Sony Xperia Z5 Compact review: The overachiever

7 October, 2015
When it comes to the Compact family, Sony has quite a reputation to live up to. The Z3 Compact is arguably one of the company's most-successful models.

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  • Ale
  • gL@
  • 08 Oct 2015

Anonymous, 08 Oct 2015I'm sorry but I think I just replied to L91T. And there you... moreAh right, I see now. Yeah I wouldn't agree the Z5C is a downgrade in anyway. The fingerprint scanner is top notch, I have no problem with the screen staying at 720p, and though some people have complained I do think it's a better looking device than the Z3C.

I just wish they would have used the Snapdragon 808 instead of the 810, the 808 is a reliable and capable SoC, and at 720p screen resolution the Adreno 418 GPU would have been easily more than enough.

If they'd have used the 808, I probably would have swapped to the Z5C when I returned my Z5, I am just not will to take the chance on another device based around the 810, as the old saying goes 'where there's smoke, there's fire' (excuse the pun) and the 810 has issues, it's that simple.

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    • AnonD-404798
    • d%{
    • 08 Oct 2015

    Ale, 08 Oct 2015Hahaha!!!!.... now your making me laugh......Dis more advan... moreMe and the dxomark http://www.dxomark.com/Mobiles/Sony-Xperia-Z5-Mobile-review-Best-mobile-photo-video-scores-to-date so you know better than them?

    and who makes those awesome camera sensors for apple,lg and Samsung ?
    The answer is : SONY ;-)
    who is lunatic now?

      • A
      • Andrew
      • 3Y}
      • 08 Oct 2015

      Andrew, 08 Oct 2015Simple fact is, there's nothing wrong with a device getting... moreOr well I guess if you burn yourself on it because it's too hot, that wouldn't be ideal either I guess. :p

        • A
        • Andrew
        • 3Y}
        • 08 Oct 2015

        Simple fact is, there's nothing wrong with a device getting warm. They all get warm, no surprises there. There is only a problem when apps start crashing because of it. THat seems very rare with the current releases so if that's happening to you/someone you love, you/they probably got a bung device and you/they should get it swapped, rather than conclude that --every-- specimen is similarly defective.

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          • AnonD-48578
          • thu
          • 08 Oct 2015

          The battery rating should be noted though, that z3 compact was tested with KitKat whereas Lollipop drain it a bit more. So all to be considered, z5 compact is still quite a performer, considering the screen is improved too.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • 7Xr
            • 08 Oct 2015

            Ale, 08 Oct 2015Sorry I'm not sure where your getting the 'Downgrade' refer... moreI'm sorry but I think I just replied to L91T. And there you get the word downgrade. I want to be fair and objective w/ my judgements, and if ever they find the need for improvement, why not? Then so be it.

              • A
              • Ale
              • gL@
              • 08 Oct 2015

              AnonD-404798, 08 Oct 2015http://i.imgur.com/hW1r7X3.png one of my Xperias doing just... moreI'll talk about whatever I like thanks, and that includes the Z5, pro's and CON's!!!!

                • A
                • Ale
                • gL@
                • 08 Oct 2015

                AnonD-404798, 08 Oct 2015 LOL reed the specs before you comment Z5 is using DIS (Dig... moreHahaha!!!!.... now your making me laugh......Dis more advanced than OIS?!?!?!?!

                Quick someone should tell all the other brands so that they can reverse their current production policies and start placing OIS on their budget handsets and keep the 'more advanced' DIS for their expensive flagships!!!!

                We should especially let Apple know, that way they can start putting the OIS camera in the cheaper 6S instead of the 6S Plus!!

                We can tell them some lunatic called DarkMaster said so :)

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • GT9
                  • 08 Oct 2015

                  About battery life, it is less than Z3 since, maybe, the screen is brighter, I guess.
                  This site sets the brightness at 50% if Im correct.
                  But, in the end, Z5 will still have the inferior life yet the gap is less.
                  Z5 should have around 90+ hours with less screen brightness.

                  I trust Notebookcheck more when it comes to battery life.
                  They always set the brightness at 150 in every test. They do bunch of useful tests as well.
                  Sadly, they dont do calling time for some reason.

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                    • AnonD-404798
                    • d%{
                    • 08 Oct 2015

                    Ale, 08 Oct 2015Look, I don't walk around with a thermometer in my pocket. ... morehttp://i.imgur.com/hW1r7X3.png one of my Xperias doing just fine and it feels little warm on the back but nothing abnormal for any device...and i don't care about the iPhone if you want to talk about it go on iPhone page,don't like them and don't wanna talk about them...

                      • A
                      • Ale
                      • gL@
                      • 08 Oct 2015

                      AnonD-404798, 08 Oct 2015The normal working temperature of any device is around 40C ... moreLook, I don't walk around with a thermometer in my pocket. so I don't know what temperature's it was hitting. Al I can say is that it was getting hot (not warm, hot) and it was doing it fast and for the slightest of reasons.

                      I have owned many different devices from many different brands over the recent years, so I can tell what is normal thermal behaviour and what is abnormal, and the Z5 definitely fell into the latter category, so take your attempts at sarcasm about 'not booting the device up to keep it cool' and well.....do something I can't suggest on a forum like this with them!

                      Hell, I'll bet if I were talking about thermal issues on an iPhone you'd be all for it wouldn't you!!!!

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                        • AnonD-404798
                        • d%{
                        • 08 Oct 2015

                        AnonD-222770, 08 Oct 2015What about optical image stabilization? LOL reed the specs before you comment Z5 is using DIS (Digital image stabilization) witch is much more advanced than Optical image stabilization ;)

                          • D
                          • AnonD-222770
                          • 0GR
                          • 08 Oct 2015

                          What about optical image stabilization?

                            • J
                            • Jumbo
                            • 3Y}
                            • 08 Oct 2015

                            Ale, 08 Oct 2015Well when you have just paid £549.99 for a device and... moreWhat risk? You've only got something to win, nothing to lose... well except your dissatisfaction. Even more worthwhile if you've paid so much for it. Seems to me like you --want- to have a reason to be unhappy with it... ;)

                              • D
                              • AnonD-404798
                              • d%{
                              • 08 Oct 2015

                              Ale, 08 Oct 2015Well when you have just paid £549.99 for a device and... moreThe normal working temperature of any device is around 40C at best in idle state around 35....
                              any device will heat up when using it ... no mater witch brand or device you got all will be around this same temperature lvl and only if their working condition is good...for some devices temperature will even rise to 50C... so if you want it to be completely cold and cool don't boot it up ;)

                                • A
                                • Ale
                                • gL@
                                • 08 Oct 2015

                                Jumbo, 08 Oct 2015So far all the "overheating" reports have referred to the s... moreWell when you have just paid £549.99 for a device and it starts to heat up when asked to perform the simplest of tasks lets see how you take it.

                                In any event, my response was not hysterical in any way. I simply contacted the retailer, was informed that I could return the device, factory reset and repackaged it. Took it to the shop and got a refund. It was all quite calm and civilised really.

                                I never experienced and issues relating to the touchscreen itself, the response times of the device were fine in that regard. My concerns were that it would heat up when doing any of the following:

                                1. texting
                                2. making a call.
                                3. checking email
                                4. browsing the web
                                5. using the camera (especially this).

                                I consider these 5 things to be core features and as such (and at this price) will tolerate no performance issues whatsoever. I did consider asking for a replacement, as I fully admit my unit may have been the exception rather than the rule. But in the end decided not to take the chance.

                                My experience with the Z5 is as such a negative one, sorry that seems to somehow personally upset some people (the concept of which I can't quite get my head around) but it doesn't change the facts.

                                  • J
                                  • Jumbo
                                  • 3Y}
                                  • 08 Oct 2015

                                  Ale, 08 Oct 2015Sorry I'm not sure where your getting the 'Downgrade' refer... moreSo far all the "overheating" reports have referred to the same Chinese test who had a problem with his touchscreen, and "vaguely conjectured" that the problem might be caused by heat. Then the hysteria took over and everyone jumped on this as "proof" that the 810 was causing issues.

                                  There may well be lingering effects of the 810 in some devices, but it's clear the problem has been well-mitigated in most cases. Sure there might be the odd device that hasn't been stamped together as perfectly as others. Ask for a replacement and see if your new device shows the same behaviour (e.g. in camera, as you mentioned). If it does then report your findings. In the meantime, don't be toooo quick to jump on the hysteria bandwagon.

                                    • C
                                    • Cheese
                                    • vV5
                                    • 08 Oct 2015

                                    The Reviewer, 08 Oct 2015God...first time have i seen such a good discussion in the ... morequote:
                                    8. True the volume button placement is weird (bad) but considering the size of the phone it is not an issue.

                                    The dedicate shutter position is better for zoom while using camera,
                                    easier for zooming.

                                      • A
                                      • Ale
                                      • gL@
                                      • 08 Oct 2015

                                      Anonymous, 08 Oct 2015Yes, the hardware has always been very powerful and no slou... moreSorry I'm not sure where your getting the 'Downgrade' reference from? it's not something I have suggested. on the contrary I believe the Z5C to be a nice upgrade form the Z3C (certainly more of a step up than the Z1C to Z3C).

                                      I still however hold to the notion that the post processing software used by Sony is flawed.

                                      Further, having recently purchased a Z5, I can personally attest to the fact that thermal issues (that plagued the Z3+) remain present at least to a noticeable degree on that device, the camera app shut down on me twice in 24 hours due to these issues.

                                      Whether said issues effect the Z3C I don't and cannot know, but there are two factors to consider, 1st both devices used the same hardware set up. And 2nd, there are reports popping up on various tech websites of users and reviewers experiences such issues.

                                      Now I have been accused of lying by what I can only describe as brand fanatics (fancy word for Fanboys) in voicing my experience of the Z5, mainly because what I have said doesn't sit well with their obsession with Sony as a brand.

                                      But I did buy the Z5 (paid a fair whack for it as well, £549.99 to be precise) and have the receipt to prove it, not that I will post that on here just to satisfy the delusional paranoid ravings of a few sorry individuals. I would not have done this if I held any bias against Sony.

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                                        • AnonD-265341
                                        • xsY
                                        • 08 Oct 2015

                                        The Reviewer, 08 Oct 2015God...first time have i seen such a good discussion in the ... moreI 100% agree, its a awesome phone.