Sony Xperia X Performance hands-on: Second encounter

31 May, 2016
If you were upset that the Xperia X "only has a Snapdragon 650" and "the Xperia X isn't water resistant anymore", as many of our readers have, fear no more. The Sony Xperia X Performance is here to cover all of these bases in the same compact footprint.

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  • D
  • AnonD-322352
  • KZJ
  • 06 Jun 2016

Tann Hauser, 06 Jun 2016I can tell you sth that is most certainly not futureproof: ... moreActually, I prefer LCD as well. AMOLEDs are prone to burn-in.

Ever heard of the saying "you can't never have too much RAM"? Well, it's actually true in this case. Android doesn't waste ANY of those RAM. It uses the RAM to make the phone smoother. Now tell me, how many phones you saw having up to 1 GB+ free memory? Probably 0. That's because Android fully utilises most of the RAM. While I agree those huge numbers OEMs are showing off to the masses are most likely a marketing gimmick, those extra RAM can certainly come in handy when you need them.

Beauty is subjective. Personally I find this phone to be rather bland-looking. Also, I don't think that this phone is that distinguishable. Most people will probably just brush it off as an iPhone. Keep in mind that this is not necessarily a bad thing. Nexus 6P, for example, with its 'visor' is such a head-turner. Regarding the camera, Sony could've just put the camera in the top center if it makes the bezels smaller. Unequal bezels are annoying, true. But I tend to tolerate phones with smaller bottom bezel instead of the upper one being bigger. Seriously, Xiaomi phones are the worst offender of this.

I didn't say XeeTech is a Sony fan, lol. It is just that his tests are horrible. No timer, really? Apparently being a professional isn't in his dictionary. By the way, have you actually seen any PhoneBuff's speed test videos? They are MILES better than XeeTech's ones.

    AnonD-322352, 06 Jun 2016"3gb is all you need. sony is well optmized." Ever heard o... moreI can tell you sth that is most certainly not futureproof:
    Amoled screens for ex, with only 4000hr lifespan... ;-)

    3gb ddr4 ram is quite futureproof, seeing no app or game uses any more than 1- 1.5 gb of ram to run, and 3gb ram modules have been, what, over 2 years now on the market...
    6gb ram is only a gimmick added so to "impress" potential buyers....2-3 gb too much, and never to be actually used.
    Well maybe in 4-5 years time those extra gb of ram actually will be used, but will those phones be used? I dont think so.
    Alas, a marketing stunt only.

    Designwise you are just wrong. It is a beautiful and uniquely designed device with balanced bezels and that fp button on the side + extra shutter button.
    Design is very much recognizable, which can not be said for other manufacturers, other than g5 and s7 edge all phones look about the same.
    No Motorola didnt call back with its dual speakers as it does not have extra 23 and 13 mpx modules in that upper bezel, and I just hate unequal bezel design on a phone.

    Xeetech is no sony fan, and his tests are quite the same as phonebuffs, opening apps, and reopening them afterwards to examine ram managment.
    He was indeed perplexed how good a sd650 device stood against flagships, and rightfully so.

    Actually, price is the only argumentation you are right to debate about here.

      • D
      • AnonD-322352
      • KZJ
      • 06 Jun 2016

      AnonD-521587, 06 Jun 2016/You don't have to just complain about 4k though There is ... more"3gb is all you need. sony is well optmized."
      Ever heard of future-proofing? Many people also said that we didn't need to have more than 2 GB of RAM. Now look around you. This is 2016. Many (flagship) smartphones already came with 4 GB. Hell, there are even phones with 6 GB. These phones were created with future proofing in mind, which is something that Sony didn't understand the meaning of.

      "THere are videos that show the xperia x with a snapdrago 650 outperform htc10 and lgg5 with 820."
      You mean the guy that uploaded those terrible speed tests videos? I only had to watch a few of his videos to conclude that his method is very questionable. He stumbles upon the names of the devices, getting the specs wrong, using the background app drawer to navigate through the apps he opened instead of tapping the icon on the screen, and obviously looks really unprepared. Oh, and also instead of continuing the test, he instead gasps over how the Xperia outperform the rival devices. In short, his videos are really unprofessional. With PhoneBuff uploading their speed tests videos, you could at least expect other Youtubers to use the former's method seeing it can be easily copied. I could appreciate that Sony had optimised its flagships if it wasn't for this particular Youtuber's videos.

      " In theory the xperia perfromance should demolish all the new flagships. Probably why they are late they wanna make this phone perfect."
      Are you trying to make me laugh? This phone is nowhere near perfect.

      "bezels are there for front facing speakers."
      Moto X Style and Nexus 6 says hello.

      "Please don't complain about materials. Sony always had good design materials while samsung had shitty cheap plastic with golf-ball design."
      Of course, please compare this phone with the ugliest one released 2 years ago to justify the look and feel of the former.

      "Everyone is talking shit about sony prices. When the everything prior to s7 was cheap/or lacking, and priced the same. S5 laggiest phone and cheap ugly plastic. When the s5 competitor was the z3 with great design/build and speedy software."
      ^ See above. :)

      "the price is justified in that it's a flagship including qnovo battery which no other phone has"
      Well, if Sony released a SD210, 540p phone with qnovo battery tech that costs as much as a midranger, is it still considered a midranger when it's really an entry level smartphone? You're being absolutely ridiculous.

      "Explain to me why people always bought samsung phones with their shitty design and laggy software? You wanna talk shit about sony yet samsung record of cheap products is more alarming to me."
      Because they're popular. And I'm not even a Samsung fan (in fact, I actually loath their smartphones), I'm just telling the truth here. An average consumer will usually decide between the newest "Galaxy" or the latest "iPhone". The tech enthusiasts only count for a few percent amongst the customers. Your self-centered thinking is even more alarming to be honest.

      "While the s5 just got a lolilpop update."
      Stop talking out of your bottom. My friend's S4 got the Lollipop update last year. With S5 being the newer model, it should get 5.X faster than its predecessor.

      "So when you bitch and complain about it I dont see anyone do the same for apple with 2gb of ram? mediocre camera, and no microsd card in 2016."
      iPhone 6s equipped with 2 GB of RAM cannot be compared with any Android phone with the same amount of RAM. iOS is in a whole different league entirely when it comes to responsiveness and speed. Both Android and iOS are closing the gap though. About the mediocre camera, they actually got their fair share of flaks as well. No microSD in iPhones isn't really all that unusual.

        • D
        • AnonD-537624
        • KIV
        • 06 Jun 2016

        AnonD-442781, 06 Jun 2016Nah, according to xteechcare, the guy who's videos everybod... moreS7 edge's software makes it's battery weaker

          AnonD-442781, 06 Jun 2016Nah, according to xteechcare, the guy who's videos everybod... moreSo, how much is that s7 edge similar performance exactly?
          How much maH does it take for max SOT it provides?
          Im really interested to know that difference
          Please provide some info.

            with an optional STM10 omni directional ( stereo) semi pro microphone, you can make really nice and crystal cleaning video recordings, another unique sony feature

              • D
              • AnonD-442781
              • pJm
              • 06 Jun 2016

              Slayer, 06 Jun 2016Not sure I agree with you on the battery efficiency point g... moreNah, according to xteechcare, the guy who's videos everybody keeps citing for speed tests, the xperia x uses 1000mah in 6 hours for the display only. And the s7 edge has similar performance, despite the fact that its bigger. Which means that overall the s7 edge is more efficient. That says nothing about the difference in battery size or resolution.

              Sony used to be great two years ago. They did tolerably badly last year, but this year has just been disappointing.

                Avan Dr, 06 Jun 2016There is no reason to disable 4K. Its only bcz their poo... moreAha, and then again theres the gfx bench leak of that actuall Xperia 2016 flagship coming, with 4k on main AND selfie camera too.
                Xperia X Performance therefore is ment for users like me, which actually do not care about 4k video rec.

                Be well. ;-)

                  • D
                  • AnonD-442781
                  • pJm
                  • 06 Jun 2016

                  AnonD-521587, 06 Jun 2016/You don't have to just complain about 4k though There is ... moreI'm not a Samsung fan. It only seems that way when speaking to Samsung haters like you. This year Samsung took the cake, you can't deny that. That's why you keep talking about phones from last year and what Sony did last year. Objectuvely speaking they did everything right this year.

                  The Sony display is still too saturated in the most basic mode you can use on the phone.

                  Current touchwiz is great, and is much leaner than Sony's ui. Sony's gives 20gb free and touchwiz gives 24gb. Its not the software that makes it look good on speed tests, its the a72 cores, the galaxy a9 performs similarly. But there's more to a chipset than how fast it can open apps, there's thermal throttling and GPU performance for example. Oh wait, the camera can't be used much can it? Let's hope the x performance does better.

                  The qnovo implementation can be both software and hardware, in the xperia x its a software prototype. We still don't know if it works and it doesn't make up for the multitude of flaws with the device, you still haven't effectively argued against a single point that I raised, you let your fanboyism and Samsung hate show too much and forgot to use facts.

                  I don't hate Sony and don't have the same pointless hate as you, for example I recognize that the z5 was one of the best devices last year, it effectively dealt with the throttling and if the phone wasn't released so late, it would have been a good deal.

                    AnonD-322352, 05 Jun 2016While I agree that most people don't need/use 4K video reco... moreThere is no reason to disable 4K.

                    Its only bcz their poor software skills. They use new decoder, it eats less ram which is good, especially bcz its only has 3gb RAM. But it needs more computing power, bad news for SoC and its small battery. So its better to disable 4K.

                    That's also the answer why X only can record 60fps for 3minutes. Yes 3 minutes, who will continue recording with warning messages pops up and video degrades badly.

                    They have no idea about 'optimisation'. Ya, their software skill is very poor.

                      I don't know why those trolls can always trolling Sony? 4k or not then screen... whatsoever. The screen of the Xperia X Performance must be great, if you like toys color choose your Samsung Amoled phone, that's all. You got your favourite. Don't trolling and bashing Sony here, we are tired to reading you/competitors posting here, and your posting already cover our comments.

                        Anonymous, 06 Jun 2016you do know that some of these sources are biased, right?One has to simply tweak screen settings to his liking...either more punchy colors, or more real colors....
                        Same goes, for ex, to sound tweaking, camera performance, etc....

                        All reviewers test only sonys presets that come out of the box, that are soo much tweakable to users liking.

                        Something they cannot seem to bend their mind around, and conclude only from someones other circumstantial point of view.

                          AnonD-521587, 05 Jun 20162k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance... moreAgreed.
                          Agreed.
                          Agreed.
                          Agreed
                          Agreed.
                          And...
                          Agreed.
                          B-)

                          Sony just does good stuff.
                          Asks a bit too much for it, but hey, other top manufacturers ask equal or even more (samsung, htc, apple)

                            • A
                            • Anonymous
                            • qnG
                            • 06 Jun 2016

                            AnonD-442781, 05 Jun 2016Anandtech tested the display and showed the colours are inn... moreyou do know that some of these sources are biased, right?

                              • D
                              • AnonD-521587
                              • I0Z
                              • 06 Jun 2016

                              /You don't have to just complain about 4k though
                              There is also the 3gb ram and poor Toshiba storage io performance
                              The plastic frame, and the large bezels
                              The lower resolution display
                              The poorly calibrated display with inaccurate colours
                              The price, and being over 4 months late to market
                              The 1080p camera shutting off features in just 3 minutes and shutting the camera down after another 6 minutes
                              The lack of fingerprint sensor in some markets

                              There's an awful lot of things wrong with it, and getting a few things right like the front facing camera or front facing speakers just don't make up for the long list of flaws. I don't understand how Sony fans can sit there and defend it when there are clearly better phones out there, ones that are actually out. It is by far the most disappointing phone this year. quote/

                              3gb is all you need. sony is well optmized. THere are videos that show the xperia x with a snapdrago 650 outperform htc10 and lgg5 with 820. In theory the xperia perfromance should demolish all the new flagships. Probably why they are late they wanna make this phone perfect.

                              bezels are there for front facing speakers. Please don't complain about materials. Sony always had good design materials while samsung had shitty cheap plastic with golf-ball design. Yet peopel are paying top dollars for their laggy software/plastic incased overpriced. Even the s6 sucks. The s7 is the only decent phone samsung has made.

                              it's pretty obvious you're a troll I'm not gonna bother entertaining your idiotic opinions any further.

                              Everyone is talking shit about sony prices. When the everything prior to s7 was cheap/or lacking, and priced the same. S5 laggiest phone and cheap ugly plastic. When the s5 competitor was the z3 with great design/build and speedy software.


                              you can change the calibration for the screen. The screen is nice and bright.

                              the price is justified in that it's a flagship including qnovo battery which no other phone has. I love how you conveniently dismiss facts that better suit your idiot opinion.

                              Explain to me why people always bought samsung phones with their shitty design and laggy software? You wanna talk shit about sony yet samsung record of cheap products is more alarming to me.

                              it might be late, but I can bet money it will demolish all other major flagships in performance due to better optimization. Bro I own the z3c and I have marshmallow already for few a months now. While the s5 just got a lolilpop update.

                              I'm not even a sony fan. I just see things objectively. Sony phones are underrated, and the people complaining about prices aren't doing the same with mainstream brands.

                              If you wanna ask me? I wouldn't PAY FOR ANY phone 700 dollars. Even though sony products are ahead of the curve in technology, I simply wouldn't pay for any of them. But EVEY other company does the same thing. So when you bitch and complain about it I dont see anyone do the same for apple with 2gb of ram? mediocre camera, and no microsd card in 2016.

                              The last time I payed for a 700 phone was liek 7 years ago. But people bitching about this when they are the same people who've been purchasing overpriced phones since 4ever are annoying as hell.


                              "I agree. But ask yourself, since the z3 its battery endurance reduces bit by bit up to the z5. They were all equipped with the Qnovo technology. Why is that? That is what you failed to realize in retur. I previously owned one so I do know what I'm talking about."

                              what is this mean? I'm sorry rephrase all of this. Sony always had good battery performance. I own the z3c and its battery is stellar. The qnovo is game changing and big companies seem to agree with .

                              it's the type of technology that will eventually make it to all smartphones.

                                • D
                                • AnonD-541274
                                • th1
                                • 06 Jun 2016

                                AnonD-521587, 05 Jun 20162k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance... more"2k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance. You also can't tell the difference. I don't understand why you think this is a negative. you're obviously a dumb troll."
                                >Partly correct. On a 5.5" and lower, FHD is good. But it's also in the software management(aside fron pixel count and panel type used in display) where display power draw is affected. Just like Zenfone 2, it's FHD 5.5" LCD performs inefficient against similar displays. Which explains why Sony can't put up a fight with qHD on a ~5" against competition. LCDs are inefficient on a qHD resolution be it a 5.1" or 5.5".

                                "the fingerprint is a result of the ridiculous patent law suits here in the USA. You can just get the international version."
                                >Sony kept mum on the legal basis of their own fingerprint, failed to coordinate and eventually acted stingy. It's a business decision from them and that's that. And yes, just get it outside.

                                "Camera is the best despite what other people are going to say about this phone."
                                >This is subjective and technical at the same time.

                                "there are videos taht show the xperia x beat htc10 and lgg5 in day to day speed, and comes very clse to the s7 even though it's a mid ranger. The XP should destroy all these phones."
                                >Performance wise, they've all got the same innards. Other factors like display, storage type (memory performance) and overlays(UI) play their part and go unnoticed by the naked eye in what is really happening inside the speed department. Watching a couple of videos won't cement their status. That's a very bold claim.

                                "ALso , does everyone here fail to realize that qnovo battery tech is the best new thing in mobiel technology? Good enough that big companies like intel are backing it up. Yeah, this is a great distinct advantage the x line has that other phones don't have."
                                >I agree. But ask yourself, since the z3 its battery endurance reduces bit by bit up to the z5. They were all equipped with the Qnovo technology. Why is that? That is what you failed to realize in retur. I previously owned one so I do know what I'm talking about.

                                "Not to mention the optimized software is going to make this phone last you longer than the shitty laggy touchwiz."
                                >I agree to some extent. Sony's software has been proven by a decade that it's reliable. On the other hand, you might be referring to the old Touchwiz. Have you tried the new Touchwiz lately?

                                "everyone here complaining about higher prices don't realize people have been paying that amount of money for galaxies prior to s7 that were made out of cheap plastic golfballs and laggy touchwiz is laggy."
                                >This is compelling beyond words.

                                  • m
                                  • mir
                                  • thh
                                  • 06 Jun 2016

                                  AnonD-521587, 05 Jun 20162k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance... moreFYI. The regular S7 has better endurance than many of the other phones with 1080p screens and roughly the same battery capacity. Try to go out more from your little cave.

                                    • S
                                    • Slayer
                                    • nI$
                                    • 06 Jun 2016

                                    AnonD-442781, 05 Jun 2016Lol! You sound so upset :( Anyway the 1440p display on t... moreNot sure I agree with you on the battery efficiency point given the disparity in the size of the batteries. No matter, Sony has got this totally wrong, IMHO, and that is coming from someone who has owned pretty much every Sony phone since the Arc. I want it all, 2K screen, 5.5" is my sweet point for screen size and the pricing is just CRAZY.....so that would mean a Pass from me. It would be cool to get hold of an Xperia X Premium, now that would be something else...

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-442781
                                      • pJm
                                      • 05 Jun 2016

                                      AnonD-521587, 05 Jun 20162k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance... moreLol! You sound so upset :(

                                      Anyway the 1440p display on the s7 is more efficient than the 1080p display on the xperia x.

                                      Not going to bother responding to the rest of your rant. Too many excuses that dont change its a flawed device and you didn't address half of the things I mentioned anyway.

                                        • D
                                        • AnonD-521587
                                        • I0Z
                                        • 05 Jun 2016

                                        AnonD-442781, 05 Jun 2016You don't have to just complain about 4k though There is a... more2k display is a gimmick that drains battery and perfromance. You also can't tell the difference. I don't understand why you think this is a negative. you're obviously a dumb troll.

                                        the fingerprint is a result of the ridiculous patent law suits here in the USA. You can just get the international version.

                                        Camera is the best despite what other people are going to say about this phone.

                                        there are videos taht show the xperia x beat htc10 and lgg5 in day to day speed, and comes very clse to the s7 even though it's a mid ranger. The XP should destroy all these phones.

                                        ALso , does everyone here fail to realize that qnovo battery tech is the best new thing in mobiel technology? Good enough that big companies like intel are backing it up. Yeah, this is a great distinct advantage the x line has that other phones don't have. Not to mention the optimized software is going to make this phone last you longer than the shitty laggy touchwiz.

                                        everyone here complaining about higher prices don't realize people have been paying that amount of money for galaxies prior to s7 that were made out of cheap plastic golfballs and laggy touchwiz is laggy.

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