Sony Xperia Z5 review: Finely tuned

19 October, 2015
With the Xperia Z5 family, Sony has definitely piqued the interest of the public, delivering not one, but three flagship devices. The Z5 Premium is the world first 4K screen phone, while the Xperia Z5 compact is a powerhouse device with a small footprint...

Sort by:

  • w
  • weewee
  • PxV
  • 23 Oct 2015

AnonD-434597, 23 Oct 2015The most important thing is the software. Sony actually ca... more"probably",
all historically great things used by sony ericsson in the past are all developed by ericsson engineers.
after they both separated, sony cant use ericsson enginers anymore to develop the product. they also lose access to many many proprietary ericson's technology.
thats why sony become worse since that separation.

    • D
    • AnonD-434597
    • tDD
    • 23 Oct 2015

    DenisXD, 23 Oct 2015well imagine z5 had 9mm width, and triple heat pipes for mo... moreThe most important thing is the software. Sony actually can provide all that powerful hardware. They only had the problem with software.

    -Like smart cover, it was very difficult for them. To make the cover itself is easy, they only need the design, and ask other company to produce it. But the software is their job. Needs one an half year to copy it. And its only exclusive for Z3 and above. While low end sammy also get that stuff.

    -Screen. We know that they can deliver 4K. But the software? Wonder why they jumped to 4K? why it run at 1080p? You know Their plan was make Z5 series only in 2 varian, Z5 with QHD screen. But as they cant make the proper UI tweaks with their already announced qhd phone Z4V, they cancelled QHD Z5 and Z4V. QHD screen run at FHD is embarrassing. But 4K is not.

    -Camera. We know that Sony have best sensor but the software always sucks.

    IR blaster, Dual LED flash, Ois etc, or cybershot camera.They can easily get it. Their engineers is just not capable to create the software.

      Dual heatpipes, 23 Oct 2015better than what? Better than other brands, you must try it... morespeaking of headphones music, htc m9 sounds the best through headphones. Just as good as Sony ericsson W995 and at the same loudness. Sony Z series used to have average volume levels since always, they can't compete with W995 in terms of quality and loudness, not even close. W995 is 25% louder than m9 through speakers and produce a better balanced sound, and it is a Sony device!
      That's what we are saying.. Sony doesn't play rough!

        Dual heatpipes, 23 Oct 2015you trolling too much, but useless, I won't trust you.quit your squirting I'm NOT a troll. Accept the freakin facts!
        How old are you 12?

        We all keep repeating the same thing, Sony needs to step in the game aggressively and not follow the others. I'm trolling because I say that Z5 could be better?
        It's only a phone, and not the best all around. The "historic" phones were Sony too you know, and back then Sony used to play strong cards on the table!
        Get a grip and grow up, Sony needs to listen to their all time fans because the others play rough. If they listen to the likes of you I don't expect many new Sony devices.

        Just stop, you make yourself look like you don't want Sony to be better.

          abc, 23 Oct 2015better than what? the old w series still has better audio ... morebetter than what? Better than other brands, you must try it out, the music details is the TOP, it is the best! and the True bass, headphone profile, EQ setting all ensure the listen quality.

            DenisXD, 23 Oct 2015well imagine z5 had 9mm width, and triple heat pipes for mo... moreyou trolling too much, but useless, I won't trust you.

              Dual heatpipes, 23 Oct 2015z5 already solve the formerly overheat problem, why should ... morewell imagine z5 had 9mm width, and triple heat pipes for more than an hour of 4k recording, 3300+ mah battery, woofered stereo speakers and an ois camera sensor with steady shot, without the camera bump! And then sony saying we have the best and loudest speakers, the best camera at all conditions, a 3day battery and on top of it a really durable construction. That's like a dream phone to me.

              Why they don't go best?! Why they don't try much?!

                • D
                • AnonD-391800
                • m@I
                • 23 Oct 2015

                Anonymous, 23 Oct 2015Duh!? Obviously a higher quality set of headphones sounds b... moreEmmm, nope...
                Testing devices sound output on manufacturers presets does not equate to sound quality of the device. No matter which headphones you put on. This arena testing is far from perfect, and numbers given do not relate to actual capabilities of the device.
                Z5 has HiFi sound quality, which for ex. Samsung only now announced for its next S7 flagship...
                Volume levels also do not equate to sound quality, neither do higher or lower levels of this or that on that test chart.
                It is you and me that equate the sound quality, not the numbers, some people like it loud, some like it with a pinch of backnoise some do not, some like it with higher low frequency levels, some with higher high frequency levels.
                Z5 has extremely good sound system, preset to these numbers you see on the board, either through speakers or headphones, but the sound is hifi, no doubt about that.
                So you adjust it to your liking
                Personally, I like the sound coming out of Z5 stereo speakers more than any louder htc or nexus stereo speakers, less backnoise and cleaner, more softer sound in Z5, at least to my ears.
                Devices with mono speakers are no match to sound quality there, simply because they are mono.

                  • a
                  • abc
                  • 9xx
                  • 23 Oct 2015

                  Dual heatpipes, 23 Oct 2015z5 already solve the formerly overheat problem, why should ... morebetter than what?
                  the old w series still has better audio and speakers quality.

                  sony = regressed. that's the fact.

                    Anonymous, 23 Oct 2015Lololololololololololol Everyone that does not praise Sony ... morez5 already solve the formerly overheat problem, why should they trolling again? The camera and audio is become better and even better, why should they trolling again?
                    the Dxomark test is clear z5 won, why they still trolling and don't believe the truth?
                    that's why the blind devotion fans never learn.

                      DenisXD, 22 Oct 2015why whenever someone says his honest opinion he is automati... moreTROLLS CAN BE LIE. let's say the sams and fruit fans are a lot, when they are trolling or defame Sony, it must a lot of negative comments, because the fans is very much,as you can see this link:
                      https://zh.m.wikipedia.org/zh-hant/三星寫手門事件

                        • ?
                        • Anonymous
                        • Iud
                        • 23 Oct 2015

                        DenisXD, 22 Oct 2015that's what I don't get.. Sony had strong hardware back the... moreAt that rate they could have all been batter.
                        The Z5 is not that behind. Just s could areas and its mostly software with the camera.

                        In that sense the M9 and G4 could have been way better. Even the Note 5 and S6 could have been better.

                          • ?
                          • Anonymous
                          • Iud
                          • 23 Oct 2015

                          weewee, 22 Oct 2015So you are a Sons who defend your regressed phone? Your ph... moreIt's advanced many ways. If only Sony would fix their camera software

                            • ?
                            • Anonymous
                            • Iud
                            • 23 Oct 2015

                            DenisXD, 22 Oct 2015o hey hey hey.. hang on a minute, Sony lately can't match i... moreThey were never the best. Just among.
                            The top spot still usually went to Nokia or Samsung there

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • Iud
                              • 23 Oct 2015

                              AnonD-391800, 22 Oct 2015It really depends on the headphones you use, arena uses som... moreDuh!? Obviously a higher quality set of headphones sounds better.
                              And those same higher quality set of headphones generally sound that much better on the other devices that have more powerful and cleaner output.
                              Duh?

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Iud
                                • 23 Oct 2015

                                Dual heatpipes, 22 Oct 2015You are remain the historic phones, but you never know Sony... moreLololololololololololol Everyone that does not praise Sony is a trll trying to "defame" then according to you just because you are hurt by a few simple facts

                                  • a
                                  • abc
                                  • 9xx
                                  • 23 Oct 2015

                                  Dual heatpipes, 22 Oct 2015About the speakers, where will you use it? If you want to m... moreour phones is always developed and become better.
                                  But like someone already said here before, your sony is not "Developed" anymore. Your sony is "Regressed" and become worsen.

                                    xyz, 22 Oct 20153 speakers are better than useless $TUP!D overpriced gimmic... moreoh and sammy and apple actually use worse sensors than the one on the Z5, and still produce better images?!
                                    That's because sony always sucked at their camera softwares on their xperias, when the other had top notch softwares able to FULLY take the camera capabilities. I hope that the promised camera software update by Sony on Z5 will be just as good, otherwise I'll go to Sony offices and start slapping them one by one, they need to wake up!

                                      weewee, 22 Oct 2015So you are a Sons who defend your regressed phone? Your ph... morethat's what I don't get.. Sony had strong hardware back then.
                                      Now they follow stupid trends like slim phones and sleek designs? wtf happened to them?
                                      Sadly after the separation with ericsson they keep failing. I'm a Sony fan but facts are facts.. Z5 is good but could be much better..

                                        • w
                                        • weewee
                                        • PxV
                                        • 22 Oct 2015

                                        Dual heatpipes, 22 Oct 2015You are remain the historic phones, but you never know Sony... moreSo you are a Sons who defend your regressed phone?
                                        Your phone has regressed since separated from ericsson. Accept it.
                                        Sony cant innovate anymore, they can only make regression to their devices.