Sony Xperia Z5 Premium screen test: A (really) close look

21 November, 2015
We just got our hands on a retail unit of the Xperia Z5 Premium, but before we started our review routine, we spent some time marveling its 4K screen. Marveling quickly turned into examining and before you know it, we set out on a mission to find out whether we would readily spot the difference to other 5.5-inch smartphones with lower resolution.

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  • ?
  • Anonymous
  • tVw
  • 22 Nov 2015

Anonymous, 22 Nov 20151080p is the standard for a smartphone and for human eyes 4K that means in terms of potential image clarity is more fine detail, greater texture and an almost photographic emulsion of smoothness.

    AnonD-207445, 22 Nov 2015yeah i don't think 4K will be useful for your daily usage, ... moreI wonder if the Z5 premium will be used as a stereo display with the PS?
    The enlarged pictures do clearly show the lack of pixellation on the Z5. The detail is easily explained, though; smartphone lenses are much too small to resolve that much detail. They can only resolve about 4Mpx. However, when HTC tried actually selling a phone with a 4Mpx camera, it was a failure because people had got used to more pixels. The 4k recording means that the detail is the same but it looks smoother because it is less pixelated. With a stereo display, each half of the screen is effectively 4Mpx, which is about where it should be for best results.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • q8P
      • 22 Nov 2015

      AnonD-70006, 22 Nov 2015Where's the VR test I thought this was a close up review? Exactly

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • t7V
        • 22 Nov 2015

        Well, it is a "premium" device. If it stays at FHD, it isn't different from the "basic" device. If it used QHD, it is still "basic" if compared with other brands. So Sony decided to use UHD. And just like any luxury item, not every detail or feature needs to be useful.

          • C
          • Crazychef83
          • g4E
          • 22 Nov 2015

          Im no expert but i will ask the basic questions about the test because as a z5 premium owner I have noticed that you have to make a few tweeks to the screen.

          1- how bright was the screen set to?
          2- was the image enhancements set to off,x-reality or super vivid.
          3- was the adaptive brightness on or off
          4- was the smart backlight control on or off.
          5- was the screen protector that comes with the phone on or not. Because the supplied screen protector is like a matte style finish.

          These are the things that i noticed that influence on how bright the screen can vary.

            • ?
            • Anonymous
            • t7V
            • 22 Nov 2015

            AnonD-375420, 22 Nov 2015people who appreciated quality of Sony Vaio did not matter.... moreVaio is still available in Japan. I think the declining sales of laptop in general caused Sony to sell Vaio.

              • D
              • AnonD-70006
              • Td8
              • 22 Nov 2015

              Where's the VR test I thought this was a close up review?

                • S
                • Slayer
                • jL{
                • 22 Nov 2015

                AnonD-56158, 22 Nov 2015When Sony came out with waterproof and dust proof phone, th... moreSeriously..? The Samsung GS6 retails at close to 800 pounds sterling, the top end iP6S plus is 789 sterling, the One M9 is still closer to 550 Sterling! Seriously you are bitching about this phone at 629 sterling, b the way got mine for 525 sterling! If you can't afford it simply say so and go moan elsewhere...God save us from trolls!!

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • vxA
                  • 22 Nov 2015

                  The 4k will be amazing for vr when Sony launch it next year

                    • D
                    • AnonD-423447
                    • KSE
                    • 22 Nov 2015

                    AnonD-423447, 22 Nov 2015Now I feel my z5 premium better than previous z series mode... moreAlthough got heating issue but not effect my phone operation and still smooth...

                      • D
                      • AnonD-375420
                      • LaI
                      • 22 Nov 2015

                      Anonymous, 22 Nov 2015Don't worry, Sony's smartphone division will not run out of... morepeople who appreciated quality of Sony Vaio did not matter..pc division still closed its doors

                        • D
                        • AnonD-423447
                        • KSE
                        • 22 Nov 2015

                        Sushant Sic, 22 Nov 2015Seems u havnt gone thru the entire post abt the screen... g... moreNow I feel my z5 premium better than previous z series model not as your bad experience used although got some disappointed is most content is 1080p...

                          • D
                          • D E
                          • thh
                          • 22 Nov 2015

                          This is a conspiracy theory. Apple and samsung fans are bashing and trolling on sony's forums. Even in reality apple and Samsung. Wants sony mobile to go bankrupt so that kaz hirai will sell sony's mobile division and the ones that are waiting for that chance are.those Two crappy company who wants sony's mobile technology.

                            • d
                            • dasman
                            • Yc3
                            • 22 Nov 2015

                            I'm expecting a Z7 Premium with the Snapdragon 820 next year.

                              • ?
                              • Anonymous
                              • ttY
                              • 22 Nov 2015

                              Anonymous, 22 Nov 2015Not sure why gsmarena is surprised that there is no visual ... morehahaha

                                • D
                                • AnonD-468769
                                • myI
                                • 22 Nov 2015

                                Why is it that most people can have such expert opinions on the phone but haven't even seen or used the Z5 Premium?

                                It's so good my iPhone 6 Plus Gold is on eBay. The screen is stunning even in 1080p mode and kicks in when needed. Even the reviewer hasn't given the phone enough time. It can actually play back it's own 4k video, can the iPhone 6S/6S Plus do that? It takes memory cards up to 200gb and it's waterproof. I use it in the bath with impunity. It also has a beautiful camera if you actually know how to use it!

                                And as other users have rightly pointed out, it is future-proof and VR ready...

                                  • A
                                  • A Man
                                  • q{6
                                  • 22 Nov 2015

                                  This phone's niche (and phone's with hi resolution screens that are 2k and beyond) lie with VR, because you will be using the VR unit up close where you will be seing the pixels more closely.

                                    • R
                                    • Romeo8800
                                    • 9AH
                                    • 22 Nov 2015

                                    Sceriously blind! The screen is clearly the besy on the market. So sharp, crisp and lifelike.

                                      • A
                                      • Anonymous
                                      • 4SS
                                      • 22 Nov 2015

                                      AnonD-423447, 22 Nov 2015Not forget next year nokia rebound Don't worry, Sony's smartphone division will not run out of business because people who appreciates quality phone buy Xperia. Sony's smartphone may not be popular but it won't run out of business.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-375420
                                        • LaI
                                        • 22 Nov 2015

                                        Tann Hauser, 22 Nov 2015So have some people been telling for years now... But all ... moreyes windows was low until this year, when they announce some big things, windows 10 is a more nice OS than windows 8, windows phones are ok and have continue to desktop OS, and surface pro 4 and book are nice add ons on products , until now no OEM laptops was considered premium build until now.
                                        we will see , its too early to say