Sony Xperia XZ1 hands-on review: First impressions

31 August 2017
There's a new top Sony dog in town and its name is the Xperia XZ1. So, it's official: Sony is persisting with its, let's say, questionable naming convention. To be fair, we do see the consistency in it all, but it is still a rather silly title. Plus, we do have to complain about some aspect of the XZ1, since, frankly, after spending a bit of time with it, our initial impressions are really positive.

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  • AnonD-670091
  • 5L%
  • 31 Aug 2017

Tann Hauser, 31 Aug 2017I dont like the design language. Cause I dont like antenna ... moreNylon is cheap, and not durable, doesnt belong on flagship phone.

As for those who complain about bezels and design, I for one like those because makes the phone more practical to use. I care less about looks but more about practicality and durability. Sony serves those who also on the same page, if you dislike the design, thats very fine, then you can choose because every other brands using samsung no bezels design, therefore you have so much choice. While us bezel lovers barely has anything, leave me Sony, you can have others.

Just A LITTLE HINT: Assuming Sony switches to amoled and bezeless design, then whats difference will have against other companies? NOTHING. In that case Samsung the only winner , because if the phones look the same, the only thing left is brand strength and added softwares to phone, which will always be Samsung's forte, most consumers doesnt value stock like exp. So think about this. Switching only benefits to Samsung, Sony would lose its niche,

Therefore Sony Xperia XZ1 convinced me, metal unibody thats perfect, and no more than 1080p excellent.

    • D
    • AnonD-632062
    • 3Ye
    • 31 Aug 2017

    I believe this is the first phone that ships with Oreo. That is awesome. The battery could have been more and the design is getting long in the tooth. But otherwise it's a pretty good phone. And thank goodness it still has the 3.5 mm headphone jack! :P

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      • AnonD-299946
      • 6vT
      • 31 Aug 2017

      Anonymous, 31 Aug 2017Speaker beside usb sucks. The worst place ever... It is ... moreTrue in case of a single speaker, put another one on top and the result will be much better plus you'll kill those damn decade old bezels.

        • ?
        • Anonymous
        • 60E
        • 31 Aug 2017

        Tann Hauser, 31 Aug 2017I dont like the design language. Cause I dont like antenna ... moresony need a lot more customers. glad they finally realize that, and decided to ignore fanboys like you.
        i hope next year they will focus on thin-bezel designs too.

          nothing-, 31 Aug 2017Finally sony uses an aluminum unibody design. Looking forwa... moreI dont like the design language. Cause I dont like antenna strips...
          Rather they kept the nylon frame.

            • D
            • AnonD-96745
            • KZ8
            • 31 Aug 2017

            Everything seems perfect to me, except the design. Its about personal taste,and I didnt really like xperia design since XZ. If they use Xperia XA design with the same speaker placement, reduce bezel just a bit, aluminium body...boom! I'm sold.

              • ?
              • Anonymous
              • nmM
              • 31 Aug 2017

              AnonD-425519, 31 Aug 2017Those edges will hurt when holding it :(. I've had phones l... moreYeah, that's why I won't bother to buy these. Not comfortable to hold.

                Finally sony uses an aluminum unibody design. Looking forward to it.

                  • ?
                  • Anonymous
                  • uC4
                  • 31 Aug 2017

                  Its Polyamide a.k.a. NYLON, not Polyurethane a.k.a. Plastic.

                    Trump Fan 1980, 31 Aug 2017 I like that this is running Oreo. I'll bet that it's speak... moreOr maybe next year, when they finally use oled, expect downgrad on selfie camera though

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                      • AnonD-425519
                      • Y7J
                      • 31 Aug 2017

                      Those edges will hurt when holding it :(. I've had phones like that in the past and it did hurt.

                        The first phone to ship with Oreo out-of-the box?

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                          • Anonymous
                          • UD{
                          • 31 Aug 2017

                          Still no RAW shooting? Sony, it's almost 2018! Just do it already!

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                            • Anonymous
                            • JT5
                            • 31 Aug 2017

                            AnonD-299946, 31 Aug 2017Just keep the overall shape, put a 21:9 screen that kills a... moreSpeaker beside usb sucks. The worst place ever...
                            It is for iphone wanna be phones...

                              Damn it. Why is the home navigation key not Sony's one? It feels like it is not using their own launcher. The rounded key makes it look like Google's smartphone. And does the back look like matte similar to XPERIA XZs?

                                I like that this is running Oreo. I'll bet that it's speakers are relatively quiet. Maybe ZTE Axon 7 developers or Nokia 8 designers can assist Sony with the development of handset speakers that can be used extremely loud (maybe Dobly Atomos should be considered as well). Sony could be looking to start shipping models with thin bezels within two years, if rumors are correct.

                                  Xz1 can be used as 3d portable scanner , impressive, you can create a 3d sculpture of yourself!

                                    • D
                                    • AnonD-299946
                                    • 6vT
                                    • 31 Aug 2017

                                    Just keep the overall shape, put a 21:9 screen that kills all the bezel and the front facing camera, put the stereo speakers on the top and bottom sides, the earpiece on the back along with a small secondary display used for taking selfies and video calls using the main camera. Is that too hard to do, Sony, or any other manufacturer for that matter??

                                      • D
                                      • AnonD-402029
                                      • Hka
                                      • 31 Aug 2017

                                      there is something that i like about xperia design, something that i dont know how to say. even if the design is rectangle, but still..i want it

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                                        • gogu
                                        • ajf
                                        • 31 Aug 2017

                                        2700mh battery......z3 has 3100 ..... this will have shit battery life....like all those who came after z3.

                                        Sony ....new more"efficient" processors and more "efficient" OS is just a dream .... if you keep the sizes of a Z3 why not put a similar battery in it also ?