (Currently owns)

    April 10, 2014 02:21 pm

    The build is nice and the glass on both sides makes it feel high-end. Unfortunately I wasn't wise enough to mount any of the included screen protectors and the front screen gets scratched pretty easily.

    It's nice, that it's waterproof, even though I could do without the flappy cover on the headphone jack.

    The cover on the USB plug doesn't bother me too much since I mostly charge it via the contacts on the side using the included stand/charger.

    The camera is very good. Do not use the default mode, but try to figure out what looks good. I have gotten great results using low ISO coupled with HDR mode.

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 8
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 7
    • Software 7
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 7
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 6.0
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    Reviewed by vada80 (Currently owns)

    December 22, 2013 10:15 am

    i managed to capture one of the problems i'm facing with my ''new'' xperia z on cam .. please check it and let me know if you have any suggestions

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2tGI7ad2NxQ

    in less than 1 month since i got my xperia Z i'm facing those problems:

    1- the screen freezes and then the phone restarts on its own.

    2- i have to swipe the screen more than once to unlock it.

    3- as i use the phone or even when it's idle i hear a long vibration and i wait for it to ring or a message to show up but that's it .. it just vibrates for no reason.
    4- as i type to chat i press the letters.. i see word suggestions .. but what i'm typing doesn't really show up in the chat box .. i try pressing send and nothing comes up.

    i tried:
    1- updating the phone.
    2- doing factory reset.
    3- software repair.

    AND NOTHING HELPED

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 7
    • Display 7
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 7
    • Performance 1
    • Software 1
    • Battery life 7
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by brendon.brown.900 (Currently owns)

    December 8, 2013 09:22 am

    The Sony Xperia Z is a beautifully designed smartphone. Its rugged yet extremely elegant and classy. The Screen has very very good DETAIL but poor viewing angles and colour , but definetly no THAT bad but it does lack the needed vibrancy, The Software is a neat fresh fast and stylish user interface thats put ontop of Android 4.1 upgradeble to 4.2.2 and an 4.3 and 4.4 Kit Kat upgrade is on the way. This phone is a performer and it powers through every app that i use on my Xperia device and it is smoother than Barney Stintstons pick up lines. Although , widgets do take a while to load. The Earphones that you get with this device are purely superb and are some of the best that i've used to date. The battery life gives you enough to get you through the day but a bit more would be bennefitial. The Cameras sensor is realy good as expected on a Sony camera , but, the camera software is dissapointing and basically ruins the picture ,but, still produces photos that are nice.

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 6
    • Camera(s) 7
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 8
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 6
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by svreview (Currently owns)

    June 1, 2013 07:54 am

    Its easy to fall in love with the device. Sexy device, extraordinary effort by Sony. Device screams quality. Just true beauty. Definitely deserves better rating by Verge.
    Stamina mode is just great. Walkman app is just awesome.
    You can really see the hardwork of Sony engineers in the device.
    Camera and Display reproduces true color no enhanced vivid BS. Just gorgeous.
    Android's limitation is what is holding back this device.
    Xperia Z comes with evernote premium, box 50GB, mcafee premium etc.. Great package..
    and yes its truely waterproof..
    Only dislike for me is where the speakers are placed. Works if you are left handed but if you are right handed it is a problem.
    I'm really glad I bought this device. Welcome back Sony.
    Samsung has some reason to be concerned.. :)

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 9
    • Performance 10
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 8
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by fashionistanix (Currently owns)

    May 23, 2013 12:51 pm

    Ive been a Sony user since 1999 and this phone has been the best so far. I previously owned the Xperia S prior to the Z definitely larger but its so much faster and user friendly. I just dont like that it doesnt have a camera button!!! My only complain almost every Sony phones has had one and they shouldve added that as well having 13mp and no camera button?? Even the Satio or the oldest walkman phones had one its just very inconvenient. But overall im am beyond satisfied and woudnt even care about the other competitors.

    The Breakdown

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    • Design 10
    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 9
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 8.0
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    Reviewed by RyanOver (Previously owned)

    April 18, 2013 01:22 am

    Everything is great about this phone.. viewing angle ?? HTC came up with that with their super screen 178° viewing angle. but it doesnt bother me or anyone else. cause you use your phone at 70°-90°... the only downside it that sony put a last-year CPU in it... but it is impresive that it scrore a 20,000 in Antutu but everyday life.. a HTC One X feels faster.. not the CPU fault cause if you put Nova Launcher you got a blazing fast phone.

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 8
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 8
    • Performance 8
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 7
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by kitsVA (Currently owns)

    April 8, 2013 07:02 pm

    While I care least about the camera in a phone as I tend to use only to upload food pictures or teaser pictures to fourSquare, Facebook, etc, it amazes me to see Sony lag behind even HTC who don't have a camera section like Sony has with Alpha and NEX series cameras.

    The design would have been perfect if volume rockers are moved up and power button away from center to allow the use of universal car docks.

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 10
    • Camera(s) 8
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 9.0
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    Reviewed by Looie Candles (Currently owns)

    March 24, 2013 01:24 pm

    The Camera is very good, audio via the earpiece is excellent, loudspeaker could be better but the vibration is massive, screen is superb - but be aware that the viewing angles are not the best, Software modifications by Sony are great and performance is fantastic. This piece of black slab looks absolutely gorgeous just laying there, both with the screen on and off.

    The Breakdown

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    • Display 8
    • Camera(s) 9
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 9
    • Software 8
    • Battery life 8
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by mischadebo (Currently owns)

    March 22, 2013 11:55 pm

    This phone is damn sexy! I have been using it for a week now and it is truly a beauty. The skin is simple and clean and really clever. The waterproofing is a terrific extra and the battery life is great with the extra stamina mode and battery saving settings. I really can't fault this device bar a small issue with viewing angles but to be honest it has not yet been an issue for me as the screen is large crisp and the colour reproduction is so good. Sony have definitely turned a corner with the Xperia Z and I cant wait to get my hands on the Z Tablet soon. This is my second android device, the first being the Galaxy Note 2 and prior to that I used iPhones but this device walks all over all my previous phones by a long shot!
    Well done Sony is all i can say to wrap up!

    The Breakdown

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    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 10
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
  • 10.0
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    Reviewed by rahulcena5565 (Currently owns)

    March 22, 2013 03:45 am

    A stunner of a phone with one of the most beautiful and life like displays out there, the viewing angles sure has some issue but what the heck, the phone is waterproof!
    I have a bath with that thing!
    The speaker is tiny too but not atrocious by any means. The bundles headsets are of the best i have ever heard which includes the earpods and the Beats bundled with the HTC!

    The Breakdown

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    • Camera(s) 10
    • Reception / call quality 10
    • Performance 10
    • Software 10
    • Battery life 9
    • Ecosystem 10
    Show the rest of this review and the breakdown
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