Sony Xperia XZ review: X to the Z

28 September 2016
Sony's latest flagship, the Xperia Z6 comes with refined design, improved camera, and a due update in specs. Wait, back up a little there - it's actually called the Xperia XZ this time around but, yeah, the rest of that is true.

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  • h
  • hellPIG
  • Kg{
  • 04 Mar 2021

It's a really exciting phone to have especially when you're outdoorsy. It can easily perform under heavy rain, waterfall, underwater and even inside an aquarium tank.

Sadly, the XZ has some over heating issues especially during the first few months after I bought it. Whenever i try to use mobile data, waze , or even the camera for a few minutes, it starts to get real hot and would either slow down significantly or completely shut down. And you won't be able to restart it until it has cooled down to an acceptable temperature. (Although, as frustrating as it was, i also though it was a really cool feature for a phone to know when it's too hot or cool enough to start working again)

What's worse is the Sony customer service or lack thereof (at least here in the Philippines) The software updates helped with the issue, but did not entirely solve it. It just lessened the frequency and degree of heating.

But in spite of that, I'm still really happy with the XZ. I love taking pictures and filming with it in manual mode. Videos are crisp and audio/speakers are clean and loud enough. UI is still running smoothly.

The battery is beginning to degrade but given that this is a 4 year old phone, that's to be expected. Overall, my XZ is still going strong. As for my next phone, it will definitely be 1ii

    I've been using this phone for the last two months (bought as new old stock), working alongside an Xperia Z5 Compact. Compared to the z5c, the xz feels better in every way (though to be expected), but the Wi-Fi is a bit weaker, the Z5C have a stronger and more reliable Wi-Fi receiver, somewhat.

      • ?
      • Anonymous
      • 2S5
      • 15 Oct 2020

      The best Xperia model I have used so far. Been using it for the last 3 years. No problem what so ever. Have no plans to change it.

        • F
        • Faraz4us
        • 6QC
        • 05 May 2020

        It has a bad mobile signal, when ever try to call it stuck and didn't show signal.

          • C
          • Cobby Dale Steve
          • 8mp
          • 20 Apr 2020

          What a great phone this is,
          Very slick in usage,
          Battery life is brilliant,
          A great size,
          Camera is exceptional,
          Holds it's own even though it's a few years old,

            • D
            • AnonD-738839
            • y$1
            • 19 Feb 2018

            AnonD-582890, 13 Oct 2017Don't buy this phone! 1.Overheats a lot to the point where... more1. Seriously?? I browse the internet for straight half an hour, and the phone only gets a little warm like any other normal phones would get. And I've had this phone since, like, it was first released till now.
            2. What plastic?? That line strip on the rear bottom on the phone?? Again, I've had this phone for almost 2 years, and it still looks as beautiful as I first held it in my hand.
            3. More questions mark. My phone is as blazing fast as I first bought it almost 2 years ago. Seriously, I rely on my XZ for working and it is heavy use, mind you.
            4. Even more questions mark. Mate, are you sure that's an Xperia XZ you own? Mine is bloody fast and I don't even turn it off for 2 days. Blimey.
            5. I agree with this, but this one is pretty much of a personal choice. I do like the design; it's just beautiful and it what makes it as a Sony phone.
            6. Agree, Sony has been for a long time, but I do fancy enjoying music and movies through a headset. Speakers only function for notifications for me and what's important is I can hear the notifications come along.

              • X
              • XZ
              • y$1
              • 19 Feb 2018

              Fire, 08 Mar 2017Main useless thing... It takes near about 2 hours 30 min t... moreUse a quick charger. I use UCH10 and my phone takes only half an hour to be fully charged.

                • m
                • me
                • 83%
                • 04 Dec 2017

                is it worth to buy xz right now i got z3 would it be good upgrade?????????

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • fuf
                  • 27 Oct 2017

                  It's a really dope phone

                    • D
                    • AnonD-582890
                    • 6tK
                    • 13 Oct 2017

                    Don't buy this phone!
                    1.Overheats a lot to the point where you can't hold it even though i only browse the internet.
                    2.The plastic is cheap and rips of quickly.
                    3.The ram management is terrible it can't remember even one app.
                    4.Every few days it slows down drastically to the point of unusable.
                    5.The bezels are huge compared to the competition.
                    6.The speakers are very weak.

                      • D
                      • AnonD-683951
                      • RxG
                      • 12 Jul 2017

                      Do you know why they give lower credit for xperia's camera quality? yes, they used original software from the phone and did not try using other third party applications.

                      In fact, I tried some other camera applications from GPlay and I must say this phones' camera sensor did a pretty good job and far much better than using in phone camera app..

                        • F
                        • Fire
                        • KSh
                        • 08 Mar 2017

                        Main useless thing... It takes near about 2 hours 30 min to full battery..... Its meaning less

                          • Y
                          • Yabesh Chandrasekar
                          • D0e
                          • 03 Mar 2017

                          By features, it has little to envy any other mobile. However, the specs of a mobile are not everything , and Sony knows that well. The sensations after using his flagship are somewhat bittersweet, with too many lights and shadows for what was expected of him.

                          With the mobile market becoming more competitive, Sony has here an opportunity to position itself well ahead of 2017. A company of this size wants and needs to have a flagship among the best , although for the moment most of the Xperia have not finished shining As it deserves a historic as the Japanese brand. Will you get it with this Xperia XZ? We'll tell you.

                            • D
                            • AnonD-647098
                            • smM
                            • 23 Feb 2017

                            All I can say,perfect phone!Already upgraded to Nougat.Super fast and great camera.Only flaws for me are that sound could be better and flashlight.

                              • B
                              • Bloo
                              • P@Y
                              • 18 Feb 2017

                              what seems to be the problem with the Bluetooth/wifi of my xperia z3c? theyll just automatically turned off and sometimes it doesn't work? anyone?

                                • ?
                                • Anonymous
                                • Ibx
                                • 15 Feb 2017

                                Sony XZ is Beast of cell!!

                                  • ?
                                  • Anonymous
                                  • Rbq
                                  • 14 Feb 2017

                                  Tann Hauser, 09 Jan 2017Yeah, Magnetic charging dock is dearly missed on newer Xper... moreI 2ND that Sony charging tech.

                                    • ?
                                    • Anonymous
                                    • IbE
                                    • 13 Feb 2017

                                    Sony the Beast of Flagships!!!

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-503930
                                      • t0L
                                      • 17 Jan 2017

                                      when i was reading this review, i notice that gsmarena team trying hard to mention "this is not a flagship or something" but i dont get why.. so why extra effort ?? this is a good phone..

                                        • ?
                                        • Anonymous
                                        • 3SL
                                        • 15 Jan 2017

                                        Tann Hauser, 09 Jan 2017Yeah, Magnetic charging dock is dearly missed on newer Xper... moreI also feel like this was something outstanding been removed with Xperia Z3+. Same goes for lanyard hole removed with Xperia X.